1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a label having improved security, comprising: a label substrate having a recessed portion; a layer of an energy activated material substantially located along a section of the recessed portion; and an optically transparent cover located substantially over the energy activated material such that the cover is substantially located within the recess.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior to the present invention, as set forth in general terms above and more specifically below, it is known, to mark an object, such as with an identification tag, and then laminate a protective coating over the mark an order to prevent forging or counterfeiting of the mark. It is also known to mark an object by engraving/etching the object was a special tool. It is further known to mark an object by placing a coating upon the object. The coating may then the covered by a further protective coating in order to prevent forging or counterfeiting of the mark. Finally, it is known to employ laser marking or heating activation (UV or IR heating) in order to mark an object. This laser marking or heated activation coating may also be covered by a protective coating in order to prevent forging or counterfeiting of the mark. While these various techniques are capable of marking an object, they may be time-consuming, sloppy, subject to removal or defacing, and require special tools. Consequently, a more advantageous system, then, would be provided if the mark could be easily made on the object without the use of special tools such that removal or defacing could be prevented.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a method and apparatus for easily marking an object in a way that tampering is prevented, or if it occurs, is obvious. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.
Generally speaking, an embodiment of this invention fulfills these needs by providing a label having improved security, comprising: a label substrate having a recessed portion; a layer of an energy activated material substantially located along a section of the recessed portion; and an optically transparent cover located substantially over the energy activated material such that the cover is substantially located within the recess.
In certain preferred embodiments, the energy activated material is further comprised of any suitable material upon which a mark is created when an energy source, such as a laser beam, or heat activation source (UV or IR) impinges the material. Also, the optically transparent cover is further comprised of any suitable UV curable acrylate.
In another further preferred embodiment, the label having improved security can be easily made without the use of special tools such that removal or defacing can be prevented.
The preferred label, according to various embodiments of the present invention, offers the following advantages: improved security; ease of manufacture; improved removal/tampering prevention; and removal/tampering detection. In fact, in many of the preferred embodiments, these factors of improved security, ease of manufacture, improved removal/tampering prevention, and removal/tampering detection are optimized to an extent that is considerably higher than heretofore achieved in prior, known labels.
The above and other features of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are best understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which:
With reference first to
During the construction of label 2, marking engine 12 is activated to create energy beam 14. Preferably, marking engine 12 is a conventional laser light source that is capable of producing a laser beam 14. Also, marking engine 12 can be a conventional UV or IR heat activation source. Standoffs 16 are utilized to maintain a desired distance between marking engine 12 and energy activated material layer 8. As energy beam 14 impinges upon energy activated material layer 8, selective markings 22 (
With respect to
With respect to label 2, the optically transparent cover 10 prevents removal of the selective markings 22. Also, optically transparent cover 10 prevents selective markings 22 from being marred. It is to be understood that while selective markings 22 may be blackened out or added to, these markings cannot be erased once they have been created. In this manner if someone attempts to erase selective markings 22, the markings 22 may become illegible. Finally, energy beam 14 allows the user to create extremely small marks. In this manner, a lot of detail can be placed in a small area on object 4.
Once given the above disclosure, many other features, modifications or improvements will become apparent to the skilled artisan. Such features, modifications or improvements are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.