NZ555023A - A seal for a carton with printed identifier that is destroyed when the carton is opened - Google Patents

Abstract

A seal for a carton that is destroyed when the carton is opened, in order to indicate if the carton or contents have been interfered with, is disclosed. The seal includes a label (1) formed with a face material, pressure sensitive adhesive, and a release liner. The face material has a biaxially oriented polypropylene applied to its surface, a unique product code or identifier, and a series of die cuts or perforations (3, 4, 5) formed to destroy at least the portion of the label with the printed product code or identifier when the carton is opened.

Description

Patents Form No. 5 Patents Act 1953 Nos. 555023 Dated: 7 May 2007 Complete Specification A SEAL FOR A CARTON We, KIWI LABELS LIMITED trading as GEON of 6 Mary Muller Drive, Woolston, Christchurch, New Zealand, a New Zealand company do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: I 5 JUL 2001 A Seal for a Carton Field of the Invention The invention relates to seal for a carton and particularly to a seal of the type used on a carton of produce to indicate whether the product stored or packaged within the carton, or the seal itself has been tampered with or not.

Background to the Invention At present in a number of industries such as the food and produce packaging industries seals are used on closed packaging and the seals are designed to disintegrate or destroy the seal when the packaging is opened to thereby indicate that the package has been opened. The seals are normally printed labels containing such information as a unique bar code or product identifier, product name and the like and the labels are die cut with perforations so that removal of the label results in irreversible damage to the label. One such label is that the subject of New Zealand Design registration no. 25359. Typically the seals are manufactured from what is known in the industry as pressure sensitive stock. Pressure sensitive stock is the combination of a face material, pressure sensitive adhesive and release liner from which pressure sensitive labels are manufactured. The die cut perforations in the label cause the label to tear when it is attempted to be removed or the carton is opened thereby destroying the label and giving a clear indication that the carton has been tampered with or opened. A problem with existing labels of this type is that whatever is printing is on the face material remains exposed so the printing can in some instances be removed or tampered with.

For example regulations exist in some industries which require as an overriding principle that a seal after having been applied to a carton or 2 container shall not be able to be reused and shall be destroyed on opening of the carton or container, and that the printing on the seal is indelible.

An object of the invention is to provide a seal for a carton which at least offers a useful alternative choice that meets these requirements.

Further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Summary of the Invention According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a seal for a carton, the seal including a label formed with a face material, pressure sensitive adhesive and a release liner, the face material additionally including: a biaxially orientated polypropylene (BOPP) or other clear surface material applied to the face surface thereof; a unique product code or identifier; and a series of die cuts or perforations formed to destroy at least that portion of the label printed with the unique product code or identifier as well as the seal being destroyed when the carton is opened.

The unique product code or identifier can include an anti-counterfeiting image.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a seal for a carton, the seal including a label formed with a face material, pressure sensitive adhesive and a release liner which is removed when the label is applied to a carton or package, the face material additionally including: a biaxially orientated polypropylene (BOPP) or other clear surface material applied to the face thereof; a printed unique product code, anti-counterfeiting image or identifier; and a series of die cuts or perforations formed on at least that portion of the face material printed with the labels unique product code or identifier so 3 that the unique product code or identifier and seal are destroyed when the carton or package is opened.

The anti-counterfeiting image or identifier can be printed on the BOPP surface coating or preferably on the face material itself. Printing on the face material is achieved by pre-printing a thermo chromatic ink or the like on the face material, or by using a face material that is impregnated with a heat/thermal sensitive print medium. The application of heat through the BOPP surface coating can then produce the unique product code or identifier on the label. The heat can be applied by a laser.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only.

Description of the Drawing An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which is shown a plan view of an example of seal for a carton according to the invention.

Description of the Preferred Example An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawing and with reference to the invention being used on carton packaging to identify and protect the contents against tampering or theft. It is to be appreciated that the invention can be used in other similar situations where a seal or label is used to indicate whether a package or carton has been opened.

The drawing shows a label 1 on a section of release layer 2. The label 1 has a series of die cuts or perforations 3, 4 and 5. The perforations 3 are positioned alongside one edge 6 of the label and are positioned on the label where a bar code or unique identifying code is printed on the label. The 4 perforations 4 and 5 are positioned so that any attempt to remove the label when applied to a package will result in the label destroying itself.

The perforations 4 and 5 are orientated so that any attempt to remove any portion of the label results in its destruction.

In manufacture a pressure sensitive stock is printed and then a thin layer of BOPP or similar film is applied. The partly formed label is then die cut and/or perforated with the layout of perforations such as that shown in the drawing to complete the label. The printing step can additionally include the application of a thermo chromatic ink or use a face stock that is impregnated with a heat/thermal sensitive print medium. The anti-counterfeiting image is preferably applied to the face material by using heat or could be printed directly on top of the BOPP layer.

The pressure sensitive material is selected to be of such a strength that the seal is automatically destroyed (or capable of being destroyed) if reasonable force is applied in the removal of the seal after it has been applied to a carton. The seals can be produced with security perforations to enable the use of strong material that withstands handling but pulls apart during any opening of the carton.

The pressure sensitive adhesive materials used in producing the design and the printing/lettering on the carton seal shall be indelible and no part of the label or lettering shall be able to be removed with out damage to the carton seal being readily apparent.

In use when a label seal according to the invention is applied to a package it automatically destroys itself when either the package is opened or if any attempt is made to interfere with or remove the seal.

Where in the description particular integers are described in is envisaged that there mechanical equivalents can be substituted as if they were individually set forth herein.

Thus by the invention there is provided a seal for a carton.

A particular example of the invention has been described and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications can take place without departing from the scope of the attached claims. 6

Claims (7)

1. A seal for a carton, the seal including a label formed with a face material, pressure sensitive adhesive and a release liner, the face material additionally including: a. a biaxially orientated polypropylene (BOPP) or other clear surface material applied to the face surface thereof; b. a unique product code or identifier; and c. a series of die cuts or perforations formed to destroy at least that portion of the label printed with the unique product code or identifier as well as the seal being destroyed when the carton is opened.

2. A seal for a carton as claimed in claim 1 wherein the release liner is removed when the label is applied to a carton or package, and wherein the unique product code or identifier is printed and acts as an anti-counterfeiting image or identifier, and wherein the series of die cuts or perforations is formed on at least that portion of the face material printed with the labels unique product code or identifier so that the unique product code or identifier is destroyed when the carton or package is opened.

3. A seal for a carton as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the unique product code or identifier includes an anti-counterfeiting image.

4. A seal for a carton as claimed in any one of the preceding claims which includes the series of die cuts or perforations formed on at least that portion of the face material printed with the labels unique product code or identifier.

5. A seal for a carton as claimed in claim 4 wherein the face material includes the printed anti-counterfeiting image or identifier.

6. A seal for a carton as claimed in claim 3 wherein the biaxially orientated polypropylene (BOPP) or other clear surface material includes the printed anti-counterfeiting image or identifier.

7. A seal for a carton as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the printing is on the face material. 7 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. -5 SEP 2008 RECEIVED