GB2278098A

GB2278098A - Anti-theft labels

Info

Publication number: GB2278098A
Application number: GB9311621A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Alexander Courtney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-05-21
Filing date: 1993-06-04
Publication date: 1994-11-23
Also published as: GB9310554D0; GB9311621D0

Abstract

At the end of the factory production stage a unique label is added to the product to be protected. Further labels are added along the distribution chain and throughout the lifetime of the product as it changes legal owners. Each label is visually coded, giving it a unique identity with the preceding label, enabling the chain of ownership of the product to be retraced to the original manufacturer. A mismatch in coding at any stage gives a clear indication that the product changed hands without the exchange of the appropriate label, thus indicating that the product is likely to have been stolen. The labels are bonded to the product using a powerful adhesive which causes obvious damage to the surface of the product if an attempt is made to remove or alter the label. Successive labels 2, 4 (Figure 6) may partially overlap with the overlapping portions 3, 5 containing chemicals which react together to produce a visible pattern. Adhesive in the most recently applied label may combine with catalyst or hardener from the underlying label. Patterns and series of labels may overlap adjacent labels as at 1 to 4 (Figure 5) or may include holograms, be machine-readable, be embossed, be produced by breakage of ink capsules in the label or fluoresce under UV light. A thin, different coloured surface laminate may be applied to a product to be labelled so that the underlying colour is revealed if attached labels are removed. <IMAGE>

Description

Anti-Theft Label ; invention relates to devices for reducing the likelihood of theft of durable consumer goods.

The proposed labelling system clearly identifies durable items as honestly or dishonestly acquired.

This will discourage the trade in stolen goods because of the high risk for the participants in the transaction of being apprehended by law enforcement agencies.

According to the present invention, at the end of the factory production stage a unique label is added to the product to be protected. Further labels are added along the distribution chain and throughout the lifetime of the product as it changes legal owners.

Each label is visually coded, giving it a unique identity with the preceding label, enabling the chain of ownership of the product to be retraced to the original manufacturer.

A mismatch in coding at any stage gives a clear indication that the product changed hands without the exchange of the appropriate label, thus indicating that the product is likely to have been stolen.

The labels are bonded to the product using a powerful adhesive which causes obvious damage to the surface of the product if any attempt is made to remove or alter the label.

Specific examples of the invention will now be described.

Figure 1 shows a cross section of a label.

1 is the upper surface of the label preferably made from material which is transparent for at least part of its area.

2 is the lower surface of the material. At the manufacturing stage security markings and other information, for example a company logo or brand name are printed on this surface.

3 is a thin layer of medium which includes small capsules of ink or dye. These capsules only release dye and produce a visible mark when moderate pressure is applied using an embossed metal stamp, stylus, ball point pen or the like. Signatures and other details relating to the persons involved in the transaction are written on the label before it is attached to the product.

The medium also contains an adhesive which will only cure when a catalyst or hardener is added. The hardening process stabilizes the ink capsules and prevents any subsequent modification to the written information.

4 is a lower protective layer which is peeled off before attaching the label to the product.

The catalyst may also be stored in capsules inside the medium in a similar manner to the ink.

However it may be preferred to store the catalyst as a sub unit of the label in order to prevent accidental triggering of the hardening reaction.

Figure 2 shows a sub unit of the label which contains the hardener.

The hardener, 1 is stored between two peel off outer layers, 2 and 3. 4 is a permeable membrane which may be added to give substance and aid handling of the hardener.

One of the protective surfaces is peeled off the hardener which is then pressed against a suitable area of the product. The back protective layer is then removed. The protective layer of the label is then removed and it is gently pressed into place on top of the hardener.

The adhesive is chosen to bond effectively with the surface of the product such that the removal of the label is only possible by completely defacing the label and removal of all traces of the label causes damage to the underlying product surface.

Those with a knowledge of label and package designing will be aware that there are a range of other possible configurations for adding indelible information to the labels and for storing the adhesive and catalyst until required for use.

Figure 3 shows a suitable set of labels which are used in sequence along the distribution and resale chain. The information displayed on these labels can be printed under the top transparent layer.

Figure 4 is an additional label having similar adhesive properties to the labels described above. This label is added to the product if the purchaser intends to keep the product for the whole of its working life.

A second general information label, possibly for optional addition by the purchaser displays a message similar to:"WARNING. This product is Security Coded. Please inspect the base before r--chasing " j label can be added in instances which for practical or aesthetic reasons the relatively large anti theft label is situated on a part of the body, normally hidden from view but the owner wishes to draw attention to its presence to superficial inspectors of the product.

Figure 5 shows an example of the preferred label design.

At the printing stage patterns or geometrical shapes are printed so that they overlap the boundaries between adjacent labels. 1 2, 3 and 4 are examples of suitable geometrical shapes. The shapes are preferably printed under the transparent layer.

The patterns include a multiplicity of lines crossing the boundary between adjacent labels. These cross label patterns may also take the form of bar codes, offering electronic stock control benefits.

The bars, shapes or patterns can be computer generated using a suitable programme such that the computer produces a unique pattern combination for each set of labels.

Further line patterns or shapes may be printed on the membrane referred to in figure 2. If the patterns are of a repetitive nature the patterns on the top and lower layers may visually interact to form a unique Moire fringe effect.

In order to maintain security the unused labels are stored separately to the product.

When an change of ownership occurs the new owner can check that the next label to be added is a valid part of the sequence by comparing the patterns on the labels. As a second check the new owner can compare the product serial numbers if these are stamped on the label. A third check may be provided by comparing the signatures on adjacent labels. If there is still doubt in the buyers mind they will have the opportunity to phone previous owners if their phone numbers have been added to the labels.

When bulk orders of the product are in transit between re-sellers the product and unused labels may be transferred using different carriers. This drastically reduces the illegal resale value of the consignment to potential thieves and consequentially reduces the likelihood of theft of the goods during transit.

Certain design features will add to the unique qualities of each set of labels without greatly increasing the visual inspection time required to establish the validity of the next label in the chain.

These design features include: Printing the pattern using a range of colours of inks, using different combinations of colours for different printing runs for the same companies labels.

b) Printing additional patterns using ink which is invisible when illuminated by visible light but fluoresces when illuminated by ultra violet radiation.

c) Adding holograms.

A continuous hologram can be added along the strip or there may be individual holograms, varying in shape, orientation or display along the strip, preferably located so that they cross boundaries between labels and are cleanly cut along with their associated labels at the manufacturing stage. The increased protection against forgery which holograms add will be cost effective for higher value products such as motor vehicles.

d) The labels may be manufactured as thin strips with their long sides adjacent.

This would allow an increase in the number of pattern lines running across adjacent labels, and therefore the number of combinations between adjacent labels without increasing the line density.

e) The adhesive and hardening layers may contain further hidden symbols or markings. These symbols are printed using chemicals which are invisible after being added to the label but become visible by chemical reaction when the adhesive and catalyst or other chemicals combine in a chemical reaction. Such chemical combinations are well known to professional chemists.

f) An extension of the above variation on the innovation is to have labels with overlapping margins such that part of a new label to be added is placed on top of part of a label already bonded to the product. The necessary chemicals in the margin of the lower label in the overlap reside on or near the upper surface of the label. Those on the fresh label to be added reside on or near the lower surface of the label.

Figure 6 shows an example of this variation. (For clarity, the thickness of the layers is exaggerated.) 1 is the surface of the product. 2 is a label which has been added at the previous change of ownership. 3 is an opaque top layer on the margin of this label which protects and hides the underlying chemicals which will take part in the chemical reaction to produce a visible pattem.

The relevant chemicals in this layer are disposed in the shape of the pattern to be revealed.

4 is the new label to be added. 5 is the region of overlap of this second label which includes the second chemical or blend of chemicals which will take part in the reaction to produce a visible pattern.

Prior to the addition of the new label the protective layer, 3 on the lower label is removed.

If the labels are from the same set then the part of the pattern which is revealed in the region which was under 3 blends correctly with the pattern on the overlapping margin of the new label.

g) The boundary which is cut between the adjacent labels may have a more complex shape than a single straight line so that making the correct link between labels is similar to the process of joining two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Different boundary shapes may be used for different sets of labels.

Figure 7 shows a design for a set of labels incorporating at least some of these innovative features which is suitable for retail sale, independent of a specific product, for consumers to add to items of their own property.

Specific areas of the product may be identified as label spaces and modified to increase the effectiveness of the present security method.

Figure 8 shows a cross section of the product casing on the part of the casing where the labels are to be attached.

1 is a very shallow inlay of coloured material preferably striped or patterned on which the labels are to be attached. Any attempt to buff the existing labels off the surface will wear through this layer to reveal the colour of the underlying surface. The interface between the inlay and the lower surface may be flat or furrowed.

It may also include a thin layer of electrically conducting foil to allow changes in thickness to be detected by electronic means.

Figure 9 shows a plan view of the labelling area.

The rectangular shape, 1 is the coloured inlay. 2, 3,4 and 5 are patterns which are printed or sprayed on top of the inlay at the production stage such that they cross the inlay and adjacent body coloured surface of the product. These patterns can be created in such a way that they are unique to that particular example of the product. This means that if thieves attempt to cut out a label by removing it along with the inlay then the illicit replacement inlay will have to be modified such it includes a part of the patterns which will match exactly the pattem markings on the adjacent surface of the product. The dye or paint used for drawing these patterns may be deliberately chosen to fade slightly during the early life of the product. This would increase the colour matching problems for potential forgers.

These over-printed patterns may take the form of photographs or other images including holograms.

For certain products, for example motor vehicles a multiplicity of sets of labels may be added to different sections of the chassis or body. Each set of labels would have the body number printed under the transparent layer. This would allow vehicles which had been rebuilt from two or more vehicle bodies from crashed vehicles to be quickly identified. Vehicles which have been written off could have their labels deliberately defaced by the insurance assessor.

In situations where the attached labels are likely to be accidently damaged or deteriorate due exposure to the elements the label space may be boxed in. The front of the box is preferably transparent to visible light but may be largely opaque to ultra violet radiation. The advantage of the transparent front is that the name of the legal owner is displayed, allowing casual inspection.

The benefits of the inlay may be gained using a simplified manufacturing process if two superimposed labels are used instead of one.

,,pre 10 shows a base label which is attached before the product leaves the factory. This label may have a transparent top layer with unique shapes or patterns printed below its surface as described earlier. The label is strongly bonded to the product and may have a relatively weak intermediate layer.

Top labels are then added in sequence as described earlier.

One advantage of this variation is that the adhesive on the top label only needs to be sufficiently strong to bond to the top of the lower label such that any attempt to remove the top label also removes the underlying top of the lower label.

For many applications this will eliminate the necessity for using a hardener.

Aiternatively the hardener or catalyst may be contained in or near the surface of the base label such that contact with the solvent adhesive from the freshly applied top label causes diffusion of the catalyst to the adhesive layer.

1 and 2 on figure 10 are paint or ink pattems which are added on top of the base label so that they spread or bleed on to the adjacent bare surface of the product as described for figure 9.

Figure 11 shows a base label which includes printed information of interest to participants in the exchange of ownership of the product.

In the version of the system for domestic application the label kit may include a paint applicator which can be used to draw a fine pattern or write a signature which bleeds onto the adjacent product body.

The paint may be chosen to fade slightly with age.

Alternatively the kit may include transfers which are applied so that they cover part, at least of the label and also part of the surrounding product surface. If these patterns are simple repetitive shapes, for example concentric circles then a multiplicity of transfers can be superimposed to form Moire fringes.

This will allow owners to create unique overlay transfers very quickly using standard, mass produced transfers.

A third variation of the innovation which will be of interest to manufacturers is to print the base label directly on to the body of the product or on to the inlay.

This or any of the above variations of the labels may include embossed detail.

Photographs, finger prints or other owner identification clues such as a strand of hair may be added in a similar manner to the labels. A top transparent coating is added so that it overlaps on to the surrounding base label or part of a top label in such a manner as to damage the surface of the label if the photograph or other identification clues are disturbed.

Claims

Claims

A durable product security system based on the attachment of uniquely identifiable permanent labels to the product.
2 As for claim 1 for a security label system based on a sequence of labels which are added by different agents or owners throughout the life of the product.
3 As for the above claims for a system which includes a multiplicity of layers of labels.
4 As for the above claim for upper level labels which incorporate a sufficiently powerful adhesive that they remove or damage one or more underlying labels or surfaces if the upper label is wholly or partly removed.
5 As for the above claims for a security label system in which one or more labels are bonded to the underlying surface using an adhesive and catalyst combination.
6 As for the above claims for a security label system in which one or more labels are bonded to the underlying surface using an adhesive and catalyst combination with the adhesive and catalyst being stored as separate sub units of the labels until required.
7 As for the above claims for a multiple superimposed label system in which the adhesive from the most recently applied label combines with a catalyst or hardener from an underlying label in order to cause hardening of the adhesive related to the most recently applied label.
8 As for the above claims for a security label system in which a set of labels relating to one example of a product have a unique pattern printed on them such that the subsequent labels in the set can be identified as belonging uniquely to that set.
9 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the patterns may be printed in a multiplicity of colours with different colour combinations being present on different sets of labels.
10 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the shape of the boundary between adjacent labels varies between different sets of labels.
11 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which pattems may be printed using ink which is transparent to visible light but fluoresces when illuminated by ultra violet light.
12 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes written or graphical information which is invisible until its presence is revealed by the addition of one or more further chemicals.
13 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes labels which overlap for part of their area and have complimentary chemicals in the region of overlap which react to reveal visible information.
14 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes holograms.
15 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which allows indelible information or marks to be added to a label prior to its adhesion to the product.
16 As for the above claims for a label or labels which contain encapsulated ink which is released when pressed upon by a stylus or other writing printing or embossing instrument.
17 As for the above claim for a system which uses a hardening adhesive which prevents further ink capsules being punctured once the adhesive has hardened.
18 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which an area of the product to be labelled is modified by the inclusion of a thin, different coloured surface laminate such that the underlying body colour is revealed if attached labels are removed.
19 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the area where the labels are attached is marked after attachment with ink or paint forming pattern, signatures or other visual information which extends to adjacent areas such that if the label is removed cx the labelling area is cut out then the replacement label or part will need to be identically patterned at the boundaries of the area, at least, in order to give a visible match.
20 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the area where the labels are attached is marked after attachment with a multiplicity of transfers which extend to adjacent areas such that if the label is removed or the labelling area is cut out then the replacement label or part will need to be identically patterned at the boundaries of the area, at least, in order to give a visible match.
21 As for the above claim for a security system which includes ink or paint which changes in shade, with the passage of time, in order to make the task of forging a replacement for part of the pattern more difficult.
22 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes the facility to add photographs or other person identifying objects or information such that their removal causes damage to the underlying or adjacent surface.
23 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes one or more labels printed or sprayed directly on to the body of the product.
24 As for any of the above daims for a security label system which includes embossed marks or information.
25 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the area where the labels are attached includes one or more electrically conducting layers which allow any changes in thickness of the layer to be detected by electronic means.

25 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the markings on the labels may be recognised and interpreted using an electronic scanning system.

26 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the area where the labels are attached includes one or more electrically conducting layers which allow any changes in thickness of the layer to be detected by electronic means.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1 A durable product security system based on the attachment of a sequence of uniquely identifiable permanent labels to the product, in which different agents or new owners add to the sequence of labels displayed on the product, throughout the lifetime of the product.

2 As for the above claim for a system which includes a multiplicity of layers of labels.

3 As for the above claim for upper level labels which incorporate a sufficiently powerful adhesive that they remove or damage one or more underlying labels or surfaces if the upper label is wholly or partly removed.

4 As for the above claims for a security label system in which one or more labels are bonded to the underlying surface using an adhesive and catalyst combination.

5 As for the above claims for a security label system in which one or more labels are bonded to the underlying surface using an adhesive and catalyst combination with the adhesive and catalyst being stored as separate sub units of the labels until required.

6 As for the above claims for a multiple superimposed label system in which the adhesive from the most recently applied label combines with a catalyst or hardener from an underlying label in order to cause hardening of the adhesive related to the most recently applied label.

7 As for the above claims for a security label system in which a set of labels relating to one example of a product have a unique pattern printed on them such that the subsequent labels in the set can be identified as belonging uniquely to that set.

8 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the patterns may be printed in a multiplicity of colours with different colour combinations being present on different sets of labels.

9 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the shape of the boundary between adjacent labels varies between different sets of labels.

10 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which patterns may be printed using ink which is transparent to visible light but fluoresces when illuminated by ultra violet light.

11 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes written or graphical information which is invisible until its presence is revealed by the addition of one or more further chemicals.

1 2 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes labels which overlap for part of their area and have complimentary chemicals in the region of overlap which react to reveal visible information.

1 3 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes holograms.

1 4 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which allows indelible information or marks to be added to a label prior to its adhesion to the product.

1 5 As for the above claims for a label or labels which contain encapsulated ink which is released when pressed upon by a stylus or other writing printing or embossing instrument.

1 6 As for the above claim for a system which uses a hardening adhesive which prevents further ink capsules being punctured once the adhesive has hardened.

1 7 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which an area of the product to be labelled is modified by the inclusion of a thin, different coloured surface laminate such that the underlying body colour is revealed if attached labels are removed.

1 8 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the area where the labels are attached is marked after attachment with ink or paint forming pattern, signatures or other visual information which extends to adjacent areas such that if the label is removed or the labelling area is cut out then the replacement label or part will need to be identically patterned at the boundaries of the area, at least, in order to give a visible match.

1 9 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the area where the labels are attached is marked after attachment with a multiplicity of transfers which extend to adjacent areas such that if the label is removed or the labelling area is cut out then the replacement label or part will need to be identically patterned at the boundaries of the area, at least, in order to give a visible match.

20 As for the above claim for a security system which includes ink or paint which changes in shade, with the passage of time, in order to make the task of forging a replacement for part of the pattern more difficult.

21 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes the facility to add photographs or other person identifying objects or information such that their removal causes damage to the underlying or adjacent surface.

22 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes one or more labels printed or sprayed directly on to the body of the product.

23 As for any of the above claims for a security label system which includes embossed marks or information.

24 As for any of the above claims for a security label system in which the markings on the labels may be recognised and interpreted using an electronic scanning system.