Method and device for characterizing and verifying product authenticity

Translation of description of equivalent WO 2004044869 A1

Method and apparatus for the identification and authenticity control of products

description

The invention relates to a method for the identification and a method for

Identifying a particular filled with cigarette packaging, the packaging is a member for receiving the packaged and a

Veφackungselement least partially enclosing envelope comprises. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for identifying and means for identifying a particular filled with cigarette package comprising a packaging element for receiving the packed as well as a the Veφackungselement least partially enclosing envelope.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a Veφackung, in particular Zigarettenveφackung.

Veφackungen the purposes of the invention can Weichbecheφackungen be Hartbecheφackungen (so-called hinged-lid packs), tins or other containers for cigarettes, cigars, loose tobacco or the like. The Veφackungselement itself may consist of several components. To mark Veφackungen and especially Zigarettenveφackungen and identify, namely the Veφackung authenticity or origin to examine various methods and devices are known. Usually the Veφackungen in the preparation example be provided with a barcode. By means of a scanner or the like, the barcode is read for Übeφrüfung so that the information contained in the barcode allow a conclusion to the manufacturer, place of manufacture etc..

However, there are other, more expensive ways to mark and identify known where or the like is applied as an information carrier in the Veφackung magnetic stripe, the magnetic stripe information as to the manufacturer, place of manufacture, date, etc. can include. However, the known methods and devices for marking and identification of Veφackungen and the corresponding Veφackungen itself indicate consistently to the disadvantage that they do not allow clear and unambiguous marking or identification Veφackung. Namely, it is readily possible to bring fake Veφackungen circulated their original origin can not be proven because the known methods and devices can be manipulated by markings, such as bar codes, bypassing, imitated or can be forged. Also, a considerable effort is to identify required, which in particular leads to increased costs in manufacturing the Veφackungen.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an easy to handle device and a cost-effective method for identifying and proposing an easy to handle device and a cost-effective method for identifying a filled in particular with cigarettes Veφackung, ensuring a unique and reliable authentication control Veφackung. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a Veφackung that easily and reliably identify and can be identified.

This object is achieved by a method for the identification of a filled in particular with cigarettes Veφackung, which is characterized by the following steps: during the manufacturing process of the Veφackung an individual, only once assigned coding on the Veφackungselement and / or the envelope is at least applied and in a storage medium stored, during the manufacturing process of the Veφackung is further detected at least one characteristic of the Veφackungselement and / or the wrapping as a measurable variable characteristic, the measured variable is assigned to the coding Veφackungselement associated in the storage medium to form a unique data record.

With such a labeling method, namely identifying Veφackung with a fixed, ie unchanging but individual coding one hand, and production-related and thus in all successive Veφackungen random and variable measured quantity of Veφackungselementes and / or the enclosure itself on the other hand, a Veφackung by assigning the coding and the measured value can clearly mark a unique record for each Veφackung so that it can be ensured that Veφackung was unequivocally established through authorized manufacturer. The labeling is also very simple and thus cost, since besides a simple coding, no additional elements need to be applied to the Veφackung. Rather, the invention to identify the characteristics of each uses Veφackung itself.

In one development of the invention, in addition a scanning mark is applied to the Veφackungselement and / or enclosure, thereby detecting the characteristic property of each Veφackung is facilitated as a measurement variable. Incidentally, this screen mark may also be an already applied to the Veφackung or existing printing, such as the brand name, a logo or the like.

Advantageously, the position and overlap width of the seam of the pack shall be determined relative to the scanning mark as a measurement variable. By doing even more security is achieved in the detection of the measured variable.

In another preferred embodiment, variations in the location of folds and / or cut edges and / or overlapping regions of the envelope and the position and expression of patterns through the link or the closing of the envelope especially by welding in the region of connection or interface form as a measured value, determined. With this simple and automatically in the production of the resultant Veφackung no extra effort marking an individual and unpredictable process variable is created that can be reliably measured and thus used for the identification. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for identifying a filled in particular with cigarettes Veφackung, which is characterized by the following steps:

Detecting at least one on the Veφackungselement and / or the wrapping applied, individual and only once assigned coding,

Detecting at least one of the Veφackungselement and / or

Envelope characteristic property as a measured quantity,

Comparison of the detected coding and measurable variable with a stored during production of the Veφackung in a storage medium formed of coding and measured variable unique to each data set

Veφackung. With such identification procedures permit the authenticity of Veφackung - and thus a manipulation or falsification of Veφackung - easily and reliably detected because the characteristic of the Veφackungselementes and / or the envelope at all prepared Veφackungen in an unpredictable and not nachahmbarer way exists , so that even the opening of the wrapping leads to a measurable change in the property used for the identification. When comparing the recorded to Übeφrüfung coding and measured variable with the previously stored in a database or the like veφackungsspezifischen unique data set can be easily determine whether there is a match or not. The measured value can be detected and determined by polling the database associated coding. This is then compared with the code in the just tested Veφackung. It is also possible to detect the encoding, and be determined by a query of the database the corresponding process variable, which is then compared with the measured variable to be detected of the currently tested Veφackung. When a match can be assumed with high certainty of the authenticity of the product.

Preferably, the position and overlap width of the seam of the wrapper is determined relative to a force applied to the Veφackungselement and / or the wrapping as a measurable variable scanning mark. By auxiliary measure the safety of Detecting the measured quantity still increased, so that the error rate can be further reduced in the check for authenticity of Veφackung.

Advantageously, variations in the location of folds and / or cut edges and / or overlapping regions of the enclosure as well as patterns of connection or interface formed in particular by welding are determined as a measurement variable. This package specific variables to be a particularly reliable and easy identification of Veφackung, in particular also because the opening of the envelope as inevitably leads for purposes of manipulation in altered variables.

The object is also achieved by a generic device for identifying a particular filled with cigarettes Veφackung in that the device comprises means for detecting at least one of the Veφackungselement and / or the envelope characteristic quality as a measurement and a

Storage medium for storing the detected measurable variable, wherein the means and the storage medium on a personal computer (PC) or the like for assigning the measurable variable are connected to a stored in the storage medium, and only once assigned individual coding of Veφackung each other. With such a device, the inventive method is particularly feasible. The device allows easy implementation of labeling each Veφackung that any time allows a clear proof of authenticity. Since for the establishment of standard elements can be used, which are normally already present on the devices for producing the Veφackungen, the device is cost-effective and easy to handle.

Furthermore, the object underlying the invention is also solved by a generic means for identifying a filled in particular with cigarettes Veφackung characterized in that the device comprises means for detecting at least one of the Veφackungselement and / or the envelope characteristic property as a measurable variable as well as a storage medium for storing the detected measurable variable, wherein the means and the storage medium on a personal computer (PC) or the like for comparing an individual and only once assigned coding and the detected measurable variable to be identified Veφackung are connected together with a previously stored in the storage medium, formed of coding and measured variable, unique data record for each Veφackung. Also for this device are standard commercial items used as means for detecting the coding and of the measured variable. Moreover, such a device can also be used as a transportable unit, which allows the use possibilities even further.

Finally, the object is also achieved by a Veφackung of the generic type in that on the Veφackungselement and / or the envelope a readable from outside individual, and only once assigned coding is applied and in addition a scanning mark or the like for detecting a characteristic quality of Veφackungselementes and / or the envelope is provided as a measurement variable. With such Veφackung detecting a characteristic of the Veφackungselement and / or the wrapping feature is supported, what the safety of the authenticity control still increased.

Further preferred developments and embodiments of the processes and equipment and the Veφackung are specified in the dependent claims and the description. The principle of the devices and methods for labeling and identification as well as a preferred Veφackung be illustrated by the drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a Zigarettenveφackung with a code and an additional scanning mark,

FIG. 2 is an enlargement of section A of Figure 1,

Fig. 3 is a schematic extracts a tabular data storage in a database, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the front end of a Veφackung with formed by the wrapper itself grid marks in the form of distances, angles and patterns. The methods and apparatus used for manufacturing, ie, in particular for marking and identifying Veφackungen to check the authenticity of Veφackungen can.

Basically, each Zigarettenveφackung 10 from a Veφackungselement 11 and an enclosure 12. The enclosure 12 is usually made of a transparent cellophane wrapper. Other materials are also useful. Within possibly also multipart Veφackungselementes 11 the Veφackungsgut disposed. The enclosure 12 encloses the Veφackungselement 11 preferably completely and is usually open by means of a tear strip. 13 In preparing such Veφackungen 10, which is known and will be omitted at this point, a detailed description, each Veφackung is provided with a coding 14th This encoding 14 is preferably configured as a serial number, so that each encoding is 14 awarded only once. Each individual Veφackung 10 thus has an individual coding fourteenth The coding 14 can also consist of letters, combinations of letters and numbers or other personal identifier. Decisive the uniqueness of each code is 14. The coding 14 is preferably stored directly with the registry or application to the Veφackung the producer himself. Suitable for this purpose, for example, a common database. can be the encoding 14, the envelope 12 printed on the Veφackungselement 11 and / or embossed, stamped or otherwise applied, but may also be detected only after application by additional means and the storage medium, namely, the database to be supplied. The encoding 14 may additionally or alternatively to the individual

Marking each Veφackung 10 also contain information about the Veφackung 10 itself, such as date, time, location, machine etc. included and is arranged at the Veφackung 10 that it is legible from the outside.

Furthermore, during the manufacturing process of the Veφackung 10, preferably the envelope is detected at the end of the manufacturing process for the Veφackungselement 11 and / or 12 as a measurement variable characteristic property. This variable and unpredictable process variable is of the Veφackungselement 11 and / or the associated coding wrapping 12 14 allocated in the memory medium to form a unique data record. This record can be supplemented with additional information, such as date (see Figure 3). The individual device components that are required to produce the Veφackung are also linked to the database so that the information can be stored and read out directly.

Particularly suitable measured variable, the position and overlap width of the seam 15 of the envelope 12 is determined. As reference measuring or reference points already present on the Veφackung 10 characters, logos, lettering or the like or even köφerliche features can, such as edges of Veφackungselementes 11, are used. Alternatively or in addition, other characteristic variables, the gap width between the lid and container of a hard cup pack, the displacement of the overlapping parts of the Veφackungselementes 11 or the wave pattern of the seam are detected such as.

Particularly preferred variables are shown in the figure. 4 The Veφackungselement 11 is surrounded in the original state of Veφackung 10 through the enclosure 12th Usually in the region of the end sides of the Veφackung 10 has the enclosure 12 Folding measures. The Folding measures are individual for each Veφackung 10th Changes or deviations in the position of folding, cutting edges, overlapping areas, as indicated by the distances d and e and the angle α and ß, serve as pack-specific variable. Alternatively or in combination with the aforementioned variables occurring patterns can be 17 and 18 determined as a measurement by the connection or closing the enclosure, for example by welding. The pattern 17, so-called wave pattern, usually formed by raised areas, shades or the like. The pattern 18 in the area of ​​contact surfaces of the envelope 12 are formed, for example by air bubbles. The example highlighted in Figures 1 and 4 position of the patterns 17 and 18 is not limited to the locations shown. Instead, the pattern can be 17 and 18 formed at the other anywhere in the Veφackung 10th The deviations in the exact location or in the patterns are not limited to the distances, angles and patterns designated in FIG. 4 Each package specific size as distance, angle, pattern, Size ratio or the like that is visible from the outside, can be used as a measurement variable.

In the event that the cover 12 has a tear strip 13, the geometry and / or the location of the tear strip 13 can also be detected as a characteristic feature.

To support the capture of the measured quantity or form defined points of reference, an additional scanning mark 16 is expediently applied to the Veφackungselement 11th The scanning mark 16 is fixed to the Veφackungselement 11 and positioned so that it is legible and visible from the outside. Alternatively, 16 may be attached to the wrapper 12 or even a part of the Veφackung 10 itself or a print on the Veφackung 10, the scanning mark. The enclosure 12 itself can serve as a scanning mark 16 or form. The scanning mark 16 is in the embodiment shown according to Figure 1 in the region of the connecting seam 15 and positioned immediately below the seam 15, wherein the scanning mark protrudes 16 on both sides across the connecting seam 15 with a certain amount b and c, respectively. Upon detecting the measured variable, the supernatants B and C and the width of the overlap A can be determined and combined to form the characteristic measured quantity or measure. Since it is in this measurement to exact measurements, the scanning mark 16 is preferably fixedly connected to the enclosure 12, for example by gluing, by sealing or the like to prevent relative displacement of the 12 grid mark 16 and the envelope to each other. Even with a shift of the scanning mark 16 relative to the connecting seam 15, or vice versa, however, can produce a unique association or prove authenticity, since the width of the overlap A through the displacement does not change and the sum of the projections b and c remains the same. The scanning mark 16 can also be arranged for example on the front side of the Veφackung 10, so that the distances d and e and / or the angle can be determined α and ß with respect to the scanning mark sixteenth

The coding 14 and the measured value of each Veφackung 10 are preferably detected optically and processed electronically. However, all other non-contact and / or mechanical detection, - testing and manufacturing processes drive usable. Preferably, the region of the seam 15 is the underlying scanning mark 16 photographed with a corresponding camera or the like and measured. From the measured values ​​then the measured value can be determined abc.

At 10 now übeφriifen a Veφackung on authenticity, is again the characteristic property in the embodiment shown in FIG 1 so abc the process variable, in the embodiment of Figure 4 the position of the folds, and / or cut edges and / or overlapping areas by the distances d and e and the angle α and ß or the patterns 17, 18 are measured or detected. By requesting, for example, by telephone call, direct network connection or the like, in the database, which is only the manufacturer usually accessible, the unity of the process variable (abc or d, e, α and ß or pattern) and located on the Veφackung 10 encoding 14 verified. Located in the database one record that matches completely with the record of the audited Veφackung 10, it can be considered by the authenticity of Veφackung 10 with high security. It can also be queried, which parameter belongs to a detected or automatically determined by the examiner coding 14th Also, both the coding 14 and the measured value can be entered and started as a record retrieval. The query can so easily, that is carried out without any crosslinking, for example by an inspector. In an automated query the individual components, means, memory and the like of the device are mutually crosslinked.

The means by which the Veφackungen be 10 marked and / or identified, consist of commercially available components, so that no detailed description. It is important that for the identification of Veφackungen 10 is a means for detecting a present for the Veφackung 10 characteristic property of at least. This means can be a camera, an optical or mechanical device, for example. In addition, a storage medium is expedient to store the one hand the previously muster coding and on the other hand the determined measured variable. As the storage medium itself offers a database that can be controlled via a PC or the like. The individual agent and the database and the PC are networked to the to guarantee allocation of the coding and variable. By linking the identification can even perform fully automatic. To apply the coding 14, the device may also include a separate means, which is an integral part of the device itself.

The means for identifying the Veφackung is similar to the device just described set up and may even be the same as this. In addition, however, the means expediently have means for detecting the coding. The means for detecting the measured quantity and the coding can also be designed as a unit or even identical.