Non-toxic flakes for authentication of pharmaceutical articles

• US 7,550,197 B2
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Issued: 06/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Viavi Solutions, Inc. (Lumentum Holdings Inc.)
• Inventors: Kittler, Wilfred C. Jr., Coombs, Paul G., Markantes, Charles T., Argoitia, Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Kiliman; Leszek
• Application Number:
  US11/776,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20080019924A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 428/323, 428/328, 428/403, 428/407
• US Class Current: 428/323
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 29/015 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 33/16 Inorganic salts, minerals or trace elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2813 Inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/25 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/256 Heavy metal or aluminum or compound thereof
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 Coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2998 including synthetic resin or polymer

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, non-toxic inorganic flakes are used for identification and anticounterfeit protection of pharmaceutical articles, such as pills, tablets and capsules, having a core of a biologically active material and/or a biologically inert material. Non-toxic inorganic authentication flakes, either optically variable flakes or taggant flakes having one or more symbols and/or a selected shape are disposed on the surface or inside of the pharmaceutical article.

Claims

1. A pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or veterinarian unit-dosage article having a surface, comprising:

a material selected from the group consisting of a biologically active material and a biologically inert material, and a mixture thereof; and

authentication flakes selected from the group consisting of non-toxic, inorganic optically variable flakes having at least one metallic layer and non-toxic, inorganic taggant flakes;

wherein the authentication flakes are dispersed within the article or on the surface.

2. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the material forms a core of the article;

wherein the article further comprises a coating on at least a portion of the core, and wherein the authentication flakes are dispersed within the coating.

3. An article defined in claim 2, wherein the core is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a powder, and granules, and wherein the coating forms a capsule case around the core.

4. An article defined in claim 2, wherein the authentication flakes form less than 10% by weight of the coating.

5. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are non-toxic, inorganic taggant flakes having a predetermined shape.

6. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are non-toxic, inorganic taggant flakes having indicia or a grating pattern thereon.

7. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are non-toxic, inorganic taggant flakes having one or more frame borders along an edge thereof.

8. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are non-toxic, single-layer dielectric taggant flakes.

9. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are clear or colored taggant flakes.

10. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are non-toxic, dielectric covert taggant flakes.

11. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are non-toxic taggant flakes comprising a material selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, iron, titanium, gold, and silver.

12. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are optically variable non-toxic flakes, each comprising a non-toxic reflector layer, a non-toxic absorber layer, and a non-toxic dielectric layer therebetween.

13. An article defined in claim 12, wherein the non-toxic absorber layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, magnesium, iron, titanium, gold, and silver.

14. An article defined in claim 12, wherein the non-toxic reflector layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium, iron, titanium, gold, and silver.

15. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes include a material selected from the group consisting of:

TiO₂, TiO, SiO, SiO₂, ZnO, MgO, and oxides of iron.

16. An article defined in claim 1, wherein the authentication flakes are dispersed within the article and wherein the authentication flakes form less than 5% by weight of the article.

17. An article defined in claim 16, wherein the authentication flakes are dispersed within the article and wherein the authentication flakes form less than 1% by weight of the article.

18. A pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or veterinarian ointment comprising:

an ointment base selected from the group consisting of a biologically active material and a biologically inert material, and a mixture thereof; and

authentication flakes selected from the group consisting of non-toxic, inorganic optically variable flakes and non-toxic, inorganic taggant flakes; and

wherein the authentication flakes are dispersed within the ointment base.

19. An article defined in claim 18, wherein the authentication flakes form less than 5% of the ointment by weight.

20. An article defined in claim 18, wherein the authentication flakes are one selected from the group of taggant flakes having a predetermined shape, taggant flakes having one or more frame borders along an edge thereof, taggant flakes having indicia or a grating pattern thereon, single-layered clear dielectric taggant flakes, and single-layered colored taggant flakes.