# US 9,751,668 B2 · Tamper-resistant assembly for securing valuable material

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- Number: US 9,751,668 B2
- Document ID: US9751668B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/702,378
- Filed: 2015-05-01
- Published: 2015-11-05
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-05-02
- Assignees: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
- Applicants: Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
- Inventors: Laurence Warden; Tei Newman-Lehman; Daniel G. Gibson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751668B2

## CPC

- B65D 61/00: External frames or supports adapted to be assembled around, or applied to, articles
- B01L 3/50851: {specially adapted for heating or cooling samples}
- B65B 5/04: Packaging single articles
- B65B 7/28: by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers
- B65C 1/04: Affixing labels, e.g. wrap-around labels, to two or more flat surfaces of a polyhedral article
- B65D 25/108: {Devices, e.g. plates, presenting apertures through which the articles project}
- B65D 25/205: {Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; (cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence)}
- B65D 43/0235: {with integral tamper element}
- G01N 21/6428: {Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" (in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53)}
- G01N 21/6486: {Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells (G01N21/6428 takes precedence)}
- B01L 9/523: {for multisample carriers, e.g. used for microtitration plates}
- B01L 2200/026: Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
- B01L 2200/028: Modular arrangements
- B01L 2200/0689: Sealing
- B01L 2200/141: Preventing contamination, tampering
- B01L 2300/0829: Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
- B01L 2300/0887: Laminated structure
- B65D 2401/05: Tearable non-integral strips
- B65D 2401/60: Tearable part both of the container and of the closure
- G01N 21/77: by observing the effect on a chemical indicator
- G01N 2021/6439: {with indicators, stains, dyes, tags, labels, marks}
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00)
- B65C: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; applying labels for packaging purposes B65B; labels, name-plates G09F ){(series-printing machines B41L; containers for the storage or transport of packages B65D)}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

The invention provides a tamper resistant assembly that that securely contains a valuable material. The assembly has a container for holding the valuable material, an optional carrier that contains the container, one or more cover components that enclose the valuable material in the container, and one or more labels having a plurality of devices that reveal tampering by distortion of at least one of the plurality of devices. The label(s) are positioned so that dislodging a cover component causes a detectable distortion in at least one of the plurality of devices, thereby revealing tampering with the assembly. In one embodiment the label can be affixed partially to a surface of a cover component and partially to a surface of the container or the optional carrier. Also disclosed are methods of detecting tampering and method of manufacturing a temper-resistant assembly. Because the assembly allows a remote validator to validate the assembly prior to providing essential instructions or authorization for conducting procedures on valuable material contained by the assembly, the manufacturer is assured that its procedures are being provided only to authorized persons.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tamper resistant assembly that securely contains a valuable material comprising:
a) a container for holding the valuable material and, optionally, a carrier comprising the container;
b) one or more cover components that enclose(s) the valuable material in the container;
c) one or more labels, each comprising a plurality of devices that comprise a frangible layer, a pattern detectable under visible light, and a pattern detectable under infra-red light, that reveal tampering by distortion of at least one of the plurality of devices,
d) the one or more labels positioned so that dislodging one or more of the cover components causes the distortion of at least one of the plurality of devices, the distortion detectable by a detection system and thereby revealing tampering with the assembly.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tamper resistant assembly of claim 1 wherein the label is affixed partially to a surface of a cover component, and partially to a surface of the container or to the optional carrier comprising the container.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the detection system is an optical detection system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the distortion is detectable by a remote validator.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the label comprises multiple layers which comprise the plurality of devices.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5 wherein the plurality of devices further comprise a taggant ink detectable under ultra-violet light.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The assembly of claim 2 wherein the assembly comprises a carrier that contains the container and the label is affixed partially to a surface of a cover component and partially to a surface of the carrier comprising the container.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The assembly of claim 6 wherein the taggant ink is detectable when said device comprising a taggant ink detectable under ultra-violet light is fractured.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5 wherein the frangible layer is distorted upon application of shear forces and further comprises a pattern detectable in visible light comprised on the frangible layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The assembly of claim 9 wherein the distortion comprises distortion of the pattern detectable under visible light.

### Claim 11 (depends on 5)

The assembly of claim 5 wherein the label comprises a first layer that comprises the pattern detectable under visible light and a second layer comprising the pattern detectable under infra-red light, and the second layer is comprised on top of the first layer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the container is a multi-well plate.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein one or more of the cover component(s) seals the valuable material in the container.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein a valuable material is comprised in the container.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The assembly of claim 14 wherein the container comprises wells, and the valuable material is comprised in wells of the container, and one or more of the wells further comprise one or more taggant inks.

### Claim 16

A method of detecting the occurrence of tampering with an assembly containing a valuable material, comprising
a) analyzing the assembly with a detection system, wherein the assembly comprises:
i) a container for holding the valuable material and, optionally, a carrier comprising the container;
ii) one or more cover components that enclose(s) the valuable material in the container;
iii) one or more labels, each comprising a plurality of devices that comprise a frangible layer, a pattern detectable under visible light, and a pattern detectable under infra-red light, that reveal tampering by distortion of at least one of the plurality of devices,
iv) the one or more labels positioned so that dislodging one or more of the cover components causes the distortion in at least one of the plurality of devices, the distortion detectable by a detection system; and
b) detecting the presence or absence of distortion in one or more of the plurality of devices and thereby detecting whether tampering with the assembly has occurred.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 wherein the detection system is an optical detection, system.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein the frangible layer comprises a pattern detectable under visible light, and the distortion comprises a distortion in the pattern detectable under visible light.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 wherein the assembly comprises a carrier that contains the container.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein the distortion comprises a failure to detect the pattern detectable under infra-red light.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17 wherein the label further comprises a taggant ink detectable under ultra-violet light and the distortion comprises the detection of the taggant ink under ultra-violet light.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 wherein the detection of the distortion is communicated to a remote validator.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The method of claim 22 wherein the remote validator is a computer that receives information about the detection of distortion in one or more of the plurality of devices, or information about the absence of distortion in the plurality of devices.

### Claim 24 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 wherein the valuable material is a biological material.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The method of claim 24 wherein the biological material is DNA.

### Claim 26 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16 wherein the container comprises one or more individual compartments, and further comprising the steps of removing the one or more cover components and detecting the presence or absence of one or more taggant inks detectable at a specific wavelength in one or more of the individual compartments.

### Claim 27

A method of, manufacturing a tamper resistant assembly that securely contains a valuable material comprising:
a) placing the valuable material in a container that is, optionally, comprised by a carrier;
b) placing one or more cover components on the container;
c) positioning one or more labels, each comprising a plurality of devices that comprise a frangible layer, a pattern detectable under visible light, and a pattern detectable under infra-red light, that reveal tampering by distortion of at least one of the plurality of devices, such that dislodging at least one cover component causes the distortion, the distortion detectable by a detection system.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the positioning comprises affixing the one or more labels partially to a surface of the one or more cover components and partially to a surface of the container or the optional carrier that comprises the container.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the detection system is an optical detection system.

### Claim 30 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the distortion is detectable by a remote validator.

### Claim 31 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the one or more labels comprises multiple layers, which comprise the plurality of devices.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31 wherein the plurality of devices further comprise a taggant ink detectable under ultra-violet light.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31 wherein the label further comprises a pattern detectable under visible light comprised on the frangible layer.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The method of claim 33 wherein the distortion comprises distortion of the pattern detectable under visible light.

### Claim 35 (depends on 32)

The method of claim 32 wherein the taggant ink is detectable when exposed to ultra-violet light but is not detectable when the label is intact.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The method of claim 35 wherein the label comprises a first layer having the pattern detectable under visible light and further comprises a second layer having the pattern detectable under infra-red light and the second layer is comprised on top of the first layer.

### Claim 37 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the container is a multi-well plate.

### Claim 38 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein one or more of the one or more cover components seals the valuable material in the container.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38 wherein a valuable material is comprised in the container.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39 wherein the valuable material comprises a nucleic acid.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The method of claim 40 wherein the nucleic acid is fragments of DNA and the fragments are randomly placed in wells of the container.

### Claim 42 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27 wherein the container comprises one or more individual compartments and further comprising the step of placing within the one or more individual compartments one or more taggant inks detectable at a specific wavelength.