Tamper-evident packaging and inventory management system

Abstract

To provide a tamper-evident packaging and inventory management system that can easily and inexpensively detect tampering. [Solution] The tamper-evident packaging 1 comprises a packaging body 10 having an opening section 11, a radio wave shielding bag 20 attached to the opening section 11, and a radio wave transmitter 30 sealed in the radio wave shielding bag 20. When the opening section 11 is opened, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed, and radio waves from the radio wave transmitter 30 become able to be transmitted to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag 20.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to an unsealing detection package and an inventory management system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, containers having an unsealing detection function have been known (for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a container with a label having both an unsealing detection function and an RFID function. The label of Patent Document 1 can separate at least the antenna portion of the RFID function from the container when attached to the container.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when using the RFID function, it is necessary to hold the tag near a dedicated reader, and it is difficult to reliably obtain unsealing data at a remote location. Also, it may be difficult to prepare dedicated readers at a large number of unspecified locations. Furthermore, although it is possible to use communication technologies such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) and LTE (Long Term Evolution), there are also problems such as high costs for communication fees.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an unsealing detection package and an inventory management system that can detect unsealing at low cost and easily.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the following [1] to [7].

[0007] [1] Opening detection packaging, A packaging body having an opening, A radio wave shielding bag attached to the opening, The system comprises a radio wave transmitter sealed in the aforementioned radio wave shielding bag, An open-detection packaging in which, when the opening is opened, the radio wave shielding bag is destroyed, and radio waves from the radio wave transmitter can be transmitted to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag.

[0008] [2] The tamper-evident packaging according to [1], wherein a holding portion for holding the radio wave transmitter is formed inside the radio wave shielding bag.

[0009] [3] The aforementioned radio wave shielding bag is an tamper-evident packaging body according to [1] or [2], comprising metal foil.

[0010] [4] The tamper-evident packaging body according to [3], wherein the radio wave shielding bag includes an adhesive layer laminated on the metal foil.

[0011] [5] The tamper-evident packaging according to [4], wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

[0012] [6] The packaging body further comprises a body portion connected to the opening portion, and a flap portion connected to the body portion and folded between the body portion and the opening portion. The aforementioned radio wave shielding bag is further attached to the flap portion, When the opening portion is opened, the radio wave shielding bag is held in the opening portion, as described in any one of [1] to [5].

[0013] [7] [1] to [6] a tamper-evident packaging, When radio waves are transmitted from the radio wave transmitter to the outside, a server that receives a signal indicating that the opening has been opened via a communication device that receives the radio waves, and a terminal capable of communicating with the server, a stock management system.

Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, the opening of the container can be detected at low cost and easily.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an opening detection package according to the present embodiment, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening detection package is opened. [[ID=I9]] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an opening detection package according to the present embodiment, and is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening detection package is unopened. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2) showing an opening detection package according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a radio wave shielding bag according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (enlarged view of part V in FIG. 4) showing a radio wave shielding bag according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a radio wave shielding bag according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a stock management system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a method of using an opening detection package according to the present embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 8 are diagrams illustrating one embodiment. The following figures are schematic representations. Therefore, the size and shape of each part are exaggerated as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Furthermore, it can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical concept. In the following figures, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and some detailed explanations may be omitted. In addition, the numerical values ​​such as dimensions and material names of each component described in this specification are examples of embodiments and are not limited to them; they can be selected and used as appropriate. In this specification, terms that specify shapes and geometric conditions, such as parallel, orthogonal, and perpendicular, will be interpreted to include not only their strict meaning but also substantially the same state.

[0017] <Tamper-evident packaging> First, an overview of the tamper-evident packaging 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The tamper-evident packaging 1 according to this embodiment is a packaging used, for example, in a pharmacy. This tamper-evident packaging 1 contains medicine, and when the tamper-evident packaging 1 is opened, it is possible to record that the tamper-evident packaging 1 has been opened.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tamper-evident packaging 1 comprises a packaging body 10 having an opening section 11, a radio wave shielding bag 20 attached to the opening section 11, and a radio wave transmitter 30 sealed in the radio wave shielding bag 20. When the opening section 11 is opened, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed, allowing radio waves from the radio wave transmitter 30 to be transmitted to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag 20. Here, we will first describe the packaging body 10.

[0019] (The main body of the packaging) As described above, the packaging body 10 has an opening section 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging body 10 may also have a body section 12 connected to the opening section 11, a flap section 13 connected to the body section 12 and folded between the body section 12 and the opening section 11, and a bottom section 14 connected to the body section 12.

[0020] The opening section 11 is connected to the side surface 12a of the body section 12, which will be described later. The opening section 11 is configured to be foldable relative to the side surface 12a of the body section 12, which will be described later. In a plan view, the opening section 11 has a shape that corresponds to the planar shape of the body section 12. In this embodiment, the opening section 11 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate. As described above, a radio wave shielding bag 20 is attached to the opening section 11, and when the opening section 11 is opened, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is held in place by the opening section 11. In addition, a locking section 15 is connected to the opening section 11, which is inserted into the body section 12 when the opening section 11 is folded.

[0021] The body portion 12 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape. This body portion 12 includes four sides 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d. In this embodiment, sides 12a and 12c face each other, and sides 12b and 12d face each other.

[0022] As described above, an opening section 11 is connected to side 12a. In addition, flap sections 13 are connected to side 12b and side 12d, respectively.

[0023] Each flap portion 13 is configured to be foldable relative to the sides 12b and 12d, respectively. These flap portions 13 are formed in a rectangular plate shape. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is further attached to the flap portions 13.

[0024] The bottom portion 14 is connected to the body portion 12. The bottom portion 14 is configured to be foldable relative to the body portion 12. The bottom portion 14 may also be connected to, for example, the side surface 12a of the body portion 12. In a plan view, the bottom portion 14 has a shape that corresponds to the planar shape of the body portion 12. In this embodiment, the bottom portion 14 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, in such a packaging body 10, the packaging body 10 is closed by folding the flap portion 13 inward and then folding the opening portion 11 inward. The packaging body 10 may be, for example, a paper container or a resin container.

[0026] (Radio wave shielding bag) The radio wave shielding bag 20 is a bag that shields radio waves emitted by the radio wave transmitter 30. As described above, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is attached to the opening portion 11 and the flap portion 13 of the packaging body 10. In this case, the radio wave shielding bag 20 may be attached to the opening portion 11 and the flap portion 13 by, for example, an adhesive. The adhesive strength between the radio wave shielding bag 20 and the opening portion 11, and the adhesive strength between the radio wave shielding bag 20 and the flap portion 13 are each higher than the breaking strength of the radio wave shielding bag 20. This ensures that the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed when the opening portion 11 is opened.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, a retaining portion 25 for holding the radio wave transmitter 30 may be formed inside the radio wave shielding bag 20. This ensures that the radio wave transmitter 30 is retained inside the radio wave shielding bag 20 even after the bag is destroyed. Therefore, the loss of the radio wave transmitter 30 after the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed can be prevented. This retaining portion 25 may be made of, for example, tape or adhesive.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the radio wave shielding bag 20 may contain metal foil 21. The metal foil 21 may be aluminum foil or copper foil. In this case, the radio wave shielding bag 20 may be sealed by overlapping two pieces of metal foil 21a and 21b and folding the edges. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, it is preferable that the folded edges are folded two or more times. This suppresses the leakage of radio waves emitted by the radio wave transmitter 30 from the edges to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag 20. The radio wave shielding bag 20 may also be sealed by folding a single piece of metal foil 21 and further folding the edges where the metal foils 21 overlap.

[0029] The thickness of the metal foil 21 may be between 5 μm and 50 μm, and for example, it may be 11 μm. A thickness of 5 μm or more for the metal foil 21 effectively shields the radio waves emitted from the radio wave transmitter 30. Furthermore, a thickness of 50 μm or less for the metal foil 21 allows the radio wave shielding bag 20 to be easily destroyed when opening the opening portion 11.

[0030] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the radio wave shielding bag 20 may include an adhesive layer 22 laminated on the metal foil 21. In this case, the radio wave shielding bag 20 may be sealed by overlapping the adhesive layers 22 and joining them together by heat sealing or the like.

[0031] The thickness of the adhesive layer 22 may be between 1 μm and 20 μm, and for example, it may be 4 μm. A thickness of 1 μm or more for the adhesive layer 22 can increase the adhesive strength of the joints between the adhesive layers 22. Furthermore, a thickness of 20 μm or less for the adhesive layer 22 can suppress the leakage of radio waves emitted by the radio wave transmitter 30 from the joints between the adhesive layers 22 to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag 20. Note that if the thickness of the adhesive layer 22 is 4 μm, the thickness at the joints between the adhesive layers 22 may become approximately 6 μm due to the compression of the adhesive layers 22.

[0032] (Radio wave transmitter) The radio wave transmitter 30 is a tag capable of transmitting predetermined information. In this embodiment, the radio wave transmitter 30 is configured to transmit information about the contents (e.g., medicine) contained in the packaging body 10. The tag may utilize, for example, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) communication. The radio wave transmitter 30 may be a smart tag such as Air tag® or Tile (product name).

[0033] <Inventory Management System> Next, the inventory management system 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7, the inventory management system 50 comprises the open-detection packaging 1 according to this embodiment, a server 52 that receives a signal indicating that the opening section 11 has been opened, and a terminal 53 that can communicate with the server 52.

[0034] (server) When radio waves are transmitted externally from the radio wave transmitter 30, the server 52 receives a signal via the radio wave receiving communication device 51 indicating that the opening section 11 has been opened. The communication device 51 is, for example, a smartphone with a dedicated application installed. The smartphone may be the user's own smartphone, or it may be someone else's smartphone with an application used for the inventory management system installed.

[0035] The signals acquired by these communication devices 51 are transmitted to the server 52. The server 52 is configured to store, in correspondence, information about the contents contained in the packaging body 10 and information about when the opening section 11 has been opened. The server 52 may be located in the cloud. A terminal 53 is connected to such a server 52. The contents information and opening information received by the server 52 are then transmitted to the terminal 53.

[0036] (terminal) Terminal 53 may be, for example, a terminal used by a product manufacturer. In this case, terminal 53 may be a smartphone, a notebook computer, or a desktop computer. Although not shown in the diagram, the server 52 may also be connected to terminals used by medical professionals such as doctors, or terminals used by wholesalers handling the products.

[0037] <How to use tamper-evident packaging> Next, we will describe how to use the tamper-evident packaging 1 according to this embodiment.

[0038] First, prepare the tamper-evident packaging 1 shown in Figure 2. This tamper-evident packaging 1 is unopened, and the packaging body 10 contains, for example, medicine. The packaging body 10 also has a radio wave shielding bag 20 attached to it, which seals a radio wave transmitter 30. The radio wave shielding bag 20 is attached to the opening portion 11 and the flap portion 13 of the packaging body 10.

[0039] Next, at a pharmacy or similar facility, a user (e.g., a pharmacist) opens the tamper-evident packaging 1 through the opening section 11. At this time, as described above, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is attached to the opening section 11 and the flap section 13 of the packaging body 10. Therefore, when the user rotates the opening section 11 relative to the side surface 12a of the body 12, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is pulled by the opening section 11 and the flap section 13. This causes a portion of the radio wave shielding bag 20 to break. Subsequently, when the user rotates the opening section 11 further relative to the side surface 12a of the body 12, a portion of the radio wave shielding bag 20 and the radio wave transmitter 30 are detached from the flap section 13. Then, as shown in Figure 8, the portion of the radio wave shielding bag 20 and the radio wave transmitter 30 are held in place by the opening section 11. Furthermore, radio waves from the radio wave transmitter 30 are emitted from the broken portion of the radio wave shielding bag 20 to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag 20.

[0040] Next, the radio waves emitted outside the radio wave shielding bag 20 are received by the communication device 51. Then, a signal indicating that the opening section 11 has been opened is transmitted to the server 52 via the communication device 51.

[0041] Upon receiving the signal, server 52 stores the contents information contained in the packaging body 10 and the opening information indicating that the opening section 11 has been opened, in correspondence. The contents information and opening information received by server 52 are then transmitted to terminal 53.

[0042] Then, the product manufacturer using terminal 53 manages the drug inventory based on the contents information and opening information received by terminal 53.

[0043] Furthermore, the radio wave transmitter 30 may be reused after the tamper-evident packaging 1 has been opened by being collected. This reduces the manufacturing cost of the tamper-evident packaging 1.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the tamper-evident packaging 1 comprises a packaging body 10 having an opening section 11, a radio wave shielding bag 20 attached to the opening section 11, and a radio wave transmitter 30 sealed in the radio wave shielding bag 20. When the opening section 11 is opened, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed, and radio waves from the radio wave transmitter 30 can be transmitted to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag 20. This makes it easy to detect that the tamper-evident packaging 1 has been opened.

[0045] Furthermore, because the tamper-evident packaging 1 can be detected in real time when it has been opened, product manufacturers located remotely can easily manage inventory and production. In this case, it is also possible to easily determine the number of expired products. This reduces the risk of manufacturing excess expensive medicines.

[0046] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, there is no need for a dedicated reader or communication fees when managing inventory. There is also no need to develop a dedicated module for tamper detection. Moreover, since the user (pharmacist) does not need to hold the tag over a dedicated reader, the user's workload is not increased. Thus, according to this embodiment, tamper detection of the tamper-detectable packaging 1 can be performed easily and at low cost.

[0047] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a holding portion 25 for holding the radio wave transmitter 30 is formed inside the radio wave shielding bag 20. As a result, even after the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed, the radio wave transmitter 30 is held inside the radio wave shielding bag 20. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the loss of the radio wave transmitter 30 after the radio wave shielding bag 20 is destroyed.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the radio wave shielding bag 20 includes metal foil 21. This allows the radio wave shielding bag 20 to be manufactured at a low cost.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the radio wave shielding bag 20 includes an adhesive layer 22 laminated on the metal foil 21. In this case as well, the radio wave shielding bag 20 can be manufactured at low cost.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the packaging body 10 further includes a body portion 12 connected to the opening portion 11, and a flap portion 13 connected to the body portion 12 and folded between the body portion 12 and the opening portion 11. In addition, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is further attached to the flap portion 13. When the opening portion 11 is opened, the radio wave shielding bag 20 is held in place by the opening portion 11. In this case, it is possible to prevent the loss of the radio wave transmitter 30 after the radio wave shielding bag 20 has been destroyed.

[0051] The multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments and variations can be combined as needed. Alternatively, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the above embodiments and variations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1. Tamper-evident packaging 10 Packaging body 11 Opening section 12 Torso 13 Flap section 20 Radio wave shielding bag 21 Metal foil 22 Adhesive layer 25 Holding part 30 Radio wave transmitters 50 Inventory Management System 51 Communication equipment 52 servers 53 terminals

Claims

1. Opening detection packaging, A packaging body having an opening, A radio wave shielding bag attached to the opening, The system comprises a radio wave transmitter sealed in the aforementioned radio wave shielding bag, An open-detection packaging in which, when the opening is opened, the radio wave shielding bag is destroyed, and radio waves from the radio wave transmitter can be transmitted to the outside of the radio wave shielding bag.

2. The tamper-evident packaging according to claim 1, wherein a holding portion for holding the radio wave transmitter is formed inside the radio wave shielding bag.

3. The tamper-evident packaging according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave shielding bag includes metal foil.

4. The tamper-evident packaging according to claim 3, wherein the radio wave shielding bag includes an adhesive layer laminated on the metal foil.

5. The tamper-evident packaging according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer is 1 μm or more and 20 μm or less.

6. The packaging body further comprises a body portion connected to the opening portion, and a flap portion connected to the body portion and folded between the body portion and the opening portion. The aforementioned radio wave shielding bag is further attached to the flap portion, The opening detection packaging according to claim 1, wherein when the opening is opened, the radio wave shielding bag is held in the opening.

7. An open-tampering packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 6, When the radio wave transmitter emits radio waves to the outside, a server receives a signal via a communication device that receives the radio waves indicating that the opening part has been opened. An inventory management system comprising a terminal capable of communicating with the aforementioned server.

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