Glass Container Covert Marking for Anti-Counterfeit Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass articles lack effective anti-counterfeiting features that are both secure and non-invasive, posing challenges in tracking and authenticating pharmaceutical products, especially in the context of high counterfeit rates in developing countries.
Innovation Solution
A glass pharmaceutical package with a delamination factor of less than or equal to 10, featuring a compressively stressed layer and an anti-counterfeit marking within the wall thickness, formed using a pulsed laser beam and ion-exchange strengthening, which is not visible through direct inspection or illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If overt markers are used for anti-counterfeiting, then visibility and traceability are improved, but ease of duplication by counterfeiters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating markings with different refractive indices at specific locations within the glass article. The marking has a refractive index differing from the surrounding glass by at least 0.001, making it detectable through optical methods while remaining covert to naked eye inspection, thus providing both traceability and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical property changes (analogous to color changes) by creating regions with different refractive indices. These refractive index variations cause light to bend differently, creating detectable optical signatures that can be verified without visible markings, balancing traceability with anti-counterfeiting security.
2Ease of manufacture
If laser marking is performed before ion exchange, then marking formation is simplified, but glass strength and delamination resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the laser marking process before the ion exchange strengthening. This sequence allows the marking to be created in the as-formed glass without compromising the subsequent ion exchange process, which then strengthens the glass around the marking region, maintaining both ease of manufacture and glass strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by controlling the laser pulse energy, pulse duration, and scanning parameters to create markings with minimal thermal damage. The laser parameters are optimized to create refractive index changes without excessive heating that would compromise the glass structure before ion exchange strengthening.
3Reliability
If marking is placed within the compressively stressed layer, then marking durability is improved, but detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an optical detection system as an intermediary to detect the marking. The detection system uses light refraction through the marking region, where the refractive index difference causes detectable bending of light paths. This intermediary detection method allows markings to be placed in durable locations while remaining detectable through optical measurement rather than direct visual inspection.
4Strength
If delamination factor is reduced to enhance glass integrity, then glass strength is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the glass composition parameters, specifically limiting Al2O3 to 5-15 mol% and SiO2 to 70-80 mol%, and controlling the ion exchange process parameters (temperature, time, salt concentration) to achieve delamination factor ≤10 while maintaining manufacturability and surface homogeneity.
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 solution provides a secure and covert anti-counterfeiting mechanism that minimally affects the glass strength and delamination resistance, enhancing the authenticity and traceability of pharmaceutical products while deterring counterfeiting.
Implementation Method 1
focusing a pulsed laser beam at a point within a wall thickness of a body
Implementation Method 2
translating the pulsed laser beam along a scan path within the wall thickness effective to induce a change in a refractive index along the scan path
Implementation Method 3
ion-exchange strengthening the glass body prior to or subsequent to focusing the pulsed laser beam and translating the pulsed laser beam
Implementation Method 4
the marking is a portion of the body having a refractive index that differs from a refractive index of an unmarked portion of the body
Implementation Method 5
the compressively stressed layer having a surface compressive stress greater than or equal to 150MPa
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A glass container including a body having a delamination factor less than or equal to 10 and at least one marking is described. The body has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall thickness extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The marking is located within the wall thickness. In particular, the marking is a portion of the body having a refractive index that differs from a refractive index of an unmarked portion of the body. Methods of forming the marking within the body are also described.