EP1256108B1 - Continuously traceable tamperproof label-bearing band - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a tamperproof label-bearing band enabling to track a product from the time it is originally placed until its removal, which moreover alters the product or article whereon it is fixed in case of an attempt to open or cut it. On meat products, there is not a continuous material link between the paper document which serves as label and the product. The band (1) comprises the label-holder (2) forming the reservoir (12), a flexible pipe (5) containing the liquid under pressure, the male part (3) of the clasp after it has been passed through the product penetrates into the female part (4). When it is being inserted, the curved catching teeth (6) are flattened and recover their position inside the female part thereby countering all possibility of opening. The lock ring (13) counters any initial accidental removal during handling. Any attempt to remove it causes the teeth to be spaced apart and the seals (9) to be torn thereby releasing the liquid which in turn alters the product.

Description

A recent case of falsification of food labeling has shocked the entire French population. It was poultry imported into France which after modification of the labeling were put back on the market with the characteristics of an unscrupulous French company. More recently, following the lifting of the embargo on the importation of British beef the doubts created on the origin of the products are reactivated.

In terms of labeling, the regulatory provisions are quite different depending on whether it is cattle, sheep, pigs or poultry.

CATTLE - If there is now an ear tag on each animal, there is a breach of traceability at the time of slaughter. Indeed the indications appearing on the plate are transcribed on a paper sheaf, on the view of this document, and after examining the sanitary quality of the meat, the veterinary service affixes several pads to the carcass. (Codified buffer). Tags plastics fixed by plastic staples are in principle affixed to the quarters during the whole stay in the slaughterhouse, but disappear at the exit. Starting from moment, it is no longer possible to establish a certain and irrefutable link between the bundle paper and the carcass. Furthermore, the indications of the buffer (s) cannot be decoded by the consumer.

SHEEP - A similar system seems to be in place for sheep. (However, the installation of plastic label during the stay in the slaughterhouse does not seem to be achieved).

PIGS - No plate, but indication of source, number of livestock, name of the slaughterer struck at the entrance to the slaughterhouse.
After slaughter, buffers are affixed to the carcass but these without however completely disappearing are difficult to read after treatment, in particular for hams. No possibility for the consumer to quickly know by simply reading the origin of the product.

POULTRY - No plate or label but certificate of the feed unit by veterinarian at the entrance to the slaughterhouse. This information is on the label stuck on the package but not on the product.
It is also necessary to take into consideration all the meats stored in cold stores which are very often imported meats.

At this stage, the origin of the product remains difficult to prove.

Labeling of food products is a preferred means of consumers on the characteristics of the products offered for sale. The consumers therefore attach great importance to the information provided by labeling and a large majority of them consider it necessary that information similar are provided, for particular products, in all states members. In addition, the disparities between the national laws in force in labeling may create barriers to trade in inside the Community and therefore hamper the functioning of the market inside.

The labeling provisions aim to inform and protect the consumer. They must be able to read all of them at any time. the compulsory information provided, not only at the time of purchase but also at the time of consumption. The end consumer is not necessarily the one who made the purchase.

However, the very extensive definition of labeling should be underlined. The labeling covers both the label in the strict sense appearing on the packaging of the product but also any document accompanying or referring to this product.

IN CONCLUSION, in all cases we note that there is no permanent and indestructible material link between the paper document which acts as a label and the food product. So no exact indication perfectly readable and understandable to present to the consumer.
Indeed, a French butcher who buys beef slaughtered in England having passed through different countries, cannot be sure that it is indeed an English product.
With regard to public health, it is imperative to reassure the consumer about the origin and the traceability of the food product purchased.

The object of the present invention relates to a tamper-evident label holder bracelet allowing to follow the trace of the product from the origin of the installation until the moment of its withdrawal, otherwise altering the product to which it is subject in the event of an attempt opening or sectioning.

The bracelet placed by the producer through the product can only be removed by the professional or the next client whether it is a carcass, a quarter or a poultry. The assembly made with a relatively flexible material consists of a label and tubular bracelet support with locking clasp. All constituting a one-piece assembly.

According to embodiments, the label can either be put on the bracelet, or be an integral part of it.

The label holder or label, in shape and dimensions conforming to standards in force, is intended to receive information concerning the product. These can be marked either in relief or printed indelibly.

The bracelet consists of a flexible tube having at one end the male part and to the other, the female part of the clasp also serving as tank. Once assembled, the two parts of the clasp are and remain inseparable.

The teeth of the male part, slightly curved outwards, flatten during their introduction into the female part and resume their original position upon arrival in the room. The withdrawal of the male part being thus made impossible.

The inside of the pipe contains a highly penetrating colored liquid under pressure particularly fragrant or even smelly which indelibly stains and alter the product on which it is placed if you cut the bracelet or try to open the clasp to modify the label or replace the bracelet. The latter will have to bear low freezing temperatures. The characteristics of the liquid remain at define according to the legislation of each state. For use on products having to undergo cold storage, this liquid in order to keep all its effectiveness, must have an appropriate freezing point so as not to solidify and deteriorate the whole bracelet. In any case, the altered product must be rendered unusable so as not to be put back on the market. An attempt to open the bracelet by a traction on the male and female strands of the bracelet achieves the separation of the teeth, the tearing of the lateral caps, or cutting of the male end causing thus the instantaneous flow and dispersion of the liquid.

In all cases, one or more zones of least resistance perfectly materialized favor the rupture.

Two lights on the bottom of the female part allow a flow fast liquid, these diffuser-shaped lights accelerate the distribution.

The liquid is present along the entire length of the bracelet, which prevents any possibility of sectioning without risk of causing leakage.

A bulge "rush" on the male part of the bracelet partially opposes accidental removal, especially during handling. If the attempted withdrawal continues, the teeth come into contact with the inclined areas in the the female part which causes the separation of the teeth and the tearing of the lids or detachment from the male end.

The female part of the parallelepiped clasp also constitutes the liquid tank. The quantity must be sufficient to allow the product to be spoiled.

The bracelet can only be removed by a professional, the buyer or the consumer. Removal can only be achieved by deeply incising the product thus leaving an apparent injury to the consumer, the presence of such incision near the bracelet or its original location is a sign of the modification of the labeling or its removal.

1° ) - pour les bovins, ovins et porcins - un par quartier - à l'arrière, au niveau du « creux de la corde du jarret » et sur les devants au niveau du creux de l'épaule.

2°) - pour les volailles - un seul bracelet entre le cou et l'aile.

3° ) - pour les lapins - un seul bracelet au creux de l'épaule.

To this end and to allow both the consumer and the control services to verify that there has been no substitution or deletion, it is necessary to define according to the type of animal, the number and l 'location of the bracelets.
For exemple :

1 °) - for cattle, sheep and pigs - one per quarter - at the back, at the "hollow of the hock cord" and on the fronts at the hollow of the shoulder.

2 °) - for poultry - a single bracelet between the neck and the wing.

3 °) - for rabbits - a single bracelet in the crook of the shoulder.

La figure 1 représente une perspective générale du bracelet monobloc ouvert.

La figure 2 représente une perspective générale du bracelet ouvert avec étiquette séparée.

La figure 3 représente les détails du fermoir avec opercules latéraux.

La figure 4 représente les détails du fermoir avec extrémité mâle détachable.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:

FIG. 1 represents a general perspective of the open monobloc bracelet.

Figure 2 shows a general perspective of the open bracelet with separate label.

Figure 3 shows the details of the clasp with lateral lids.

Figure 4 shows the details of the clasp with detachable male end.

With reference to these drawings, the set includes:

Figure 1, the bracelet itself (1), the label support constituting the reservoir liquid attached to the bracelet (2), the male part of the clasp (3), the female part of the clasp (4), flexible hose containing pressurized liquid (5), teeth attachment (6), the teeth housing chamber (7), the inclined planes causing the spacing or blocking of the hooking teeth (8), the lids (9), the zones break (10), the diffusing side lights (11), the tank (12), the rod (13), the shoulders (14) for fixing the separate label. The male part has its pointed end to facilitate installation through the product.

Figure 2 shows the bracelet as shown in Figure 1 but with the label separate (15), passers-by (16).

Figure 3 shows the details of the clasp. In the event of an attempt at separation, the rod (13) offers a first resistance to opening, this in order to absorb an accidental force, particularly during handling.
If the traction is greater, the teeth (6) come into contact with the inclined parts (8) in the chamber (7) of the female part which cause their separation and the tearing of the lids (9) according to the rupture zones ( 10) allowing the pressurized liquid to flow through the diffusing lights (11) and to alter the product.

Figure 4 shows the details of the clasp with detachable male end. next another embodiment, the rod always offers a first resistance. If the traction becomes more important the teeth (6) come into contact with the parts inclined (8) of the female part and abut in the bottom of the chamber (7) thus causing the male end to detach from the rupture zone (10) and the flow of liquid through the diffusing lights (11).

The use of this type of bracelet can be generalized to any article for which traceability is sought. On these articles, a place for the installation of the bracelet is to be envisaged. The elimination or alteration of the bracelet support constituting a modification of the original labeling.
According to embodiments, the liquid can be replaced by powder, foam or a gas. The characteristics of these products are to be defined according to the legislation in force.

Claims (8)

1. Tamperproof label-bearing band (1) allowing following the trace of the product from the origin of affixing until the moment of its removal, furthermore altering the product or item to which it is fixed in the event of an attempt of opening or cutting off, characterised in that it includes a liquid-tank label-bearer (2) forming a female portion (4), a flexible hose (5) ensuring the passing through of the liquid, a male end (3) of the flexible hose including the catching teeth (6), the removable plugs (9) and a lock ring (13).
2. Band according to claim 1, characterised in that the catching teeth (6) of the male portion, slightly curved outwardly, are flattened out during their insertion into the female portion and recover their original position when they arrive in the chamber (7), the removal of the male portion of the clasp being thus made impossible.
3. Band according to claim 1, characterised in that the removable plugs, either side ones or at the end of the male portion, include less strong areas (10), in order to facilitate their tearing off.
4. Band according to claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the tank label-bearer (2) forms the female portion (4) inside which is a chamber (7) that receives the male portion (3) of the clasp. On the bottom side of the bearer, after tearing off of the plugs, two diffusing holes (11) allow the liquid under pressure to flow out, in order to very quickly alter the product, thereby indicating that there has been an attempt to remove the band.
5. Band according to claims 1 and 4, characterised in that the inclined planes (8) inside the chamber (7) cause the catching teeth (6) to separate or to block, the plugs (9) to be torn off and the liquid to flow out.
6. Band according to claim 1, characterised in that the lock ring (13) is aimed at impeding the band from accidentally starting to open.
7. Band according to claim 1, characterised in that the label-bearer (2) can directly receive the indelibly printed information on its upper portion or a separated label (15). The latter includes through-holes (16) through which passes the male portion (3) of the clasp. The shoulders (14) fix the label, after its placing, to its holder (2).
8. Band according to claim 1, characterised in that the flow of the liquid under pressure is uninterrupted over the full length of the band, so as to impede any attempt of cutting. Depending on the needs, the liquid can be replaced by powder, foam or gas under pressure, which, as well as the band, must maintain all their properties of resistance to the low cold-preservation temperatures.

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