Photon marker system for fiber material
AssigneeFibremark Solutions Limited
InventorsMorton Greene, Paul Stenning
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Abstract
Rare earth ceramic pigment luminescent nano-particle photon markers are mixed in specific proportions within cellulose slurry and extruded to form trace fiber strands. The trace fiber strands are processed into slivers and are blended with a base fiber or fibers at specific concentration levels. The number and proportion of different photon markers and their concentration levels within the yarn, thread, cloth, fabric, textile or garment generate specific photonic response signatures when examined under a spectrophotometer reader. Signatures may be assigned representing provenance, base fiber identification, base fiber concentration, the manufacturer, and/or other data throughout the manufacturing and supply chain of a finished product.
Claims16
A yarn or thread comprising a base fiber uniformly blended with trace fiber slivers, said trace fiber slivers comprising luminescent nano-particle photon marker microcapsules evenly distributed within cellulose fibers, the luminescent nano-particle photon marker microcapsules transmitting a reflected response signature within a wavelength range of 380 nm and 100 μm when examined under a spectrophotometer reader, the response signature being indicative of an aspect of the yarn, thread or any intermediate or final product manufactured therefrom.
A method of identifying a yarn, thread or any intermediate or final product manufactured therefrom, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) uniformly blending in the yarn or thread trace fiber slivers comprising cellulose fibers having evenly distributed luminescent nano-particle photon markers, the nano-particle photon markers having a predetermined response signature wavelength;
- b) capturing a response signature emitted by the luminescent nano-particle photon markers;
- and
- c) comparing the captured response signal to the predetermined response signature wavelength.
A photon marker system for verification of the authenticity of a garment which has been woven or knitted from one or more base fibers, the system comprising a plurality of trace fiber slivers blended within yarn or thread from which the garment has been woven or knitted, the trace fiber slivers comprising photon markers having a predetermined response signature wavelength the system further including a spectrophotometer reader for determining whether the yarn or thread generates a response signal corresponding to the predetermined response signature wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.