WO2019025916A1

WO2019025916A1 - System and method for the unique identification of caps applied to containers of products placed on sale

Info

Publication number: WO2019025916A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/055598
Authority: WO
Inventors: Matteo MINGARDI
Original assignee: Pelliconi & C. S.P.A.
Priority date: 2017-08-03
Filing date: 2018-07-26
Publication date: 2019-02-07
Also published as: CN211827326U; IT201700089746A1

Abstract

Described is a system for unique identification of a cap (10, 11) of a series of bottles (1) of products put on sale comprising preparing a processing station (20) on a remote server (21) with a database (22) which includes a series of predetermined identification data corresponding to an identification code (12, 13) applied on the caps (10, 11) of the bottles (1). A purchaser equipped with smartphone (30) detects, using a suitable app, the identification code (12, 13) of one of the caps (10, 11) and transmits it to the processing station (20) for comparing it with the series of predetermined identification data contained in the database (22) in order to check the presence. If the presence is verified, the processing station confirms to the smartphone (30) the authenticity of the product. If this is not the case, the purchaser is warned of the possible counterfeiting of the product. The identification code may be a "QR code" (13) or in a simplified form an alphanumeric code (12) or any code. The verification of the identification code may also be associated with drawing of a prize as part of a competition linked with the sale.

Description

DESCRIPTION

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION OF CAPS APPLIED TO CONTAINERS OF PRODUCTS PLACED ON SALE Technical field

This invention relates to a system and a method for identifying containers containing various products (preferably liquids, preferably food products), in particular with the purpose of checking the authenticity and the origin of the products put on sale, identifying unambiguously the caps or the lids used to close the containers at the moment of packaging or the labels applied on the containers.

Background art

The widespread use is known of containers of various types for packaging products, in particular liquids such as beverages, water, but also preserves, vegetable or minerals oils, detergents and others, for their transport, for putting them on sale and finally the use by the end user. Hereinafter, for convenience and brevity, reference will be made to the sector of beverages, in particular packed in glass bottles closed with caps of the crown type, but it is understood that this invention can be applied for any type of liquid product packed in any type of closed container with a cap of the crown type or with an anti-tampering lid, that is to say, equipped with means which prevent the sealed re-closing after the first opening, for example the security seal.

Is also known that the level of sophistication of counterfeit products and of the relative containers often does not allow their real origin to be distinguished and therefore the authenticity of the product to be verified, with the risk of purchasing the product with a quality not corresponding to that of the original product.

For example, the opening a container and replacing the contents with a counterfeit or altered product is known, closing it with a cap equal to the one removed.

The unequivocal checking of the identity of a product constitutes one of the needs particularly felt at the moment for the battle against imitations and counterfeiting, even with respect to the safety of using the products. Various identification methods have been developed, some of which concern the application of labels, special labels, also bearing a trademark or a unique alphanumeric code for each container, which intend to ensure the uniqueness of that container and therefore the authenticity of the product contained.

In reality, these methods, over time, are easily evaded, with the consequent possible counterfeiting of the products, especially due to the difficulty or impossibility of purchases and final users checking the uniqueness and the authenticity of the symbols used.

There is therefore the need of stably associating to each container a unique identification code which allows them to be identified individually and to verify them without confusion, in any situation, location and type of use.

A further need felt concerns, on the other hand, the implementation of promotional initiatives associated with a competition linked with the sale of the products.

More specifically, competitions are often held which comprise the removal of the crown cap applied on a bottle of a beverage and the checking for the presence of a message, for example "you have won", shown on the cap, generally inside it. Once the cap has been removed, the message becomes visible and the win can be verified.

The prizes may be the further supply of bottles of beverages or the delivery of objects, or the participation in events, such as television shows, or something else.

In this case, too, whilst referring for the sake of simplicity only to the sector of beverages in bottles, the invention can also be applied for other products packed in containers closed with crown caps or also other lids provided they are tamperproof, that is to say, equipped with means which prevent the reclosing, for example, with security seal.

The manufacturers of the caps are therefore requested, for example by the manufacturers of the beverages, to print a cap bearing a message or a winning drawing after each batch of a predetermined number of caps, or to differentiate the batches of caps in such a way that there are, on a predetermined quantity of "normal" caps, a certain number of "winning" caps.

The drawback of this traditional method of holding competitions lies in the fact of having to differentiate the printing of the caps, with evident increases in production costs for the manufacturer of the caps.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of this invention is therefore to provide a system and a method which provide a solution to the needs deriving from the problems described above.

More specifically, the technical solution that this invention aims to provide is focused on the resolution of the above-mentioned problems, which until now are unresolved, by the adoption of a system for recognition of the identification codes used which comprises comparing them with a list, progressively eliminating or marking in this list the products which are gradually sold or, more generally speaking, comparing them with information present in a database, thus preventing a false recognition and opposing tampering and counterfeiting.

Another aim of this invention is to identify with certainty the container and its contents and other information relative to it, in a simple and fast manner, and which can be used by any purchaser from the general public. A further aim of this invention is to provide a system which uses a device which is particularly intuitive and simple to use, which does not require particular knowledge, abilities or skills for its use in order to uniquely identify the containers. Another aim of this invention is to process and use the information collected to perform analyses on the sales relative to places and times in which the products are consumed.

Another aim of this invention is to be able to exploit the unique identification of the code applied to the cap or to the lid or to a label applied on the container in order to identify a winning product within a competition linked with the sale of that product.

A further aim of this invention associated just with the performance of a competition is that of reducing the variability in the production of the batches of caps, producing preferably for the same customer caps which are all identical to each other, so as to reduce the production costs for the caps for the competitions linked with the sale of the products.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a system which makes it possible to display a "winning effect" in augmented reality mode.

In accordance with the invention, the aims are achieved using a system and a method as described, comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief description of drawings

The technical features of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the annexed claims and its advantages are more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention and in which:

Figures 1 a and 1 b illustrate a cap of the crown type as appears on its two opposite faces once it has been provided with an alphanumeric code as an identification symbol;

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a cap of the crown type as appears on its two opposite faces once it has been provided with a "QR code" as an identification symbol;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates in blocks the system according to the invention;

Figure 4 illustrates a bottle provided with a cap, in particular of the crown type, made in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 illustrates a simplified flow diagram which represents the development of the method actuated by the system according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Reference will be made below, for simplicity and convenience of description, to containers consisting of bottles, in particular for beverages, closed with a cap, in particular of the crown type, but it is understood that the invention may also be applied for caps and lids of a different type, provided that are not reclosable, therefore tamperproof, for example equipped with security seals, and for containers of a type other than bottles, for example vials, cans, etc., or the invention may also be applied for labels applied to containers.

With reference to the above-mentioned drawings, in particular to Figures 1 a, 1 b, 2a, 2b and 3, the Applicant has designed a system for unique identification of a cap 10, 1 1 of one between a plurality of containers 1 of products put on sale, as described below.

The identification system, which will hereinafter be described with reference to caps and lids, may also be applied with reference to labels applied to containers.

It comprises the production of the series of caps 10, 1 1 equipped with identification means 12, 13 associated with them.

The identification means 12, 13 may consist of a symbol in a coded form comprising, more generally speaking, a code of any type.

The term "code" used herein refers to any code.

The code may be, according to non-limiting example embodiments of it, a graphic and/or alphanumeric code 12 or an identification code of the "QR code" type 13, or even a code indicated by means of a varnish, which is visible or not visible to a user (for example, in the latter case, it would form a so-called "watermark").

In both cases, the code is preferably printed on a surface of the cap 10, 1 1 which, when it is applied to the respective bottle 1 , remains facing towards the inside of it.

Alternatively, the code may be printed on the surface of the cap which remains, on the other hand, facing towards the outside.

Preference is given to taking into consideration a series of caps 1 1 on which has been applied an identification code of the "QR code" type 13, shown in Figures 2a and 2b. The codes applied on the caps of the same series are different from each other, for example corresponding to numerical or alphanumeric values which increases progressively with the production of each cap.

With reference to Figure 3, a processing station 20 is set up on a remote server 21 in which is implemented a database 22 configured for storing a series of predetermined identification data, which correspond to, or which are identical to, the identification codes "QR code" of a series of caps 1 1 for a series of containers 1 , for example bottles filled with a beverage and placed on sale.

Obviously, predetermined identification data of other series of caps will also be inserted in the database. For the sake of simplicity, reference will be made to a single series of caps 1 1 .

Providing the caps are sold to the manufacturer of the drink, and not to others, this guarantees that the caps will be applied to the containers 1 of a certain origin and with a guaranteed quality.

Considering now, between the many, a purchaser of at least one container 1 of product, it is currently certain that he or she is in possession of a multimedia electronic device such as a smartphone 30, a tablet or another electronic device equipped with multimedia functionalities and at least a digital camera.

Also in this case, for convenience of description, reference is made in the majority of cases to a smartphone 30, on the understanding that other multimedia devices can perform the same function.

The smartphone constitutes the detection means 30 of the identification means, that is to say, the "QR code" 13 of the cap 1 1 of the bottle 1 purchased, and can acquire an image of the "QR code" 13 by means of its own digital camera.

To perform the operation and the subsequent ones, it is necessary to install in a smartphone 30 an app (software application dedicated to mobile type devices) which constitutes first processing means of the smartphone 30 which processes the image of the "QR code" to obtain data corresponding to it, and therefore corresponding to the identification means 13.

The smartphone 30 also comprises transmission means which are made operatively in communication with the processing station 20, consisting of the mobile phone communication module of the smartphone.

In addition, the communication module of the smartphone 30 can be made to be operatively communicating with the processing station 20 accessing a geographical network (WAN), which may be the Internet, if necessary using a local network (LAN) consisting, for example, of a household WIFI or a WIFI of a public place or other location which makes it available to the public.

In this way, the smartphone 30 is able to establish a contact with the processing station 20 for transferring to it the data corresponding to the image of the "QR code".

It should be noted that the communication between the smartphone and the processing station is controlled by the app and can therefore be performed by means of the mobile phone network and/or the Internet, if necessary with the use of a WIFI system.

In the processing station 20 there are second processing means 35 which are able to process the data corresponding to the image received from the smartphone 30 and compare it with the series of predetermined identification data contained in the database 22 to check for the presence of predetermined identification data corresponding to or equal to the data corresponding to the "QR code".

If the predetermined identification data is encountered, then the processing station 20 concludes that the product is original, deletes or marks the predetermined identification data in the database 22 and sends to the smartphone 30 a message confirming the authenticity of the product.

The app of the smartphone 30 will then notify the purchaser by means of a suitable user interface.

If, on the other hand, the predetermined identification data is not encountered, or a previously read mark is found, then the processing station 20 concludes that the product might not be original, or could be counterfeit or altered by tampering of the cap of the bottle 1 .

Consequently, the processing station 20 sends to the smartphone 30 a message which warns of this possibility.

In more detail, the app which constitutes the first processing means consists a first sequence of instructions, which are prepared (configured) to allow the actuation of a digital camera of the smartphone 30, following the activation command imparted by the purchaser, for processing the image obtained in order to obtain the data corresponding to it, for transmitting the corresponding data by means of the communication module and to manage the user interface.

The processing station 20, on the other hand, comprises a software platform connected to a geographical communication network, for example the Internet, and/or to a mobile phone communication network, by which the data corresponding to the "QR code" is received, processed and compared with the predetermined identification data contained in the database 22. The software platform communicates to the smartphone 30 the result of the comparison, as mentioned above.

The platform, just like the other Internet sites, also makes it possible for purchasers to access directly the Internet to perform other checks or receive further information on the product.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the first sequence of instructions also comprises instructions for communicating to the processing station 20 the position of the smartphone 30, obtained using the module for geolocation of the latter.

Moreover, the date and time in which "QR code" is read may be communicated to the processing station and recorded in the database 22, in association with a predetermined data corresponding to the "QR code", 13 measured each time.

This information will be very useful for providing statistical data on the basis of which to orient the sales of the products in the various areas, according to known marketing methods.

The platform software, on the other hand, comprises a computer program consisting of a second sequence of instructions operating on the remote server 21 , for receiving the data corresponding to the "QR code", processing it and comparing it with the contents of the database 22, for subsequently communicating, by means of the mobile phone and/or geographical and/or local communication network, the result of the comparison to the smartphone 30 of the purchaser.

According to a particular feature of the invention, the result of the check for comparison of the data is displayed to the purchaser by the user interface with augmented reality mode.

Therefore, the representation of the cap 1 1 comprising the "QR code" 13 is shown on the screen of the smartphone 30 with the addition of details or auxiliary symbols, which specify the authenticity of the product or which warn the purchaser with regard to possible counterfeiting or alteration of the product (Figure 3).

Another feature of the system is that it comprises an algorithm operating in the software platform, to assign to one or more of the predetermined identification data of the database a winning symbol, determined randomly from the entire database.

Also, the occurrence of a win is communicated to the smartphone 30 of the purchaser and displayed by means of the augmented reality mode. With reference to only the verification of the win, in a competition linked with the sale of beverages, a simplified form of the system according to this invention comprises preparing the caps 10 only with alphanumeric codes 12, which inside the series are all equal to each other (Figures 1 a and 1 b).

The codes can, on the other hand, be different from one product to another and, if necessary, from one series to another (for example for identifying different batches of the products).

In this case simplified, wherein the codes (for example alphanumeric) can be printed on the surface of the cap 10 which remains facing towards the inside of the respective bottle, or on that which remains facing towards the outside, the code (for example alphanumeric) is read by the digital camera of the smartphone 30 and transmitted to the processing station 20, where an algorithm decides, based on various parameters, if the code, and therefore that bottle, is the winning one.

For example, the algorithm may consider a winner one in every thousand identifications of the alphanumeric code belonging to the series of bottles, or the one received first in a predetermined time interval, or another criteria can be adopted.

The winning result is communicated to the smartphone 30 and displayed to the purchaser as in the previous case.

According to one aspect of this invention, it is possible to perform timed competitions, and set the duration time of the competition.

Moreover, it is possible to configure the algorithm in such a way that a very wide range of winning policies can be actuated, on the basis of the needs of the retailer of the containers.

The advantage is especially referred to the production of crown caps, for which it is not necessary to prepare a mechanism for continuous updating of the identification symbols, as in the case the "QR codes", but, on the other hand, a number is assigned to all the caps of a series (or relative to a product), making substantial savings in terms of time and production equipment.

In all cases above-mentioned, it might also be possible to interrogate the software platform and send the identification data using a PC, especially in the case of the simplified form, wherein the identification symbol consists of a simple code (for example alphanumeric) which may be easily read directly by the purchaser.

As already mentioned, Figures 1 a, 1 b and 2a and 2b show the cap forming part of the system according to the invention, bearing a symbol in a coded form comprising an alphanumeric code 12, for the cap 10 of Figures 1 a and 1 b or the "QR code" 13, for the cap 1 1 of Figures 2a and 2b.

Figure 4 illustrates, on the other hand, the container 1 , in particular a bottle, provided with the cap 10, 1 1 according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 5, which shows a flow diagram on the performance of the operation of the system, a description is given below, schematically and in its basic steps, of the method which the system according to this invention puts into action.

Once a series of caps 10, 1 1 equipped with the identification means 12, 13 has been produced, the caps are applied to a corresponding series of containers 1 of certain origin and designed to be put on sale.

At the same time, a processing the station 20 is prepared, on a remote server 21 connected to the Internet or other geographical communication network and/or to the mobile phone communication network, comprising the database 22 with the predetermined identification data corresponding to the series of caps 10, 1 1 of the bottles 1 placed on sale.

In addition to the database 22, the software platform is also made operational in the processing station 20 which must receive the data corresponding to the image, process it and compare it with the series of predetermined identification data in the database 22.

The purchaser who intends to verify the authenticity of the product purchased, and/or possibly participate in a competition linked with the sale, must possess detection means 30 consisting of the smartphone (or a multimedia electronic device such as a tablet or another electronic device equipped with multimedia functionalities).

The smartphone 30, equipped with digital camera, also contains a mobile phone communication module, or module suitable to establish a connection with a geographical communication network, if necessary using a local network, for example WIFI.

The purchaser must then load on the smartphone 30 an app, that is to say, a software application consisting of a first sequence of instructions designed to actuate the digital camera of the smartphone 30, following the activating command given by the purchaser.

With reference to the block 100 of Figure 5, the user opens the app and gives the above-mentioned command, block 101 , so that the image of the code (for example "QR code") is acquired.

The instructions then process the image obtained to obtain the data corresponding to it, that is to say, corresponding to the code (for example "QR code").

The app transmits the data corresponding to the image by means of the communication module, using the mobile phone network or the local and/or geographical communication network, to the software platform of the processing station 20, requesting the verification of the code (for example "QR code") linked with the cap, as shown in block 102.

In block 103 a decision is made on whether to proceed just with the verification of the win (cap 10 with alphanumeric code 12, block 104) or the anti-counterfeiting verification (cap 1 1 with "QR code" 13, block 105) with, if necessary, verification of the win predetermined and referred to the data present in the database 22.

Block 106 checks in the database 22 for the presence of the predetermined identification data corresponding to the data obtained from the image of the "QR code", and the correctness of the code is established in block 107.

The result of the comparison is then communicated to the smartphone 30, block 107, by means of the geographical and/or local or mobile phone communication network, which displays the result of the comparison, and, if necessary, the win, to the purchaser in augmented reality mode.

Other actions and operations which are more detailed and necessary for the operation of the app and the software platform have not have been described as they are known to experts in the trade, and do not specifically relate to this invention.

The solution according to the invention presents various advantages through the significant creativeness, the effects of which constitute an immediate and significant technical advance.

A first advantage is the fact that the system and the method according to this invention use a device compact which is easily portable and useable such as a smartphone or a tablet, which is nearly always close at hand so that it can be used every time it is necessary to identify the code of a cap or a lid or a label applied on a container.

A second advantage derives from the fact that a system is provided for recognising identification codes used which operates by comparing with a list and progressively eliminating from or marking on the list the products which are gradually sold. This prevents a false recognition and effectively contrasts tampering and counterfeiting.

Another advantage of the invention is to identify with certainty the container and its contents, and other information relative to it, in a simple and fast manner, and which can be used by any purchaser from the general public.

A further advantage consists in the use of a device which is particularly intuitive and simple to use, such as the smartphone, which does not require particular knowledge or skills for its use. Another advantage lies in the possibility of collecting information on the places and times of consumption of the products sold, and to be able to process and to use this information to perform studies useful for marketing purposes.

Yet another advantage is that of being able to use the unequivocal recognition of the code applied to the cap of the bottle for defining in a simple and automated manner a winning product within a competition linked with the sale of the product.

Lastly, in the case of the cap marked with the code (for example alphanumeric), there is the significant advantage of reducing the variability in the production of the batches of caps, producing, on the contrary, caps which are all identical to each other with significant reduction in the production costs in the context of competitions linked with the sale of the products.

Moreover, if a competition mechanism is to be implemented, it is possible for the manufacturer of caps to print all the caps with an identical code, in this way saving on the printing changeover of the cap, which translates as savings in costs also for the retailer of the bottles / containers which must use caps of this kind for closing its bottles / containers.

Claims

1 . A system for unique identification of a cap (10, 1 1 ) or a lid to test for tampering or a label of each of a series of containers (1 ) of products put on sale characterised in that it comprises:

at least one series of caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids to test for tampering or labels equipped with identification means (12, 13) associated therewith, the caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels being designed to be applied to a corresponding series of containers (1 ) of certain origin and designed to be put on sale; a processing station (20) set up on a remote server (21 ) and containing a database (22) configured for storing at least a series of predetermined identification data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) of the at least one series of caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels of containers (1 ) put on sale;

detection means (30) of the identification means (12, 13) provided to at least a purchaser of at least a container (1 ) of product equipped with one of the caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels bearing the identification means (12, 13), with the detection means (30) designed to acquiring an image of the identification means (12, 13);

first processing means present in the detection means (30) in order to obtain from the image data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13);

transmission means which are made operatively in communication with the processing station (20) for transmitting the set of data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13);

second processing means (35) present in the processing station (20) for process the data corresponding to the identifying means received from the detection means (30) and comparing it with the series of predetermined identification data stored in the database (22) to check for the presence in the database (22) of predetermined identification data corresponding to the cap (10, 1 1 ) or lid or label whose identification means (12, 13) have been acquired by the detection means (30) and for communicating information inherent to the outcome of the comparison to the purchaser.

2. The identification system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification means (12) consist of a symbol in coded form comprising a graphic and/or alphanumeric code (12) printed on a surface of the cap (10) or lid or label which, with the cap (10) or lid or label applied to the respective container (1 ), remains facing towards the inside of the respective container (1 ), or, respectively, on a surface of the cap (10) or lid or label which remains facing towards the outside, with the graph and/or alphanumeric codes of the caps (10) or lids or labels belonging to the same series equal to or different to each other.

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification means (12, 13) consist of a symbol in coded form comprising an identification code of the type known as "QR code" (13) printed on a surface of the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label which, with the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label applied to the respective container (1 ), remains facing towards the inside of the respective container (1 ), or, respectively, on a surface of the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label which remains facing towards the outside, with the identification codes of the caps (1 1 ) or lids or labels belonging to the same series different to each other.

4. The system for identifying products according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection means (30) consist of a multimedia electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet or other electronic device equipped with multimedia functionality, having at least a digital camera, in which the transmission means are a mobile phone communication module or a module suitable to establish a connection with a local and/or geographical communication network.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the first processing means comprise a first sequence of instructions consisting of an app configured to perform the following operations, as a result of an actuation of a digital camera of the smartphone, tablet or other electronic device: processing the image obtained to obtain the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13);

transmitting the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) by means of the mobile phone communication module or module suitable for establishing a connection with a local and/or geographical communication network, to the processing station (20);

receiving a processing result from the processing station (20); and controlling a user interface for displaying the result to the purchaser with augmented reality mode;

and wherein the processing station (20) comprises a software platform wherein a second sequence of instructions consists of a computer program operating on a remote server (21 ) configured to receive, by means of geographical communication network and/or mobile phone communication network, the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13), for comparing it with the contents of the database (22) and for communicating by means of the mobile phone and/or geographical and/or local communication network, the result of the comparison to the smartphone, tablet or other electronic device.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first sequence of instructions comprises instructions for communicating to the processing station (20) the position of the smartphone (30), tablet or other electronic device with multimedia functionality, obtained by the geolocation module of the latter, and wherein the second sequence of instructions comprises instructions to receive information relating to the position of the smartphone (30), tablet or other electronic device with multimedia functionality, and at the moment of the detection, as well as for recording the information on the database (22), in association with a predetermined data corresponding to the symbol in the coded form (13) detected each time.

7. The system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the first processing means comprise a sequence of instructions designed to allow the actuation of a digital camera of the smartphone, tablet or other electronic device, processing the image obtained to obtain the data corresponding to the alphanumeric code (12) and communicating it to the processing station to check whether a competition has been won linked with the sale of the products.

8. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphic and/or alphanumeric code (12) is detected by the purchaser and sent to the processing station (20) by PC, smartphone, tablet or other multimedia electronic device connected to a geographical communication network and/or a mobile phone communication network, to check whether a competition has been won linked with the sale of the products.

9. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cap (10, 1 1 ) is a cap of the crown type.

10. The cap or lid or label forming part of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having at least one symbol in coded form comprising a graphic and/or alphanumeric code (12) printed on a surface of the cap

(10) or lid or label which, with the cap (10) or lid or label applied to the respective container (1 ), remains facing towards the inside of the respective container (1 ), or, respectively, on the surface of the cap (10) or lid or label which remains facing towards the outside.

1 1 . The cap or lid or label forming part of the system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having at least one symbol in coded form comprising an identification code of the type known as "QR code" (13) printed on a surface of the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label which, with the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label applied to the respective container (1 ), remains facing towards the inside of the respective container (1 ), or, respectively, on a surface of the cap

(1 1 ) or lid which remains facing towards the outside.

12. A container (1 ) provided with the cap (10, 1 1 ) or lid or label according to claim 10 or 1 1 .

13. A method for unique identification of a cap (10, 1 1 ) or a lid or label of containers (1 ) of liquid products placed on sale, characterised in that it comprises the steps of: producing at least one series of caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels of containers (1 ) equipped with identification means (12, 13) associated therewith, the caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels being designed to be applied to a corresponding series of containers (1 ) of certain origin and put on sale; preparing detection means (30) consisting of a multimedia electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet or other electronic device equipped with multimedia functionalities and at least a camera digital, and in which a remote communication module is operational configured to establish a connection with a local and/or geographical communication network, a first sequence of instructions designed to actuate the digital camera of the smartphone (30), tablet or other electronic device, the multimedia electronic device being configured for processing the image obtained to obtain data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13), and for transmitting the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) using the remote communication module, and for controlling a user interface;

preparing on a remote server (21 ) connected to a geographical communication network and/or to a mobile phone communication network, a processing station (20) comprising a database (22) configured for storing at least a series of predetermined identification data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) of at least a series of caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels of containers (1 ) put on sale, and a software platform (20) designed to make the tablet, smartphone (30) or other electronic device operatively in communication with it to receive the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13), processing and comparing it with the series of predetermined identification data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) of at least a series of caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels;

acquiring an image of the identification means (12, 13) using the detection means (30) by at least one purchaser of at least a container (1 ) of product equipped with one of the caps (10, 1 1 ) or lids or labels bearing the identification means (12, 13), to obtain data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13);

transmitting the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) to the processing station (20) by means of a mobile phone, or local and/or geographical communication network;

processing the data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) received from the detection means (30) and comparing it with the series of predetermined identification data stored in the database (22) to check for the presence in the database (22) of predetermined identification data corresponding to the identification means (12, 13) of the cap (10, 1 1 ) or lid or label whose identification means (12, 13) have been acquired by the detection means (30);

communicating the result of the comparison to the detection means (30) by means of the geographical and/or local or mobile phone communication network, to the smartphone (30), tablet or other electronic device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the preparing of the identification means (13) on the series of caps (1 1 ) or lids or labels is actuated by printing a symbol in a coded form consisting of an identification code of the type known as "QR code" (13), different for each cap (1 1 ) or lid or label, on the surface of each cap (1 1 ) or lid or label which, with the cap (1 1 ) or lid applied to the respective container (1 ), remains facing towards the inside of the respective container (1 ), or, respectively, on the surface of the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label which remains facing towards the outside, for uniquely identifying each cap (1 1 ) or lid or label for checking the authenticity and the origin of the product in the container (1 ) to which the cap (1 1 ) or lid or label has been applied and/or for assigning a prize by means of an algorithm operating in the processing station (20) inside the second processing means (35).

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the preparing of the identification means (12) on the series of caps (10) or lids or labels is actuated by printing a symbol in a coded form equal for all the caps (10) or lids or labels of the same series, designed to allow the assigning of a prize by means of an algorithm operating in the second processing means (35) and designed to determine as winners one or more between the data corresponding to the identification means (12) at the time of their communication to the processing station (20).

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein, in addition to the data corresponding to the image of the identification means (12, 13), information is also sent to the processing station (20) relating to the place and time in which the image of the identification means (12, 13) is acquired by the detection means (30).

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the processing station (20) comprises a software platform located on a remote server (21 ) connected to a geographical communication network and/or to a mobile phone network, by which the purchaser can send the data using a PC.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the result of the comparison is displayed to the purchaser in augmented reality mode.