SECURITY PACKAGING

• US 20110210030A1
• Filed: 12/22/2010
• Published: 09/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Inventors: Londo, Michael G., Haraldsson, Rune K., Billups, Stephen L, Knouse, William J., Loftin, Caleb S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,698,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/459.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/126 for a housing, e.g. a box, a safe, or a room
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles

Abstract

A package comprises a security device where a security loop is formed integrally with the package for detecting a breach of the package. Additionally, the security loop may be formed with a portion to be interrupted if the contents are removed from the package.

Claims

1. A package containing a primary article and comprising a security feature having first and second parts which together are capable of detecting when the package is opened and in response to a detected opening issues an electrical signal, which electrical signal causes an alert to be issued.

2. A package according to claim 1 wherein the alert is an audible alarm emitted directly by the security feature.

3. A package containing a primary article and having a first part of a security feature incorporated therein, the first part of the security feature being connectable to a second part of a security feature such that together, the first and second parts of the security feature are capable of detecting when the package is opened and capable of issuing an electrical signal in response to that detected opening which electrical signal is operable to cause an alert to be issued.

4. A package according to claim 3 wherein the first part of the security feature is a security loop incorporated within the package and disposed relative to the article such that removal of the article from the package is likely to cause interruption of said security loop, said security loop being connectable to a second part of the security feature for detecting an interruption in said security loop and operable to react to such a detected interruption by issuing an alert.

5. A package according to claim 4 wherein the security loop is formed as an integral part of the package and comprises two terminals, each connectable to the second part of the security feature and said second part of the security feature is operable to issue an alert by sounding an alarm and/or by illuminating a light and/or by transmitting an electromagnetic signal.

6. A package according to claim 4 wherein the security loop is formed as an integral part of the package, is electrically conductive and is formed from conductive printed ink, conductive ribbon, conductive foil and/or conductive wire.

7. A package according to claim 3 wherein the security feature detects opening of the carton by detecting a change in resistance of an electric circuit of said security feature.

8. A package according to claim 7 wherein the first part of the security feature is a security loop incorporated within the package and wherein the change in resistance is an increase in resistance and is due to one or more of the following:

an interruption in the package integrity, an interruption in the security loop or the breaking of the security loop.

9. A package according to claim 3 wherein the second part of the security feature is either integrally formed within the package or is formed as a separate module that is connectable to and removable from the package.

10. A package according to claim 9 wherein said second part is formed as a separate module that is removable from the package and the package further comprises an integral retaining means for retaining and releasing the module.

11. A security module for use in a package according to claim 3 wherein the security module comprises the second part of the security feature and the first part of the security feature is disposed within the package.

12. A security module according to claim 11 wherein the first part of the security feature is a security loop incorporated within the package and the second part of a the security feature is capable of detecting an interruption in said security loop and capable of reacting to such a detected interruption by issuing an alert.

13. A package according to claim 3 further comprising a security module wherein the security module comprises the second part of the security feature and the first part of the security feature is disposed within the package.

17. A package according to claim 4, where the security loop comprises a gap in the proximity of at least one article contained within the package, wherein the gap is bridged by a conductive tape, wherein the conductive tape is attached to the at least one article, and wherein removal of the article from the package opens the gap in the security loop.

18. A package according to claim 5, further comprising one or more additional security loops, wherein each of the security loops comprises its own pair of terminals, and each pair of terminals is separately connected to the security module.

19. A package according to claim 5, further comprising one or more additional security loops, wherein at least two of the security loops share a common pair of terminals and said common pair of terminals is connected to the security module.

20. A package according to claim 5, comprising an aperture in the package, wherein the two terminals are located in close proximity to the aperture.

22. A package according to claim 4, wherein at least one article contained within package is attached by a securing means to a portion of the security loop, wherein removal of the article from the package removes at least part of the securing means and breaks the security loop.

23. A package according to claim 22, wherein the securing means is an adhesive material.

14. A blank for forming a package, the blank comprising an integrally formed security loop having terminals for coupling to a security module and/or comprising parts of a security loop, which parts are connected together to form a security loop having terminals for coupling to a security module once said blank is formed into a carton or package.

15. A blank according to claim 14, the blank comprising integral means for retaining a security module, said integral means comprising one or more engaging tabs and being structured such that said security module is connectable to said terminals of the security loop.

16. A kit of parts for forming a package having an integral security feature, the kit of parts comprising one or more blanks for forming the package, at least one of said blanks having a first part of a security feature incorporated therein;

one or more articles to be contained in the package; and

a second part of the security feature comprising an electronic circuit capable of connecting to the first part of the security feature and capable of detecting a breach of the package integrity and in response to that detected breach issues an electrical signal, which electrical signal causes an alert to be issued.

21. A package according to claim 21, wherein the aperture is a hang hole.