Patent Publication Number: US-2023150292-A1

Title: Complementary flakes

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a sheet, including a substrate having a surface, wherein the surface includes a first marking that defines a boundary of a hollow flake, and a second marking that defines a boundary of a solid flake; wherein the first marking and the second marking are each, independently, configured to protrude from a plane of the surface or depress down from the plane of the surface; and wherein the first marking surrounds the second marking. A complementary set of flakes, and a method of making the complementary set of flakes are also disclosed 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Specialty pigments have been developed for use in security applications, such as anti-counterfeiting devices printed on banknotes, packaging of high-value items, seals for containers, and even for direct application to commercial items. For example, the U.S. twenty-dollar Federal Reserve Note currently uses optically variable ink. The number “20” printed in the lower-right corner of the face of the note changes color as the viewing angle changes. This is an overt anti-counterfeiting device. The color-shifting effect is not reproducible by ordinary color photocopiers, and someone receiving a note can observe whether it has the color-shifting security feature to determine the note&#39;s authenticity. 
     Similar measures include iridescent pigments or diffractive pigments that are used in paints and inks that are applied directly to an article, such as a stock certificate, passport, original product packaging, or to seals that are applied to an article. Security features that are more difficult to counterfeit are desirable as counterfeiters continue to become more sophisticated. 
     One anti-counterfeiting approach uses microscopic symbols on multi-layer color-shifting pigment flakes. The symbols are formed on at least one of the layers of the multi-layer color-shifting pigment flakes by a local change of an optical property(s), such as reflectivity. The multi-layer color-shifting pigment flakes generally include a Fabry Perot-type structure having an absorbing layer separated from a reflective layer by a spacer layer. The reflective layer is typically a layer of metal, which renders the pigment flake essentially opaque. If a large portion of these types of pigment flakes are mixed with other pigment, the resultant color might be significantly different from the pigment, and if too few of these flakes are mixed with other pigment, they might be difficult to find. 
     Generally, bulk pigment particles, including bulk pigment flakes, have an irregular or random shape. That is, these pigment flakes are not designed to have a particular first configuration. Moreover, these pigment flakes are not designed to be a set of complementary flakes. These flakes cannot be distinguished based upon shape and therefore fail to provide this additional means of establishing authenticity. 
     It is desirable to mark objects with covert anti-counterfeiting devices. Additionally, it is desirable to continue to develop new covert anti-counterfeiting devices. For example, it is desirable to provide a method of mass producing flakes, such as two flakes at one time, in which the flakes are complementary to one another. The use of complementary flakes, in which one flake is opaque and the other flake is transparent, can provide additional sophistication to a device coated with a composition including the complementary flakes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limited in the following figure(s), in which like numerals indicate like elements, in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a sheet according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a portion of a sheet according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  illustrate a complementary set of flakes, in which  FIG.  3 A  illustrates a hollow flake, and  FIG.  3 B  illustrates the complementary solid flake, according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  4 A ) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  4 B —hollow flake, and  FIG.  4 C —solid flake), according to an aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  5 A ) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  5 B —hollow flake, and  FIG.  5 C —solid flake), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  6 A ) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  6 B —hollow flake, and  FIG.  6 C —solid flake), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  7 A ) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  7 B —hollow flake, and  FIG.  7 C —solid flake), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  8 A  with a marking as a depression) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  8 B —hollow flake, and  FIG.  8 C —solid flake with a marking), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  9 A  with a marking) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  9 B —hollow flake with a marking, and  FIG.  9 C —solid flake), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  10 A- 10 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  10 A  with a marking as a protrusion) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  10 B —hollow flake, and  FIG.  10 C —solid flake with a marking), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS.  11 A- 11 C  illustrate a cross-section of a sheet ( FIG.  11 A  with a marking as a protrusion and as a depression) that can make the complementary set of flakes ( FIG.  11 B —hollow flake with a marking depression, and  FIG.  11 C —solid flake with a marking protrusion), according to another aspect of the invention; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a hollow flake and its associated cross-section; and 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a solid flake and its associated cross-section. 
     
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an aspect, there is disclosed a sheet, including a substrate having a surface, wherein the surface includes a first marking that defines a boundary of a hollow flake, and a second marking that defines a boundary of a solid flake; wherein the first marking and the second marking are each, independently, configured to protrude from a plane of the surface or depress down from the plane of the surface; and wherein the first marking surrounds the second marking. 
     In another aspect, there is disclosed a complementary set of flakes, comprising: a solid flake formed of a coating and having a first configuration; and a hollow flake having a second configuration, wherein the second configuration includes the coating in a form of a frame around an absence of the coating, wherein the absence of the coating is in the form of the first configuration. 
     In a further aspect, there is also disclosed a method of making a complementary set of flakes, comprising: providing a substrate having a surface, wherein the surface includes a first marking that defines a boundary of a hollow flake, and a second marking that defines a boundary of a solid flake, wherein the first marking and the second marking are each, independently, configured to protrude from a plane of the surface or depress down from the plane of the surface, and wherein the first marking surrounds the second marking; applying a coating onto the surface of the substrate so that the coating conforms to the first marking and the second marking; removing the conformed coating from the substrate; and breaking the conformed coating along the first marking and the second marking to form a hollow flake and a solid flake. 
     Additional features and advantages of various embodiments will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, and will, in part, be apparent from the description, or can be learned by the practice of various embodiments. The objectives and other advantages of various embodiments will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring mainly to an example thereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present disclosure. 
     Additionally, the elements depicted in the accompanying figures may include additional components and some of the components described in those figures may be removed and/or modified without departing from scopes of the present disclosure. Further, the elements depicted in the figures may not be drawn to scale and thus, the elements may have sizes and/or configurations that differ from those shown in the figures. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are intended to provide an explanation of various embodiments of the present teachings. In its broad and varied embodiments, disclosed herein are a sheet, a complementary set of flakes, a coating composition, and a method of making a complementary set of flakes. A complementary set of flakes is understood to mean a shape of one flake of the set complements a shape of the other flake of the set. In this manner, when the flakes are together a whole coating can be formed. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , there is a sheet  26  including a substrate  38  having a surface  28 , wherein the surface  28  includes a first marking  12  that defines a boundary of a hollow flake  30   a , and a second marking  10  that defines a boundary of a solid flake  30   b ; wherein the first marking  12  and the second marking  10  are each, independently, configured to protrude from a plane of the surface  28  or depress down from the plane of the surface  28 ; and wherein the first marking  12  surrounds the second marking  10 .  FIG.  2    is an atomic force microscope image of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a , and a solid flake  30   b . As can be seen in  FIG.  2   , the first marking  12  depresses deeper down from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38  as compared to the second marking  10 . In this manner, the first marking  12  can define a boundary of a hollow flake  30   a , which in this instance is a square shape. The second marking  10  is less deep, relative to the first marking  12 , and can define a solid flake  30   b , for example, a plurality of solid flakes, which in this instance is a plurality of letters, i.e., S, A, M, P, L, and E. A complementary set of flakes can include one hollow flake  30   a  and multiple solid flakes  30   b.    
     The first marking  12  can be continuous along a dimension, such as the length  25  or a width, of the substrate  38 . For example, the first marking  12  can have a same depression or a same protrusion along the dimension. In another aspect, the first marking  12  can be discontinuous along the dimension of the substrate  38 . For example, the first marking  12  can have a varied depression or a varied protrusion to form perforations along the dimension. 
     The substrate  38  can be any material capable of receiving the first marking  12  and the second marking  10 . The substrate can have a length  25  and a height/depth  24 . The height/depth  24  should be a sufficient amount such that the first marking  12  and/or the second marking  10  do not depress down an entire height of the substrate  38 , i.e. does not extend through from a top surface  28  to a bottom surface. The substrate  38  can have a length  25  to enable a plurality of complementary sets of flakes to be formed. 
     For economic reasons, to simultaneously mass produce a plurality of complementary set of flakes  30   a ,  30   b , the substrate  38  can be a roll of foil, as shown in  FIG.  1   . The substrate  38  can be embossed with microstructures, such as a first marking  12  and/or a second marking  10 , that can facilitate a breakage of an applied coating  36  into a plurality of complementary sets of flakes  30   a ,  30   b  having a specifically designed shape. The substrate  38  can be embossed with a microstructure, such as a third marking  14 , that does not facilitate a breakage of an applied coating in a specifically designed shape, but instead defines a contour of an image. In this manner, the third marking  14  can provide an additional means for providing authentication of an article. 
     The sheet  26  can also include a coating  36  applied on the surface  28  of the substrate  38 , wherein the coating  36  conforms to the surface  28  of the substrate  38  including the first marking  12  and the second marking  10 , and optionally a third marking  14 , if present. The coating  26  can interface with the surface  28  of the substrate  38 . The coating  36  can be a single layer of a single material, multiple layers of a single material, or multiple layers of multiple materials. 
     In an aspect, the coating can include a material and/or a layer of material that responds to or is effected by an electric field or a magnetic field. In this manner, the complementary set of flakes  30   a ,  30   b  formed of the coating can be oriented when placed in an appropriate field. 
     There is discloses a complementary set of flakes including a hollow flake  30   a , and a solid flake  30   b .  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , together, form a complementary set of flakes.  FIG.  3 A  illustrates a hollow flake  30   a  of the complementary set of flakes. The hollow flake  30   a  can have a second configuration that can include the coating in a form of a frame around an absence of the coating. The absence of the coating can be in a same form as the solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  3 B . In this aspect, the second configuration is a square shape with a void area (absence of coating) in a shape of a Euro symbol. As shown in  FIG.  3 B , the solid flake  30   b  can be formed of a coating and can have a first configuration. In this aspect, the first configuration is in a shape of an Euro symbol. The first configuration and the second configuration can be different, yet complementary. The first configuration and/or second configuration can be used to authenticate an article. The first configuration and/or the second configuration can be specifically designed and/or associated with a manufacturing facility, date of manufacture, or an aspect specifically related to the article, such as a Euro symbol on a banknote. At least one of the solid flake  30   b , and the hollow flake  30   a  can include an indicium. 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  4 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  4 C . The coating  26 , which would be applied to the substrate  38 , conformed, removed, and broken to form the complementary set of flakes  30   a ,  30   b  is not shown for clarity. The first marking  12  depresses down a same depth, from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38 , as the second marking  10 . The first marking  12  can surround the second marking  10  thereby forming a frame. The second marking  10  can be walls delimiting the solid flake  30   b . The first marking  12  can define a boundary (e.g., an outer boundary) of the hollow flake  30   a , as shown in  FIG.  4 B . The second marking  10  can define a boundary (e.g., an outer boundary) of the solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  4 C . The second marking  10  can also define a boundary around a void area (an area absent the coating) in the hollow flake  30   a.    
       FIG.  5 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  5 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  5 C . The second marking  10  depresses deeper down, from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38 , as compared to the first marking  12 . In an aspect, the second marking  10  can be walls delimiting the solid flake  30   b . The delimiting walls can be deeper than the frames (second marking  12 ) of the hollow flake  30   a . This can be useful in a case of smaller sized complementary sets of flakes because the smaller the size of the flakes, the more difficult it can become to break them into their respective shapes. As an example, the size of solid flake  30   b  of  FIG.  5 C  can be half the size or smaller than the solid flake  30   b  of  FIG.  4 C . Therefore, having a deeper second marking  10  can facilitate a more precise separation of the solid flake  30   b  from the hollow flake  30   a    
       FIG.  6 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  6 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  6 C . As with  FIGS.  4 A- 4 C , the first marking  12  depresses down a same depth, from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38 , as the second marking  10 . The first marking  12  can be a frame and the second marking  10  can be a frame. 
       FIG.  7 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  7 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  7 C . The second marking  10  depresses deeper down, from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38 , as compared to the first marking  12 . The first marking  12  can be a frame and the second marking  10  can be a frame. 
     The surface  28  of the substrate  38  can further include a third marking  14  that defines a boundary of an indicium. The indicium can be chosen from a symbol, a number, a word, a pattern, a logo, an image, a diffractive microstructure, and combinations thereof. The indicium can be seen with a microscope. The indicium can be used to personalize or provide another method for authentication of an article containing the complementary set of flakes. 
     The third marking  14  can be formed by a process chosen from stamping, embossing, etching by mechanical means, etching by chemical means, and lasers. The third marking  14  can be present on a surface of the hollow flake  30   a , the solid flake  30   b , or both. The third marking  14  can be chosen from a depression down from the plane of the substrate  38 , a protrusion up from the plane of the substrate  38 , and a combination thereof. 
       FIG.  8 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  8 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  8 C . The first marking  12  and the second marking  10  each depress deeper down from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38  as compared to the third marking  14 . The first marking  12  and the second marking  10  are each frames. The second marking  10  depresses deeper down, from the plane of the surface  28  of the substrate  38 , as compared to the first marking  12 , and as compared to the third marking  14 . The third marking  14  can depress into the substrate  38  an insufficient depth so that the third marking  14  does not facilitate a breakage of an applied coating in a specifically designed shape, but instead defines a contour of an indicium. In an aspect, the third marking  14  can be surrounded by the second marking  10 . The third marking  14  can form an indicium on a solid flake  30   b . In this instance, a complementary set of flakes can include a hollow flake  30   a  without an indicium on its surface, and a solid flake  30   b  with an indicium on a surface of the solid flake  30   b.    
       FIG.  9 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  9 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  9 C .  FIG.  9 A  is similar to  FIG.  8 A , but the location of the third marking  14 , relative to the first marking  12  and the second marking  10 , has changed. In an aspect, the third marking  14  can be surrounded by the first marking  12 . The third marking  14  can form an indicium on a hollow flake  30   a . In this instance, a complementary set of flakes can include a solid flake  30   b  without an indicium on its surface, and a hollow flake  30   a  with an indicium on a surface of the hollow flake  30   a.    
       FIG.  10 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  10 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  10 C . The second marking  10  can be depressed deeper into the substrate  38  as compared to the first marking  12 . In an aspect, the first marking  12  can be a frame, and the second marking  10  can be a wall delimiting the solid flake  30   b . The third marking  14  can be surrounded by the second marking  10 . The third marking  14  can be a protrusion up from the plane of the substrate  38 . In an aspect, the third marking  14  can be present on a solid flake  30   b.    
       FIG.  11 A  illustrates a cross-section of a portion of a sheet  26  used to produce a complementary set of flakes, such as a hollow flake  30   a  as shown in  FIG.  11 B , and a solid flake  30   b , as shown in  FIG.  11 C .  FIG.  11   a    is similar to  FIG.  10 A  except that there is a plurality of a third marking  14 . Besides the presence of the third marking  14  on the solid flake  30   b , the third marking  14  can also be present on the hollow flake  30   a . The first marking  12  can surround a first instance of the third marking  14 , and the second marking  10  can surround a second instance of the third marking  14 . The first instance of the third marking  14  can be a depression down from the plane of the substrate  38 . The second instance of the third marking  14  can be a protrusion up from the plane of the substrate  38 . 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a hollow flake  30   a  and its associated cross-section. The hollow flake  30   a  can be absent indicia. In an aspect, the hollow flake  30   a  can include a portion of the second marking  10  that did not completely break during formation of the hollow flake  30   a  and the solid flake  30   b . In an aspect, the solid flake  30   a  does not include a portion of the second marking  10 . The diagonal hash can be the first marking  12 , the horizontal stripe can be the second marking  10 , and the dotted section can be an absence of coating. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a solid flake  30   b  and its associated cross-section. The solid flake  30   b  can include indicia. In an aspect, the solid flake  30   b  can include a portion of the second marking  10  that did not completely break during formation of the solid flake  30   b . In an aspect, the solid flake  30   b  does not include a portion of the second marking  10 . The diagonal hash can be the third marking  14 , e.g., forming the letters “SECURE”, and the horizontal stripe (on the left) can be the second marking  10  that is left over from the frame that makes a solid flake from a hollow flake. The horizontal stripe (between and/or among the third marking  14 ) can be the coating. 
     There is also disclosed a coating composition, including at least one flake from the complementary set of flakes  30   a ,  30   b ; a special effect pigment; and a liquid medium. The special effect pigment is a color shifting pigment that shifts from magenta to green upon a change in viewing angle. 
     The composition can include a liquid medium, such as varnish base, pain vehicle or ink vehicle. Non-limiting examples of a suitable liquid medium include polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl acetate polyvinylpyrrolidone; poly(ethoxyethylene); poly(methoxyethylene); poly(acrylic)acid; poly(acrylamide); poly(oxyethylene); poly(maleic anhydride); hydroxyethyl cellulose; cellulose acetate; poly(saccharides) such as gum arabic and pectin; poly(acetals) such as polyvinylbutyral; poly(vinyl halides) such as polyvinyl chloride and polyvinylene chloride; poly(dienes) such as polybutadiene; poly(alkenes) such as polyethylene; poly(acrylates) such as polymethyl acrylate; poly(methacrylates) such as poly methylmethacrylate; poly(carbonates) such as poly(oxycarbonyl oxyhexamethylene; poly(esters) such as polyethylene terephthalate; poly(urethanes); poly(siloxanes); poly(suphides); poly(sulphones); poly(vinylnitriles); poly(acrylonitriles); poly(styrene); poly(phenylenes) such as poly(2,5 dihydroxy-1,4-phenyleneethylene); poly(amides); natural rubbers; formaldehyde resins; other polymers and mixtures of polymers; solvents; and polymers with solvents. 
     At least one flake of the complementary set of flakes can be dispersed into the liquid medium in a dilute concentration so that the flakes would not be easily detectable by casual observation. In an aspect, the flakes can be present in the composition in an amount ranging from about 0.5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, relative to the total weight of the composition; for example, from about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. %; and as a further example, from about 5 wt. % to about 15 wt. %. 
     The composition can also include a special effect pigment. The special effect pigment can have a random shape, i.e., a shape that was not specifically designed as part of the manufacturing process for making the special effect pigment. Non-limiting examples of suitable special effect pigments include Optically Variable Pigments (OVP), Magnetic OVP, Pearlescent pigments, Thin Film Interference pigments, Diffractive pigments, and combinations. 
     The complementary set of flakes would not be discerned by unaided human vision, but can be seen under about 50× to 300× magnification. 
     The composition can be coated onto a substrate; such as paper or plastic to form an article. The article can be anything in which the authenticity of the article needs to be verified. Non-limiting examples of articles include stock certificates, passports, original product packaging, bank notes, and the like. 
     A method of making a complementary set of flakes can include providing a substrate  38  having a surface  28 , wherein the surface  28  includes a first marking  12  that defines a boundary of a hollow flake  30   a , and a second marking  10  that defines a boundary of a solid flake  30   b , wherein the first marking  12  and the second marking  10  are each, independently, configured to protrude from a plane of the surface  28  or depress down from the plane of the surface  28 , and wherein the first marking  12  surrounds the second marking  10 . 
     The method can also include applying a coating onto the surface  28  of the substrate  38  so that the coating conforms to the first marking  12  and the second marking  10 . The coating has been discussed above. 
     The method can include removing the conformed coating from the substrate  38 ; and breaking the conformed coating along the first marking  12  and the second marking  10  to form a hollow flake  30   a  and a solid flake  30   b , respectively. In this manner, the step of breaking can be in a controlled or predictable manner to limit or reduce breaking the coating in a location intended for the hollow flake  30   a  and/or the solid flake  30   b . The method can also include grinding the broken coating to the further define a shape of the flakes. 
     Although it may be possible to fabricate flakes in great quantities by cutting a substrate into flakes by use of mechanical cutters, it is less costly and labor intensive to break the coating along predetermined formed lines, such as the first and/or second marking, to form the flakes. 
     The substrate  38  can be embossed by a single technology or a combination of technologies. Non-limiting examples of embossing technology include laser writing, e-beam writing, diamond scribing, masking, and the like. A nickel shim can be electroformed from the originally embossed substrate, and the nickel shim can be recombined to a desired final size for production. The recombined nickel shim can be used in a variety of high resolution replication technologies, such as hot stamping-embossing, hot roller-embossing, injection-molding, UV casting-molding, and the like. In some replication technologies, a UV cured shim can be created and used instead of the nickel shim. 
     Example 
     The complementary set of flakes shown in  FIGS.  3 A-B  were made. The hollow flake  30   a  of  FIG.  3 A  is a 24×24 micron square with a void area in a shape of a Euro symbol.  FIG.  3 B  is the Euro symbol. A sheet  26 , similar to that shown in  FIG.  6 A  was coated with a multiple layer coating. The multiple layer coating was made by vacuum deposition of three layers corresponding to: 400 nm MgF2/100 nm Al/400 nm MgF2. The multiple layer coating conformed to the sheet so that the coating included the first marking  12  and the second marking  10 . The conformed coating was broken along the first marking  12  to form the hollow flake  30   a  of  FIG.  3 A , and was broken along the second marking  10  to form the solid flake  30   b  of  FIG.  3 B . 
     From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can appreciate that the present teachings can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while these teachings have been described in connection with particular embodiments and examples thereof, the true scope of the present teachings should not be so limited. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. 
     This scope disclosure is to be broadly construed. It is intended that this disclosure disclose equivalents, means, systems and methods to achieve the devices, activities and mechanical actions disclosed herein. For each device, article, method, mean, mechanical element or mechanism disclosed, it is intended that this disclosure also encompass in its disclosure and teaches equivalents, means, systems and methods for practicing the many aspects, mechanisms and devices disclosed herein. Additionally, this disclosure regards an article and its many aspects, features and elements. Such an article can be dynamic in its use and operation, this disclosure is intended to encompass the equivalents, means, systems and methods of the use of the device and/or optical device of manufacture and its many aspects consistent with the description and spirit of the operations and functions disclosed herein. The claims of this application are likewise to be broadly construed. The description of the inventions herein in their many embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.