Tamper-indicating package

• US 4,760,919 A
• Filed: 07/30/1987
• Issued: 08/02/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co (3M Company)
• Inventors: Pereyra, Rodger J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Price, William
• Application Number:
  US07/079,648
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 206/484, 206/484.2, 206/484.1, 206/524.2, 206/807
• US Class Current: 206/484.2
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 2033/30 Plastic material
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/45 Associating two or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/30 Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/807 Tamper proof

Abstract

Tamper-indicating package comprising two webs, each of which comprises an outer layer of polymeric material and an inner layer of polymeric material. At least one of said inner layer or said outer layer of at least one of said webs bears a random pattern of markings. Upon access to the interior of the package, either the random pattern of markings will be altered or one or both of the polymeric layers will be damaged, thus indicating that the package has been subject to tampering.

Claims

1. A tamper-indicating package comprising first and second generally coextensive webs marginally joined together to define said package, each of said webs being a laminate comprising an inner layer of polymeric material, an outer layer of polymeric material, said webs being joined together by means of a seal so as to form a margin circumscribing the package, at least one of said inner layer or outer layer of at least one of said webs bearing a random pattern of markings.

2. A package according to claim 1 wherein said outer layer is made of thermoformable material.

3. A package according to claim 1 wherein said outer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl chloride), cellulosics, and polystyrene.

4. A package according to claim 1 wherein said inner layer is made of a heat sealable material.

5. A package according to claim 1 wherein said inner layer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, and ionomer resin.

6. A package according to claim 1 wherein said randomly disposed markings form an imageable pattern that will be altered when the marginal seal joining the webs of the package is the subject of tampering.

7. A package according to claim 1 further including an adhesion promoting material disposed between said inner layer and said outer layer of at least one of said webs.

8. A package according to claim 7 wherein said adhesion promoting material comprises a layer of polymeric material bearing a random pattern of markings.

9. A package according to claim 1 wherein said markings are provided by a colorant.

10. A package according to claim 9 wherein said colorant has a melt index that differs from the melt index of the polymer that comprises the layer in which said colorant is disposed.

11. A package according to claim 9 wherein said colorant is a dye or a pigment.

12. A package according to claim 1 wherein said markings are provided by blending two or more polymers having different indices of refraction.