BR112020024716B1 - SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT. These are destructive (self-destructing) documents useful for protecting confidential information. The invention comprises a document that can be easily and instantly broken into dozens of individual components, thus obliterating any information contained therein. Since self-destruction of the document does not require extra equipment for destruction and guarantees the elimination of readable data, the invention represents a vast improvement over the state of the art. Further refinements allow simple mass production of the invention using current equipment and manufacturing technologies. Various embodiments of the invention document specialized for different applications are illustrated and described.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] Threats to privacy and identity theft are increasingly common, resulting in untold distress and hundreds of millions in losses annually for those who have their personal or corporate information subjected to theft and abuse. While the use of online hacks, phishing, and other computer-aided thefts of personal information is in the news, masses of such information are still stolen the old-fashioned way, extracting personally identifiable information (PII) from printed communications that end up in the recycle bin, commonly known as “ dumpster diving”.

[002] The myriad of items that pass through a typical mailbox, some requested, some beyond the individual's control, contain an abundance of information in public view, from names and addresses to other more private information not intended for public disclosure. Additionally, the information contained in medical correspondence and prescription containers is highly confidential and open to abuse. Currently, such items have no quick and simple way of ensuring that this information is destroyed, and the use of stolen information from discarded mail and the like is still a major problem to which the present invention provides a solution.

[003] In addition, data theft and espionage within the industry are increasingly common. Even in an office with strict environmental controls, such as a secure intranet and the absence of file recording facilities on sensitive equipment, the need for handwritten notes and temporary reminders remains a weak link in an otherwise secure system.

[004] While various solutions exist to protect such proprietary information, these more often require extra equipment such as paper shredding, or may result in incomplete erasure of information, as is usually the case with simple paper tearing, the use of seals masking and markers or the like. Additionally, the ability to manufacture and distribute the solution is key to usability in a competitive and cost-conscious market. Further refinements to the present invention allow for simple mass production using current equipment and manufacturing technologies. With no real-world utility, currently available solutions fail to address a pressing need. The inventor hereby discloses a destructive (eg, self-destructing or self-shredding) document and provides a number of solutions to the theft of personal, medical, and industrial information that consequently provide a superior level of affordability, manufacturability, privacy, and protection.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention provides a number of solutions for the theft of personal, medical and industrial information. In short, the invention comprises a printable surface called a cover sheet. Using a pattern of cuts or perforations, the cover page is divided into a series of releasable detachable cutouts and a residual structure, so that the integrity of the page is maintained, but each cutout can be released from the page only with the use of minimal force due to the presence of cuts or perforations. In order to release the cutouts, the cover sheet overlaps or is overlapped with two additional sheets, a separator and a top sheet which together comprise the release unit. The separator sheet has a series of small holes that are positioned to overlap the cutouts in the cover sheet, the top sheet is attached through the holes in the separator to the cutouts in the cover sheet and, in some embodiments, can assist in anchoring those cutouts on site. The separator and topsheet are adhered to each other in their adjacency and have tabs at one or both ends, a removal tab on the separator, and an initiation tab on the topsheet. The separator can also be adhered adjacent to the cover sheet to hold the release unit in place. To shred the document, the release unit is first released from the cover sheet using the peel tab, causing the perforated cutouts to detach from the cover sheet due to their attachment to the top sheet. The top sheet is then released from the separator using the initiation flap. Since the pinned cutouts are larger than the separator holes, the shear force breaks the anchor bonds that hold the topsheet in the cutouts, and the individual cutouts are released as shreds. Each fragment contains a fraction of the original document information, ensuring complete obliteration of original document data. In some embodiments, the cover sheet is completely perforated and the blanks are held in place by their attachments to the top sheet.

[006] In some embodiments, releasing the cover sheet clippings will reveal information contained in one or more of the other layers. In some embodiments, the cover sheet is adhered to an adhesive backing sheet with an optional release paper, which allows it to be affixed to the items as desired. In all embodiments, the present invention results in destruction of the printed surface and obliteration of any readable text. Additional details and modalities are discussed below.

[007] The invention comprises the following elements:

[008] one or more perforated title pages,

[009] one or more separator sheets

[010] one or more top sheets

[011] The invention may also comprise

[012] one or more optional backing sheets which, if adhesive, may incorporate an optional associated non-stick paper,

[013] each of which is further detailed below, followed by a description of certain preferred embodiments. For brevity, the singular is used in the text to refer to the above elements, but is intended to include one or more of the referenced elements where appropriate.

[014] A first element of the invention comprises one or more cover sheets. The cover sheet is typically a piece of paper, plastic, polymer, cloth, metal or other suitable material. A surface comprises an etchable or printable surface onto which handwritten, printed, graphic, correspondence and other information may be entered. In some cases, text can be applied to the cover page via one or more overlay layers using thermal printing. In some cases, both surfaces may be writable. The cover sheet is cut or perforated with a series of notches or "cutouts" using methods such as die or laser cutting well known in the art and commonly employed in the production of stickers, adhesive labels, stamps, toilet paper, etc. . The cover sheet may be lightly perforated so that significant force is required to dislodge the cutouts, or any variation until completely perforated so that the cutouts are free floating and can be held in place by their attachment to the top sheet . The cutouts can be the same or different shapes and sizes, and their patterning on the title page can be uniform or random, and can cover all or part of the title page. Dimensions, sizes and formats of clippings will depend on font type, font characters and font size, document format, etc. and can be chosen to maximize data masking. Typical cryptographic methods of obscuring the information can be employed to optimize these parameters to ensure that the information is indeterminate upon destruction and cannot be forensically reassembled. After the clippings are released, the remaining portion of the cover sheet is known as the residual structure. In some embodiments, the cover sheet is adhered to an adhesive overlay or non-adhesive back sheet with optional release paper. In some embodiments, the bottom sheet is transparent. When no backsheet is present, the cutting or perforating should usually be such that the cutouts are substantially separated from the titlepages, but the integrity of the page is maintained, and each cutout can be released from the page only with the use of force. minimal due to the presence of perforations. When a backsheet is present to further support the cutouts, the cutouts/perforations can be such that the cutouts are more easily released from the backsheet and coversheets to leave the residual coversheet lattice affixed to the overlying backsheet. In some embodiments where a backing sheet is employed, the cover sheet can resemble a perforated adhesive and the underside surface of the backing sheet is covered in an adhesive that can form a releasable bond with the overlying top surface of the backing sheet. bottom, which is formulated as a release layer as further described below. In some embodiments, the cover sheet further comprises one or more tabs at one or each end, which may serve to secure the cover sheet ends, act as finger grips to facilitate separating layers from one another, or which may be gripped to facilitate the pulling of the title page. The flap can be of any shape and shape suitable for gripping, and can be integrated with the cover sheet, which comprises a flattened and reinforced section. It may further comprise a mechanism for securing the free end.

[015] A second element of the invention comprises one or more separator sheets, or separators, incorporating a pattern of small holes covering each cutout in the cover sheet. These holes can be any shape and size and overlap the cutouts allowing the top sheet to be adhered in point to the cutouts. The separator is usually, but not always, transparent, and acts to break the connection between the topsheet and the clippings after they are released from the coversheet, discharging them as fragments. The separator may be equal to or smaller in size than the top sheet, but in any case at least large enough to cover the fastenings to the cutouts. The separator may be permanently or temporarily adhered at one or more locations and on one or both sides to form attachments with the topsheet structure and/or residual coversheet. In some embodiments, the separator may have no peripheral adhesion and be held in place by the connections between the topsheet and coversheet cutouts. The separator usually has a peel tab on one or both ends which can be grasped to facilitate separation from the other elements of the invention and document destruction. The tab can be of any shape and shape suitable for gripping, and can be integrated with the separator, which comprises a flattened and reinforced section. In preferred embodiments, the removal tab is positioned at the opposite end of the release tab and is movable relative to the top sheet or cover sheet. It may further comprise a mechanism for securing the free end.

[016] A third element comprises one or more top sheets that at least completely cover each of the holes in the separator, and is anchored to each of the cutouts through the holes in the intervening separator. Such attachment may occur by any suitable means, and may include spot or other adhesion, fusion or any chemical or mechanical bonding methods. The fastener can be any size, shape and number so that the blanks are securely anchored through the holes to the top sheet without sticking to the intervening tab. The topsheet will typically be a sheet, composed of any suitable material and will typically, but not always, be transparent. The topsheet further comprises one or more release tabs at one or each end similar to the previously described tabs, which act as finger grips to facilitate peeling the topsheet from other layers. In preferred embodiments, the release tab is positioned at the opposite end of the removal tab and is movable with respect to the separator or cover sheet. Pulling the top sheet away from the separator using the release tab breaks the bonds to the cutouts resulting in them being released as shreds. In some embodiments, the topsheet is peripherally adhered directly to the residual coversheet structure, and the separator is held in place by anchorages between the topsheet and cutouts. In some embodiments, the cover sheet is completely perforated and the blanks are held in place by their anchorages to the top sheet layer.

[017] A fourth optional element of the invention comprises a backing sheet and optional non-stick paper. By including a backing sheet, the document of the invention can be reinforced, or can be affixed to the items as desired. The backsheet comprises an upper surface to which a cover sheet can be adhered. Characteristically the top surface has the properties of a non-stick paper, i.e. coated with polyolefins such as HDPE, LDPE and PP plastic resins, silicon, polyvinyl alcohol or other suitable components, which can cover all or part of the backsheet and allow a reliable but temporary bonding to the bottom surface of the cover sheet. This facilitates adhesion to the cover sheet, but allows subsequent release of the perforated cutouts from the top surface of the back sheet. In some embodiments of the invention, the backing sheet has no adhesive applied to its underside surface, and acts to reinforce the underlying cover sheet by bonding thereto. In other embodiments, the bottom surface of the backing sheet comprises a second adhesive surface capable of affixing to mail or other surface and is usually protected by a release paper. In some embodiments, the bottom surface can be coated in an adhesive, with or without an optional release paper, and can be adhered to a mailing or other surface by any of those techniques known in the art. For example, the bottom surface may typically comprise a single adhesive, with a pressure sensitive adhesive covering the surface. The sticker is protected by a release paper to protect the sticker before the label is applied, as is common in the sticker industry. Typically, similar to the top surface of the backing sheet, the release paper comprises a top surface that is coated with silicon, polyvinyl alcohol or other suitable components to reduce surface adhesion and allow for a reliable but temporary bond. to a second adhesive coated surface. The attached release paper can be peeled off the backing sheet to expose the adhesive covered bottom surface for easy affixing to a mailing or other surface. Alternatively, the adhesive on the bottom surface of the backing sheet may be uncovered, and necessitates activation by water, light, temperature or other means known in the art, in which case the optional release paper can be omitted.

[018] The exact choice or combination of materials used in the construction of the invention depends on the specific application and modality. Suitable materials are known, or will become known, to those skilled in the art, and their exclusion from this list is not intended to detract from their importance in this invention. In any case, suitable materials and methods are well known in the art and the following is intended to illustrate, not limit, the material choices that can be employed. Typically, the cover sheet, backing sheet and release paper are composed of papers or paperboards, for example any wood pulp or other fibrous products, as known in the art. In some embodiments, these elements are composed of cloth or other woven materials. Alternatively, plastics and other organic polymers can be used. In certain applications, metallic foils and alloys can also be advantageous. In certain applications, thermal active materials and thermal printing can be employed to print through overlay layers. Thermal printing produces a printed image by selecting a heat-coated thermochromic paper, or thermal paper, and can be used to create an image and a sheet through overlapping or overlapping layers. The coating changes color in areas where it is heated, producing an image in one or more colors. Alternatively, thermal transfer, laser, inkjet or any other form of printing can be employed. Text and images can be applied before, during or subsequent to the roll-to-roll blending of layers, and can appear on either side of any layer, depending on the modality. The top sheet can also be composed of the above materials and can be the same or different material as the cover sheet. Similarly, the separator and flap can be constructed from the variety of materials listed above. In many applications, one or more layers will be constructed from a transparent material. Preferred materials can be stored and utilized in a roll format to facilitate easy manufacturing.

[019] The adhesive can be of any type commonly used in the production of stickers and identifications. For example, the adhesive may be permanent, peelable or highly tacky. The adhesive chosen for each of the surfaces will best suit the task at hand. For example, a relatively strong bond is required between the backing sheet and the mail to ensure gripping, while a relatively weaker bond can be employed between the backing sheet and the cover sheet to facilitate the release of cutouts upon the pulling of the top sheet. Any materials and methods known in the art that produce a firm bond of the bottom surface to a mating, and a releasable bond between the top surface and the cover sheet are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

[020] The exact choice or combination of perforation techniques employed in the construction of the cover sheet will depend on the modality, and can be applied before, during or subsequent to the roll-to-roll combination of layers. In some cases, the cover sheet will be slightly perforated so that the cutouts are firmly attached to the cover sheet and require a shear force between the separator and the cover sheet to facilitate removal. At the other end of the spectrum, the cover sheet can be completely perforated so that the cutouts are for all purposes separate from the cover sheet and can be held in place by their anchors to the top sheet. This can be achieved using laser cutting during the converting stage of the roll-to-roll process after combining the layers and dot bonding the cutouts to the top sheet.

[021] The main advantage of the invention over the art is the combination of simplicity and security features provided. Since the advantage is built into the invention and requires no extra equipment, there is minimal incremental cost and no additional ongoing costs or requirements. As described in most cases, after destruction, the text is broken into physically distinct parts that, in each of the released clippings (fragments), from those in the residual structure. After document destruction, each separate part contains text components that are indecipherable by themselves, and doubly secure due to the combination of features cited in this document.

[022] Importantly, the invention provides significant improvements for ease of fabrication using current techniques compared to other solutions in the art. Typically, tag manufacturers employ roll-to-roll processing, also known as coil-to-reel or R2R processing, and use continuous sheets of flexible materials (called webs) that are rolled for convenient handling and transport. Materials such as paper, cloth, plastic films and metal foils of various weights and lengths can then be fed into processing machines such as printing presses, laminating, coating and cutting/perforating machines to create an intermediate or final product. . In this case, each layer of identification is contained on a roll and the layers are combined and manipulated in a process known as converting. The individual rolls of each layer are presented to the machine and bonded as dictated by the modality using chemical, mechanical, thermal, adhesive or other means. The use of layers allows customization of identification modalities such as pre-press, use of thermally active materials for later application of information, and selection of different materials and transparencies for different layers. On completion, the combined layers can be rewound to create an output roll or can be further processed on the same or a different machine depending on the application. Common converting techniques include die cutting, laser cutting or other suitable cutting/perforating techniques, and thermal or conventional printing. Common finishing techniques include techniques well known in the art such as slit forming, sheet forming, fan folding, scoring or other processes to provide a complete personalized identification. Compared to other solutions in the art, the present invention has the advantage that all elements can be contained in rolls and processed through equipment currently used and economically competitive in the identification production industry. The rolls of each element of the invention can be customized with final printing and perforation already applied so that the rolls can simply be combined and then cut or processed for distribution. Alternatively, entries can be blank and ready for custom data entry and/or punching during or after the layer blending process. This gives flexibility for a variety of solutions. The use of other materials, such as ribbons or filaments, solid tabs and devices, requires specialized machinery and specific knowledge not currently found in the market.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] The drawings on the first page illustrate a device modality useful in protecting information in correspondence. Figure 1A details the document components in an exploded view, including an entry (Figure 1E) that details the small holes in the separator layer. Figure 1B shows a document affixed to a box. Figure 1C illustrates releasing the cutouts, separator and top sheet from the box, while in Figure 1D the cutouts are released from the top sheet by pulling the separator and top sheet.

[024] The drawings on the second sheet illustrate an additional modality of the device useful in protecting information in correspondence. Figure 2A details the document components in an exploded view, including an entry (Figure 2E) that details the small holes in the separator layer. Figure 2B shows a document affixed to a box. Figure 2C illustrates releasing the cover sheet, cutouts, separator and top sheet from the box, while in Figure 2D the cutouts are released from the cover sheet and top sheet by pulling the separator and top sheet.

[025] The drawings on the third sheet illustrate an embodiment of the invention, useful in corporate security. Figure 3A details the document components in an exploded view, while Figure 3B shows a completed document. Figure 3C illustrates the release of clippings and destruction of the document.

[026] The drawings on the fourth sheet illustrate a device modality, used in the protection of prescription and medical information. In Figure 4A, an identification of the invention is affixed to a prescription container.

[027] The drawings on the fifth sheet in Figure 5 illustrate an embodiment of the device, in which multiple identifications are formulated as a single sheet.

[028] The drawings on the sixth sheet in Figure 6 illustrate roll-to-roll mass production of the invention using current commercial technologies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[029] The following drawings are offered to illustrate, but not limit, the claimed invention.

[030] The drawings on the first page illustrate a device modality useful in protecting information during correspondence. Figure 1A shows an exploded view of a mailing ID (1). The embodiment comprises a perforated thermal active cover sheet composed of the residual structure (6) and the cutouts (4), a back sheet (10), with optional non-stick paper (11), which can be adhered to a package, container or correspondence (12) as described above. An intervening separator sheet (7) is positioned between the cover sheet and the top sheet (5). Small holes (19) in the separator allow the top sheet to be attached directly to the overlapping cover sheet cutouts, see inset Figure 1E. The separator may be sandwiched and held in place by the topsheet connections to the cutout, or it may be attached to the adjacency of the topsheet (5) and/or the residual structure (6) of the coversheet and have one or more tabs. (8) to allow the various layers to be detached. In Figure 1B, the mailing ID (1) is shown adhered to a box (12). In Figure 1C, the top sheet (5) and separator (7) have been removed from the box using the release tab (8). As the top sheet adheres to the cut-outs (4), they are released from the perforated cover sheet, leaving the residual structure (6) fixed to the box. In Figure 1D, document destruction is completed by detaching the top sheet (5) from the separator (7) using the release tab (8) so that the clippings are released as fragments (14).

[031] The drawings on the second sheet illustrate an additional modality of the device useful in protecting information during correspondence. Figure 2A shows an exploded view of a mailing tag (1). The embodiment comprises a perforated thermal active cover sheet composed of the residual structure (6) and the cutouts (4), a back sheet (10), with optional non-stick paper (11), which can be adhered to a package, container or correspondence (12) as described above. In this embodiment, an intervening separator sheet (7) is positioned between the cover sheet and the top sheet (5). Small holes ((19) see inset Figure 2E) in the separator allow the top sheet to be attached directly to the fully drilled cutouts, holding it in place. The separator is additionally and temporarily attached adjacent to the residual structure (6) and/or the top sheet (5) and has one or more flaps (8) to allow the various layers to be detached or separated. In Figure 2B, the mailing ID (1) is shown adhered to a box (12). In Figure 2C, the cover sheet (2) with cutouts (4) and residual structure (6), separator (7) and top sheet (5) have been removed from the box using a first release tab (8), leaving the bottom sheet (10) attached to the box. In Figure 2D, document destruction is completed by detaching the top sheet (5) from the separator (7) and adhered residual structure (6) using a second release tab (8) so that the cutouts completely perforated are released as fragments (14). The identification of the invention is suitable for all forms of transportation and communications that require an identification, including, but not limited to, a box, letter, parcel, package, mail tube, dispatch, delivery, air mail, consignment, document, note, reminder, pamphlet, newspaper, advertising materials, etc.

[032] The drawings on the third sheet illustrate a modality of the device, used in the protection of information and corporate notes. Figure 3A shows an exploded view of a secure document (1) comprising a cover sheet (2), separator (7) and top sheet (5) and has one or more flaps (8) to allow the various layers are highlighted or separated. In this embodiment, the cutouts (4) are completely punched out of the cover sheet (2) using laser cutting after combining the layers, and are held in position by their anchorages to the top sheet. An intervening separator sheet (7) is positioned between the cover sheet and the top sheet (5) and is permanently attached to the residual structure (6). Figure 3B illustrates writing being applied to the top writable surface of the secure document (1). In Figure 3C, the top sheet (5) is pulled away from the attached separator (7) and the cover sheet (2) using the tab (8). Since the holes in the separator (7) are smaller than the cutouts, the bonds between the top sheet (5) and the cutouts (4) are severed by the generated shear force, and the cutouts are released as individual fragments (14 ) and the information in the document (1) is destroyed. Since the print is distributed over the entire surface of the document by removing the cutouts and information printed on it, the print remaining in the residual document structure becomes incomprehensible. The secure document of the invention is suitable for all forms of confidential information.

[033] The drawings on the fourth sheet illustrate a device modality, used in the protection of prescription and medical information. An identification of the invention is affixed to a prescription container (15). This embodiment comprises the elements listed above, including a cover sheet (2), which comprises a residual structure, perforations (3) and cutouts (4), as well as a top sheet (5) and separator (7), and a or more flaps (8) for release and destruction of identification. This modality is useful for all identified medical products, including hospital, research, blood banking, inpatient and outpatient prescriptions, law enforcement, and all other cases where medical information may be at risk.

[034] The drawings on the fifth sheet in Figure 5 illustrate the use of multiple identification panels (17) incorporated into a single sheet (16). The elements of the invention are as previously described and include perforated cover sheets (2) and cutouts (4), dividers (7), flaps (8) and top sheets (5). As the backing sheet and release paper (11) are perforated on the edge of each panel, each case of identification can be independently applied. In the illustration, six panels, each comprising a duplicate copy of an identification, are shown as one sheet. At the bottom right, a panel with a set of duplicated tags (17) is shown split from the sheet (16). Each panel may comprise a single or multiple top sheets such that the release of the top sheet results in the destruction of information from only a portion of the panel, but leaves the information intact on the bottom portion for a later time. Then, each top sheet can be used independently to release clippings from one or more portions of the cover sheets, while leaving adjacent text intact for a later time.

[035] The drawings on the sixth sheet in Figure 6 illustrate the mass production of the invention using current commercial technologies. With the use of roll-to-roll manufacturing, a top sheet (5), separator sheet (7), cover sheet (2) and bottom sheet (10) with non-stick paper (11) are combined (20) with the use of appropriate adhesives or fusing technologies as described. After layer combination, other conversion techniques including thermal or conventional printing and/or matrix or precision laser perforation can be employed (21). The final step involves finishing (22), where the rolls may be split, cut or otherwise processed to produce the final embodiment. Depending on the modality, the cover sheet (2) can be pre-printed with information, or it can employ a thermal active surface so that the information can be applied to the identification during the conversion (21), or at a later time. In some embodiments, the backing sheet (10) and/or release paper (11) are omitted.

DESCRIPTION OF MODALITIES

[036] It is understood that the figures, examples and embodiments described in this document are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and must be included within the spirit and scope of this application and scope of the appended claims. The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not limit, the claimed invention, and none of the limitations implied by the exemplary embodiments should be construed as limiting the claims. All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[037] Since the invention comprises certain optional elements, it can be customized for each desirable use. The backing sheet and the associated non-stick paper are optional elements of the invention, with their inclusion or exclusion in each embodiment depending on the selected application. Additionally, the topsheet and separator may be superimposed or superimposed on the coversheet, and various mechanisms for attaching the topsheet, separator, and/or flap are contemplated.

[038] Example 1: This example provides a solution to the theft of personal information from discarded mail and recipients and employs a top sheet with a separator sheet positioned between the cover sheet and the top sheet. As shown in Figure 1A, the invention provides a mailing ID comprising a thermally active cover sheet and a non-stick paper backing sheet which can be adhered to a package, container or mail. The coversheet overlay is a separator that covers the writable portion of the coversheet and has small holes aligned over each of the cutouts, and is temporarily adhered to all or portions of its adjacency to the superimposed residual coversheet structure. A peel tab on one end of the separator allows the separator/top sheet to be sandwiched to be detached from the cover sheet, causing the cutouts anchored to the top sheet to be removed from the cover sheet. A top sheet overlies the separator which is at least equal in size to and offset relative to the separator to allow easy access to the protruding release tab. The top sheet is anchored to the cover sheet cutouts through the small aligned holes in the intervening separator, and is temporarily adhered in all or portions of its adjacency to the superimposed separator. In this modality, the text can be applied to the cover sheet through the overlay separator and top sheets with the use of thermal printing. Alternatively, in cases where a backing sheet is not present, the text can be applied to the bottom surface of the cover sheet and the invention inserted into a transparent mailing pouch with text showing on the side. After removal of the separator, top sheet and attached cutouts of the cover sheet using the peel tab, the identification is destroyed by pulling on the tab to separate the top sheet and separator. A shear force is created and the clippings are unable to pass through the small holes in the separator, so the bonds to the top sheet are broken and the clippings fall out as random fragments. Since the document information is now broken into a residual cover sheet structure and various fragments, the remaining print becomes incomprehensible.

[039] Example 2: This example provides a solution to the theft of personal information from discarded mail and recipients and employs a top sheet with a separator sheet positioned between the cover sheet and the top sheet. As shown in Figure 2A, the invention provides a mailing ID comprising a thermally active cover sheet and a non-stick paper backing sheet which can be adhered to a package, container or mail. A tab on one end of the cover sheet allows release of the sandwiched cover sheet, separator and top sheet from the adhesive backing sheet and package. A separator overlays the cover sheet, which covers the writable portion of the cover sheet and has small holes lined up over each of the cutouts. The cutouts were completely laser-cut through after layer blending, and are held in place by their dot attachments to the top sheet. The separator may be temporarily adhered in all or portions of its adjacency to the overlying residual cover sheet structure. A top sheet overlays the separator which is anchored through the aligned separator holes to the cutouts, and may be additionally temporarily adhered in all or portions of its adjacency to the superimposed separator. The top sheet is at least equal in size to the separator and frequently offset relative thereto to allow easy access to the protruding release tab. In this modality, the text can be applied to the cover sheet through the overlay separator and top sheets with the use of thermal printing. Alternatively, in cases where a backing sheet is not present, the text can be applied to the bottom surface of the cover sheet and the invention inserted into a transparent mailing pouch with text showing on the side. After removal of the separator, topsheet and attached cutouts of the coversheet using the peel tab, the identification is destroyed by pulling on the tab to separate the topsheet and other layers. A shear force is created and the clippings are unable to pass through the small holes in the separator, so the anchoring connections to the clippings are broken and the clippings fall out as random fragments. Since the document information is now broken into a residual cover sheet structure and various fragments, the remaining print becomes incomprehensible.

[040] Example 3: This example provides a solution to the theft of corporate information, for example, communications produced in a controlled work environment. As shown in Figure 3A, the invention comprises a cover sheet with a suitable writable surface, a separator and a top sheet and one or more flaps. In some embodiments, the blanks are completely punched out of the cover sheet using laser cutting after the layers are combined, and are held in position by their attachments to the top sheet. An intervening separator sheet is positioned between the cover sheet and the top sheet and is secured around its adjacency permanently to the residual structure. After adding text, the document can be destroyed by pulling on the separator tab. Since the tab is attached to the cover sheet, and the undercuts are already laser cut from the cover sheet, the shear force generated by pulling the tab causes the anchoring connections between the top sheet and the clippings are cut, and the clippings are released as individual fragments and the information in the document (1) is destroyed. In an alternative embodiment, the separator is temporarily attached to both the cover sheet and the top sheet, the cutouts are only lightly punched from the cover sheet so that the separator and the top sheet provide support for the perforated cover sheet and the page maintains its integrity and usability before release. At the time of destruction, pulling on the separator and cover sheet flaps results in the separator/top sheet being pulled from the cover sheet, and since the top sheet is anchored to the cutouts through holes in the separator, the force of generated shear also results in the cutouts of the perforated cover sheet being detached. Next, the tabs on the top and separator sheet are used to pull these two layers. Since the holes in the separator are smaller than the cutouts, the connections between the top sheet and the cutouts are cut and the cutouts fall out as individual fragments. Since the print is distributed over the entire surface of the document by removing the cutouts and information printed on it, the print remaining in the residual document structure becomes incomprehensible. In some embodiments, the identification may contain a single panel with one or more instances of the present invention, or it may have multiple panels that each display zero or more instances of the present invention. Panels can be joined together or present as individual components. By providing a fast, simple and integrated system for removing all identifying information from a confidential document, the invention provides corporations with a way to protect their customers' information from capture and abuse. Since no extra equipment is required and destruction can be achieved in situ, ease of use and compliance are maximized. Invention identification is easily manufactured using currently available technologies and is suitable for all forms of confidential communications including, but not limited to, letters, documents, notes, memos, drawings, charts, sketches, graffiti, doodles, cards , sheets, rolls, reams and images.

[041] Example 4: This example provides a series of solutions to the theft of personal, industrial and medical information. As before, the invention comprises a cover sheet, a top sheet, a separator sheet and an adhesive back sheet, which can be adhered to any item bearing private medical information, for example a package, container, document or mail. This embodiment contains all the elements of example two, and allows the complete identification of the medical container to be removed. In alternative embodiments, the backing sheet and release paper can be omitted and the cover sheet adhered directly to the container so that the residual cover sheet structure is left adhered to the container after document destruction. In some embodiments, the release tab is integral with the topsheet and may be a hardened extension thereof that remains flush with the coversheet, providing a uniform surface for printing upon adhesion to a container. In a preferred embodiment, the top sheet is offset from the cover sheet to allow easy access to the flap. In a further preferred embodiment, the identification may contain a single panel with one or more instances of the present invention, or it may have multiple panels that each display zero or more instances of the present invention. Panels can be joined together or present as individual components. After advances in genetic science and the subsequent introduction of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the need for patient information security has never been greater. This modality is well suited for use in protecting prescription and patient information about pharmaceuticals, containers, tags, prescriptions, and other items that contain such sensitive medical information.

[042] Example 5: This example provides a profile for manufacturing the invention on a commercial scale using currently available technologies. Roll-to-roll processing is commonly employed in the manufacture of tags, and is easily exploited for the present invention as illustrated in Figure 6. The individual rolls of each layer are presented to the machine and are connected as dictated by the modality with the use of means chemical, mechanical, thermal, adhesive or other. After bonding, the combined layers can be rewound to create an output roll or can be further processed (converted) on the same or a different machine depending on the application. Common converting techniques include die cutting, laser cutting or other suitable cutting/perforating techniques, and thermal or conventional printing. Common finishing techniques include techniques well known in the art such as slit forming, sheet forming, fan folding, scoring or other processes to provide a complete personalized identification. In some embodiments, the cover page is pre-printed, while in others, a roll of thermally active materials is employed so that the information can be applied at a later time. In some embodiments, the release paper backing sheet is omitted. In some embodiments, the topsheet and separator can be supplied as clear rolls. In some embodiments, the cover sheet is completely perforated using a precision laser after the undercuts have been anchored to the top sheet. Compared to other solutions in the art, the present invention has the advantage that all elements can be contained in rolls and processed through equipment currently used and economically competitive in the identification production industry. The rolls of each element of the invention can be customized, ready for lamination to a final product, or blank and ready for custom dies and perforation during or after the lamination process. This gives flexibility for a variety of solutions. The use of other materials, such as ribbons or filaments, solid tabs and devices, requires specialized machinery and specific knowledge not currently found in the market.

Claims (6)

1. SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT, comprising a cover sheet, a top sheet and a separator, characterized in that: the cover sheet is capable of being embossed or printed and is cut or perforated to form a series of cutouts detachable that can be released from said cover sheet by pulling the same; the top sheet, wherein the top sheet overlaps or is superimposed and is anchored to said indentations through; the separator, the separator comprising a sheet incorporating a pattern of small holes covering each of said indentations of said cover sheet. 2. SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT, according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more of said cover sheet, or said separator, or said top sheet have one or more flaps at each or both ends. 3. SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT, according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover sheet is made of thermally printable material. 4. SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT, according to claim 1, characterized in that said top sheet, cover sheet or separator sheet are transparent. 5. SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT, according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally comprises a base sheet. 6. SELF-DESTRUCTION DOCUMENT, according to claim 5, characterized in that said bottom sheet additionally comprises an adhesive surface capable of affixing a letter or other surface.

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