EP2862161B1 - Security label - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a security tag for detecting a first-time opening of a container. The present invention further relates to a container provided with such a security tag.

Today, there is an increasing tendency for high-quality and especially expensive products to be copied very frequently. In addition to the economic damage caused to the manufacturer of the original products, complicating the fact that these copies are also very often qualitatively of lower quality. A buyer who buys such an inferior counterfeit and believes that he has bought an original product will therefore be disappointed by the low quality of the product. However, as the buyer can not immediately recognize that it is a forgery and not the product of the original manufacturer, he will attribute the inferior quality to the original manufacturer. Thus, in addition to the economic damage, the original manufacturer also suffers a considerable damage to the image.

In addition, if the counterfeit is a safety-related product, such as a vehicle brake or a medical device, there is a considerable risk to life and limb in addition to the economic damage. Therefore, the manufacturers of high-quality original products are anxious that the potential buyers can quickly and easily distinguish an original product from a supposed copy.

To counter this, some counterfeiters try to sell their cheap and inferior plagiarism in the original packaging of the high-quality product. Among other things, it can be observed that such counterfeiters try to come into possession of already used original packaging. Then this original packaging is filled with an inferior plagiarism, resealed and put into the trade.

Due to the original packaging, therefore, a buyer or user may at first get the impression that the acquired inferior plagiarism is the original product. The counterfeiters are very careful to make the appearance of the original packaging look as if the original packaging had never been opened before.

To give a buyer or user the certainty of holding a high-quality original product in their hands, the manufacturers of original products are careful that the original packaging can not be reused unnoticed. For this purpose, it is expedient that the original packaging undergoes such a modification when first opened that they either can not be used at all, or that at least the visual appearance of the packaging is irrevocably modified.

To accomplish this on the one hand with relatively simple and inexpensive means, but on the other hand to ensure a high safety standard, it is advisable to seal the original packaging at its opening so that the seal undergoes an irrevocable mechanical or optical change when opening.

One such approach is to provide an original package, such as a carton box, with a seal label at its opening, which is changed on first opening so that this change can be readily felt. For this purpose, for example, to protect the opening area, a two-ply label can be used, which has a zigzag-shaped stamped in the upper layer. This upper layer is bonded to the lower layer only by adhesive on both outer sides. Furthermore, the lower layer has an adhesive coating, with which the label can be glued over the opening of a package, for example, the above-mentioned carton. However, it is necessary that these tips are glued so that the tips of the zigzag-shaped stampings in the upper layer do not protrude.

To open the packaging now this seal label must be cut. In the process, parts of the tip fall off the label, resulting in a clear opening detection.

Due to the required bonding of the tips in this construction, however, it can happen with very careful opening that the parts of the tips do not fall out as desired. And even if the tips fall out, they could be caught by a supposed counterfeiter and later used again.

In this case, a malicious counterfeiter could now fix the tips on the label again by means of a thin, highly transparent adhesive film so that, at least on a superficial examination, the seal would still appear intact.

In the JP 2002-042222 A a label with several layers of material is shown, which are interconnected by two spatially separate adhesive areas. Lines of weakness in the layers of material lie within the adhesive coated sections.

There is therefore a desire for a security label, in which such a manipulation attempt can be reliably prevented or at least made visible.

This is achieved by a security label according to the invention for proving a first-time opening of a container. The security label comprises a first web-shaped label layer with a top side and a bottom side, a second web-shaped label layer with an upper side and a lower side and a weakening line, which is introduced into the second label layer. The security label further comprises a first adhesive application, which connects the underside of the first label layer and the top of the second label layer on at least two mutually spatially separated areas. Furthermore, the security label comprises a second adhesive application, which is applied to the underside of the second label layer on at least two spatially separated areas. The second label layer is on the top and the bottom in the area of Line of weakness glue-free. The weakening line of the security label completely penetrates the second label layer between its upper and lower sides. Furthermore, the weakening lines are zigzag-shaped or wavy or curved.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned desire can also be met with a container, wherein the container comprises a closure region, which is secured with a security label according to the invention.

It is an approach of the present invention to design a security label so that when opening a package such parts of the label that are on the packaging over the intended opening area of the package when sticking the label, are reliably released and not for a later manipulation attempt More are available when the label is cut at the intended opening area of the package. The structure of the security label according to the invention is therefore designed so that pre-defined parts of the security label are completely free of adhesive arranged by stampings. These parts fall out reliably after cutting.

A further film layer above the stampings described ensures that an alleged counterfeiter does not have direct access to the stampings and thus the stamped parts and the falling out parts are protected against external manipulation.

Characterized in that the weakening line of the security label completely penetrates the second label layer between the top and the bottom, it can be ensured that after opening some of the cut parts fall out safely and the label thus reliably indicates the opening attempt. Particularly suitable for this purpose is a zigzag-shaped course of the weakening line.

In one embodiment, the weakening line is a stamped in the second label layer. By such stamping can be done easily a reliable separation of the second web.

An embodiment of the security tag comprises a second label layer having at least two outer edges, the weakening line extending from one outer edge to another outer edge. This ensures that the second material web is completely severed between these two outer edges and can reliably fall out of the opening attempt due to the cutting through some parts.

The fact that the second label layer on the top and the bottom in the region of the line of weakness is free of adhesive, it can be reliably ensured that the cut-through parts no longer adhere, but reliably fall out.

In a specific embodiment, the first label layer is at least partially transparent. This allows a reliable control through the transparent label layer on the underlying second label layer and thus a control of a possible manipulation attempt. Furthermore, preferably the second label layer is opaque, whereby good contrast enables fast and reliable control.

In one embodiment, the second label layer is at least partially printed. Thus, additional information can be added to the label.

In a specific embodiment, the security tag further comprises a grip tab. Preferably, this grip tab is connected to the first label layer. Thus, a particularly convenient opening of provided in such a label packaging can be done.

• Figur 1: die schematische Darstellung eines Querschnitts durch eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsetiketts;
• Figur 2: eine schematische Darstellung einer Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsetiketts;
• Figur 3: eine schematische Darstellung eines Behältnisses, das mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Sicherheitsetikett versiegelt wurde;
• Figur 4: eine schematische Darstellung einer Draufsicht eines Sicherheitsetiketts das zum Öffnen durchschnitten wurde; und
• Figur 5: eine schematische Darstellung einer alternativen Ausführungsform eines Sicherheitsetiketts.

In the following, the security label according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

• FIG. 1 : the schematic representation of a cross section through an embodiment of the security label according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a plan view of an embodiment of the security label according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a container which has been sealed with a security label according to the invention;
• FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a top view of a security label that has been cut to open; and
• FIG. 5 : A schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a security label.

FIG. 1 shows first a cross section through the structure of a security label according to the invention. The label essentially comprises two web-shaped label layers 10 and 20 or label webs 10 and 20. Preferably, the two label layers 10 and 20 are films having the same material thickness. For the two label layers 10 and 20, the same film material can be used.

The two web-shaped label layers 10 and 20 have approximately the same dimensions in length and width. In a specific embodiment, the two label layers 10 and 20 are the same size.

The upper, first label layer 10 is formed from a continuous, intact film. In the lower, second label layers 20 a line of weakness 50 is introduced. For example, this weakening line 50 may be a punched-in. Preferably, this stamping penetrates the second label layer 20 completely.

The weakening line 50 may, as in FIG. 2 that is, the line of weakness comprises a plurality of rectilinear sections, of which, with the exception of the first and last sections, exactly two sections abut one another at each end point of a section. The end points of the sections forming the zigzag-shaped profile are offset relative to one another along the outer edges 23, 24 of the label. While one endpoint is offset in the forward direction, the other endpoint of the same portion is offset backward. But other courses of the weakening line 50 are also possible. For example, the weakening line 50 may also have a wavy or a curved course.

When wavy course in the transverse direction seen from one outer edge 23 to the other outer edge 24 wave peaks and troughs in the course of the line of weakness from one outer edge 23 to the other outer edge 24 alternate. In the case of a zigzag-shaped course, a tip directed in the forward direction along one of the outer edges 23, 24 changes in the reverse direction along this one outer edge 23, 24 directed tip in the course of the line of weakness from one outer edge 23 to the other outer edge 24 from each other.

Preferably, the weakening line 50 extends completely between the two opposite outer edges 23 and 24. In FIG. 2 For example, the weakening line 50 extends from the upper outer edge 23 to the parallel lower outer edge 24. However, the construction according to the invention can also be realized with a second film 20 in which the weakening line 50 runs completely inside or only at a single outer edge 23 or 24 ends.

The two label layers 10 and 20 are arranged as congruent one above the other, so that the bottom 12 of the first label layer 10 comes to rest on the top 21 of the second label layer 20. The two label layers are connected by means of a strong adhesive 30 preferably non-detachably. The adhesive 30 may be highly adhesive and is only partially disposed between the two label layers 10 and 20 in the space between the two label layers. At least one region a above the weakening line 50 remains free of adhesive.

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a security label 1 and illustrates in particular the arrangement of the areas b with the adhesive 30. The adhesive 30 is preferably applied in the two outer, spatially separated edge regions b, while the inner region a, in which also the line of weakness 50, is adhesive-free.

The adhesive-free region a preferably separates the two adhesive regions b into two spatially separate regions. However, a function according to the invention can in principle also be achieved if one or more narrow connections exist between the two adhesive regions b (not shown).

Below the second label layers 20, a partial adhesive application 40 is also present on the underside 22. Even with these adhesive application 40, the inner region a of the second label layers 20 remains free of adhesive. Preferably, too this adhesive application 40 is arranged analogously to the first adhesive application 30 only in the two spatially separate outer regions b.

To protect the adhesive application 40, this adhesive application as well as the complete underside of the second label web 20 can be covered with a liner 60. This liner 60 is peeled off again before the application of the security label 1, thus releasing the adhesive 40, so that the security label 1 can be adhered to the desired position.

FIG. 3 shows a container 2, which has been secured with a security label 1 according to the invention. The label 1 seals the closure region 200 of the container 2. In order to open the container 2, for example a folding box or the like, the security label 1 in the region a of the weakening line 50 must now be severed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the cutting through the above-described security label 1. The line 100 here represents a section line as it is required when severing the label 1 to open the container 2. By means of this cutting line 100, a plurality of free regions 110 are now formed in the lower, second label layers 20, which are formed on the one hand by the cut edge 100 and on the other hand by the weakening line 50. Since these free areas 110 no longer have any connection to the rest of the label 1, these elements 110 fall out during opening. The absence of these parts 110 therefore reliably signals the first opening of the package 2. The free areas 110 are triangles in the embodiment shown.

Due to the relatively small size of these elements 110 and the first label layers 10 arranged above, manipulation by the subsequent reintroduction of these free elements 110 is very complicated or almost impossible. Therefore, obfuscation of the first opening of the container can be reliably prevented. The label is well suited as an effective first-hole detection.

Will the security tag 1, as in FIG. 3 shown attached so that the line of weakness 50 crosses an outer edge 200 of the container 2 once or several times, a tampering even detected even then If the label 1 is not cut through, but would otherwise be opened.

For this purpose, a film material made of a relatively rigid plastic is used for the lower, second label layer 20. Thus, the lower material layer 20 has the tendency to align as straight as possible. When removing the upper material layer, therefore, the first bent over elements of the lower material layer 20 align in a straight line. With suitable shaping, it will subsequently be impossible to bring these aligned parts back to their original position and to attach the upper material layer 10 or a replacement for it.

If the label is glued over an edge in the region of the line of weakness, then the stiffness of the plastic of the label layer 20 is to be chosen such that the plastic relaxes after opening the container and is rectilinear or tangential in continuation of the direction predetermined by the surface of the container aligns. The label layer 10 may be formed on the other hand from a plastic which has a lower or even substantially lower rigidity.

In this configuration, it may therefore be advantageous to provide the label 1 on the upper material layer 10 with an additional grip tab 80, as shown for example in FIG FIG. 5 is shown. A user can then grab the grip tab 80 and pull off the upper material layer 10 to open the vessel. Since the lower material layer 20 has already been severed along the weakening line 50, the vessel can then be opened without additional measures, such as the cutting through of the label.

In a later reclosure of the vessel, the lower material layer 20 would be bent uncontrollably in the region of the cutting line 50 and can not be introduced in their original state. Thus, the previous opening of the vessel can be reliably detected.

In order to allow a user to have a clear view of the lower label layer 20 and thereby be able to recognize whether the elements 110 have undergone a change due to a first-time opening, the upper label layer 10 is preferably transparent or at least translucent. This transparency is required at least in the area a of the weakening line 50. Alternatively, however, the entire upper film layer 10 may be transparent or translucent.

In addition, the top label layer 10 on the top 11 also additionally with a label, for example, an imprint, are provided. As a result, additional information can be provided to the user in connection with the product or even with the opening certificate. In order to obtain a better contrast for this marking, the upper foil layers 10 outside the area a can also be provided with an opaque primer.

Furthermore, it is helpful for a quick check of the Erstöffnungsnachweises when the lower, second label layer 20 is opaque at least in the region a of the line of weakness. As a result, falling out of the elements 110 can be perceived particularly well. It is particularly helpful for this purpose, if the opaque second label layer 20 has a contrast in color to the underlying container 2.

Opacity of the second film layer 20 may be achieved either by choosing a suitable non-transparent material or alternatively by using a transparent film layer which is subsequently provided with an opaque color. In the latter case, it is sufficient to provide the film layer 20 in the region of the weakening line 50 with this color.

In summary, the invention relates to a security label, from several film layers. To open a jar that has been sealed with this security label, the label must be cut so that some small elements come out of the label for secure optical detection of opening.

Claims (9)

1. A safety label for proving a first-time opening procedure of a container, comprising:

   a first web-shaped label layer (10) comprising an upper side (11) and an underside (12);

   a second web-shaped label layer (20) comprising an upper side (21) and an underside (22);

   a weakening line (50) incorporated in the second label layer (20);

   a first glue application (30) which connects the underside (12) of the first label layer (10) and the upper side (21) of the second label layer (20) to each other at at least two areas (b) which are spatially separated from each other; and

   a second glue application (40) which is applied on the underside (22) of the second label layer (20) at at least two areas which are spatially separated from each other,

   characterized in that

   the second label layer (20) is free of any adhesive on the upper side (21) and the underside (22) in the area (a) of the weakening line (50), the weakening line (50) fully penetrates the second label layer (20) between the upper side (21) and the underside (22) of the second label layer (20) and the weakening line (50) extends in the second label layer (20) in a wavelike or zigzag-like or curved fashion.
2. The safety label according to claim 1, wherein the weakening line (50) is stamped in the second label layer (20).
3. The safety label according to any of claims 1 or 2,
   wherein the second label layer (20) comprises at least two outer edges (23, 24) and the weakening line extends from the one outer edge (23) to the other outer edge (24).
4. The safety label according to any of claims 1 to 3,
   wherein the first label layer (10) is at least partially transparent.
5. The safety label according to any of claims 1 to 4,
   wherein the second label layer (20) is opaque.
6. The safety label according to any of claims 1 to 5,
   wherein the second label layer (20) is provided with a printing.
7. The safety label according to any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a grip tab (80).
8. The safety label according to claim 7, wherein the grip tab (80) is connected to the first label layer (10).
9. A container having a closure area (200), wherein the closure area (200) is provided with a safety label (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8.

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