Automated fingerprint methods and chemistry for product authentication and monitoring

• US 6,458,595 B1
• Filed: 01/24/2001
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verification Technologies, Inc. (Sun Chemical, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verification Technologies, Inc. (Sun Chemical, Inc.)
• Inventors: Selinfreund, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): SNAY, JEFFREY R
• Application Number:
  US09/768,427
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 436/8, 436/20, 436/24, 436/2, 436/22, 436/23, 436/172
• US Class Current: 436/20
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6417 Spectrofluorimetric devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/643 non-biological material
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2201/129 Using chemometrical methods

Abstract

Highly efficient, low cost, methods and compounds to determine product authenticity, tampering, manufacturing compliance are provided. The methods and chemicals defined are capable of measuring the relative amount of key materials in these products. The compounds are light emitting and interact with key elements in products like, neutral spirits, vodka, tequila, soft drinks and infant formulas. After the interactions are complete, methods are employed to determine resulting key components by light emission.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a dye for determining authenticity of a product, comprising,

combining a candidate dye with a plurality of candidate dilutions of a liquid sample of an authentic standard of the product, said candidate dye being light emissive at a particular wavelength when irradiated if it interacts with an analyte in the liquid sample,

selecting a test dilution at which said candidate dye emits light at a selected intensity when said candidate dye is combined with said liquid sample at the test dilution,

determining a range of intensity of light emission for a plurality of mixtures of said candidate dye and said liquid sample at said test dilution,

determining an experimental intensity of light emission for a mixture of said candidate dye and a liquid sample of a nonauthentic product at said test dilution, and,

comparing the experimental intensity to said range, said dye being selected as useful for determining authenticity of said product if said experimental intensity falls outside of said range.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the candidate dye is a plurality of candidate dyes, each of said dyes emitting light over particular wavelengths, and wherein the analyte is a plurality of analytes, each dye binding to a different of said plurality of analytes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the product is a liquid consumable product.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the product is a liquid consumable product.