Device for preventing tampering

Abstract

A device (1) for indicating tampering of a container (10) housing a consumable product. The container comprises an opening for removing the consumable product therefrom, and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container. The device (1) comprises: a wirelessly readable chip (4) configured to exchange data to a reader device and a circuit (5) electrically connected to the wirelessly readable chip. The device (1) is configured to be attached to the container (10) such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit. Disturbing the circuit (5) causes the circuit (5) to deform or break. When reading data from the wirelessly readable chip 4 with a reader device, if the circuit (5) has been deformed or broken, the data exchanged to the reader device is altered as compared to a scenario if the circuit (5) had not been deformed or broken.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR PREVENTING TAMPERING

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to devices for preventing tampering, in particular to devices for preventing tampering of containers, such as wine and spirit bottles.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] The global wine and spirits market is estimated to have a value of 638 billion USD as of 2023 and is estimated to reach 825 billion USD. However, it experiences significant financial losses (estimated to be approximately 3 billion USD per year as of 2023) resulting from fraudulent practices, namely counterfeiting. Such counterfeiting typically involves manipulation (e.g. by replacement or dilution) of either the wine or spirit within a bottle, or manipulation of the bottle itself (e.g. replacing or editing the label / trade dress) such that one product can be sold as an imitation of another having a higher market value.

[0006] Not only are there financial losses associated with such practices, primarily borne by consumers and wine / spirit makers, but there are health and safety risks associated with such practices as bottles may be refilled with harmful substances or at least substances having a different allergen profile to that which would be assumed to be contained in the bottle based on its label and / or trade dress.

[0007] Producers of wine and spirits have previously attempted to engrave bottles to verify provenance and prevent counterfeiting / tampering using a serial number or verification number. Such engravings have limited usefulness however, in that they can only verify that the bottle itself is genuine and cannot be used to verify the contents of the bottle are genuine. Equally, the engraving itself may be imitated thereby adding to the means that can be relied on for counterfeiting.

[0008] Problems associated with counterfeiting and product tampering are not solely associated with the wine and spirit market. Similar problems afflict other product markets too, such as perfumes, oils, soaps, vinegars, beers, spices, salts, preserves, candles, coffees, oil, agro-chemicals, minerals, and more generally consumable products.

[0009] It is therefore desired to reduce and prevent counterfeiting practices given the financial losses suffered therefrom.

[0010] SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for indicating tampering of a container housing a product, optionally a consumable product, the container comprising an opening for removing the product therefrom and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container, the device comprising: a wirelessly readable chip configured to exchange data to a reader device; and a circuit electrically connected to the wirelessly readable chip; wherein the device is configured to be attached to the container such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening and thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit; wherein disturbing the circuit causes the circuit to deform or break; and wherein, when reading data from the wirelessly readable chip with a reader device, the data exchanged to the reader device is altered if the circuit has been deformed or broken. In this context, 'altered' means that the data exchanged is altered as compared to a scenario if the circuit had not been deformed or broken. For example, different data (i.e. first data and second data) may be exchanged. Alternatively, no data may be exchanged if the circuit has been deformed or broken whereas if the circuit had not been deformed or broken data may have been transmitted.

[0012] As implied above, the first data may comprise data indicating that the container has not been tampered with. The second data may comprise tamper event data, i.e. data indicating that a tamper event has occurred. A tamper event may be assumed because the circuit has been deformed or broken, thus giving rise to the second data. The first and / or second data may comprise identification data, e.g. an ID number, that is unique to / identifies the device and thereby the container to which the device is to be attached.

[0013] The identification data, e.g. an ID number, may be separate from / provided in addition to the first data and / or second data upon reading data from the chip.

[0014] For example, in a non-tampered or default state (i.e. when the circuit is not deformed or broken) the chip may return, once read by a reader device, first data in the form of a default state response indicative of the circuit having not been tampered with. Deformation or breakage of the circuit may result in the chip providing different state data (i.e. second data) in response to a read event compared to the default state data. The change in data provided upon a read operation may result from, for example, different electrical current generated by the circuit responsive to the electromagnetic waves produced by the reader.

[0015] The second data / tamper event data may further comprise time, date, and / or location data. The time, date and / or location data may be data of when and where the tamper event took place. Alternatively, the time, date and / or location data maybe data of when and / or where said data was last updated prior to a tamper event (e.g. updated as part of a previous read operation by a reader).

[0016] The time, data, and / or location data may be separate from the second data.

[0017] The chip may be a passive chip (i.e. a chip powered by an external power source (e.g. a reader device) / which does not comprise an internal power storage).

[0018] Upon reading identification data from the chip with a reader device, data associated with the device / container may be retrieved based on the identification data associated with the chip. For example, data associated with the device / container may be retrieved from a (remote) server, a database and / or a distributed ledger (e.g. blockchain). This may be achieved because the identification data (e.g. identification number) may be associated with or linked to one or more URL addresses containing data relating to the device / container.

[0019] The data associated with the device / container may comprise information about the consumable product housed within the container, for example information on provenance and / or production details of the consumable product. The data associated with the device / container may comprise: date of manufacture / production of the product housed within the container, manufacturer / producer details, product composition, product geographical origin details, ownership information, allergen information, ingredient information, necessary regulatory information associated with the product, etc. The data associated with the device / container may comprise time, date and / or location data, e.g. time, date and / or location data of the most recent and / or any previous read events associated with the device. The data associated with the device / container may comprise data indicating that a tamper event associated with the device / container has previously been recorded / occurred.

[0020] The chip may update data stored (e.g. location data, time data, date data) thereon everytime the chip is read when the circuit has not been deformed / broken. Alternatively or in addition, data associated with the device / container to which the device is to be attached that is stored on a server, on a database, and / or on a distributed ledger (e.g. blockchain) may be updated every time the chip is read when the circuit has not been deformed / broken (i.e. upon reading first, unaltered data). For example, data relating to time, date, and / or location data of the most recent read event may be updated.

[0021] Deformation / breakage of the circuit may mean it is no longer possible to update the data stored on the passive chip at the next read event. Additionally and / or alternatively, upon reading second data with a reader device, data associated with the device / container that is stored on a (remote) server, a database and / or a distributed ledger (e.g. blockchain) may be updated to indicate that a tamper event has occurred. The data associated with the device / container may then be made immutable (i.e. frozen) following an update to indicate a tamper event has occurred. Accordingly, the data stored on the (remote) server, the database and / orthe distributed ledger associated with the device / container is marked as having been associated with a tamper event and then is otherwise frozen to prevent further changes to said data.

[0022] Accordingly, at the next read event after deformation / breakage of the circuit, the data associated with the device / container stored on the (remote) server, the database and / or the distributed ledger may comprise the data as last updated at the most recent prior read event along with an indication that a tamper event has occurred.

[0023] The device may be configured such that when the circuit is deformed or broken, the chip stores the second data thereon at the point of deformation / breakage. The chip may hence be a semipassive chip. The semi-passive chip may include an internal temporary power storage (e.g. a micro capacitor) that is configured to power the chip only when the circuit is deformed or broken (e.g. because the deformation / breakage of the circuit alters resistance, thereby allowing a discharge of the capacitor). When powered, the chip may store the second data thereon. The semi-passive chip may comprise any necessary clock and / or location device (e.g. GPS device) where the second data to be stored comprises time, date and / or location data. Where the circuit is not deformed or broken, the power storage is configured such that it will not provide power to the chip. In this configuration acts as a passive chip, as described above.

[0024] The device may be configured to be attached to the container such that, once attached, detachment of the device from the container disturbs the circuit.

[0025] The device may be configured to be attached directly to the container and the closure. That is to say, and with reference to, e.g., a container in the form of a glass wine bottle, the device may be configured to be attached directly to the glass of the wine bottle and directly to the closure (e.g. cork). Accordingly, any additional label and / or trade dress on the wine bottle, the bottle capsule, and any other elements which may also be attached to the bottle are attached over the device and are not provided between the device and the bottle. Whilst the concept of direct attachment has been exemplified here in the specific context of a glass wine bottle, it will be understood by the skilled person how this concept extends to other forms of containers and that direct attachment simply requires for the device to attached directly to the material of the container / closure itself. Direct attachment does not permit for items to be interleaved / disposed between the device and the material of the container, such as trade dress, labels, etc.

[0026] The container may be a bottle. The circuit may be configured to be attached over the sealed opening and closure, and along two opposed sides of the bottle neck. The wirelessly readable chip may be configured to be attached to the bottle shoulder or the bottle body below the shoulder. An entirety or a majority of the (surface) area of the device that comes into contact with the container when it is attached thereto may be affixed / adhered to the bottle. This makes tampering more challenging without disturbing the circuit / device.

[0027] The device may comprise a substrate, the substrate having the wirelessly readable chip and circuit provided thereon or embedded therein. The substrate may be an adhesive substrate that is configured to adhere the device to the container.

[0028] The substrate, optionally the adhesive substrate, may comprise the entirety or the majority of the (surface) area of the device that comes into contact with the container when it is attached thereto. Accordingly, the entirety or the majority of the (surface) area of the device that comes into contact with the container when it is attached thereto may be adhesive (and thus may be adhered to the container).

[0029] Additionally or alternatively, the substrate may comprise one or more notches or perforations at an outer periphery thereof such that the substrate can readily conform to the shape of the container to which it is configured to be attached.

[0030] The substrate, or indeed any part of the device (whether the substrate is present or not) may be configured to deform, tear, rip, become damaged and / or visually indicate when an attempt to remove the device from the container (after it has been attached thereto) occurs. This may be achieved by the substrate / device being formed from a material that is fragile, frangible or otherwise susceptible to damage / tearing. For example, the substrate / device may be formed from paper or card. This configuration of the substrate has a particular synergy with the substrate comprising the entirety or the majority of the (surface) area of the device that comes into contact with the container when it is attached thereto and with said entirety or said majority of the (surface) area of the device being affixed / adhered to the container.

[0031] Any tear, rip, deformation, damage of the substrate / device may result in the deformation or breakage of the circuit.

[0032] The tear, rip, or other visual indication may originate from one of the notches or perforations, where present.

[0033] The circuit, or indeed the entire device, may be configured to tear, rip, become damaged or otherwise visually indicate when an attempt to remove the device from the container (after it has been attached thereto) occurs. The circuit, or indeed the entire device, may be made from a fragile or frangible material, or a material that is otherwise susceptible to deformation and / or damage anywhere along the circuit / on the device. If tampered with, the circuit / device would thus deform irrespective of tampering location on the circuit / device.

[0034] The substrate may form at least a part of the trade dress of the bottle, e.g. the at least a part of the label of the wine bottle.

[0035] The wirelessly readable chip may be a near field contact (NFC) chip, for example an NTAG 424 chip and / or an NFC chip configured to operate at 13.56 MHz. The chip may alternatively be a radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip. The reader device may be an NFC reader device or an RFID reader device, respectively.

[0036] The wirelessly readable chip may have (orbe configured to have) further data stored thereon. This further data may optionally provide information about the consumable product, for example information on provenance and / or production details of the consumable product. Further examples include one or more of: date of manufacture / production, manufacturer / producer details, product composition, product geographical origin details, ownership information, allergen information, ingredient information, necessary regulatory information associated with the product etc.

[0037] The information stored on the chip may be encrypted. Any data exchanged between the device and a reader may be encrypted.

[0038] The circuit may be configured to act as an antenna to convert electromagnetic waves from the reader device during a read operation into an electric current for powering the chip. Alternatively, in addition to the circuit, an antenna may be provided (e.g. a second circuit) configured to convert electromagnetic waves from the reader device during a read operation into an electric current for powering the chip. The (additional) antenna may be arranged such that the antenna remains intact even if the circuit is broken or deformed and hence power may still be provided to the chip during a read operation even if the circuit can no longer provide a signal to the chip.

[0039] The portion of the circuit configured to extend over the closure sealing the opening may have a zig-zag, snaking, or labyrinth shape. This ensures that the portion of the circuit covers a large surface area of the enclosures thus making undetected tampering events even more challenging.

[0040] The chip may be configured to remain on the container and may be configured to remain functional after the circuit is tampered with and / or the container has been legitimately opened and its contents removed. In this manner, the chip may still be read after the container has been opened or tampered with.

[0041] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a combination comprising: a container housing a consumable product, the container comprising an opening for removing the consumable product therefrom and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container; and a device in accordance with the first aspect, optionally in accordance with any optional form thereof, the device being attached to the container such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit.

[0042] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching the device of the first aspect, optionally the device being in accordance with any optional form of the first aspect of the invention, to a container, the container housing a consumable product and comprising an opening for removing the consumable product therefrom and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container, the method comprising attaching the circuit to the container such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit.

[0043] In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising: the combination of the second aspect of the invention, optionally in accordance with any optional form thereof; a reader device configured to read data from the wirelessly readable chip; and a server, a database and / or on a distributed ledger (e.g. blockchain) storing data associated with the device / container, wherein the reader device is configured to communicate with the server, database and / or distributed ledger responsive to reading data from the wirelessly readable chip so as to update and / or retrieve data associated with the device / container.

[0044] A method of operating the system of the fourth aspect of the invention is also provided.

[0045] The system of the fourth aspect of the invention (and its corresponding method) may correspond or otherwise be in accordance with any of the features and / or functionality discussed above in connection with the preceding aspects of the invention.

[0046] Optionally, the container in any of the preceding aspects may be a wine or spirit bottle comprising a wine or spirit, respectively.

[0047] Optionally, the container in any of the preceding aspects is a jar, can, tin, tub, keg, drum, bag, sack, tote, etc.

[0048] Optionally, the closure in any of the preceding aspects is a cork, plug, cap (for example a screwcap), lid, plug, liner or bung.

[0049] Optionally, the chip and / or (at least a portion of) the circuit is embedded in a label / trade dress of the container. The substrate may form or be part of the label / trade dress.

[0050] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0051] Certain preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 shows a front view of a first device;

[0053] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the first device in a configuration as it would be applied to a bottle;

[0054] Figure 3 shows a front view of a second device;

[0055] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the second device in a configuration as it would be applied to a bottle;

[0056] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the first device applied to a bottle;

[0057] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the device applied to a bottle;

[0058] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the device applied to a bottle; and

[0059] Figure 8 shows a front view of the first device applied to a bottle.

[0060] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 for preventing tampering of wine bottles.

[0062] The device 1 comprises a substrate, optionally formed from next generation paper, having a first part 2 and a second part 3. The second part 3 is an elongate tail, extending from the first part 2. The first part 2 is configured to house or have provided thereon a wirelessly readable chip (not shown), and more specifically an NFC chip. In the embodiment shown, the first part 2 is circular although it is envisaged the first part may have any other shape, for example it may be square or triangular.

[0063] The second part 3 is configured to house or have provided thereon a circuit (not shown) that is electrically connected to the chip, for example using an anisotropic glue (e.g. conductive epoxy). The glue is cured using temperature and pressure, which hardens the glue and makes it conductive. The circuit, as electrically connected to the chip, acts as an antenna for the chip such that it converts electromagnetic waves (typically of a specific frequency range that is selected in accordance with the requirements of the connected chip) into an electric current to power operation of the chip.

[0064] A first side 6 (see Fig. 2) of the substrate is adhesive allowing it to be attached to a bottle. The device may have an adhesive applied directly to the first side 6 which then may be applied to the surface of the bottle. The adhesive may, for example, be a water-based adhesive. Alternatively, a sticker or similar may be applied to the first side 6 which may then be applied to the surface of the bottle. For example, a double-sided sticker may be used whereby a first side of the double sided sticker is attached to the first side 6 and then, when the device 1 is ready to be applied to the bottle, a cover covering the second side of the double-sided sticker may be removed and the device 1 may therefore be applied to the bottle.

[0065] A second side 7 of the substrate may be printed to match the labelling / trade dress of the bottle it is to be applied or may otherwise be the trade dress of the bottle.

[0066] In an alternative, modified version of the device depicted in Figures 1 and 2, and as seen in Figures 3 and 4, the first part 2 and the second part 3 may have notches 8 at intermittent intervals around the edge of the first and second parts 2,3. The notches 8 act to increase the likelihood of the first and second parts 2,3 tearing if a force is applied to either of the first and second parts 2,3. This may be advantageous in visually highlighting an attempt to tamper with the device 1 . The notches are also advantageous in allowing the device 1 to effectively adhere and conform to the curvature of the bottle and the bottle neck. In combination with the elongate tail, the notches 8 allow the device 1 to effectively adhere to the curvature of the bottle.

[0067] Figure 5 shows the first part 2 attached to a body 11 of a wine bottle 10. The second part 3 is attached along a side of the main body 11 of the wine bottle, over a shoulder of the bottle 10, along a neck 12 of the bottle, over the top opening 13 of the bottle (bottle 'mouth') and affixes to a second side of the neck of the bottle 10. The wine bottle opening 13 is sealed by any conventional means / closure, e.g. a bottle cap or a cork or stopper means. As well as attaching to the bottle, the second part 3 attaches to the sealing means (i.e. closure). Ensuring that the second part 3 passes directly over the wine bottle mouth 13 (and the stopper means) ensures that the bottle cannot be opened without the circuit provided within / on the second part being disturbed. Any such disturbance would deform or damage the circuit.

[0068] If the bottle 10 is opened after the device 1 is applied, the circuit in the second part 3 of the device 1 is deformed or broken. This deformation or breakage results in the chip, once read by an NFC reader, providing a different response (e.g. exchanging different data) than a response that would be received had the circuit not been deformed or broken. This different response results from the different (or absence of) electrical current generated by the circuit responsive to the electromagnetic waves produced by the NFC reader given the deformed or broken state of the circuit. The different response may result in the NFC reader indicating a 'tampered' state of the bottle, e.g. because the reader is configured to default to such an indication when no response is received (i.e. because no power can be provided to the chip to exchange data because the antenna has been broken) or because the different response provides the NFC reader (directly or indirectly) with a URL which, once visited, indicates that the bottle has been tampered with.

[0069] Similarly, if an attempt at removing the device 1 from the bottle 10 is made after the device 1 has been attached, the circuit in the second part 3 of the device 1 becomes deformed or broken. Accordingly, a similarly different response would be provided were the chip to be read after such detachment of the device 1 from the bottle 10.

[0070] The different response provided after disturbance of the circuit provides an indication of possible tampering of the bottle.

[0071] In addition to the functionality and data described above, the chip may store information about the wine and the bottle. For example, the information may relate to information provided by the producer e.g., contents of the bottle, provenance of the wine, year of manufacture, tasting notes, dietary information, producer details, agro-chemical use, etc. Other information not listed may also be stored. The information on the chip may be encrypted using a blockchain solution, or another solution for example. As above, the information stored on the chip may be read using a reading device. For example, the information may be read by bringing a device enabled with NFC technology i.e., a mobile phone, a scanner, a tablet, into a location next to the chip. In this way, all the information stored on the chip will be accessible to a user. For example, if the bottle has been tampered with, this information will be accessible to a user. Although the device has been described with respect to a wine bottle, it is envisaged that the device may be applied to other containers the contents of which a manufacturer / producer may be interested in verifying the provenance of. For example, bottles i.e., spirits., liquors, or other jars / containers used, for example, for food products. The containers may be made of any material, for example, metal or plastic.

[0072] The device 1 may be placed on a bottle as soon as the bottle has been filled and the cork / cap / sealing means has been applied. The wine bottle labels may then by applied over the top of the device 1 (see Figure 7). Advantageously, the device 1 does not need to interact with any additional components (other than the bottle and sealing means / closure) to operate. This provides the manufacturer with the ability to apply the device 1 directly after filling and sealing the bottles and allows the manufacturer to verify the provenance of the wine directly. Alternatively, the device 1 may be applied to a bottle which has already had the wine bottle labels applied to it (Figure 6). The device (also known as a tag) is easy to apply to a bottle and does not require modification to the bottle or sealing means itself. This is clearly advantageous for a producer / manufacturer, meaning that standard bottles and sealing means can still be used.

[0073] Figure 8 shows the device 1 as attached to a bottle 10. In contrast to the prior figures, the chip 4 in the first part of the device 1 and the circuit 5 in the second part 3 of the device 1 are visible in this figure.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A device (1) for indicating tampering of a container housing a consumable product, the container comprising an opening for removing the consumable product therefrom and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container, the device comprising: a wirelessly readable chip configured to exchange data to a reader device; and a circuit (5) electrically connected to the wirelessly readable chip; wherein the device is configured to be attached to the container such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening and thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit; wherein disturbing the circuit causes the circuit to deform or break; and wherein, when reading data from the wirelessly readable chip with a reader device, the data exchanged to the reader device is altered if the circuit has been deformed or broken.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the container is a bottle.

3. The device (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the circuit is configured to be attached over the sealed opening and closure, and down two sides of the bottle neck.

4. The device (1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the wirelessly readable chip is configured to be attached to the bottle shoulder or the bottle body below the shoulder.

5. The device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the device (1) is configured to be attached directly to the container.

6. The device (1 ) according to any preceding claim, wherein an entirety or a majority of the surface area of the device that comes into contact with the container when it is attached thereto is adhered to the bottle.

7. The device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the portion of the circuit configured to extend over the closure sealing the opening has a zig-zag, snaking, or labyrinth shape.

8. The device (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a substrate, the substrate having the wirelessly readable chip and circuit provided thereon or embedded therein, wherein optionally: the substrate is an adhesive substrate that is configured to attach the device to the container; the substrate comprises one or more notches or perforations at an outer periphery thereof; and / or the substrate is configured to tear when an attempt to remove the device from the container, after being attached thereto, occurs.

9. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the wirelessly readable chip is a near field contact (NFC) chip and hence the reader device is an NFC reader device.

10. The device according to any preceding claim, wherein the wirelessly readable chip has data stored thereon, the data providing information on provenance and production details of the consumable product.911 . The device of any preceding claim, wherein the circuit is configured to act as an antenna to convert electromagnetic waves from the reader device during a read operation into an electric current for powering the chip; or wherein the device comprises an antenna configured to convert electromagnetic waves from the reader device during a read operation into an electric current for powering the chip.

12. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the altered data is second data, and wherein, when reading data from the wirelessly readable chip with a reader device, the data exchanged to the reader device is first data if the circuit has not been deformed or broken.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the second data is tamper event data indicating that a tamper event has occurred.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the tamper event data comprises time and / or date data.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the time and / or date data indicates when the tamper event took place, or wherein the time and / or date data is the most recent time and / or date data stored on the chip before the tamper event took place.

16. The device of any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the tamper event data comprises location data.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the location data indicates when the tamper event took place, or wherein the location data is the most recent location data stored on the chip before the tamper event.

18. A combination comprising: a container housing a consumable product, the container comprising an opening for removing the consumable product therefrom and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container; and a device in accordance with any precedingclaim, the device being attached to the container such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit.

19. A method of attaching the device of any of claims 1 to 17 to a container, the container housing a consumable product and comprising an opening for removing the consumable product therefrom and a removable closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the consumable product from the container, the method comprising attaching the circuit to the container such that the circuit extends over the closure sealing the opening thereby preventing removal of the closure without disturbing the circuit.

20. A system comprising: the combination of claim 18; a reader device configured to read data from the wirelessly readable chip; and a server, a database and / or on a distributed ledger storing data associated with the device / container, wherein the reader device is configured to communicate with the server, database and / or distributed ledger responsive to reading data from the wirelessly readable chip so as to update and / or retrieve data associated with the device / container stored at the server, database and / or the distributed ledger.21 . The system of claim 20, wherein upon reading second data from the wirelessly readable chip with the reader device, the reader device communicates to the server, the database and / or the distributed ledger to update data associated with the device / container to indicate that a tamper event has occurred, and wherein the server, the database and / orthe distributed ledge updates the data associated with the device / container to indicate that a tamper event has occurred.11

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