U.S. patent application number 10/534719 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-08 for method and device for characterizing and verifying product authenticity.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hauni Maschinenbau AG. Invention is credited to Harald Gosebruch, Matthias Overath.
Application Number | 20060118437 10/534719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32116314 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060118437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gosebruch; Harald ; et
al. |
June 8, 2006 |
Method and device for characterizing and verifying product
authenticity
Abstract
The invention concerns a method for labelling as well as a
method for identifying a package, particularly one filled with
cigarettes, which includes a packing element for holding the
product to be packed as well as a wrapping at least partially
surrounding the packing element. Furthermore the invention is
concerned with a device for labelling as well as a device for
identifying a package, particularly one filled with cigarettes,
which includes a packing element for holding the product to be
packed as well as a wrapping at least partially surrounding the
packing element. Furthermore the invention concerns a package, in
particular cigarette package. Previous methods and devices for
labelling and identification do not allow reliable checking for
authenticity of packaging, as the known safety measures can be
bypassed. With the devices and methods according to the invention,
by including an individual code and a property characteristic of
the packing element and/or the wrapping, which is present in a
random and inimitable manner in all successive products,
unambiguous and reliable checking for authenticity of the package
is ensured with little expenditure. The package according to the
invention with the additional scanning mark assists unambiguous
identification.
Inventors: |
Gosebruch; Harald; (Verden,
DE) ; Overath; Matthias; (Hamburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VENABLE LLP
P.O. BOX 34385
WASHINGTON
DC
20045-9998
US
|
Assignee: |
Hauni Maschinenbau AG
Kurt-A-Korber-Chaussee 8-32
Hamburg
DE
D-21033
|
Family ID: |
32116314 |
Appl. No.: |
10/534719 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
November 12, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP03/12649 |
371 Date: |
May 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/273 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 3/00 20130101; G09F
3/0297 20130101; G06K 19/06009 20130101; G06K 17/00 20130101; G06K
19/086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/273 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/10 20060101
B65D085/10; B65D 85/12 20060101 B65D085/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 12, 2002 |
EP |
02090376.1 |
Claims
1. Method for labelling a package, particularly one filled with
cigarettes, which includes a packing element for holding the
product to be packed as well as a wrapping at least partially
surrounding the packing element, characterised by the following
steps: during the process of manufacturing the package, at least
one individual code which is allocated once only is applied to the
packing element and/or the wrapping and stored in a storage medium,
during the process of manufacturing the package, furthermore at
least one property characteristic of the packing element and/or the
wrapping is detected as a measurable variable, the measurable
variable is assigned to the code belonging to the packing element
and/or wrapping in the storage medium to form a unique data
record.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the code is
printed and/or stamped.
3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the code is
detected and then filed in the storage medium.
4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that in addition a
scanning mark is applied to the packing element and/or
wrapping.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the position
and overlap width of a joint seam of the wrapping relative to the
scanning mark is determined as a measurable variable.
6. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that deviations of
the position (d, e; .alpha., .beta.) of folds and/or cut edges
and/or overlap regions of the wrapping are determined as a
measurable variable.
7. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that patterns
which form due to joining or closing the wrapping are determined as
a measurable variable.
8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the code and
the measurable variable are detected optically and processed
electronically.
9. Method for identifying a package, particularly one filled with
cigarettes, which includes a packing element for holding the
product to be packed as well as a wrapping at least partially
surrounding the packing element, characterised by the following
steps: detection of at least one individual code which is applied
to the packing element and/or the wrapping and allocated once only,
detection of at least one property characteristic of the packing
element and/or the wrapping as a measurable variable, comparison of
the detected code and measurable variable with a unique data record
for each package which is stored in a storage medium during
manufacture of the package and composed of code and measurable
variable.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the position
and overlap width of a joint seam of the wrapping relative to a
scanning mark applied to the packing element and/or wrapping is
determined as a measurable variable.
11. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that deviations
of the position of folds and/or cut edges and/or overlap regions of
the wrapping are determined as a measurable variable.
12. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that patterns
which form due to joining or closing the wrapping are determined as
a measurable variable.
13. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the code and
measurable variable are detected optically and processed
electronically.
14. Device for labelling a package, particularly one filled with
cigarettes, which includes a packing element for holding the
product to be packed as well as a wrapping at least partially
surrounding the packing element, characterised in that the device
includes means for detecting at least one property characteristic
of the packing element and/or the wrapping as a measurable variable
as well as a storage medium for storing the detected measurable
variable, wherein the means and the storage medium are connected to
each other via a personal computer (PC) or the like for assigning
the measurable variable to an individual code for the package which
is allocated once only and filed in the storage medium.
15. Device according to claim 14, characterised in that the device
has means for applying the code.
16. Device for identifying a package, particularly one filled with
cigarettes, which includes a packing element for holding the
product to be packed as well as a wrapping at least partially
surrounding the packing element, characterised in that the device
includes means for detecting at least one property characteristic
of the packing element and/or the wrapping as a measurable variable
as well as a storage medium for storing the detected measurable
variable, wherein the means and the storage medium are connected to
each other via a personal computer or the like for comparing an
individual code which is allocated once only and the detected
measurable variable of the package to be identified, with a unique
data record for each package stored in the storage medium
beforehand and composed of code and measurable variable.
17. Package, in particular cigarette package, with a packing
element for holding e.g. cigarettes, wherein the packing element is
provided with a thin, preferably film-like wrapping, characterised
in that an individual code readable from the outside and allocated
once only is applied to the packing element and/or wrapping, and in
addition a scanning mark or the like is provided for detection of a
characteristic property of the packing element and/or wrapping as a
measurable variable.
18. Package according to claim 17, characterised in that the
wrapping itself is the scanning mark.
19. Package according to claim 17, characterised in that the
scanning mark is arranged on the packing element.
20. Package according to claim 17, characterised in that the
scanning mark is arranged on the wrapping.
21. Package according to claim 19, characterised in that the
scanning mark is arranged in the region of a joint seam of the
wrapping.
22. Package according to claim 19, characterised in that the
scanning mark is stationarily attached to the packing element
and/or to the wrapping.
23. Package according to claim 19, characterised in that the
scanning mark is stationarily attached relative to the
characteristic property to be detected.
24. Package according to claim 19, characterised in that the
scanning mark is composed of print, stamping or the like which is
to be found on the package anyway.
Description
[0001] The invention concerns a method for labelling as well as a
method for identifying a package, particularly one filled with
cigarettes, which includes a packing element for holding the
product to be packed as well as a wrapping at least partially
surrounding the packing element. Furthermore the invention is
concerned with a device for labelling as well as a device for
identifying a package, particularly one filled with cigarettes,
which includes a packing element for holding the product to be
packed as well as a wrapping at least partially surrounding the
packing element. Furthermore the invention concerns a package, in
particular a cigarette packet.
[0002] Packaging in the sense according to the invention can be
soft packages, hard packages (so-called hinged-lid packages),
storage tins or other containers for cigarettes, cigars, loose
tobacco or the like. The packing element itself can consist of
several components. In order to label and identify packages and in
particular cigarette packets, namely in order to be able to check
the packaging for authenticity or origin, various methods and
devices are known. Usually the packages are given e.g. a bar code
during manufacture. By means of a scanner or the like, the bar code
is then read for checking, so that the information contained in the
bar code allows a conclusion about the manufacturer, the place of
manufacture, etc.
[0003] However, other, even more elaborate possible ways of
labelling and identification are known too, in which magnetic
strips or the like are applied as information carriers in the
region of the package, wherein the magnetic strips can contain
information e.g. on the manufacturer, place of manufacture, date,
etc.
[0004] However, the known methods and devices for labelling and
identifying packaging as well as the corresponding packages
themselves have the drawback that they do not allow unambiguous and
unequivocal labelling or identification of the package. Namely, it
is possible to put in circulation forged packages whose original
source cannot be proved, as the known methods and devices can be
manipulated by bypassing, imitating or forging labels, e.g. the bar
codes. Also considerable expenditure is necessary for labelling,
which leads in particular to elevated costs in manufacture of the
packages.
[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to
propose an easy-to-handle device as well as a cheap method for
labelling and an easy-to-handle device as well as a cheap method
for identifying a package, particularly one filled with cigarettes,
which ensure an unambiguous and reliable authenticity check of the
package. Furthermore, it is the object of the invention to propose
a package which can be labelled and identified easily and
reliably.
[0006] This object is achieved by a method for labelling a package,
particularly one filled with cigarettes, which is characterised by
the following steps: [0007] during the process of manufacturing the
package, at least one individual code which is allocated once only
is applied to the packing element and/or the wrapping and stored in
a storage medium, [0008] during the process of manufacturing the
package, furthermore at least one property characteristic of the
packing element and/or the wrapping is detected as a measurable
variable, [0009] the measurable variable is assigned to the code
associated with the packing element in the storage medium to form a
unique data record.
[0010] With such a labelling method, namely labelling the packaging
with a fixed and therefore invariable but individual code, on the
one hand, and a manufacture-related measurable variable of the
packing element and/or wrapping itself which is variable and random
for all successive packages, on the other hand, a package can be
clearly marked by assigning the code and the measurable variable to
a unique data record for each package, so that it can be ensured
that the package was unequivocally manufactured by the authorised
manufacturers themselves. Labelling is also very easy and therefore
cheap, because apart from an ordinary code no extra elements have
to be applied to the packaging. On the contrary, the invention
makes use of the peculiarities of each package itself for
labelling.
[0011] In a development of the invention, in addition a scanning
mark is applied to the packing element and/or wrapping,
facilitating detection of the characteristic property of each
package as a measurable variable. Moreover, this scanning mark can
also be print which is to be applied to the package anyway or is
already present, e.g. the brand name, a logo or the like.
[0012] Advantageously, the position and overlap width of the joint
seam of the wrapping relative to the scanning mark is determined as
a measurable variable. Due to this procedure, even greater
reliability is achieved when detecting the measurable variable.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment, deviations of the position
of folds and/or cut edges and/or overlap regions of the wrapping as
well as the position and embossing of patterns which form due to
joining or closing of the wrapping particularly by welding in the
region of joints or seams as a measurable variable, are determined.
With this simple labelling which arises automatically in
manufacture of the package without extra expenditure, there is
provided an individual, unpredictable measurable variable which can
be determined reliably and so used for labelling.
[0014] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for
identifying a package, particularly one filled with cigarettes,
which is characterised by the following steps: [0015] detection of
at least one individual code which is applied to the packing
element and/or the wrapping and allocated once only, [0016]
detection of at least one property characteristic of the packing
element and/or the wrapping as a measurable variable, [0017]
comparison of the detected code and measurable variable with a
unique data record for each package which is stored in a storage
medium during manufacture of the package and composed of code and
measurable variable.
[0018] With such an identification method, the authenticity of the
package--and hence manipulation or forgery of the package--can be
detected easily and reliably, as the characteristic property of the
packing element and/or wrapping is present in all manufactured
packages in an unpredictable and inimitable manner, so that opening
the wrapping already leads to a measurable change in the property
used for labelling. On comparison of the code and measurable
variable picked up for checking, with the pack-specific unique data
record filed previously in a data bank or the like, it can easily
be determined whether there is a match or not. Here the measurable
variable can be detected, and by scanning the data bank the
associated code can be determined. The latter is then compared with
the code on the package which has just been checked. There is also
the possibility of detecting the code and, by scanning the data
bank, determining the associated measurable variable which is then
compared with the measurable variable to be detected on the package
which has just been checked. In case of matching, the authenticity
of the product can be assumed with a high degree of certainty.
[0019] Preferably, the position and overlap width of the joint seam
of the wrapping relative to a scanning mark applied to the packing
element and/or wrapping is determined as a measurable variable. Due
to the auxiliary measure, the reliability of detection of the
measurable variable is further increased, so that the error quota
when checking for authenticity of the package can be further
lowered.
[0020] Advantageously, deviations of the position of folds and/or
cut edges and/or overlap regions of the wrapping as well as
patterns of the joints or seams formed particularly by welding are
determined as a measurable variable. These pack-specific measurable
variables allow particularly reliable and easy identification of
the package, particularly also on account of the fact that opening
the wrapping e.g. for the purpose of manipulation inevitably leads
to altered measurable variables.
[0021] The object is moreover achieved with a generic device for
labelling a package, particularly one filled with cigarettes, by
the fact that the device includes means for detecting at least one
property characteristic of the packing element and/or the wrapping
as a measurable variable as well as a storage medium for storing
the detected measurable variable, wherein the means and the storage
medium are connected to each other via a personal computer (PC) or
the like for assigning the measurable variable to an individual
code for the package which is allocated once only and filed in the
storage medium. With such a device, in particular the method
according to the invention can be carried out. By simple means the
device allows labelling of each package which allows unambiguous
proof of authenticity at any time. As standard elements which are
usually present anyway on the apparatuses for manufacture of the
packages can be used for the device, the device is cheap and also
easy to handle.
[0022] Furthermore, the object of the invention is also achieved by
a generic device for identifying a package, particularly one filled
with cigarettes, by the fact that the device includes means for
detecting at least one property characteristic of the packing
element and/or the wrapping as a measurable variable as well as a
storage medium for storing the detected measurable variable,
wherein the means and the storage medium are connected to each
other via a personal computer (PC) or the like for comparing an
individual code which is allocated once only and the detected
measurable variable of the package to be identified, with a unique
data record for each package stored in the storage medium
beforehand and composed of code and measurable variable. For this
device too, commercially available standard elements can be used as
means for detecting the code and measurable variable. Moreover,
such a device can also be used as a transportable unit, which
further increases the possibilities of use.
[0023] Finally, the object is also achieved by a packaging of the
generic kind by the fact that an individual code readable from the
outside and allocated once only is applied to the packing element
and/or wrapping, and in addition a scanning mark or the like is
provided for detection of a characteristic property of the packing
element and/or wrapping as a measurable variable. With such a
package, detection of a property characteristic of the packing
element and/or wrapping is assisted, which further increases the
reliability of authenticity checking.
[0024] Further preferred developments or embodiments of the methods
and devices as well as of the package are to be found in the
subsidiary claims and the description. The principle of the devices
and methods for labelling and identification as well as a preferred
package are described in more detail with the aid of the drawings.
The drawings show:
[0025] FIG. 1 a cigarette packet with a code and an additional
scanning mark,
[0026] FIG. 2 an enlargement of detail A in FIG. 1,
[0027] FIG. 3 schematic extracts of data storage in table form in a
data bank, and
[0028] FIG. 4 a top view of the end face of a package with scanning
marks formed by the wrapping itself in the form of distances,
angles and patterns.
[0029] The methods and devices are used for manufacturing, and so
in particular for labelling and for identifying packages, in order
to be able to check the authenticity of the packages.
[0030] Basically, each cigarette package 10 consists of a packing
element 11 and a wrapping 12. The wrapping 12 usually consists of a
transparent cellophane wrapping. Other materials can be used as
well. Inside the packing element 11, which in certain circumstances
is also in several parts, is arranged the product to be packed. The
wrapping 12 surrounds the packing element 11 preferably completely
and usually has to be opened by means of a tear-off strip 13. In
the manufacture of such packages 10, which is known and for which a
detailed description is dispensed with at this point, each package
is provided with a code 14. This code 14 is preferably designed as
a progressive number, so that each code 14 is allocated only once.
Every single package 10 therefore has an individual code 14. The
code 14 can also consist of letters, combinations of letters and
numbers or other individual characters. The fact that each code 14
is allocated once only is crucial. The code 14 is stored preferably
by the manufacturers themselves directly when awarded or applied to
the package. An ordinary data bank is suitable for this, for
example. The code 14, which can be printed, stamped or otherwise
applied to the packing element 11 and/or wrapping 12, can also be
detected only after application by additional means and delivered
to the storage medium, namely the data bank. The code 14 can,
additionally or alternatively to individual labelling of each
package 10, also contain information on the package 10 itself, e.g.
data, time, place, machine, etc., and is arranged on the package 10
so as to be readable from the outside.
[0031] Furthermore, during the process of manufacture of the
package 10, preferably at the end of the manufacturing process, a
property characteristic of the packing element 11 and/or the
wrapping 12 is detected as a measurable variable. This variable and
unpredictable measurable variable is assigned to the code 14
belonging to the packing element 11 and/or wrapping 12, in the
storage medium, to form a unique data record. This data record can
be supplemented as desired with further information, e.g. date (see
FIG. 3). The individual apparatus components which are necessary
for manufacture of the package are also linked to the data bank, so
that the desired information can be stored or read out
directly.
[0032] The position and overlap width of the joint seam 15 of the
wrapping 12 is determined as a particularly suitable measurable
variable. Characters, logos, writing or the like which are already
on the package 10, or even physical characteristics, e.g. edges of
the packing element 11, can be used as reference measuring points.
Alternatively or additionally, other characteristic measurable
variables can be detected too, e.g. the gap width between lid and
container of a hard box, the offset of mutually overlapping parts
of the packing element 11 or the wave pattern of the joint
seam.
[0033] Particularly preferred measurable variables are shown in
FIG. 4. The packing element 11 is surrounded by the wrapping 12 in
the original state of the package 10. Usually, in the region of the
end faces of the package 10 the wrapping 12 has fold dimensions.
The fold dimensions are individual for each package 10. Changes or
deviations in the position of folds, cut edges, overlap regions,
e.g. indicated by the distances d and e as well as the angles
.alpha. and .beta., here serve as a pack-specific measurable
variable. Alternatively or in combination with the above-mentioned
measurable variables, patterns 17 and 18 arising due to joining or
closing the wrapping for example by welding can also be determined
as a measurable variable. The patterns 17, so-called wave patterns,
usually form due to warping, tinting or the like. The patterns 18
in the region of contact surfaces of the wrapping 12 are formed
e.g. by air bubbles. The position of the patterns 17 and 18, marked
by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 4, is not limited to the points
shown. On the contrary, the patterns 17 and 18 can be formed at any
other point of the package 10. The deviations in the exact position
or in the patterns are however not confined to the distances,
angles and patterns shown in FIG. 4. Any pack-specific variable as
distance, angle, pattern, dimensional ratio or the like which is
detectable from the outside can be used as a measurable
variable.
[0034] In the event that the wrapping 12 has a tear-off strip 13,
the geometry and/or the position of the tear-off strip 13 can
likewise be detected as a characteristic property.
[0035] In order to assist detection of the measurable variable or
form precise reference points, in addition a scanning mark 16 is
appropriately applied to the packing element 11. The scanning mark
16 is rigidly connected to the packing element 11 and arranged so
as to be readable or detectable from the outside. Alternatively,
the scanning mark 16 can also be attached to the wrapping 12 or
even form part of the package 10 itself or print on the package 10.
The wrapping 12 itself can serve as the scanning mark 16 or form
the latter. The scanning mark 16 is arranged in the region of the
joint seam 15 or directly below the joint seam 15 in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, wherein the scanning mark 16 projects a certain
amount b or c beyond the joint seam 15 on both sides. On detection
of the measurable variable, the projecting amounts b and c as well
as the width of the overlap a are determined and compiled to form
the characteristic measurable variable or characteristic number.
Since exact measurement results are important in this measurement,
the scanning mark 16 is preferably rigidly connected to the
wrapping 12, e.g. by gluing, by sealing or the like, to prevent
relative displacement of the scanning mark 16 and wrapping 12 to
each other. Even in case of displacement of the scanning mark 16
relative to the joint seam 15 or vice versa, however, unambiguous
allocation can be made or authenticity proven, as the width of the
overlap a is not altered by the displacement and even the sum of
the projecting amounts b and c remains the same. The scanning mark
16 can also be arranged e.g. on the end face of the package 10, so
that the distances d and e and/or the angles .alpha. and .beta. too
can be determined with reference to the scanning mark 16.
[0036] The code 14 as well as the measurable variable of each
package 10 are preferably detected optically and processed
electronically. However, all other contactless and/or mechanical
detection, measuring and processing methods can be employed too.
Preferably, the region of the joint seam 15 with the scanning mark
16 underneath it can be photographed and surveyed with a suitable
camera or the like. The measurable variable abc can then be
determined from the measured values.
[0037] To check a package 10 for authenticity, again the
characteristic property, that is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
the measurable variable abc, in the embodiment of FIG. 4 the
position of the folds and/or cut edges and/or overlap regions by
the distances d and e as well as the angles .alpha. and .beta. or
the patterns 17, 18 is measured or detected. By inquiry, e.g. by
telephoning, direct network connection or the like, to the data
bank which is usually accessible only to the manufacturer, it is
verified whether the measurable variable (abc or d, e, .alpha. and
.beta. or patterns) and the code 14 to be found on the package 10
belong together. If a data record which completely matches the data
record of the tested package 10 is located in the data bank, the
authenticity of the package 10 can be assumed with a high degree of
certainty. It can also be inquired what measurable variable belongs
to a code 14 which is detected by the tester or determined
automatically. Also, both the code 14 and the measurable variable
can be detected and started as a data record inquiry. The inquiry
can therefore be made easily, i.e. without any linking, e.g. by a
tester. In case of automated inquiry, the individual components,
means, memories and the like of the device are linked to each
other.
[0038] The devices with which the packages 10 are labelled and/or
identified consist of commercially available components, so that a
detailed description is dispensed with. It is important that there
is a means for detecting at least one property characteristic of
the package 10, for labelling the packages 10. This means can be an
optical or mechanical device, e.g. a camera. In addition, a storage
medium is appropriate for storing on the one hand the previously
applied code and on the other hand also the measurable variable
which is determined. A data bank which can be controlled via a PC
or the like is possible as the storage medium. The individual means
as well as the data bank and the PC are linked together in order
also to be able to ensure allocation of the code and measurable
variable. Due to linking, identification can even be performed
fully automatically. To apply the code 14, the device can also
include a separate means which is an integral part of the device
itself.
[0039] The device for identification of the package is constructed
similarly to the device just described, and can even be identical
with the latter. In addition, however, the device appropriately
also has means for detecting the code. The means for detecting the
measurable variable and the code can also be constructed as a unit
or even be identical.
* * * * *