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AssigneeSicpa Holding SA
InventorsEdgar Muller, Thomas Tiller, Xavier Marguerettaz, Myron Seto
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The invention concerns a method, a device and a system for applying a detectable temporary mark of predefined life time of minutes to hours onto an object (0). The invention also concerns a coating composition comprising a short-lived radioactive isotope and the use of a short-lived radioactive isotope as a temporary marking. The temporary mark is applied to the object (O) by the means of a coating composition (3) comprising a low level of a short-lived radionuclide, generated in situ from a longer-lived precursor nucleus. The marking device comprises a radionuclide generator (1), a reservoir (2) for the in situ preparing the radioactively marked printing ink, and an ink-jet or alike printing or spraying head (8), preferably of the dropon-demand type. The marking is preferably detected and identified by a gamma-radiation counter. The invention claims also a system for the temporary marking of an object (O) with a radioactive isotope of predefined life time of minutes to hours, in view of performing an operation on the marked object (O) at a later point in time.
A method for temporary marking an object (O) in a process chain, the method comprising the step of applying a coating composition (3) to the object (O) by a marking device, the said coating composition (3) comprising a short-lived radioactive isotope, wherein said short-lived radioactive isotope is generated in situ from a longer-lived radioactive precursor isotope and added to said coating composition (3) in said marking device.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating composition (3) is applied to said object (O) by ink-jet printing or by a spraying operation.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coating composition (3) contains at least one binder.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application of the coating composition (3) is performed upon receipt of a particular signal, preferably an electric signal, by said marking device.
Device suitable for temporary marking an object (O) in a process chain, said device comprising a short-lived radionuclide generator (1), a first reservoir (2) of a printing liquid, a splitting valve (5), a radiation monitor (6), a control unit (7) and a printing or marking head (8).
A method for temporary marking and identifying an object (O), the method comprising the steps of
Use of a short-lived radioactive isotope in an ink or coating composition for temporarily marking and identifying an object (O) in a process chain, wherein said short-lived radioactive isotope is generated in situ from a longer-lived radioactive precursor isotope and added to said coating composition (3) in said marking device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.