Fluoropolymer Luminescent Composition for Secure Packaging Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-counterfeiting solutions for pharmaceutical packaging, such as luminescent taggants and color-shifting inks, are easily replicated by counterfeiters, posing a significant threat to consumer safety and authenticity.

Innovation Solution

A luminescent composition comprising fluorine-containing polymers, such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, blended with luminescent agents, which provides enhanced color intensity when irradiated with ultraviolet light, particularly in the 200-300 nm range, and is applied as a security taggant in packaging materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional luminescent taggants and color-shifting inks are used for anti-counterfeiting, then authentication capability is provided, but the security is easily replicated by counterfeiters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidcounterfeiting risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines fluoropolymer particles with luminescent pigments to create a composite luminescent composition. This composite structure provides enhanced security features that are difficult to replicate, as the combination of specific fluoropolymer particles and luminescent agents creates a unique authentication profile that counterfeiters cannot easily duplicate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes specific luminescent agents that emit light at particular wavelengths when excited by UV radiation. By controlling the emission wavelength and intensity parameters of the luminescent composition, the patent creates authentication features that are difficult to replicate. The specific wavelength emission characteristics serve as a security parameter that counterfeiters cannot easily match.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If luminescent compositions are applied to packaging materials, then authenticity verification is enabled, but the complexity of the packaging system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthenticity verificationVSAvoidpackaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the luminescent authentication function from complex multi-layer packaging systems and integrates it directly into the packaging material itself through the luminescent composition. This allows authenticity verification to be enabled while minimizing the addition of separate security components, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The luminescent composition serves multiple functions: it provides aesthetic appearance, enables authenticity verification, and maintains compatibility with various packaging materials. By making the packaging material itself multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate security features, thereby reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If fluoropolymer particles are dispersed in liquid medium with luminescent agents, then color intensity is enhanced, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the luminescent composition into discrete fluoropolymer particles dispersed in a liquid medium containing luminescent agents. This segmentation allows for enhanced color intensity through proper particle size control and distribution, while the liquid medium formulation simplifies the manufacturing process by enabling easy mixing and application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes parameters such as particle size, concentration, and dispersion uniformity to enhance color intensity. By controlling these parameters, the patent achieves enhanced luminescence while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standard dispersion techniques and formulation methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition offers improved color intensity and authenticity verification, making it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate, ensuring consumer safety and product integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a luminescent agent in said liquid, wherein said luminescent agent luminesces upon the application of activating radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLuminescence: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

the luminescent agent luminesces upon the application of activating radiation in the 200 nm to 300 nm range

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3625294B1Luminescent composition
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP3625294B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3625294B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3625294B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Luminescent compositions are provided having improved color intensity and articles incorporating said luminescent compositions as security taggants, for example as anti- counterfeiting components in pharmaceutical packaging applications, or as aesthetic colorants that are generally usable in any application where luminescent coloration is desired. The luminescent compositions incorporate a particulate fluoropolymer that is blended with one or more luminescent pigments and/or luminescent dyes. These components are provided in a liquid medium in which the fluoropolymer particles are dispersed and with which the pigment(s)/dye(s) may or may not be soluble.