GB2420770A

GB2420770A - Tamper-evident security label

Info

Publication number: GB2420770A
Application number: GB0426511A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Howard James Roscoe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-12-03
Filing date: 2004-12-03
Publication date: 2006-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-03
Also published as: GB2420770B; GB0426511D0

Abstract

A security label has a tamper-evident feature such as a continuous "void" message revealed on tampering. The initially-hidden message may be between a polymeric surface coating and a release lacquer layer, beneath which is an acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The label achieves high adhesive and cohesive strength in a matter of minutes.

Description

S Brief Description

Over the last decade there has been an almost exponential growth in the telecommunications industry and in particular in the area of mobile communications Mobile phones and their range of cards are now common place Such cards include 1. Memory expansion cards 2 Subscriber indemnification modules (SIM) 3 General packet radio service modules (GPRS) 4. Pre-payment cards.

These high value goods are often distributed locally and globally by post and courier During these distribution processes, the products are open to interference This interference may occur in a number of ways Conventional labels can be removed by a number of methods which include mechanical, physical and chemical methods Any void message can similarly be removed by number of mechanical, physical and chemical methods Once the security Label and its message have been removed, the thief can then apply new labels of their own design or simply sell the items with no security label at all Up until now no labels have been developed which are generic in their adhesion propertièstoa ratige of substrates having varying surface energies Also no labels have been' produced in which the void message is encapsulated onto the substrate surface These substrates include a range of materials commonly used as packaging materials including 1. Plastics 2. Paper 3. Card 4 Carton In addition to the nature of the substrate, no labels have been hitherto developed which will adhere to generic surfaces These surfaces include.

I Flat 2. Textured 3 Embossed 4. Ribbed The effectiveness of an adhesive is also influenced by the surface coating finish of the packaging material. Examples of such finishes include.

1. Unvarnished 2 Varnished 3. Matt 4 Gloss 5. Laminate In essence therefore, up until now, no labels have been developed which will adhere to generic materials commonly used in the packaging industry Other label manufacturers have produced security labels which leave behind a void message if the label is removed but these messages are 1 Unclear and hence difficult to read 2. Broken and hence not continuous 3. Easily removed and hence easily replaced 4 Of a simple design and hence easily duplicated Examples of plastic packaging materials include a range of high impact polymers such as I Polyethylene 2. Polycarbonate 3. Polystyrene 4. Polymethyl methacrylate These materials are extensively used in the manufacture of Jewel cases for the storage of data on compact disc such as 1 Audio dLa 2 Video data 3. Digital data 4. Computer software Specific applications requiring authentication of non-interference of labels on packaged materials include specimen bottles used by 1 the Police Service for drink driving specimens 2. the Home Office forensic case investigation specimens Other applications could include a range of applications requiring specimens of a biological nature such as 1. DNA testing.

2. Body fluid and tissue testing.

Examples of paper packaging materials which require such zero tolerance with effect to interference include: 1 The sealing of examination papers 2. The sealing of private documents such as wills.

3. Sealed auction bids.

Examples of card and carton packaging materials which required enhanced security labels for high value goods include: 1. Digital cameras 2. Mobile phones A typical label consists of five components which are 1. A polymeric surface coating.

2 A void message.

3. A layer of release lacquer 4 An adhesive layer.

5. A base layer.

A typical polymeric surface coating is matt metallic polyester applied at a 30 to 60 micron thickness. This coated face material is particularly suited for thermal transfer overprint Examples of overprint include corporate logos, individual reference numbers and bar codes.

A void message is incorporated by the gravure technique The void text can be customised with a company logo for example or with an holographic image to validate the authenticity.

The release lacquer layer is of a special composition in which the strength of adhesion is greater than the forces applied to it. This results in the adhesive remaining bonded to both surfaces.

The adhesive layer consists of a special composition acrylic pressure sensitive

adhesive having a specification of 10 to 15 gsm

The base layer is silicon coated polyester applied at a 30 to 45 micron thckness The size of the label can be altered to cover a range of applications which require different areas of seal. The labels themselves can be in sheet or roll form and the packaging of these labels themselves can also incorporate tamper evident security seals ii-

Claims

Claims 1. A security label which achieves high adhesive strength in a

matter of minutes
2 A security label which achieved high cohesive strength in a matter of minutes
3 A security label which is 100% tamper free.
4. A security label which contains a void message which Is clear.
5. A security label in which the void message is continuous
6. A security label which adheres to generic surfaces
7. A security label in which messages are completely encapsulated 8 A security label which shows excellent solvent resistance.

9 A novel release lacquer layer which is integral to Claims 3, 4, 5 and 7 10. A novel adhesive which is integral to Claims 1, 2 and 6