WO2001063584A1

WO2001063584A1 - Security seal with protective cover

Info

Publication number: WO2001063584A1
Application number: PCT/BY2001/000002
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vladzimir Terentjevich Belski
Original assignee: Vladzimir Terentjevich Belski
Priority date: 2000-02-25
Filing date: 2001-02-22
Publication date: 2001-08-30
Also published as: AU3526601A; RU2201621C1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the means of protection from the uncontrolled access with aid of sealing and it can be used for control of the access to the protected object, as well as for its identification. The sealing device contains destroyable layer (2) with adhesion coating (3) applied to the side intended for contacting with sealed surface (5) and adhesion coating (4) on the other side of destroyable layer with film layer (6) fixed to it. The sealing device is provided with lens (7) placed on the said film layer (6), and being so, the materials of the layers are chosen so that adhesion between destroyable layer (2) and sealed surface (5) has a bigger value than the adhesion between destroyable layer (2) and film layer (6), and the adhesion value between film layer (6) and lens (7) exceeds the adhesion value between film layer (6) and destroyable layer (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION

SECURITY SEAL WITH PROTECTIVE COVER

Technical Field The present invention relates to the means of protection from the uncontrolled access with aid of sealmg and it can be used for control of the access to the protected object, as well as for its identification Background Art

All manufacturers of household appliances, computers, devices, mecha- msms and other technical subjects protect their products from counterfeits, damage, non-sanctioned opening Protectmg components for prevention of counterfeits and non-sanctioned copymg are also widely used on the documents, such as passports, credit cards, identity cards, etc Sealmg is also used for account and control of complicated technical products Various methods of sealmg the products are known As a rule, a destroyable component made of various mateπals is used For example, m "the self- locking polymer seal" accordmg to [1] the teeth made on the case and the strip are destroyed at unsealing, what makes it possible to control the access to the product and hampers an unauthoπzed use of the same seal by an abuser at his own product However, due to the fact that the destroyable components are hidden form the external supervision there is a high probability of the delayed detection of the non-sanctioned access and the probability of the product forfeit by shifting the seal removed from the protected product, along with fixing the strip m the case m a different way The technical solutions are also known wherein the integrity of the destroyed component is easily controlled by the visual inspection, and the information on sealmg is applied to the surface of this component For example, m "the door sealmg device" as per [2] the sealmg mass (the plastic matenal) is used, whereon a mark is applied at sealing However, the surface of the destroyed component in the said device is poorly protected from accidental damages, and this limits its use with only stationary subjects.

Some technical solutions are also known wherein a glued layer is used for fixing the seal components , as well as a transparent cover ensuring the read-out of the information under it about the sealing, for example, "the sealing device" according to [3]. However, the said device is insufficiently technologically developed, it does not allow to use the modern technical facilities for improving the design of the products, besides, the information is lost located on the destroyed layer at opening up the product in case of its planned service. It is also known that holograms are used for marking and protection of products from forfeits and copying, for example, "the method of holographic identification of products" as per [4]. Such a technical solution ensures a high degree of the product protection. However, the cost of means used with this method is very high and economically can not be justified for the products in- tended for a broad consumption.

Recently, the self-glued seals have been widely used which have various forms and sizes and are easily shifted from the latex base to the protected document or to the place in the subject which is protected from the unauthorized opening and, hence, from the non-sanctioned access inside the device or its indi- vidual blocks, units. For example, "the structural composition having the diffraction properties" according to [5].

Such a device represents the destroyable, as a rule, metal layer located on the bearing film resulting in its predominant use with documents rather than technical subjects. The adhesive self-glued coating is applied onto the other side of the destroyable layer. Such a device is easily fixed to any document or onto any surface (joint, seam, hole, etc) of the protected volume owing to the self- polymerized glue used as the adhesive coating, and the subsequent removal without its damage and destruction is impossible.

Considering the well-known technical solutions, the closest object to the applied one is the method of the product identification and the access control to its closed sections, and the construction which can be used for sealing , as de^¬ scribed m article [6] and taken by the author as the prototype. The same article shows the construction sample glued directly to a journal sheet.

The method of product identification and access control to the closed sec- tions taken as the prototype consists in the fact that the product is sealed by means of a device accessible for the visual comprehension or for the inspection making use of a device at the external examination of the product provided with the advertising and decorative iriformation and containing the destroyable layer, and the destroyable layer is protected with a film layer, and being so, each seal- ing operation is to be accounted and the product or the non-sanctioned access are identified according to the integrity of the destroyable layer.

The device taken as the prototype represents a device which can be used for sealing with the information in its components containing the destroyable layer with the adhesive coatings applied to its both sides, and its first side in- tended for provision of the contact with the surface of the sealed product is covered with the process substrate before application of the product, and the film layer is located on the other side of the destroyable layer, and the materials are selected so that the adhesion between the destroyable layer and the surface of the sealed product has the bigger value than the adhesion between the destroy- able layer and the film layer.

The technical solution taken as the prototype ensure the high protection degree of the object whereon this is used, and the product itself is a decoration of the product which attracts the consumer's attention.

A drawback of the method and construction known from this source is that they have insufficient stability to mechanical and chemical impacts which enhance the probability of the accidental damage of the destroyable layer. In order to improve the protection degree the foil is to be used as the destroyable layer with the information applied by the holographic method. However, the holographic information causes increase of expenses for fabrication of such de- vice, what makes the field of application of the technical solution taken as the prototype narrower. This is due to the fact that all films which can be used for bearing purposes in the similar devices are capable of interacting with the active chemical reagents. The bearing films can also easily be damaged by mechanical means. Besides, the well-known seal have a drawback that after any opening no information confirming its legal character is left on the seal.

The task of the applied invention is enhancement of the protection of the construction used for sealing, from the accidental damage and non-sanctioned opening, reduction of expenses for fabrication, as well as formation of information on the construction components and after opening the construction, maintenance of the infor- mation intended for account and control for the seals installed onto the protected objects and for the objects themselves protected with the said seals. Disclosure of Invention

The stated task is resolved so that at implementation of the method of the product identification and the control of access to its closed sections, when the prod- uct is sealed with the device accessible for the visual apprehension or examination with a device at the visual inspection of the product provided with the advertising and decorative information and containing the destroyable layer, and the destroyable layer is protected with a film layer, and being so, each sealing operation is taken into account, and the product or the non-sanctioned access are identified for the integrity of the destroyable layer, and according to the invention one more protecting component is additionally installed to the film layer, the information is provided consisting of two parts, - the first one, more simple and repeated for all preset products is included to the destroyable layer, and the film and (or) protecting component are used for location of the second part of the information, and the second use of the construc- tion is not allowed, although a possibility of reading out the information should be maintained after removal of the construction.

For implementation of the stated method a sealing device is to be used with the information in its components containing the destroyable layer with the adhesive coatings applied to its both sides, and being so, the first side intended for contacting with the surface of the sealed product is covered with the process substrate before the use of the device, and the film layer is located on the other side of the destroyable layer. Being so, the materials of the layers are chosen so that adhesion between the destroyable layer and the surface of the sealed product has a bigger value than the adhesion between the destroyable and film layers, and being so, according to the invention an additional protecting component made of a transparent material is installed on the said thin layer on the side opposite to the destroyable layer, and the adhesion value between the film layer and the surface of the protecting component exceeds the adhesion value between the film and destroyable layers. The predominant option of execution is represented in the form of the device, wherein a metal layer is used as the destroyable layer, and a hologram can be applied onto the metal destroyable layer for improvement of the protection degree.

One more predominant option of implementation of the invention is represented in the form of a lens made of the polymeric material. Being so, the polymeric material can comprise numerous colors and numerous components.

The information contained in the device can be applied onto the film layer on the side opposite to the destroyable layer, and an option is possible when the information is formed in the lens, on its surface directed to the film layer or in its volume. A peculiar feature of the invention consists in the fact that at implementation of the method of the product identification and the access control to its closed sections one more protecting component is to additionally be installed on the film layer, the information comprising two parts - the first part which is more simple and repeated for all set products is included to the destroyable layer, and the film and (or) the protecting component are used for location of the second part of the information. And being so, the repeated use of the device is not allowed while there is a possibility of reading out the information after its removal.

Division of the information into two parts makes it possible to essentially reduce the expenses at application of the states technical solution. If, for example, the neutral designation "Don't open" is included to the destroyable layer this layer can be prepared for any products. At application of the company designation, for exam- pie, "Dainova", for the destroyable layer, such a blank can be used for any products of this company. Anyway, even if the holography process is used the production cost of the devices used for sealing will be much less than at execution of the whole information by holographic means, as it is fulfilled in the prototype. At the same time, when the film and (or) the protecting component are used for location of the second part of information this information can be used after uncovering the protected product., for example, at calibration of the device or performance of the service of the complex engineering objects.

Being so, the use of the device by an unauthorized person is excluded for the product as the absence of the information of the destroyable layer serves the proof of the illegal character of information on the film or in the protecting component.

Correspondingly, a peculiar feature of the stated device is that an additional protecting component made of the transparent material is installed on the said film layer from the opposite side of the destroyable layer, and the value of adhesion between the film layer and the surface of the protecting component exceeds the adhesion value between the film and destroyable layers.

Execution of the additional protecting component made of the transparent material makes it possible to easily read the information applied onto the destroyable layer, and the stated ratio of the adhesion value between the layers makes it possible to reliably protect and keep the second part of the information contained in the film or additional protecting layer as long as possible at examination of the product.

A peculiar feature of the device is also the fact that a metal layer is used the destroyable one. This makes it possible to improve the decorative features of the de- vice, as well as to easily detect even an attempt of the non-sanctioned access, as the smooth glittering surface of the metal at the attempt of removal of the seal becomes rough (opaque), and this can easily be detected at the product examination.

In case when the hologram is applied on to the metal destroyable layer the protecting properties of the device become higher as the execution of the holo- graphic image is related with the increase of expenditures, what makes it the forfeit and the repeated use of information applied onto the film layer or contained in the protecting component by the unauthorized person senseless for his products.

The predominant option of the device execution is such when the said component is made in the form of the lens of the polymeric material. Owing to the use of the lens resistant to chemical and/or mechanical impacts the device protection from accidental damages and non-sanctioned opening becomes better.

The second part of information which is used after removal of the device from the product can be executed in two options. The information can be applied on the film layer from the side opposite to the destroyable layer or formed in the lens. Anyway after removal of the device from the product this information is protected from the damage with the film layer, and with the lens on the other side.

Execution of this information in the lens offers additional opportunities of improving the appearance and the decorative character of the device as it allows to use volumetric components included to the lens body. Introduction of the information field well protected from any external impacts and retained after the sanctioned opening of the seal makes it possible to set up the strict control and account of the installed seals and the sealed objects and, so, to enhance the protection degree of the objects. Brief Description of Drawings The figure shows one of the possible options of the invention. The sealing device with information 1 in its components contains destroyable layer 2 with adhesion coatings 3 and 4 applied to its both sides, and being so, the first side 3 intended for contact with surface 5 of the sealed product is covered with the process substrate before the device is used, and film layer 6 is located on the other side 4 of destroyable layer 2. Materials of layers and coatings 2, 3, 4 and 6 are chosen so that adhesion between destroyable layer 2 and surface 5 of the sealed product has a bigger value than adhesion between destroyable layer 2 and film layer 6.

Being so, additional protecting component 7 made of the transparent ma- terial is installed on the said film layer 6 on the side opposite to destroyable layer 2, and the adhesion value between film layer 6 and the surface of protect^¬ ing component 7 exceeds the adhesion value between film layer 6 and destroyable layer 2.

Besides, the metal layer made of the metal foil or spray-coated polymeric film is used as destroyable layer 2. A hologram can be applied to metal destroyable layer 2. The use of destroyable layer2 is possible without a holographic designation, and being so, the smooth and glittering surface of layer 2 carries only the information on availability or unavailability of the sealing device opening (an opening attempt). Such an execution has a lower degree of protection from forfeits, as it makes it easier for an unconsciousness person to make a device with the use of the information located in the components left after disassembly of the device from the protected product.

In the predominant option the said additional protecting component 7 is executed in the form of the lens made of the polymeric material, and this adds additional decorative features to the device.

The information kept and used after removal of the device from the protected object is applied on the film layer on the side opposite to the destroyable layer. An execution model is possible when the information is formed in lens 7. Being so, the information can be applied on the lens surface directed to film layer 6 or it is exe- cuted in the volume of lens 7 with aid of various components 1 improving the decorative features of the device. Such an option serves as an additional decoration of the protected product by attracting the consumer's attention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

The stated method is implemented by means of the following. Protected surface 5 of the product is sealed with a device accessible for the visual comprehension or inspection making use of the device at the visual inspection of the product. This device is provided with advertising and decorative information 1 and destroyable layer 2. Destroyable layer 2 is protected with film layer 6, and being so, every sealing operation is accounted for and the product or non- sanctioned access to the integrity of destroyable layer 2 are identified. One more protecting component 7 is additionally installed to film layer 6, and the information is provided in two parts: the first one, which is more simple and repeated for all stated products is included in destroyable layer 2, and film 6 and (or) protecting component 7 are used for placement of the second part of in- formation, and being so, the repeated use of the device is not allowed with the preserved possibility of reading-out the information after its removal.

The sealing device shown on the figure is to be fabricated in the following way.

Destroyable layer 2 is to be installed to film base 6 with aid of adhesion coating 4. As a rule, this layer 2 is made of the metal foil or by means of the spray coating of metals on the polymeric film with any well-known method. A hologram is made for products with the high degree of protection on the metal.

Adhesion coating 3, for example the self-polymerizing glue, is to be applied to the side of destroyable layer 2 opposite to film 6. This surface is used for fixing the protected object on sealed surface 5. Before installation of the device to the product this layer is to be protected with the process substrate, for example, from latex.

An additional protecting component - lens 7 - is to be formed on film 6 from its back side. The adhesion value is determined by the choice of materials. And the materials for the aforesaid layers, adhesion coatings and for lens 7 are chosen so that adhesion between sealed surface 5 and destroyable layer 2 be greater than adhesion between bearing film and destroyable layer 2, and adhesion between bearing film 6 and lens 7, in its turn, be greater than between destroyable layer 2 and bearing film 6. In the predominant option of the given invention lens 7 is formed by applying the transparent polymeric material, mainly multi-component one in its viscous state onto film layer 6 with the subsequent polymerization of the lens material.

Formation of information symbols on film 6 is executed by any well- known means, for example, by printing, application. 10

If the information field is formed directly in the body of lens 7 symbols 1 are introduced to the still non-polymerized tenacious polymer where from the lens is formed, and being so, various (including volumetric) structures of symbols 1 are used and improve the decorative properties of the device. The device made in such a way is placed on the latex bases. For installation of a seal it is shifted from the latex base to the place chosen for protection.

The device is opened with a sharp object which is introduced between the device and sealed surface 5. The seal is separated from the object by applying the force directed toward the side opposite to sealed surface 5. In this case lens 7 along with bearing film layer 6 is separated from destroyable layer 2. Since the adhesion between destroyable layer 2 and bearing film 6 is less than between destroyable layer 2 and sealed surface 5 and less than between the other side of bearing film 6 and lens 7, the integrity of destroyable layer 2 is violated, what is easily deterrriined by the visual means. Being so, bearing film 6 remains on lens 7 and information, regardless of the place (on the film or in the lens volume), is retained readable in the removed part of the device. Industrial Applicability

So, the sealing device made according to the invention has the high resistance to mechanical and chemical impacts and, hence, the high resistance to ac- cidental damages, and at the same time they require less expenses for production than in the prototype. Possibility of the unfixed non-sanctioned opening of the stated device is excluded, and the possibility of using the information which is retained safe after opening the removed part of the device expands the process capacities, allows to carry out account and control of the planned works of cali- bration and technical service.

One more advantage of the proposed design of the sealing device is that owing to the optical properties of the lens the information located in the seal possesses a high contrast range and discernibility, what makes it possible to read out this information at any viewing angle and at the reduced illuminance. The states invention provides the high degree of protection at its application at the engineering objects. At the same time the production cost of this device even with the use of the holographic process is much less than the production cost of the object taken as the prototype, what expands the possible applica- tion fields of the invention.

Bibliographic data of information sources

1. Inventor^'s certificate of the USSR No. 1772820, G09F 3/03, 1990, published in Bulletin No. 40 , 1992.

2. inventor^'s certificate of the USSR No. 1660030, G09F 3/03, 1989, pub- lished in Bulletin No. 24 , 1991.

3. Inventor^'s certificate of the USSR No. 1644207, G09F 3/03, 1988, published in Bulletin No. 15 , 1991.

4. Patent of the Russian Federation No. 2096834, G09F, 3/03, 1995, published in Bulletin No. 32, 1997. 5. International application WO 96/01458, dated June 22, 1995, G06K

19/16, (PCT/DE95/00828), published on January 18, 1996.

6. K. Ronay. "Scientific and Production Association KRLPTON. Holography - the Future of the Label". Journal "Containers and Packaging" No. 4, 1995, page 33 - the prototype.

Claims

1. A method of product identification and control of access to its closed sections when the product is sealed with a device accessible for the visual comprehension or inspection with the device at the visual examination of the prod- uct, with the device being provided with the advertising and decorative information and containing a destroyable layer, and the destroyable layer is protected with a film layer distmguishing by that one more protecting component is additionally installed, the information is made of two parts, the first one more simple and repeated for all set products is included to the destroyable layer, and the film and(or) protecting component is used for location of the second part of the information, and the repeated use of the device is not allowed, but the possibility of reading out the information after removal of the film and(or) protecting component is retained.

2. The sealing device with the executed information in its components containing the destroyable layer with adhesion coatings applied on its both sides, and being so, the first side intended for the contact with the surface of the sealed product is covered with the process substrate before application of the device, and the film layer is located on the other side of the destroyable layer, and materials of the layers are chosen so that adhesion between the destroyable layer and the surface of the sealed product has a bigger value than adhesion between the destroyable and film layers distinguishing by that an additional protecting component made of the transparent material is installed on the said film layer on the side opposite to the destroyable layer, and the adhesion value between the film layer and the surface of the protecting component is bigger than the adhesion value between the film and destroyable layers.

3. The sealing device according to item 2 distinguishing in that a metal layer is used as the destroyable layer.

4. The sealing device according to item 3 distinguishing in that a hologram is applied on the metal destroyable layer.

5. The sealing device according to any of items 2, 3 or 4 distmguishing in that the said protecting component is executed in the form of the lens made of the polymeric material.

6. The sealing device according to any of items 2, 3, 4 or 5 distmguishing in that the information is applied on the film layer from the side opposite to the destroyable layer.

7. The sealing device according to any of items 2, 3, 4 or 5 distmguishing in that the information is formed in the lens.