WO2013011239A1

WO2013011239A1 - Article or product incorporating a marker and its manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2013011239A1
Application number: PCT/FR2012/051703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Albert Levy
Original assignee: Elechem (Societe Par Actions Simplifiee)
Priority date: 2011-07-20
Filing date: 2012-07-18
Publication date: 2013-01-24
Also published as: EP2734957A1; FR2978270B1; FR2978270A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a product or article manufactured with at least one concealed zone or region comprising or consisting of an optionally structured joining material, in particular an adhesive, which joins at least two constituent parts of the product or article, said material being integrated into the structure of said product or article, preferably during the manufacture of the latter. The product or article is characterized in that said material (3) incorporates in its bulk at least one miniaturized, passive or active transponder (4) composed of at least one microcomponent containing at least one whole data item or piece of information or a partial data item or piece of information characteristic of the product or article (1) or specific to the latter and/or to its manufacturing method, thereby allowing the detection of a possible forgery or defect.

Description

Article or product incorporating a marker and its method of manufacture

The present invention relates in particular to the field of the marking of products and manufactured articles, in particular with a view to identifying and / or recognizing the authenticity of such products or articles, allowing the detection of a possible counterfeiting or malfunction, and more generally the detection of any product manufactured without the consent of the owner of the original mark (eg manufacture of real items / surplus products at the supplier).

The invention relates more specifically to a product or article incorporating at least one marker or label, as well as its manufacturing method.

Many anti-counterfeit marking solutions for products or articles have already been proposed. They can be classified according to two types of technologies, namely, the solutions of the optical and visible type (reading of an engraved code, printed, screen printed, ...) and the solutions of the electromagnetic type (implementation of a couple transmitter (s) - receiver (s)).

Among the most commonly used techniques currently include:

inks of the serigraphic ink or tampograph type, luminescent ink, ink which reacts by phase transition (ink by sublimation). This type of technology applies to the printing of barcodes, alphanumeric codes, brand logos, etc .;

- Optical diffractive signature methods in which a single signature, invisible to the naked eye, is etched on a solid support (glass, metal, plastic, etc.). The spacing of the etchings is calculated so as to allow reading by Fourier image and by diffractive method. The reading is done by laser beam;

processes for punching etching and matrix etching by pixelation using a marking machine and comprising in particular the following methods:

i) Micro-percussion method

This type of technique includes pneumatic or electromagnetic machines. The principle is as follows: percussion a mechanical shock allows to engrave permanently in the material.

In general, this type of solution makes it possible to engrave a reduced area per pulse, for example with alphanumeric characters, a 1D or 2D bar code. This technique is used for solid parts and all types of rigid to semi-rigid materials.

ii) Laser engraving process

The principle is the same as before, the etching being performed by the passage of a Yag laser point or other having sufficient power to change the state of the surface. The power of the laser and the duration are parameters allowing to modulate the quality of the engraving and especially to adapt it to the type of materials. The technique can also be operable for 3D engravings.

iii) Stripe process

A tool engraves the material on the surface. Such an etching can be carried out on any hard surface of the metal, plastic, and other glass and polycarbonate type, etc .;

- processes implementing holograms;

- The so-called "destructive" processes, used mainly in the textile field and consisting in integrating into the garment concerned light bulbs ink which during their separation dissociate on the garment.

Nevertheless, the various marking methods described above modify the external appearance of the product or the article and are visible, require specific installations, are difficult to implement, make the manufacturing process more complex and / or do not confer a sufficient level of security.

Moreover, in the field of electromagnetic-based technologies, radiofrequency identification (FID) consisting of using radio waves to communicate between transponders (attached to the article or the product) and readers, in order to exchange identification data.

The known transponders, also called markers or "tags", are mainly in the form of labels or cards in ISO format. The transponders consist of an electronic chip and an antenna. These are usually passive systems that have no battery or associated battery: they recover the electrical energy necessary for their operation by capturing, thanks to their antenna, an electromagnetic field emitted by a reader. The same antenna is also used to transmit the information to the reader.

Active transponders, on the other hand, draw their energy from a battery or a battery.

The transponders normally include a unique identification number, read-only. Some models are equipped with a memory also accessible in writing, which makes it possible to associate personalized data with the transponder concerned.

The frequencies used are standardized and the choice of a frequency depends on the environment, the medium, the desired range and the expected bit rate for the data to be exchanged.

An anti-collision protocol (also standardized) allows a reader to discriminate the different transponders that are within his reach, and to dialogue without conflict with each one.

The transponders of the FID tag type are generally glued on one of the visible faces of the article or product concerned. They therefore modify the external appearance, can be easily removed and are affixed after manufacture.

As an illustration of the state of the art, mention may be made in particular of the following three documents:

WO-A-2009/043833 relates to a marking method for signaling the presence of fibers in a concrete structure using markers, the latter having a constitution and dimensions substantially similar to those of the fibers. According to the teaching of this document, this marking also makes it possible to indicate the type of fibers present, as well as the distribution of these fibers in the concrete by means of a localization of the fibers using the markers and a similar dispersion hypothesis. Thus, in this document, the markers are integrated in the entire volume of constituent material of the final product that must be marked, and not in a limited or identified portion of the latter, which requires a device for reading the high power and / or the presence of a large number of markers. In addition, the marking implemented is specifically intended to signal the presence of fibers and their characteristics. No. 2,736,240 discloses a method of mounting, i.e. assembling, an implantable identification responder, and a resultant responder. According to the method disclosed by this document, an identification responder, formed of a hybrid integrated circuit and an antenna, is disposed in a container that can be closed by a cap. A rapidly hardening liquid substance is also injected into the container for blocking the identification responder in position in the container and securing the cap thereon. Thus, this document discloses only the constitution and the method of manufacturing a marker and not a particular implementation of the latter in a context of marking products or manufactured articles.

Finally, WO-A-201 1/027376 relates to a method and a device for marking animals. More particularly, this document provides a method for applying a surface marker or transponder to the skin of an animal. For this purpose, there is provided a fixing kit comprising a transponder disposed in a disposable container with a two-component glue. This container consists of a semi-rigid shell closed with a peelable film, the two components of the glue being separated, before use, by a septum wall. After application to the skin of the animal, the transponder is arranged conspicuously in a glue dome attached to the skin.

Furthermore, anti-counterfeiting or authenticity markers incorporated into visible accessories or specific and identified locations of products or articles are also known, each product or article comprising a single marker of this type.

In the latter case, the exact location of the marker, after editing, is easy and facilitates, therefore, the actions to counteract it. In addition, because of its uniqueness, its malfunction can be the source of erroneous information and special protection measures (coating, resistant encapsulation, ...) must often be applied.

Finally, the integration of these known markers often leads to significant additional cost, a complication of the article manufacturing process or an additional operating step.

The present invention is intended to provide a solution to overcome at least the main disadvantages and limitations mentioned above. In particular, the solution according to the invention should allow a non-visible and visually non-detectable labeling, located in one or more region (s) or limited area (s) of the product or marked article. and whose removal would immediately lead to degradation, preferably complete destruction of said product or article marked. In addition, the marking according to the invention should not complicate the manufacturing process and preferably can be performed randomly and not visible at the time of manufacture of the article or the product concerned.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a product or article manufactured with at least one non-visible zone or region comprising or consisting of a material, which may or may not be structuring, of assembly, in particular of gluing, which material joins together with one another. at least two constituent parts of said product or article, being integrated into the structure of this product or article, preferably during manufacture of the latter, product or article characterized in that said material incorporates in its mass at least one passive, miniaturized transponder or active, composed of at least one microcomponent containing at least one data or information or part of data or information characteristic of the product or article or specific to the latter and / or to its manufacturing process, authorizing the setting evidence of any counterfeit or defective said product or article.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the attached schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a product or article according to the invention constituted by the assembly of at least two constituent parts and integrating transponders in the assembly material (generally the thickness of the assembly material is significantly lower than that of the assembled component parts and this assembly layer is usually in the form of a film or film);

FIG. 2 is a view on a different scale of one of the transponders integrated in the material for assembling the product or article represented in FIG. 1, and Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a sizing station adapted for the implementation of the manufacturing method according to the invention.

As partially illustrated by way of example of Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the invention relates to a product or manufactured article 1 with at least one zone or region 2 comprising or consisting of a material 3, structuring or not, of assembly , in particular bonding, integrated into the structure of said product or article, preferably during the manufacture of the latter.

Typically, the product or article 1 may be an article of leather goods, especially luxury leather goods, such as a bag, luggage, shoe or the like.

According to the invention, the material 3 incorporates in its mass at least one transponder 4 miniaturized, passive or active, composed of at least one microcomponent containing at least one piece of data or information or part of data or information characteristic of the product or of Article 1 or specific to it and / or its manufacturing process.

Thus, the marking means (one or more transponders 4) of the product 1 will be, on the one hand, visually non-visible and, on the other hand, sufficiently intimately related to the product or article 1 so that, in case of detection , its removal or removal causes a significant degradation, or even irreversible, of the product or the article to which it is integrated.

In addition, this marking does not entail any change in the external appearance or properties or qualities of the product or article 1.

According to one characteristic of the invention, represented by way of example in FIG. 2, the or each transponder 4 is encapsulated in a sealed envelope 5 made of a material, such as, for example, a wax or the like, adapted to the conditions of manufacture of the product or article 1 concerned and 3 assembly material which incorporates it in its thickness, and permeable to the type of wave serving as a communication medium to the transponder 4.

This arrangement makes it possible to protect the or each transponder 4, or at least the most sensitive part thereof (integrated circuit 6), of the external medium during the manufacturing phase and during the phase of use of the product or article 1 (by example protection against UV, chemicals, pH variations, material 3, ...). The material of the envelope 5 may for example be a wax of the carnuba, bee, candelilla or the like type.

As a chemically inert encapsulant material, it is also possible to use glass or a similar material having the same characteristics while being at least partially flexible, such as for example a sol-gel material.

The material of the envelope 5 can also, if appropriate, be of the same nature as, or even identical to, the material 3, when the latter has the required properties and characteristics indicated above and preserves the components of the transponders 4. in this case, the material of the envelope 5 which encapsulates the transponder 4 before its implantation will be fully compatible with the material 3 and adapted to its implementation conditions, while allowing optimal integration into said material 3.

Moreover, in the context of the invention, different types of transponders 4 active or passive can be envisaged, as indicated in more detail below.

Indeed, to communicate wirelessly in an identification recognition context, a plurality of means / radio protocols are usable: the FID, the "Bluetooth", the "WiFi", the "Zigbee", and more generally any system of wireless communication using radio waves regardless of the value of the carrier frequency, modulation type, protocol, power and type of antenna used. The use of an optical beam, light, infrared (IRDA or not) or laser as a communication medium is also possible.

Apart from the RFID system which derives its energy from a local electromagnetic field, the other communication systems require a supply of transponders 4 by a battery or a battery implanted locally. The battery can be either replaceable, or be strongly and intimately integrated with the product structure or item 1, if the desired transponder lifetime is relatively low. The use of a battery may also lead to the implementation of a related energy generator to keep it in charge. Activation of the self-powered transponder typically takes place upon receipt of a signal that may be radio, light or invisible from the reader or other external activation system. However, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, simple to implement, reliable and little interfering with the manufacturing method, the or each transponder 4 is of the RFID type and its microcomponent is constituted by an integrated electronic circuit or memory chip 6 and an antenna 7. The latter can either be an integral part of said microcomponent before its incorporation into the assembly material 3, whether or not encapsulated in a sealed envelope 5 surrounding at least the chip 6, or be associated with said chip 6 during its incorporation, after being formed or deposited separately.

By way of examples, the RFID transponders 4 used may be of the type known by the name "mu-chip RFID tags" by Hitachi or equivalent transponders.

In the context of the invention, the transponders 4 advantageously have a size at most of the order of several tenths of a millimeter and preferably a maximum apparent surface of at most a few tenths of mm ^2.

The product or article 1 may according to a first embodiment only integrate a single transponder 4.

However, according to a second preferred embodiment, apparent from FIG. 1 and allowing optimum security, the assembly material 3 incorporates several transponders 4, possibly a predetermined number, containing at least some of the same data or information or complementary portions of the same data or information, either entirely original, fully programmed or partially original and partially programmed.

Optionally, some of the transponders 4 may be inactive or inactive depending on the number required for the intended application.

In addition, the transponders 4 may be distributed at several distinct or preferably localized and identified areas or regions of the article or product 1, or may be grouped together at a single zone.

In the simple case of a single transponder, the read mode will be uniquely to identify the chip code and validate the fraud protocol.

In the case of the inclusion of several transponders, the external reader will be able to read sequentially by protocol anticollision part of each of the codes implanted in each chip and build a read protocol to define the origin of the product or item 1 analyzed.

In accordance with a first preferred application of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, the material 3 incorporating the encapsulated transponder (s) 4 is an adhesive, reported in liquid, solid or sprayed form, and assembled between they at least two constituent parts Γ of the product or of the article 1, the transponder (s) 4 being advantageously located (s) in an area or region 2 not apparent product or article 1.

As an advantageous example, the glue 3 can be formulated from ecological synthetic polymers and be a dispersion base (polyurethane or polychloroprene), with a viscosity of between 400 and 6000 mPas.

Still as a non-limiting example, the glue 3 used may have the following characteristics:

- water content (between 40 and 60%)

- organic solvent content (less than 2%)

- solids content (between 40 and 60%)

density: 1.03 g / cm ³ . The product is neither explosive nor

not spontaneously ignite

- form: liquid

- White color

- boiling point: 100 ° C.

When it is applied, the glue 3 used advantageously indicates a good initial setting and a very good heat resistance compared with conventional glues. It can be used without reactivation and the open time is quite long. This glue can be used with a hardener (mixture of 3 to 5%), which increases its mechanical performance. It can be applied by brush, roller, gun.

Water-based adhesives meeting the abovementioned criteria and adapted for use in the context of the invention are especially proposed by the following companies: Forbo Helmitin, HB Fuller, Collano, Simalfa.

In accordance with another application of the invention, the material 3 incorporating the encapsulated transponder (s) 4 is a material foamed structuring forming a binding constituent part of the product or article 1 and assembling two other parts Γ thereof, such as for example foams polyurethane, EVA or other.

Finally, the joining material 3 may also consist of an adhesive and structuring material of the resin type, in particular for example an epoxy resin.

Preferably, the marking is carried out by means of several transponders 4 distributed randomly in the assembly material 3, advantageously at the level of at least one zone or region identified but having a certain extension (linear, surface), or even at the level of several zones or regions to possibly provide higher redundancy marking.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an article or article 1 manufactured with at least one non-apparent zone or region 2 comprising or consisting of a material 3, structuring or otherwise, of assembly, in particular of gluing, integrated with the structure of said article or product, and assembling at least two constituent parts thereof.

Preferably, the article or the product 1 is of the type described above.

According to the invention, the manufacturing method comprises a step or an operation of incorporating into the mass of said material 3, before, during or immediately after its implementation, at least one miniaturized transponder 4, passive or active, consisting of at least one microcomponent containing at least one piece of data or information or part of data or information characteristic of the product or article 1 or specific to the latter and / or to its manufacturing process.

Thus, the manufacturing method according to the invention makes it possible, without substantially disturbing the usual manufacturing process for the article or product 1 under consideration, to permanently incorporate a passive or active detection system on a support made of leather or plastic. , expanded foam or any other material likely to be used in the manufacture of the products or articles 1 concerned, such as leather goods and the like or any part that may be used in the manufacture of shoes, boots or any similar product. This integrated detection system during manufacture will allow the detection of a possible counterfeit or poor workmanship of the product or article 1 concerned. By passive transponder is meant in the present in particular any FID or similar transponder whose operating energy is induced by an external system, and active transponder any transponder whose energy is permanently available locally.

Transponders, whether passive or active, use radio waves to communicate with a remote reader, using a standard or proprietary protocol.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to deposit in the product or the article 1 in question (or a part or part thereof) a unique marking or a unique electronic signature which makes it possible to differentiate it and thus to detect any fraud in the manufacture of the said part, part or product or any copy of false-true that does not fall within the order of manufacture of the sponsor.

The detection method can be activated on demand by means of an external reader which can activate the method by a secure protocol, to unequivocally validate the serial number or any other coded, encrypted or protocol-compliant information, and to make it possible to detecting the legal nature of said article, product, part or part acting as a body or support for the transponder (s).

When the constitution of the transponder (s) 4 is adapted to its implementation in the material 3, in terms of physicochemical compatibility and implementation conditions (during manufacture and during use of the product or article 1 ), said transponder (s) 4 can be integrated (as they are) in said material 3.

However, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the method may consist in encapsulating the transponder (s) 4, before it (their) integration in the material 3, in a casing 5 in a material adapted to the conditions of manufacture of the product or article 1 concerned and 3 assembly material which incorporates in its thickness, and permeable to the type of wave serving as a communication medium to the transponder 4, such as for example a wax, the envelope 5 being formed for example by means of a fluidized air bed micro-encapsulation or interfacial polycondensation process.

The material of the envelope 5 is of course compatible with, or even of the same nature as, the material 3 and adapted to the conditions of implementation of the latter. In the context of the known process known as "fluidized air bed", a stream of temperate air is introduced from below into the reactor. The suspension sprayed by an atomizer in the production chamber makes the suspended particles grow larger and fall back onto the reactor floor as soon as they can no longer be carried by the air stream.

The interfacial polycondensation process consists in reacting two monomers, one in the dispersed phase and the other in the dispersing phase, in order to obtain a polymer membrane on the surface of the droplets formed.

It should be noted that the two phases can be reversed

(organic inside and outside watery) and that the size of the droplets can be controlled.

Among the other known microencapsulation processes which could, alternatively, also be used in the context of the process according to the invention, mention may be made in particular of: simple coacervation, complex coacervation, emulsion and evaporation processes solvent extraction, thermal gelation, ionic gelation, gelation of drops, freezing of drops, extrusion or coextrusion with spheronization and microencapsulation in a supercritical medium.

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method consists in providing one or more transponders 4 of the RFID type, the microcomponent of which consists of an integrated circuit 6 or a memory chip and an antenna 7, the latter being an integral part of said microcomponent before its incorporation into the material 3 assembly or being associated with the chip 6 during its incorporation, after being formed or deposited separately.

Thus, it can be provided that the antenna 7 can be integrated in a primary layer of the material 3, in the form of glue for example, or to implement an adhesive incorporating a metal component so as to form a reflector or an antenna by controlled arrangement of this metallic component.

Advantageously, it may be provided to incorporate several transponders 4, possibly a predetermined number, into the assembly material 3, these transponders containing at least some of the same data or information or complementary portions of the same. data or information, entirely original, fully programmed or partially original and partially programmed.

Thus, it may be envisaged to store in the memory spaces chips 6 which will be provided, a clean and specific signature, describing the manufacturing process of the glue or adhesive or any other information to invalidate a series of products 1 which would be devoid of part of the manufacturing process.

In accordance with a first embodiment, it may be provided to incorporate the transponders 4 encapsulated in the mass of the assembly material 3 before the implementation of said material 3 in the course of manufacturing operations, said material 3 also containing surfactants.

In this case, the method can implement, for example, a gun-type device by which a cartridge of semi-solid glue is deposited on the part or part Γ. The cartridge consists of a stick of adhesive in which is implanted the transponder. The conditioning of the cartridge makes it possible to characterize the quantity of transponders that will be implanted at each operation on the part Γ considered. By default, the adhesive segment considered incorporates a single transponder which will be implanted at a precise phase of the planned glue deposit.

A variant of this method is to consider a water-based or solvent-based liquid glue in which the transponder (s) 4 will (are) incorporated (s). A method of continuous deposition or cartridges or ampoules will deliver the amount necessary for gluing the part or part Γ and depositing the chip.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a glue deposit station 8 [in the form of a bead or of a layer 11, continuous or discontinuous] incorporating transponders 4, on a portion of Article Γ.

This glue 3 loaded with transponders 4 is delivered by a nozzle 9 adapted in which can be mounted a nozzle for delivering transponders 4 (encapsulated or not), injecting them in a controlled manner into the mass of the glue 3 before ejection of the nozzle 9.

Alternatively, it may be envisaged to incorporate one or smaller transponder (s) in an expanded foam matrix of polyurethane or EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) type. Each transponder is previously coated in a capsule or envelope 5 of material protector / insulator and will then be injected into the expansible medium. The result will be an aggregate from which the transponder can not be dislodged without irreversible damage to the shape of the foam and thus to the product or article 1.

To allow a homogeneous distribution of transponders or chips, surfactants will be integrated into the foam.

The microencapsulation method is part of the process of coating the chip. In particular, the "fluidized air bed" type method can be used to provide long-lasting waterproof protection. This method makes it possible to protect the chip 6 from UV, from the surrounding acid medium and completely transparent in terms of electromagnetic radiation.

According to a second embodiment, it may be provided to incorporate the transponder (s) 4 in the assembly material 3 at least partially by projection in a layer of material already present on a constituent part Γ of the product or article 1, the antenna 7 of the transponder 4 is optionally incorporated separately and previously in the material or formed by a component thereof.

In this case, a two-way system (not shown) is advantageously used, the adhesive or glue being delivered by a first orifice A or a first nozzle and the transponders 4 (or only the chips 6) encapsulated being delivered by a second nozzle or a second orifice B of the installation.

Thus, for example, the glue is projected from the orifice A uniformly by an aerosol process and covers the part or part of a thin film of adhesive. At regular intervals, a manual mechanism activates a trigger that will propel a chip or transponder of the orifice B on the adhesive film previously spread on the part or part Γ. The projection power will be quantified so that the chip can naturally be incorporated into the adhesive film 3.

The mechanical system for this incorporation may be of the type dual action propelled gun operating by compressed air pressure or any other spring mechanism or electric trigger.

The incorporation of the chip or transponder on the surface of the part or the part will present said chip by its widest face so as to merge into the adhesive. In the case of passive transponders of the FID or similar type, the component 4 will be deposited with or without its antenna 7. In the first case, the range of the antenna will determine the activation range of the system. In the second case, the chip will be deposited by the method described by pressure projection and the antenna will be formed or separately deposited, then connected to the corresponding chip. To allow a homogeneous distribution of the chips, surfactants will be integrated into the foam.

As is apparent from the description above, the invention provides a fully invasive method for which any modification of the manufacturing process leads irreparably to the destruction of the signature and thereby invalidates the principle of securing.

The method according to the invention is centered on the combination of two elements which during the phase of deposition on the support or integration in the article does not allow any modification under penalty of non-validation during the authentication phase.

The deposition principle, in the preferred variant of the invention, is achieved by the combination of two components and the simultaneous deposition or integration of the two following components:

1) The first component called detection and identification consists of either:

a passive transponder of the RFID type or any comparable system that can be activated by a source of electromagnetic, thermal or acoustic radiation or any other source of mechanical or radiating energy;

an active transponder drawing its power source autonomously and making it possible to communicate with any external interface. By autonomous, we consider on-board batteries, dynamo type mechanical system, piezoelectric system, Pelletier effect or similar or any other mechanical or radiating system capable of transforming an initial signal into an electrical source;

- Any mixed device, that is to say active and passive, to remotely activate the chip to enable it to communicate with any external interface and trigger the identification procedure of the article or product 1.

2) The second integration medium component allows the incorporation of the transponder or the chip, or its adhesion or its coating. In addition, this component must simultaneously ensure the adhesion surfaces of the parts Γ, in the case of the preferred variant. This second component may be a glue of any kind (water-based, solvent-based, mono- or bi-component) or any other assimilated component in which the transponder is incorporated during the gluing phase.

In addition to applications related to the detection of fraudulent products or articles, other applications of the invention may be envisaged, among which may be mentioned the applications of:

- storage of information on said piece for customer tracking;

- MSDS;

- information on a remote searchable service;

- inventory management;

- geolocation;

- in a purchase price or zoning approach, - non-competition clause,

- alternative to bar code technologies,

- or any other application for which requests on FID support, passive or active sensors, storage units by RAM or ROM could be applicable.

The marking of articles and products 1 made according to the invention allows a precise and individual traceability of each article or product throughout its life, from its initial manufacture until its destruction or recycling. In addition, depending on the nature and / or the number of integrated transponders 4, additional additional information may be stored (manufacturer, destination market, reseller, owner, etc.), and, if appropriate, added and / or refreshed over time and events affecting the relevant article or product 1.

Thanks to the invention, the anti-counterfeiting and anti-malfunction marking method described above is invisible at the level of the article or product considered, non-penalizing at the manufacturing level (totally integrated in the manufacturing process), not apparent. for the production / manufacturing operators and allows simple control by the sole control of the assembly material 3, or at least one of the assembly materials.

In addition, the marking area or region can be fully determined in terms of size and location (to facilitate detection), several complementary or additional areas or regions of marking. possibly being predictable on the same article or product (if any, at random in the manufacturing process).

Despite this overall location of their implantation, the transponders 4 are randomly distributed in the material 3 of the region (s) concerned (s) concerned, which makes their extraction impossible without medium damage to said material 3.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1) Product or manufactured article (1) with at least one non-apparent zone or region (2) comprising or consisting of a material (3), structuring or otherwise, of assembly, in particular of gluing, this material (3) assembling between them at least two constituent parts (Γ) of said product or article (1), being integrated into the structure of this product or article, preferably during the manufacture thereof,

product or article (1) characterized in that said material (3) incorporates in its mass at least one transponder (4) miniaturized, passive or active, composed of at least one microcomponent containing at least one datum or information or part of data or information characteristic of the product or of the article (1) or specific to the latter and / or to its manufacturing process, allowing the detection of a possible counterfeit or defective of said product or article (1).

2) Product or manufactured article according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each transponder (4) is encapsulated in a sealed envelope (5) of a material, such as for example a wax or the like, adapted to the conditions of manufacture of the product or article (1) concerned and the material (3) assembly which incorporates in its thickness, and permeable to the type of wave serving as a communication medium to the transponder (4).

3) Product or manufactured article according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the or each transponder (4) is of the RFID type and in that its microcomponent is constituted by an integrated electronic circuit or memory chip ( 6) and by an antenna (7), the latter being an integral part of said microcomponent before its incorporation into the material (3) assembly, being or not encapsulated in a sealed envelope (5) surrounding at least the chip (6). ), or being associated with said chip (6) during its incorporation, after being formed or deposited separately.

4) Product or manufactured article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the assembly material (3) incorporates several transponders (4), where appropriate a predetermined number, containing at least for some the same data or information or complementary portions of the same data or information, either entirely original, fully programmed or partially original and partially programmed.

5) Product or manufactured article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the material (3) incorporating the transponder (s) encapsulated (s) (4) is an adhesive, reported in liquid form, solid or pulverized, the transponder (s) (4) being located in an area or region (2) not apparent from the product or article (1).

6) Product or manufactured article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the material (3) incorporating the transponder (s) encapsulated (s) (4) is a foamed structuring material forming a constituent part of the product or article (1), while assembling two other parts (Γ) of the latter.

7) A method of manufacturing an article or manufactured product with at least one zone or non-apparent region comprising or consisting of a material, structuring or not, of assembly, in particular of bonding, this material (3) assembling together with minus two constituent parts (Γ) of said product or article (1), by being integrated in the structure of this article or product,

process characterized in that it consists in incorporating into the mass of said material (3), before, during or immediately after its implementation, at least one transponder (4) miniaturized, passive or active, composed of at least one microcomponent containing at least one data or information or part of data or information characteristic of the product or of the article (1) or specific to the latter and / or to its manufacturing process, allowing the detection of a possible infringement or defective product or article (1).

8) The manufacturing method according to claim 7, characterized in that it consists, before its incorporation into the connecting material, to encapsulate the or each transponder (4) in a casing (5) of a material adapted to the conditions of manufacture of the product or article (1) concerned and the material (3) assembly which incorporates it in its thickness, and permeable to the type of wave serving as a communication medium to the transponder (4), such as by For example, a wax or the like, the casing (5) being formed, for example, by means of a fluidized air bed or interfacial polycondensation microencapsulation method.

9) A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that it consists in providing one or more transponder (s) (4) of the RFID type, whose microcomponent is constituted by an integrated circuit (6) or a memory chip and by an antenna (7), the latter being an integral part of said microcomponent before its incorporation into the material ( 3) assembly or being associated with the chip (6) during its incorporation, after being formed or deposited separately.

10) The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it consists in incorporating several transponders (4), if necessary a predetermined number, in the material (3) assembly, these transponders containing at least for some the same data or information or complementary portions of the same data or information, entirely original, fully programmed or partially original and partially programmed.

1 1) Manufacturing method according to claim 10, characterized in that it consists in incorporating the transponders (4) encapsulated in the mass of the material (3) assembly before the implementation of said material (3) in the course manufacturing operations, said material (3) also containing surfactants.

12) The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that it consists in incorporating the transponder (s) (4) in the material (3) assembly at least partially by projection in a layer of material already present on a constitutive part (Γ) of the product or article (1), the antenna (7) of the transponder (4) possibly being incorporated separately and previously in the material or formed by a component of this latest.