Package comprising a radio-frequency identification seal

0001The field of invention is that of logistics. More precisely, the field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of secure packages, and of traceability systems making it possible to control the condition of the package.

0002The invention relates more specifically to packages provided with seals.

0003Parcels allow objects to be transported within a logistics chain. Generally speaking, a package is a container defining a cavity in which one or more objects are intended to be positioned during delivery.

0004The packages also include means of closing the package to prevent access to the cavity.

0005For example, a package can be formed by a box defining the cavity, as well as by a cover mounted movable or removable on the box, or by one or more flaps presented by the box itself. Boxes or cartons are conventionally used to form such packages.

0006According to another example, a package can be formed by a flexible bag, for example plasticized, which defines the cavity intended to receive the object(s). In this case, the closure means can for example be formed by an adhesive film affixed to the bag previously folded on itself to close an opening allowing access to the cavity. The closure means can also consist of an excess section of the material forming the bag and intended to be folded over the opening then glued to the flexible bag.

0007In general, it is important to be able to control and/or guarantee the contents of packages.

0008For this purpose, security means can be used on the packages. In particular, seals can be placed on packages to verify that they have not been opened.

0009Seals classically constitute a device fixed to an item to be safeguarded (for example a document, a package, a premises, etc.) in such a way that it is impossible, without break-in and damage to the seal, to proceed with the seal. opening of this property.

0010A seal may consist of a single stamp stamped with a seal, such as a wax seal protecting an authentic document, or a lead seal of the type protecting water or energy consumption meters.

0011According to another example of seal, plastic seals are known which make it possible to guarantee the maintenance in a closing configuration of postal bags, containers or metal boxes. These seals are generally made of plastic and include a body and a link extending from the body. The link is relatively flexible and is intended to form a loop then to be engaged in a complementary opening presented by the body. The opening and the link are designed so that the introduction of the link into the opening is irreversible, and only a degradation which is itself irreversible of the seal allows the opening of the loop.

0012A seal thus comprises, according to a classic design, a part which is irreversibly degradable upon opening of the item on which the seal is affixed.

0013Such seals are particularly simple to manufacture and implement. However, they do not make it possible to know precisely, in real time, when an object has been opened, or to know the state of the seal without a visual consultation carried out directly on site, sometimes or often impossible.

0014In the field of the invention, it is also known to use labels integrating unique identifiers, such as alphanumeric references, barcodes, or even radio frequency identification means (RFID), on bottles of wine.

0015These electronic labels allow consumers to obtain information inherent to the bottle, previously recorded in a database.

0016The radio frequency identification means consist in particular of an electronic radio identification chip coupled to an antenna.

0017To obtain the information contained in the electronic chip, it is necessary to use a transceiver complementary to the antenna and the electronic chip. This transceiver is designed to transmit a request by radio intended to be picked up by the antenna and transmitted to the electronic chip, then to receive a response produced by the electronic chip and sent by the antenna.

0018Thus, such labels make it possible to tag bottles in order to ensure the traceability of fine wines and to facilitate inventories without handling the bottles. And for the consumer, they can, via their smartphone, access the detailed product information using a code (QR code) displayed directly on the label.

0019In practice, these RFID labels are implemented to meet the expectations of the wine industry, namely the counterfeiting of wine and the traceability of the product.

0020However, these specific means are not intended to ensure that a package or packaging or even a parcel is not opened.

0021The invention aims in particular to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art

0022More precisely, the invention aims to provide a secure package using a seal, which allows you to know in real time if the seal has been broken.

0023This objective, as well as others which will appear subsequently, is achieved thanks to the invention which relates to a package according to claim 1.

0024Thanks to the package according to the invention, it is possible to know in real time whether the seal guaranteeing that the package remains in the closed configuration has been damaged. This information allows us to know that the package was opened for the first time following the affixing of the seal, or its initialization.

0025Consulting the remote electronic package tracking unit allows you to read this information in real time.

0026Indeed, opening the package, and in other words a transition from its closing configuration to the opening configuration, results in degradation (rupture) of the degradable part of the seal.

0027Since the first means of communication are partially integrated into the degradable part, they are also degraded when the package is opened.

0028This degradation of the first means of communication then prevents the reception and/or transmission of the request transmitted by the transceiver to the electronic radio identification chip, and this electronic chip does not produce a return signal.

0029More generally, the degradation of the first means of communication permanently deactivates the radio identification assembly formed by these first means of communication and the electronic radio identification chip.

0030According to an advantageous characteristic, the first means of communication also comprise at least one breakable electrical conductor coupling the antenna to the electronic radio identification chip, the breakable electrical conductor(s) passing through the degradable part of the seal.

0031In this case, when the seal is damaged, the breakable electrical conductor(s) are broken. Degradation of the seal thus results in decoupling of the electronic radio identification chip from the antenna through degradation of the breakable electrical conductor(s).

0032This solution is easy to implement because only the breakable electrical conductor(s) have to pass through the degradable part of the seal.

0033According to a preferred design, each of the container and the closing means has a member for receiving the seal, the two receiving members being in immediate proximity to each other in the closing configuration of the package, the seal takes the form a collar intended to be coupled to each of the receiving members in the closing configuration of the package.

0034This design offers particularly easy implementation of the package according to the invention and its seal.

0035In fact, a user only needs to close the package and then affix the seal to the two receiving devices for the seal to be installed.

0036For example, the two receiving members can each take the form of a ring through which the collar is inserted to form a tamper-proof loop.

0037The two receiving members can also each take the form of a hook and, in this case, the shape of the hooks prevents the seal from being removed without being broken, the collar then having to be tightened snugly on the two hooks.

0038According to a particular embodiment, the necklace comprises:<ul id="ul0001" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a head wearing a cage;</li><li>a strip of flexible material extending from the head, and being complementary in insertion of the cage, the strip forming the degradable part of the seal.</li></ul>

0039The collar thus has an easy and inexpensive shape to implement.

0040In this case, advantageously, the strip extends from the head to a free end, the breakable electrical conductor(s) extending along the strip between the head and the free end.

0041This design allows the collar to form a larger or smaller loop depending on the degree of insertion of the band into the cage.

0042Indeed, given that the electrical conductor(s) extend along the strip between the head and the free end, then the strip can be cut at any location between the head and the free end of the band while producing the desired decoupling effect between the electronic radio identification chip and the antenna.

0043More precisely, according to an advantageous characteristic, the electronic radio identification chip is housed in the free end of the band, and the antenna of the first means of communication is housed in the head of the collar.

0044This embodiment is particularly easy to implement and makes it possible to make the collar appear non-specific to the implementation of a radio identification tag.

0045More precisely, a person unfamiliar with the package according to the invention is then all the less likely to identify the seal comprising the electronic radio identification chip as being a seal different from other conventional seals not comprising such radio means. identification.

0046According to a more particular design, the collar is a self-locking clamp, the cage being a non-return cage.

0047Such a type of self-locking clamp offers particularly interesting simplicity of implementation.

0048Indeed, conventionally, a user simply has to insert the strip into the anti-return cage for the strip to be directly locked in the cage.

0049According to the invention, the electronic unit is housed in a wall, or a bottom, or a lid of the container.

0050The electronic unit is therefore not detectable from inside the container.

0051The electronic unit is then concealed and makes it possible to contribute to the undetectable nature of the seal's capacity to allow the sending of an alert when the seal is broken.

0052Advantageously, the electronic unit comprises means for timestamping the alert signal.

0053In this way, the alert signal includes data relating to the moment of breaking the seal and opening the package.

0054This allows a user to record when precisely the seal was defaced.

0055The invention also relates to a traceability system comprising:<ul id="ul0002" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>at least one package according to any one of the preceding claims, the seal of the package comprising an initial identification code inscribed in the electronic radio identification chip;</li><li>a computer server integrating the remote receiver, the computer server comprising a database listing certified identification codes, and being configured to identify the initial identification code of the seal in the database.</li></ul>

0056This traceability system makes it possible to secure the creation of electronic monitoring of the state of the seal.

0057According to this design, only seals previously known in the database can work.

0058The invention also relates to a method of traceability of a package of the traceability system described above, the method comprising:<ul id="ul0003" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a step of transmitting a radio request by the transceiver towards the seal, the radio request being capable of being picked up by the antenna then transmitted to the electronic chip;</li><li>a step of waiting for reception of a return signal produced by the electronic chip in response to the radio request;</li></ul>and in that, in the absence of reception of a return signal, the step of waiting for reception of a return signal is followed by a step of broadcasting an alert signal to a receiver distant.

0059Advantageously, the method comprises, prior to the step of transmitting a radio request, a sequence of pairing the seal to the package, the pairing sequence successively comprising:<ul id="ul0004" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a step of reading the initial identification code of the seal by the transceiver;</li><li>a step of transmitting the initial identification code to the computer server by the transceiver;</li><li>a step of identifying the initial identification code by the computer server;</li><li>a step of generating a new unique identification code by the computer server, and transmitting the new unique identification code to the transceiver;</li><li>a step of sending and writing the new identification code in the seal by the transceiver.</li></ul>

0060According to the process, a new identification code, generated and certified by the computer server, is written in the electronic radio identification chip of the seal.

0061In this way, as soon as it is used to secure a package, the seal benefits from a new identity duly listed in the system.

0062Advantageously, the pairing sequence ends with a test for the presence of the seal on the package by the transceiver.

0063Preferably, the identification step consists of comparing the initial identification code to the certified identification codes in the database to certify the seal and authorize the step of generating a new unique identification code.

0064Thus, a seal is either authorized or rejected during the pairing sequence.

0065Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which:<ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>[<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>] there<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref> is a schematic illustration of a package according to the invention, representing the package in a closing configuration, and provided with at least one seal;</li><li>[<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>] there<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref> is a schematic representation illustrating more specifically a seal affixed to a package according to the invention, the seal being more particularly coupled to two package receiving members;</li><li>[<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>] there<figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref> is a schematic representation in a perspective view of a package according to the invention, in an opening configuration;</li><li>[<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>] there<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref> is a schematic representation of a package traceability system according to the invention.</li></ul>

0066With reference to<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> And<figref idref="f0004">4</figref>, a package 1 according to the invention is illustrated.

0067Package 1 includes a container 2 and closing means 3.

0068As illustrated by the<figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref>, the container 2 has a cavity 20.

0069More precisely, the container 2 is a box composed of a bottom 200 and four walls 201 extending around the periphery from the bottom 200.

0070The walls 201 and the bottom 200 jointly delimit the cavity 20.

0071Still with reference to the<figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref>, the closing means 3 take the form of a cover 30.

0072This cover 30 is hinged on the upper end of one of the walls 201 so as to authorize or prohibit access to the cavity 20.

0073More generally, and with reference to<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> And<figref idref="f0003">3</figref>, the closing means 3 and the container 2 can adopt together either a closing configuration in which the closing means 3 prevent access to the cavity 20 (configuration illustrated by the<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>) or an opening configuration in which the closing means 3 authorize access to the cavity 20 (configuration illustrated by the<figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref>).

0074According to other possible and not illustrated embodiments, the container 2 can be formed by a flexible bag and the closing means 3 then take the form of a flap intended to extend to cover an opening presented by the soft bag.

0075With reference to<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref>, <figref idref="f0002">2</figref> And<figref idref="f0003">3</figref>, and as is more detailed below, each of the container 2 and the closing means 3 has at least one receiving member 21, 31 of a seal 4.

0076In particular, according to the present embodiment, the container 2 has two receiving members 21, and the closing means 3 have two receiving members 31.

0077According to the principle of the invention, the package 1 also includes a seal 4 which guarantees the maintenance of a package 1 in its closed configuration.

0078This seal 4 comprises a degradable part 400 which is irreversibly degradable when the package 1 passes from its closed configuration to its opening configuration.

0079In other words, a passage of the package 1 from its closing configuration to its opening configuration is prevented by the seal 4 or else involves the breaking of the degradable part 400 to allow the opening of the package 1.

0080According to the present embodiment, the seal 4 takes the form of a collar which is intended to be coupled to each of the receiving members 21, 31 in the closing configuration of the package 1.

0081Indeed, the two receiving members 21, 31 of the container and the closing means 3 are in immediate proximity to each other in the closing configuration of the package 1 as illustrated by the<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> And<figref idref="f0002">2</figref>.

0082In particular, the receiving members 21, 31 of the seal, presented by each of the container 2 and the closing means 3, take the form of pierced tabs standing opposite each other when the container and the closing means are in the closing configuration of package 1, as illustrated by the<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> And<figref idref="f0002">2</figref>.

0083These pierced tabs each have an opening 210, 310 allowing the introduction of the seal 4, and the formation of a collar by the seal.

0084More specifically, the necklace includes, as illustrated by the<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>, a head 40 and a strip 41 extending from the head 40.

0085The head 40 has a disc shape.

0086This head 40 carries a cage 42.

0087The strip 41 is formed from a flexible material and is complementary in insertion of the cage 42. In other words, the strip 41 can be inserted into the cage 42, and pass through it.

0088The collar, and more specifically the head 40 and the strip 41, are made in particular of plastic.

0089As explained below, the strip 41 forms the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

0090More particularly, the collar is a self-locking clamp and the cage 42 is a non-return cage.

0091In other words, the introduction of the strip 41 through the cage 42 is authorized in one direction but irremediably results in the captive holding of this strip 41 in the cage 42.

0092It is therefore not possible to remove the strip 41 from the cage 42 without damaging the seal 4.

0093The loop formed by the strip 41, between the head 40 and the cage 42, must be damaged if package 1 is to be opened.

0094For example, the loop formed by the strip 41 must be cut using a sharp tool, such as a pair of scissors or a cutter.

0095Advantageously, the cage 42 and the head 40 have a mechanical resistance to rupture greater than a mechanical resistance to rupture presented by the strip 41.

0096According to the principle of the invention, and as illustrated by the<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>, the seal 4 comprises an electronic radio identification chip 50, as well as first means of communication 51 coupled to the electronic chip 50.

0097Seal 4 includes an initial identification code. In other words, this identification code is written in the electronic chip 50 of the seal 4.

0098This initial identification code is specific to each seal.

0099Potentially, the initial identification code may be shared by several seals 4 that are not yet in use. For example, these seals sharing the same initial identification code may be part of the same batch.

0100As detailed below, the electronic chip 50 is designed to be able to receive a new unique identification code.

0101Advantageously, this new unique identification code replaces the initial identification code written in the electronic chip 50.

0102Still with reference to the<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>, the first means of communication 51 comprise an antenna 510.

0103In addition, the first means of communication 51 extend into the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

0104According to the present embodiment, the first means of communication 51 also comprise a breakable electrical conductor 511 which couples the antenna 510 to the electronic chip 50 for radio identification.

0105As illustrated by the<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>, this breakable electrical conductor 511 passes through the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

0106According to another possible embodiment, the antenna 510 could be located in the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

0107In reference to the<figref idref="f0002">figure 2</figref>, the antenna 510 is housed in the head 40 and the breakable electrical conductor 511 extends along the strip 41 to a free end 410 of the strip in which the electronic chip 50 for radio identification is housed.

0108According to this embodiment, the electronic chip 50 and the first means of communication 51 are embedded in the seal 4.

0109In particular, the antenna 510 is embedded in the material forming the head 40 of the seal 4, and the breakable electrical conductor 511 as well as the electronic chip 50 are embedded in the material constituting the strip 41.

0110With reference to<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> And<figref idref="f0002">2</figref>, according to the invention, package 1 also integrates an electronic unit 6.

0111This electronic unit 6 is intended to cooperate with the seal 4, and more specifically with the electronic radio identification chip 50 and the first means of communication 51.

0112Indeed, this electronic unit 6 comprises a transceiver 7 which is configured to periodically send a radio request 10 and receive a return signal 11.

0113Antenna 510, located in seal 4, makes it possible to pick up this radio request 10.

0114The radio request 10, after being picked up by the antenna 510, is transmitted to the electronic chip 50.

0115According to this embodiment, the radio request 10 is transmitted to the electronic chip 50 via the breakable electrical conductor 511.

0116In response to radio request 10, electronic chip 50 is configured to produce a return signal 11.

0117The return signal 11 is formulated by integrating an identification code of the electronic chip 50. Consequently, this return signal 11 can only be produced by the seal 4.

0118More specifically, and as detailed below, the return signal 11 is formulated by integrating an identification code which is unique, and registered in the electronic chip 50. This identification code is in particular the new code of unique identification.

0119After production, the return signal 11 is conveyed through the breakable electrical conductor 511 and is emitted by the antenna 510.

0120The transceiver 7 then makes it possible to capture the return signal 11 emitted by the electronic chip 50 and its antenna 510 in response to the radio request 10 previously transmitted.

0121The electronic unit 6 is also configured to detect an absence of return signal 11.

0122Indeed, the electronic unit 6 comprises processing means 60 configured to record a return signal 11 in response to the transmission of a radio request 10, as well as to detect the absence of reception of a return signal 11 in response to the transmission of a radio request 10.

0123The electronic unit 6 also comprises, according to the invention, second communication means 8 which are in turn configured to transmit, in the absence of a return signal 11, an alert signal 12 to a remote receiver 90.

0124These second means of communication 8 are controlled by the processing means 60.

0125The second means of communication 8 are in particular designed to allow the emission of the alert signal 12 by means of a wireless communication protocol, such as those implemented for cellular networks or those of the Bluetooth and wifi type.

0126In reference to the<figref idref="f0001">figure 1</figref>, the electronic unit 6 also includes timestamping means 61 of the alert signal 12.

0127According to<figref idref="f0001">figures 1</figref> And<figref idref="f0004">4</figref>, the electronic unit 6 can more specifically take the form of an electronic card integrating the transceiver 7, the second communication means 8, the processing means 60, as well as the timestamping means 61.

0128According to the present embodiment, this electronic unit 6 is housed or even embedded in one of the walls 201 of the container 2.

0129In this way, the electronic unit 6 is protected, and potentially made inaccessible, when the package 1 is in an open position as illustrated in the<figref idref="f0003">Figure 3</figref>.

0130Package 1 includes an electric battery (not shown), advantageously rechargeable, making it possible to supply energy to the electronic unit 6.

0131According to a preferred design, the transceiver 7 and the antenna 510 are configured to operate on the ultra high frequency band.

0132In reference to the<figref idref="f0004">Figure 4</figref>, the invention also relates to a traceability system which includes packages 1 as described previously, and a computer server 9

0133In this system, the remote receiver 90 is integrated into the computer server 9.

0134The computer server 9 also includes a database 91.

0135This database 91 lists so-called “certified” identification codes, each corresponding to an initial identification code of a seal 4.

0136The computer server 9 is configured to analyze the initial identification code transmitted by the electronic unit, and compare it to the certified identification codes of the database 91 in order to identify the initial identification code.

0137The system implements a method of traceability of a package 1 which also forms an object of the invention.

0138The process includes:<ul id="ul0006" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a step of transmitting a radio request 10 by the transceiver 7 towards the seal 4, the radio request 10 being intended to be picked up by the antenna 510 then transmitted to the electronic chip 50;</li><li>a step of waiting for reception of a return signal 11 produced by the electronic chip 50 in response to the radio request 10.</li></ul>

0139In the absence of reception of a return signal 11, the step of waiting for reception of a return signal 11 is followed by a step of broadcasting an alert signal 12 to a remote receiver 90 .

0140This method also comprises, prior to the steps described above, a pairing sequence whose objective is to electronically associate the seal 4 with the electronic unit 6 of the package 1.

0141For this purpose, the pairing sequence successively comprises:<ul id="ul0007" list-style="dash" compact="compact"><li>a step of reading the initial identification code of the seal 4;</li><li>a step of transmitting the initial identification code to the computer server 9;</li><li>a step of identifying the initial identification code;</li><li>a step of generating a new unique identification code, and transmitting the new unique identification code to the transceiver 7;</li><li>a step of sending and writing the new identification code in the seal 4 by the transceiver 7.</li></ul>

0142The step of reading the initial identification code, and the step of transmitting to the computer server 9 are carried out by the transceiver 7.

0143Following these two steps, the identification step, and the step of generating and transmitting the new unique identification code are carried out by the computer server 9.

0144The identification step consists of comparing the initial identification code to the certified identification codes of the database 91 to certify the seal 4 and authorize the step of generating a new unique identification code.

0145During the step of sending and writing the new identification code in the seal 4 by the transceiver 7, the new unique identification code can be written in the electronic chip 50 replacing the code d initial identification.

0146If the initial identification code is found in database 91, then seal 4 is certified. In other words, seal 4 is authenticated and accepted into the system.

0147If the initial identification code is not found in the database 91, then seal 4 is rejected.

0148Alternatively, or in addition, in the case where the seal 4 is rejected, then the computer server 9 can send a fraudulent pairing signal to the electronic unit 6.

0149In this case, the system cannot guarantee electronic tracking of package 1 using seal 4.