System and method for authentication of the contents of containers

• US 6,641,052 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Procap Technologies
• Original Assignee: Procap Technologies
• Inventors: Baillod, Robert, Leyni-Barbaz, Daniel, Choko, Marc H., Choko, Arcadie
• Primary Examiner(s): FUREMAN, JARED
• Application Number:
  US09/875,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/385, 235/487, 235/494, 425/809, 215/365, 215/230, 215/47, 215/250, 215/200, 215/253, 403/10, 403/11, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 283/72, 283/98, 283/102
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0011 from natural or synthetic cork, e.g. for wine bottles or the like
• 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 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• 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: G09F 3/0335 using RFID tags
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0341 having label sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0376 using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means

Abstract

A system for guarantying the authenticity of the contents of a container closed by a closure. The system comprises a data carrier storing some encoded information that can be translated to confirm the authenticity of the contents of a container tagged with the data carrier. The data carrier preferably includes a RFID marker and a chemical marker integrated into an anti-tampering device adapted to be non-removably secured to the closure of the container so as to be damaged as a result of an attempt at removing the closure from the container.

Claims

1. A system for authentication of contents of a container assembly of a type having a container closed by a closure, the system comprising a data carrier adapted to be affixed to the container assembly so as to be damaged by attempts to remove the closure from the container, said data carrier containing encoded information on the contents of the container for allowing verification of the authenticity thereof while the container is still closed by the closure, wherein said data carrier includes at least one ID marker integrated to an anti-tampering structure having a stem portion, and wherein said anti-tampering structure further includes at least one band adapted to tightly encompass the closure and the container, said stem portion extending through said at least one band.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-tampering structure is at least partly frangible so that attempts at removing said anti-tampering structure from the container assembly will damage said anti-tampering structure.

3. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one ID marker is integrally formed with said anti-tampering structure, whereby attempts at removing said ID marker from said anti-tampering structure will result in damages to said ID marker.

4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein said anti-tampering structure is molded about said at least one ID marker.

5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-tampering structure is adapted to be anchored into the closure of the container assembly.

6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said anti-tampering structure includes a marker support having a head portion and a stem portion, said stem portion being adapted to be driven into the closure, and wherein said stem portion is provided with anchoring means to oppose removal of said anti-tampering structure from the closure.

7. A system as defined in claim 6, wherein a weakened portion is provided between said head portion and said stem portion.

8. A system as defined in claim 6, wherein said stem portion is adapted to be non-removably driven into a cork of a bottle with said head portion at least partly overlying an opening surrounding rim of the bottle.

9. A system as defined in claim 6, wherein said head portion is provided in a form of a disc, and wherein said stem portion is off-centered relative to said disc.

10. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one ID marker includes two different ID markers to provide a twofold validation of the contents of the container assembly.

11. A system as defined in claim 10, wherein said at least two ID markers include a RFID marker and a chemical marker.

12. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein said RFID marker includes an electronic microchip and an antenna, said microchip and said antenna being located in different ones of a head portion and a stem portion of said anti-tampering structure.

13. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein a reference mark is provided on said anti-tampering structure for indicating an access to said chemical marker in said anti-tampering structure.

14. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said anti-tampering structure includes a tape adapted to be non-removably secured to the container assembly so as to extend over both the closure and the container thereof.

15. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein said at least one ID marker is sandwiched between a top and a bottom layer of said tape.

16. A system for ensuring the authenticity of a contents of a bottle assembly having a bottle defining an opening closed by a cork, comprising a data carrier storing some encoded information that can be deciphered to confirm the authenticity of the contents of a closed bottle assembly tagged with said data carrier, wherein said data carrier includes at least one ID marker integrated into an anti-tampering device adapted to be non-removably secured to the bottle assembly so as to be damaged as a result of an attempt at removing the cork from the bottler, wherein said anti-tampering device includes a marker support adapted to be irreversibly driven into the cork of the bottle, said marker support including a head portion and a stem portion, wherein said head is connected to said stem portion by a weakened portion.

17. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein said stem portion is provided with anchoring members to resist withdrawal of said marker support from the cork into which the marker support has been inserted.

18. A system as defined in claim 17, wherein said at least one ID marker is encapsulated within said marker support.

19. A system as defined in claim 16, wherein said at least one marker includes at least two different ID markers to provide for a twofold validation of the authenticity of the contents of the bottle.

20. A system for authentication of contents of a container assembly of a type having a container closed by a closure, the system comprising a data carrier adapted to be affixed to the container assembly so as to be damaged by attempts to remove the closure from the container, said data carrier containing encoded information on the contents of the container for allowing verification of the authenticity thereof while the container is still closed by the closure, wherein said anti-tampering structure is adapted to be anchored into the closure of the container assembly, and wherein said anti-tampering structure includes a marker support having a head portion and a stem portion, said stem portion being adapted to be driven into the closure, and wherein said stem portion is provided with anchoring means to oppose removal of said anti-tampering structure from the closure, and wherein a weakened portion is provided between said head portion and said stem portion.

21. A system for authentication of contents of a container assembly of a type having a container closed by a closure, the system comprising a data carrier adapted to be affixed to the container assembly so as to be damaged by attempts to remove the closure from the container, said data carrier containing encoded information on the contents of the container for allowing verification of the authenticity thereof while the container is still closed by the closure, wherein said anti-tampering structure is adapted to be anchored into the closure of the container assembly, and wherein said anti-tampering structure includes a marker support having a head portion and a stem portion, said stem portion being adapted to be driven into the closure, and wherein said stem portion is provided with anchoring means to oppose removal of said anti-tampering structure from the closure, and wherein said head portion is provided in a form of a disc, and wherein said stem portion is off-centered relative to said disc.

22. A system for authentication of contents of a container assembly of a type having a container closed by a closure, the system comprising a data carrier adapted to be affixed to the container assembly so as to be damaged by attempts to remove the closure from the container, said data carrier containing encoded information on the contents of the container for allowing verification of the authenticity thereof while the container is still closed by the closure, wherein said anti-tampering structure is adapted to be anchored into the closure of the container assembly, and wherein said anti-tampering structure includes a marker support having a head portion and a stem portion, said stem portion being adapted to be driven into the closure, and wherein said stem portion is provided with anchoring means to oppose removal of said anti-tampering structure from the closure, wherein said stem portion is adapted to be non-removably driven into a cork of a bottle with said head portion at least partly overlying an opening surrounding rim of the bottle.