SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PACKAGE TAMPERING

• US 20180346213A1
• Filed: 05/15/2018
• Published: 12/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC (WalMart Inc.)
• Inventors: High, Donald R., Cantrell, Robert L., O'Brien, John J., McHale, Brian G., Bishop, III, Jimmie Ray
• Granted Patent: US 10,427,846 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B26F 1/384 using rotating drums
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/026 initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by a visual change using indicators other than tearable means, e.g. change of colour, pattern or opacity B65D55/066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/1009 Adhesive tapes
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2203/338 as tamper-evident tape or label
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/18 characterized by perforations in the adhesive tape
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/20 characterised by their carriers

Abstract

A tape dispensing system includes packaging tape an application apparatus, and an incision element. The application apparatus is configured to apply the packaging tape to a package. The incision element defines a unique pattern, and is connected to the application apparatus. Movement of the apparatus is effective to punch or incise the unique pattern defined by the incision element completely through the packaging tape and into the package as or after the packaging tape is applied to the package.

Claims

1. A tape dispensing system, the system comprising:

packaging tape;

an application apparatus that is configured to apply the packaging tape to a package;

a incision element that defines a unique pattern, the incision element being connected to the application apparatus;

such that a movement of the application apparatus is effective to punch or incise the unique pattern defined by the incision element completely through the packaging tape and into the package as or after the packaging tape is applied to the package;

wherein a first incised pattern is formed through the tape, and a second incised pattern is formed in the package, and wherein an inspection is performed to determine if the first incised pattern through the tape aligns with the second incised pattern in the package.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inspection is one of:

a visual inspection of the package at a shipping destination, or a comparison of first images obtained of the package at a shipping source with second images obtained of the package at the shipping destination.

3. The tape dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the application apparatus is a roller.

4. The tape dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the unique pattern is one of:

a random pattern created automatically or a predefined pattern created by a user.

5. The tape dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the incision element comprises prongs.

6. A method of detecting tampering with a package that occurs between a shipping source and a shipping destination, the method comprising:

selecting a unique pattern;

applying packaging tape to a package and punching or incising the unique pattern completely through the packaging tape and into the package as or after the packaging tape is applied to the package such that a first incised pattern is formed through the tape, and a second incised pattern is formed in the package; and

inspecting the package to determine if the first incised pattern through the tape aligns with the second incised pattern in the package.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the inspecting is one of:

visual inspecting the package at a shipping destination, or a comparing first images of the package obtained at a shipping source with second images of the package obtained at the shipping destination.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the tape is applied by a roller.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the unique pattern is one of:

a random pattern created automatically or a predefined pattern created by a user.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the unique pattern is created by prongs.

11. A system for determining package tampering, the system comprising:

a communication network;

a tape dispensing device disposed at a shipping source, the tape dispensing device configured to dispense packing tape onto a package to seal the package, the tape dispensing device further configured to incise or punch first openings defining a unique pattern completely through the tape as the tape is dispensed onto the package, and to incise or punch corresponding second openings defining the unique pattern into a body of the package;

a first scanner at the shipping source, the first scanner being coupled to the communication network and configured to obtain a first image of the package including the unique pattern incised or punched through the tape, the first scanner configured to transmit the first image to a central processing center via the communication network;

a database coupled to the communication network and disposed at the central processing center, the database configured to receive and store the first image;

a control circuit coupled to the communication network and the database, the control circuit being disposed at the central processing center;

a second scanner disposed at a shipping destination and configured to obtain a second image of the package after the package has been received at the shipping destination, the second scanner being configured to transmit the second image to the control circuit at the central processing center over the communication network;

wherein the control circuit is configured to retrieve the first image from the database and the second image from the second scanner, the control circuit being further configured to perform a comparison between the first image to the second image, and based upon the comparison to determine whether the unique pattern has changed between the shipment of the package from the shipping source to the shipping destination.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the comparison determines whether the first openings align with the second openings.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuit is further configured to issue an alert when the unique pattern has changed.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the tape dispensing device is configured to deposit an ink into the second openings in the body of the package.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the ink comprises one of:

a visible ink or an invisible ink.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the first openings and the second openings comprise nano-holes.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the tape dispensing device comprises a roller that incises or punches the unique pattern.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the second scanner is a portable hand-held device.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the package moves via a conveyor belt in the shipping center as the packing tape is dispensed.