PACKAGE PROVIDED WITH SECURITY SEALS
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- IT · IT
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MONTEFORTE SPECCHI BLASCO MARIA
- Filing Date
- 2026-07-02
Abstract
Description
[0001] “Package provided with security seals”
[0002] DESCRIPTION
[0003] Technical Field
[0004] The present invention relates to a package intended for storing and / or carrying items and provided with security seals.
[0005] By way of non-limiting example, the present invention relates to a package intended for storing and / or carrying small-sized valuable items, such as, for example, diamonds, coins or small gold ingots.
[0006] Background Art
[0007] The storage and carrying of valuable items are common activities that are in high demand among the owners of such items.
[0008] During these activities, the valuable items are introduced in special packages, which are subsequently sealed so as to prevent exit of said items.
[0009] These packages generally consist of a first storage element, inside which the valuable item(s) is / are housed, and a second storage element, rigidly joined to the first storage element upon closing the package.
[0010] In particular, the first storage element comprises a first connection surface and the second storage element comprises a second connection surface, said connection surfaces being adhered to each other during sealing of the package.
[0011] As is known, the storage and carrying of valuable items within such packages involves several risks. A counterfeiter, for example, could open the package, take possession of the items contained therein, replace them with counterfeit products and close again the package so as to conceal the theft.
[0012] The legitimate owners, deceived by the counterfeit valuable items, will often realize the theft at a late stage and, being unable to trace the exact circumstances and time of the theft, will find it difficult to regain possession of their belongings.
[0013] For this reason, over the years, packages have been developed provided with special security seals with tamper-evident features, so that any attempt at tampering is immediately evident on the package, instantly alerting the legitimate owner.
[0014] Such security seal is often made as an ink layer, deposited between the first connection surface and the second connection surface in such a way that, upon opening the package, the separation of these connection surfaces causes tearing of said ink layer, such that an immediate and indelible alert of opening is generated on the package, thereby making the attempted opening blatant and immediately alerting the legitimate owner. Within the context of the present patent application, the term “ink layer” includes any type of application of one or films of material that are suitable to be deposited by printing.
[0015] In the currently known and used packages, the ink layer forming said security seal is deposited on a support corresponding to a portion of the second connection surface.
[0016] This choice is due first of all to production convenience: the second connection surface generally has a simpler shape, therefore more suitable for the deposition of an ink layer, than the first connection surface.
[0017] For example, if one considers the packages for storage and / or carrying small-sized items (such as diamonds, coins or small gold ingots), such packages have a first storage element comprising a deep-drawn part, arranged to accommodate one or more valuable items and located near the central region of said storage element, and a first flat connection surface extending around the deep-drawn part, thereby being interrupted at said deep-drawn part.
[0018] The second storage element of such packages is, instead, substantially flat and comprises a connection surface without any interruptions.
[0019] Therefore, as can be easily guessed, the second connection surface is more suitable for the deposition of the ink layer.
[0020] Secondly, one should consider that such packages often comprise portions made of a transparent material and usually called windows, which are generally used to view, identify and appreciate the valuable items contained within the package, without having to open it.
[0021] In addition, said packages may have customizable regions, i.e. regions that can be modified according to the demands of the owner of the valuable items.
[0022] As is known, the ink layer forming the security seal cannot be deposited on the portions of the connection surface that are located at the windows or of the customizable regions, because it would interfere with such parts, thereby remarkably reducing the view of the items through said windows and preventing recognition of the graphic patterns relating to these customizable regions.
[0023] As the first storage element is the most visible part of the package, said element generally has particularly large windows and customizable regions.
[0024] Consequently, the first storage element, and especially the first connection surface, has a particularly small portion that can be used for applying the security seal.
[0025] The second storage element, instead, comprises small windows and customizable regions, and, in some cases, it has no such windows and customizable regions, and therefore the corresponding second connection surface has a larger portion that can be used for depositing the ink layer.
[0026] However, the choice of arranging said security seal solely on the second connection surface and depositing the ink layer forming said seal on a single support, entails some limitations.
[0027] As a result of this choice, indeed, in the event of opening of the package, an invalidation alert appears that, when the package is closed again, is visible on the rear surface of the second storage element, i.e. on the surface opposite to the second connection surface.
[0028] Upon closing again the package, no invalidation alert is visible on the first storage element.
[0029] Therefore, a possible counterfeiter, after opening the package and taking the content thereof, might replace the original second connection element, on whose surface the invalidation alert has appeared, with a counterfeit second storage element in order to conceal the theft.
[0030] Subsequently, the counterfeiter might imitate an intact package by joining said counterfeit second storage element to the original first storage element, which, showing no invalidation alert, appears to be unaltered.
[0031] In this case, too, the legitimate owner, deceived by the counterfeit intact package, will become aware of the theft too late and they will hardly regain possession of their belongings.
[0032] Therefore, applying the security seal solely on the second connection surface allows a counterfeiter to re-create the intact package simply by replacing the original second storage element.
[0033] In addition, one should consider that, with the rapid development of production technologies, it is becoming increasingly easy for a counterfeiter to have equipment capable of creating the second storage element, also due to the fact that, as mentioned previously, out of the two storage elements forming the package, the second storage element is the simpler in terms of both shape and presence of windows and customizable regions.
[0034] This aspect is particularly relevant in the case of packages for the storage of items of very high value, such as diamonds, as the value of the item contained in the package may be worth the technical and economic effort necessary to re-create the second storage element.
[0035] An object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of prior art by providing a package that not only provides reliable tamper protection, making it impossible to remove the valuable item from the package without visibly changing its appearance, but also makes it difficult and costly to counterfeit the package.
[0036] Another object of the present invention is to provide a security seal that perform its anti-tamper functions, by generating an invalidation alert, only at the time when the package is opened or attempted to be opened, ensuring reliable closing of the package during the normal procedures of storage and / or carrying.
[0037] These and other objects are achieved with a package as claimed in the appended claims.
[0038] Summary of Invention
[0039] The package for storage and / or carrying of one or more items according to the invention comprises, in a manner known per se, a first storage element, arranged to receive said one or more items and made of a substantially rigid material, and a second storage element, also made of a substantially rigid material.
[0040] Depending on the object(s) to be contained, the first storage element and the second storage element can take different shapes and sizes.
[0041] Said first storage element and said second storage element comprise a first connection surface and a second connection surface, respectively.
[0042] After introducing said one or more items into the first storage element, the second storage element is rigidly joined to the first storage element by adhering the second connection surface to the first connection surface so as to isolate said one or more items from the external environment, thereby obtaining the closed package.
[0043] As is known, the adhesion between the first connection surface and the second connection surface can be obtained by means of several techniques such as, for example, by interposition of an adhesive material or by heat-sealing.
[0044] The first storage element further comprises a front surface, opposite to the first connection surface.
[0045] Said front surface is visible when viewing the first storage element when the package is closed.
[0046] Similarly, the second storage element comprises a rear surface, opposite to the second connection surface and visible when viewing said second storage element when the package is closed. As is known, said package may comprise a security seal for anti-tamper function, obtained by depositing an ink layer onto an appropriate support, corresponding to a portion of the second connection surface.
[0047] During closing of the package, the joining between the second connection surface and the first connection surface takes place in such a way that said ink layer is interposed between said connection surfaces.
[0048] In particular, said ink layer is deposited in such a way that opening the package, by causing separation of said connection surfaces, leads to tearing of said ink layer.
[0049] As is known, such tearing causes separation of said ink layer (which, when the package is its closed state, looks like a single uniform layer), into a first ink portion which remains adherent to the support of the second connection surface and a second ink portion that, becoming detached from said support, remains adherent to the first connection surface.
[0050] The line of separation of said ink layer into the two ink portions is suitably configured in such a way that said first ink portion is designed as a group of graphic elements such as to constitute an invalidation alert.
[0051] As both the types of ink (or of any material that is suitable for printing) and the techniques used for applying said ink layer are well known to the person skilled in the art, it is not deemed necessary to describe them in more detail.
[0052] As is known, due to the fact that said first ink portion, adherent to the second connection surface, is visible through the thickness of the second storage element separating said second connection surface from the rear surface, the corresponding invalidation alert is visible on said rear portion.
[0053] According to the invention, said package comprises an auxiliary security seal with anti-tamper function, obtained by depositing an auxiliary ink layer.
[0054] Said auxiliary ink layer is deposited on a support corresponding to a portion of the first connection surface.
[0055] In this case, too, the auxiliary ink layer is deposited in such a way as to be interposed, once closing of the package is completed, between said first connection surface and said second connection surface.
[0056] Upon opening the package, the separation of said connection surfaces causes tearing of said auxiliary ink layer, thereby generating a first auxiliary ink portion that remains adherent to the support of the first connection surface, and a second auxiliary ink portion that, becoming detached from support, remains adherent to the second connection surface.
[0057] As with the previously described security seal, said first auxiliary ink portion is designed as a group of graphic elements such as to constitute an auxiliary invalidation alert.
[0058] In this case, however, said first auxiliary ink portion, adherent to the first connection surface, is visible through the thickness of the first storage element separating said first connection surface from the front surface, whereby the corresponding auxiliary invalidation alert is visible on said front surface.
[0059] Therefore, if one should try to close again the package, both the invalidation alert related to the second connection surface, and visible on the rear surface, and the auxiliary invalidation alert, visible on the front surface.
[0060] In fact, the tearing of the ink layer related to the second connection surface (i.e. of the ink layer deposited on a portion of the second connection surface) and of the auxiliary ink layer, is such that it does not allow re-creating the planar continuity that said ink layers had before opening and therefore it makes both invalidation alerts always visible, even when trying to close again the package.
[0061] Accordingly, a possible counterfeiter - after opening the package and taking the content thereof - in order to imitate the intact package, in an attempt to conceal the theft, would be forced to re-create not only the second storage element, which has the invalidation alert visible on the rear surface, but also the first storage element, because this element also has an auxiliary invalidation alert visible on the front surface.
[0062] Therefore, the introduction of an ink layer, deposited on a portion of the second connection surface, and of an auxiliary ink layer, deposited on a portion of the first connection surface, makes it impossible, after opening the package, to re-use the storage elements of the original package.
[0063] This aspect differentiates the package of the present invention from the currently known and used packages, because these, having only the security seal related to the second connection surface, do not provide any invalidation alerts at the front surface of the first storage element.
[0064] Therefore, the currently known and used packages allow a counterfeiter to simulate the intact package simply by reconstructing the second storage element and joining said counterfeit second storage element to the original first storage element, remained unaltered after opening.
[0065] The presence of the two security seals of the present invention, instead, obliges the infringer to reconstruct the entire package, i.e. to reproduce both the second storage element and the first storage element.
[0066] Such complete reconstruction of the package is definitely more complex and expensive than reconstructing only the second storage element, being therefore an excellent deterrent to any attempts at counterfeiting.
[0067] In addition, still according to the invention, the introduction of said auxiliary ink layer takes place in such a way that the strength of closing of the package is not jeopardized, i.e. in such a way as to ensure sufficient adhesion between the two connection surfaces.
[0068] In fact, it must be considered that the greater the size of the portion of the connection surfaces that is affected by the ink layer, the smaller the size of the portion dedicated to the adhesion of these connecting surfaces.
[0069] Accordingly, the greater the size of the portion of the connection surfaces affected by the ink layer, the smaller the force of adhesion between the two storage elements forming the package.
[0070] Therefore, the ink layer related to the second connection surface and the auxiliary ink layer related to the first connection surface (i.e. of the ink layer deposited on a portion of the first connection surface) are deposited on the respective supports in such a way that each ink layer is characterized by a minimum density of graphic elements, such as not to excessively reduce the adhesion between the two connection surfaces, but sufficient to correctly interpret the invalidation alerts.
[0071] Therefore, adding the auxiliary security seal still guarantees the integrity of the package during normal activities of storage and carrying of the items.
[0072] According to another aspect of the present invention, the two ink layers are deposited on the respective supports in such a way as not to interfere with each other.
[0073] In particular, the graphic elements associated with the invalidation alerts of said security seals are arranged in such a way that the graphic elements related to the two invalidation alerts do not interfere with each other.
[0074] Brief Description of Drawings
[0075] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
[0076] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the package according to the invention, shown in a closed and intact condition; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view from above of the second storage element of the package of Figure 1;
[0077] - Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the first storage element of the package of Figure 1;
[0078] - Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the second storage element of Figure 2 and of the first storage element of Figure 3 before these storage elements are joined to each other;
[0079] - Figure 5 shows the second storage element of Figure 2 after opening of the package;
[0080] - Figure 6 shows the first storage element of Figure 3 after opening of the package. Description of Embodiments
[0081] In the following description of a preferred embodiment of a package provided with security seals, reference will be made to a package for the storage and / or carrying smallsized valuable items, such as diamonds, small gold ingots or coins.
[0082] However, such application should not be interpreted in a limiting sense and the package according to the invention could be used to contain any type of medium-sized or large-sized items.
[0083] The package according to the present invention, shown in its closed and intact condition in Figure 1, is indicated as a whole with reference numeral 1.
[0084] In a manner known per se, said package 1 comprises a first storage element 3, made of a substantially rigid material, and a second storage element 5, also made of a substantially rigid material.
[0085] As visible in Figure 1, when said package 1 is closed, said first storage element 3 and said second storage element 5 are joined together in such a way that the first storage element 3 is superimposed on the second storage element 5.
[0086] In particular, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first storage element 3 and the second storage element 5 have small thickness and are sized in such a way that, when they are joined to each other, they constitute a package 1 whose shape and size are similar to those of a credit card.
[0087] It is evident that, in an alternative embodiment, depending on the item(s) to be received inside the package 1, the first storage element 3 and the second storage element 5 might take different shapes and sizes.
[0088] Still according to the illustrated embodiment, said first storage element 3 comprises a deep-drawn part 7, arranged to accommodate one or more valuable items (not shown in Figure 1).
[0089] At said deep-drawn part 7 the material constituting the first storage element 3 is transparent, thereby defining a first window 7a.
[0090] Said first window 7a makes it possible to view, identify and appreciate said one or more valuable items accommodated in the deep-drawn part 7.
[0091] Turning to the second storage element 5, illustrated in more detail in Figure 2, said element is flat and comprises a second window 5a, i.e. a portion of material that, like with the first storage element 3, is transparent.
[0092] When said package 1 is closed, the first window 7a and the second window 5a overlap in such a way that the second window 5a faces towards the deep-drawn part 7 of the first storage element 3.
[0093] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, said first storage element 3 might comprise several deep-drawn parts and several upper windows that could have shapes and sizes different from the shown ones, also because such elements might also perform other functions.
[0094] For example, the first storage element 3 might comprise a second deep-drawn part, at which a further window is defined, to accommodate and view the document containing the information concerning said one or more valuable items contained in the package 1.
[0095] The second storage element 5, instead, might comprise several lower windows or could have no lower windows at all.
[0096] Furthermore, the second storage element 5 might comprise one or more deepdrawn parts.
[0097] As visible in Figures 2 and 3, said first storage element 3 and said second storage element 5 further comprise a first connection surface 9 and a second connection surface 11, respectively.
[0098] After said one or more valuable objects have been introduced into the deep-drawn part 7, the second storage element 5 is joined to the first storage element 3 by adhering said second connection surface 11 to said first connection surface 9, thereby obtaining the closed package 1.
[0099] As is known, the adhesion between the first connection surface 9 and the second connection surface 11 can be obtained by means of several techniques such as, for example, by interposition of an adhesive material or by heat-sealing.
[0100] Therefore, when the package 1 is in its closed state, said first connection surface 9 and said second connection surface 11 are not visible. As clearly shown in Figure 4, the first storage element 3 further comprises a front surface 13, opposite to the first connection surface 9 and visible when viewing said first storage element 3 when the package 1 is in its closed state.
[0101] Similarly, the second storage element 5 comprises a rear surface 15, opposite to the second connection surface 11 and visible when viewing said second storage element 5 when the package 1 is in its closed state.
[0102] Said package 1 comprises, in a known manner, a security seal 17 with anti -tamper function, obtained by depositing an ink layer 17a, schematically shown in Figures 2 and 4, on an appropriate support corresponding to a portion 17b of the second connection portion 11, hereinafter defined as 'second portion'.
[0103] Subsequently, during closing of the package 1, the joining between the first connection surface 9 and the second connection surface 11 takes place in such a way that said ink layer 17a is interposed between said connection surfaces.
[0104] Said ink layer 17a is deposited on the second portion 17b in such a way that opening of the package 1, causing separation of the connection surfaces 9 and 11, leads to a tearing of said ink layer 17a.
[0105] As is known, such tearing causes a separation of said ink layer 17a (which, when the package is in its closed state, looks like a single uniform layer) into a first ink portion that remains adherent to the second portion 17b of the second connection surface, and a second ink portion that, becoming detached from said second portion 17b, remains adherent to the first connection surface 9.
[0106] The line of separation of said ink layer 17a into the two ink portions is suitably configured in such a way that said first ink portion is designed as a group of graphic elements such as to constitute an invalidation alert 17c.
[0107] In other words, the deposition of said ink layer 17a takes place in such a way that said tearing generates an immediate and indelible invalidation alert 17c, thereby making the attempt to open the package 1 evident.
[0108] In this regard, Figure 5 shows the second storage element 5 after the package 1 has been opened.
[0109] As both the types of ink (or of any material that is suitable for printing) and the techniques used for applying said ink are well known to the person skilled in the art, it is not deemed necessary to describe them in more detail.
[0110] As is known, due to the fact that said first ink portion, adherent to the second connection surface 11, is visible through the thickness of the second storage element 5 separating said second connection surface 11 from the rear surface 15, the corresponding invalidation alert 17c is visible on said rear portion 15, as clearly shown in Figure 5.
[0111] In particular, according to the illustrated embodiment, said invalidation alert 17c consists of a succession of letters forming the words ‘SEAL OPEN’.
[0112] Moreover, still according to the illustrated embodiment, said invalidation alert 17c is located near the edge of the second storage element 5.
[0113] According to the invention, said package 1 comprises an auxiliary security seal 19 with anti -tamper function, obtained by depositing an auxiliary ink layer 19a.
[0114] Unlike the ink layer 17a, said auxiliary ink layer 19a, schematically shown in Figures 3 and 4, is deposited on a support corresponding to a portion 19b of the first connection surface 9, hereinafter referred to as 'first portion'.
[0115] In this case, too, the auxiliary ink layer 19a is deposited in such a way as to be interposed, once closing of the package 1 is completed, between the first connection surface 9 and the second connection surface 11.
[0116] Upon opening the package 1, the separation of said connection surfaces 9 and 11 causes tearing of said auxiliary ink layer 19a.
[0117] Such tearing causes separation of said auxiliary ink layer 19a (which, when the package is in its closed state, looks like a single uniform layer) into a first auxiliary ink portion that remains adherent to the first portion 19b of the second connection surface, and a second auxiliary ink portion that, becoming detached from said first portion 19b, remains adherent to the second connection surface 11.
[0118] The line of separation of said auxiliary ink layer 19a into the two auxiliary ink portions is suitably configured in such a way that said first auxiliary ink portion is designed as a group of graphic elements such as to constitute an auxiliary invalidation alert 19c.
[0119] In this regard, Figure 6 shows the first storage element 3 after the package 1 has been opened.
[0120] As is visible in this Figure, due to the fact that said first auxiliary ink portion, adherent to the first connection surface 9, is visible through the thickness of the first storage element 3 separating said first connection surface 9 form the front surface 13, the corresponding auxiliary invalidation alert 19c is visible on said front surface 13.
[0121] According to the illustrated embodiment, this auxiliary invalidation alert 19c, too, consists of a succession of letters forming the words ‘SEAL OPEN’.
[0122] Moreover, still according to the illustrated embodiment, said auxiliary invalidation alert 19c is located near the edge of the first storage element 3.
[0123] Of course, both the invalidation alert 17c and the auxiliary invalidation alert 19c might consist of a succession of letters such as to form different words; furthermore, instead of or in addition to the letters, it would be possible to use any symbols or graphic elements such as to clearly indicate that the package has been opened.
[0124] Therefore, if, after the package 1 has been opened, one tried to close again said package, both the invalidation alert 17c, evident on the rear surface 15 of the second storage element 5, and the auxiliary invalidation alert 19c, evident on the front surface 13 of the first storage element 3, would be visible.
[0125] Indeed, the tearing of the ink layer 17a, which tearing determines the invalidation alert 17c, and the tearing of the auxiliary ink layer 19c, which tearing determines the auxiliary invalidation alert 19c, are such that they do not allow re-creating the planar continuity that said ink layers 17a and 19a had prior to opening, thereby making the two invalidation alerts 17a and 19a visible also when an attempt to close again the package 1 is made.
[0126] Accordingly, a possible counterfeiter - after opening the package 1 and taking said one or more items contained therein - in order to manage to imitate the intact package 1, in an attempt to conceal the theft, would be forced to re-create not only the second storage element 5, which has the invalidation alert 17c visible on the rear surface 15, but also the first storage element 3, because this element also has an auxiliary invalidation alert 19c visible on the front surface 13.
[0127] In summary, introducing an ink layer 17a deposited on a portion of the second connection surface 11 and of an auxiliary ink layer 19a deposited on a portion of the first connection surface 9 makes it impossible, after the package 1 has been opened, to re-use the original storage elements 3 and 5, because said storage elements, both having an invalidation alert, are unusable.
[0128] Therefore, the presence of the two security seals of the present invention obliges the infringer to reconstruct the entire packet in order to imitate the intact packet 1.
[0129] Advantageously, such complete reconstruction of the package 1 is definitely more complex and expensive than reconstructing only one of the two storage elements, being therefore an excellent deterrent to any attempts at counterfeiting.
[0130] Therefore, the package of the present invention ensures more security against theft attempts based on counterfeiting the package itself.
[0131] In the package 1 of the present invention, the introduction of the auxiliary safety seal 19 entails a number of designing interventions, especially as far the definition of the portions 17b and 19b and the connection surfaces 9 and 11 is concerned.
[0132] Such portions 17b and 19b, in fact, must meet certain characteristics suitable for the deposition of the ink layer 17a and the auxiliary ink layer 19a.
[0133] First of all, it should be considered that said security seals 17 and 19, consisting of an ink layer, are not deposited on the portions of the connection surfaces 9 and 11 located at the windows 7a and 5a, otherwise they would interfere with the transparency of said windows.
[0134] In addition, it should be considered that the packages can have one or more customizable regions, i.e. regions that can be modified according to the owner’s needs.
[0135] Therefore, the portions 17b and 19b on which said ink layers 17a and 19a are deposited are selected in such a way as to interfere as little as possible with said customizable regions.
[0136] Otherwise, once the package 1 has been opened, the graphic elements related to said customizable regions would tend to overlap the graphic elements of the invalidation alerts 17c and 19c.
[0137] Secondly, it should be taken into account that the principle on which said security seals 17 and 19 are based is that the ink layers 17a and 19a yield very easily to the traction applied perpendicularly to the portions 17b and 19b on which said ink layers are deposited, which traction occurs during separation of the two connection surfaces 9 and 11.
[0138] As can be easily guessed, the larger the second portion 17b of the second connection portion 11 affected by the ink layer 17a, the smaller the portion dedicated to the adhesion of such second connection surface 11 to the first connection surface 9, and thus the less the adhesion force between the two storage elements 3 and 5.
[0139] The same applies to the first portion 19b of the first connection surface 9; the larger the portion 19b of the first connection surface 9 affected by the ink layer 19a, the smaller the portion dedicated to the adhesion of such first connection surface 9 to the secondo connection surface 11.
[0140] Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention, the portions 17b and 19b are selected in such a way that, notwithstanding the addition of the auxiliary security seal 19, strong and sufficient closing of the package 1 is still ensured, especially for those valuable items (typically, ingots) with a certain weight (from 100 g on), which strongly stress the package 1 and create an inner force generated as a result of external shocks and stresses and similar to the force applied by a subject trying to open the package 1.
[0141] In particular, the ink layer 17a and the auxiliary ink layer 19a are configured in such a way that each of said ink layers is characterized by a minimum density of letters (and / or symbols and / or graphical elements) that will form, after the package 1 is opened, the invalidation alerts 17c and 19c, so as not to excessively reduce the adhesion between the two connection surfaces, but sufficient to allow correct interpretation of said invalidation alerts.
[0142] Said configuration of the ink layers 17a and 19a is such that the size of the corresponding portions 17b and 19b does not jeopardize the strength of closing of the package 1.
[0143] Therefore, adding the auxiliary security seal still guarantees the integrity of the package 1 during normal activities of storage and carrying of said one or more valuable items.
[0144] Finally, another aspect to consider is that the ink layer 17a and the auxiliary ink layer 19a are deposited on the respective portions 17b and 19b in such a way that they do not interfere with one another, i.e. in such a way that, upon closing the package 1, said ink layer 17a does not contact said auxiliary ink layer 19a.
[0145] In particular, comparing the invalidation alerts 17c and 19c shown in Figures 5 and 6, the letters (and / or symbols and / or graphic elements) forming said invalidation alerts are arranged in such a way that the letters relating to the auxiliary security seal 19 do not interfere with the letters relating to the security seal 17.
[0146] In summary, the security seals are inserted on the package 1 in such a way as to avoid the coexistence of said security seals 17 and 19 (in particular of said ink layers 17a and 19a) on a same region.
[0147] Nevertheless, compared to known embodiments in which only one security seal is present, the insertion of the auxiliary security seal 19 does not necessarily lead to an increase in the size of the package 1.
[0148] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, after the deposition of said ink layer 17a and said auxiliary ink layer 19a, a further technical layer is added that hides the presence of said ink layers so as to make the letters (and / or the symbols and / or the graphic elements) forming the invalidation alerts 17c and 19c practically invisible in daylight when the package 1 is in its closed state.
[0149] Finally, the package 1 of the present invention might comprise, besides the two security seals described, additional security seals, based on the deposition of an ink layer or on other principles.
[0150] It will be evident to the person skilled in the art that the embodiment described in detail above is in no way to be understood in a limiting sense, and that numerous variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0151] In particular, the package can be made in several different ways and have a structure other than the described one, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
CLAIMS1. Package (1), suitable for storing one or more items, of the type comprising a first storage element (3), made of a substantially rigid material and arranged to receive one or more items, and a second storage element (5), also made of a substantially rigid material and arranged to be joined to the first storage element (3) to obtain the closed package (1), wherein:- said first storage element (3) comprises a first connection surface (9) and a front surface (13), opposite to said first connection surface (9) and visible when viewing said first storage element (3) when said package (1) is in its closed state;-said second storage element (5) comprises a second connection surface (11) arranged to adhere to said first connection surface (9) when said second storage element (5) is joined to said first storage element (3), and a rear surface (15), opposite to said second connection surface (11) and visible when viewing said second storage element (5) when said package (1) is in its closed state; wherein said package (1) further comprises a security seal (17), configured as an ink layer (17a) deposited on a support corresponding to a second portion (17b) of said second connection portion (11) in such a way that opening of said package (1) causes tearing of said ink layer (17a) such as to generate an invalidation alert (17c) visible from said rear surface (15), said package (1) being characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary security seal (19), configured as an auxiliary ink layer (19a) deposited on a support corresponding to a first portion (19b) of said first connection surface (9) in such a way that opening of said package (1) causes tearing of said auxiliary ink layer (19a) such as to generate an auxiliary invalidation alert (19c) visible from said front surface (13).
2. Package (1) according to claim 1, wherein said second portion (17b) and said first portion (19b) are located on said second connection surface (11) and said first connection surface (9), respectively, in such a way that, when said package (1) is in the closed state, said ink layer (17a) does not contact said auxiliary ink layer (19a).
3. Package (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first storage element (3) comprises one or more windows (7a), understood as portions of said first storage element (3) at which the material forming said first storage element (3) is transparent, and wherein said first portion (19b) of said first connection surface (9) and said one or more windows (7a) are provided in different, i.e. non-overlapping, regions of said first storage element(3).
4. Package (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said second storage element (5) comprises one or more windows (5a), understood as portions of said second storage element (5) at which the material forming said second storage element (5) is transparent, and in which said second portion (17b) of said second connection surface (11) and said one or more windows (5a) are provided in different, i.e. non-overlapping, regions of said second storage element (5).
5. Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first storage element (3) comprises one or more customizable regions, understood as regions that can be modified according to the needs of the owner of said package (1), and wherein said first portion (19b) of said first connection surface (9) and said one or more customizable regions are provided in different, i.e. non-overlapping, regions of said first storage element (3).
6. Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second storage element (5) comprises one or more customizable regions, understood as regions that can be modified according to the needs of the owner of said package (1), and wherein said second portion (17b) of said second connection surface (11) and said one or more customizable regions are provided in different, i.e. in non-overlapping, regions of said second storage element (5).
7. Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said invalidation alert (17c) and said auxiliary invalidation alert (19c) comprise a succession of letters and / or symbols and / or graphic elements.
8. Package (1) according to claim 7, wherein the surface provided with the letters and / or symbols and / or graphic elements of said invalidation alert (17c) and of said auxiliary invalidation alert (19c) extends over a region such that the region of the surface free from said letters and / or symbols and / or graphic elements is sufficient to guarantee adhesion between said second connection surface (11) and said first connection surface (9).
9. Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said invalidation alert (17c) is located near the edge of said second storage element (5).
10. Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said auxiliary invalidation alert (19c) is located near the edge of said first storage element (3).
11. Package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ink layer (17a) and said auxiliary ink layer (19a) are covered with a further technical layer such as to make the corresponding invalidation alerts (17c, 19c) substantially invisible in daylight when the package (1) is in its closed state.