Tamper Evident Radio Frequency Identification System And Package

• US 20020067264A1
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Paper ZAO (Sylvamo Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Paper ZAO (Sylvamo Corp.)
• Inventors: Soehnlen, John Pius
• Application Number:
  US09/809,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067264A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/06 Arrangements on packages concerning bar-codes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/42 Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/6605 the lid being formed by two mating halves joined to opposite edges of the container body
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/06 by tampering with fastening
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure

A tamper evident package and system where the package has a radio frequency identification tag affixed to or imprinted onto the covering. An interrogator emits an electromagnetic signal to the identification tag which responds with a predetermined signal if the covering of the package is intact and has not been breached or the identification tag may be powered and emit the predetermined signal intermittently or continuously by itself. An attempt to enter the package disables the identification tag and will cause the identification tag, thereafter interrogated, to fail to send a signal or will send a signal that is different from the predetermined signal. The interrogator recognizes the lack of or the different signal as an indication that the integrity of the package has been breached.

Claims

1. A tamper evident package system comprising;

a package having a covering;

a radio frequency identification tag having a plurality of operative components combined to provide a predetermined signal;

said identification tag being integral with said covering; and

at least one of said operative components being disabled by the breach of the integrity of said covering to modify or prevent said predetermined signal to be emitted from said identification tag.

2. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 1 wherein said

predetermined signal is emitted in response to a radio frequency interrogation signal.

4. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 1 wherein said antenna is printed onto said covering.

6. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 1 wherein covering comprises a package having at least two flaps in an orientation to be contiguous to each other, said flaps each having a conductive material that completes an electrical connection between said flaps when in said contiguous orientation, wherein the displacement of either of said flaps out of said contiguous orientation breaks said electrical connection to disable said at least one of said operative components.

7. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 6 wherein said conductive material is applied along mating edges of each of said flaps.

8. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 7 wherein said conductive material is a conductive adhesive or conductive ink.

9. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 1 wherein identification tag can be accessed by a radio frequency signal to provide information relative to the contents of the package.

3. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 3 wherein said plurality of operative components includes an antenna.

5. A tamper evident package system as defined in claim 3 wherein said antenna is disabled by the breach of integrity.

10. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package, said system comprising;

a package having a covering;

a radio frequency identification tag having a plurality of operative components combined to emit a predetermined signal when said covering is intact, said identification tag being integral with said covering; and

a radio frequency interrogator adapted to receive the predetermined signal, and at least one of said operative components is disabled by the breach of the integrity of said covering to prevent or modify said predetermined signal emitted by said identification tag.

11. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 10 wherein said identification tag emits said predetermined signal in response to a radio frequency interrogation signal.

12. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 11 wherein said radio frequency interrogation signal is directed toward said identification tag by said interrogator.

13. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 10 wherein one of said plurality of components comprises an antenna.

14. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 13 wherein said antenna is printed onto said covering.

15. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 10 wherein one of said operative components comprises a conductive element and where said conductive element is broken by the breach of integrity of said covering of said package.

16. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 15 wherein said conductive element comprises a conductive adhesive.

17. A system to recognize a breach of integrity of a package as defined in claim 15 wherein said covering includes two flaps oriented contiguous to each other, each of said flaps having a portion of said conductive adhesive thereon, and wherein said conductive element is broken by the movement of either of said flaps from said contiguous orientation.

18. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package having a covering, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a radio frequency identification tag having a plurality of components combined to provide a predetermined signal;

incorporating the radio identification tag into the covering such that the predetermined signal provided by said radio frequency identification tag is emitted when said covering is intact but is not provided or is modified when the integrity of the covering has been breached.

19. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package as defined in claim 18 wherein the step of providing a radio frequency identification tag comprises providing an identification tag that emits a predetermined response signal to a radio frequency interrogation signal.

20. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package as defined in claim 18 where the step of incorporating the radio identification tag into the covering comprises incorporating a conductive material onto the covering that provides a conductive electrical path necessary to the functioning of the radio identification tag.

21. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package as defined in claim 20 wherein the step of incorporating a conductive material comprises applying a conductive adhesive to the covering.

22. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package as defined in claim 21 where the package has at least a pair of flaps adapted to be oriented contiguous to each other and the step of incorporating a conductive adhesive comprises applying a portion of the conductive adhesive to each of the at least two flaps so as to provide a conductive electrical circuit between each of said at least two flaps when in the contiguous orientation.

23. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package as defined in claim 18 wherein the step of providing a radio frequency tag having a plurality of components comprises providing a radio identification tag having at least an antenna.

24. A method of remotely determining the integrity of a package as defined in claim 23 wherein the step of providing at least an antenna comprises printing the antenna on to the covering.