Authentication system and methodology
AssigneeCryovac, Inc.
InventorGalen R. Hatfield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides an authentication system and methodology in which an authenticating agent is used as a product marker to help determine the source of products. The authenticating agent includes a substance that forms free radicals upon irradiation. The spectroscopic response of the agent when in the free radical state provides a characteristic “fingerprint” associated with genuine goods, but lacking in other goods. The goods incorporating the marker may be readily identified and/or distinguished from similar goods originating from another source. Furthermore, when not in the activated state, the authenticating agent typically is not detectable, thus providing the advantage of not being readily identifiable by counterfeiters.
Claims32
A package comprising:
- a product;
- and
- one or more packaging materials enclosing the product, wherein an effective amount of authenticating agent is incorporated into the one or more packaging materials and wherein the authenticating agent is a substance that forms detectable free radicals upon irradiation.
A method of making a package, comprising:
- incorporating an authenticating agent into a packaging material as an in situ product marker;
- and
- forming a package comprising the the packaging material, wherein the authenticating agent is a substance that forms detectable free radicals when exposed to ionizing radiation, said authenticating agent being present in a manner such that the free radicals provide a characteristic spectral response when subjected to a spectroscopic analysis capable of detecting free radicals in order to allow authentication of the package from said spectral response.
A method of authenticating a package comprising:
- providing a package incorporating a given amount of one or more authenticating agents that upon exposure to a given effective dosage of radiation is capable of forming detectable free radicals having a characteristic spectral response;
- exposing at least a portion of a package to be authenticated to the given effective dosage of radiation;
- spectroscopically analyzing the irradiated package portion to obtain a spectral response for the irradiated package portion;
- and
- comparing the spectral response for the irradiated package portion to the characteristic spectral response to determine whether the package to be authenticated is authentic.
A method of authenticating a package comprising:
- providing a package incorporating a given amount of one or more authenticating agents that upon exposure to a given effective dosage of radiation is capable of forming detectable free radicals having a characteristic spectral response;
- exposing a representative reference example of the package incorporating the authenticating agent to the given effective amount of radiation;
- spectroscopically analyzing the irradiated representative reference example to obtain the characteristic a spectral response for the irradiated representative reference example;
- exposing at least a portion of a package to be authenticated to the given effective dosage of radiation;
- spectroscopically analyzing the irradiated package portion to obtain a spectral response for the irradiated package portion;
- and
- comparing the spectral response for the irradiated package portion to the characteristic spectral response for the irradiated representative reference example to determine whether the package to be authenticated is authentic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.