Interlocked Tamper-Evident Packaging for Valuable Items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging methods for valuable and critical items lack reliable protection against unauthorized opening and counterfeiting, as they can be easily opened or tampered with, and are often bulky and unsuitable for storing precious items.

Innovation Solution

The use of a two-layer packaging material with integrated protective features such as invisible codes, light guides, and interlocking connections that are chemically or thermally bonded, making it difficult to open without visible damage, along with additional means like holograms and mechanophore plastics that change color under stress, ensures secure and tamper-proof packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional packaging methods are used for valuable items, then the packaging can be easily opened or tampered with, but adding protective measures increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against unauthorized openingVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple protective functions into a single integrated packaging structure. The container wall itself incorporates protective means (holograms, light guides, invisible codes) rather than adding separate protective layers or components. This merging approach increases reliability against tampering while avoiding excessive complexity by consolidating protection features within the existing structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging uses composite material structures where the container wall integrates multiple functional layers including transparent materials, holographic elements, light guide components, and chemically bonded protective layers. These composite structures provide enhanced security features while maintaining a unified packaging design that doesn't excessively increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If protective layers and sealing elements are added to packaging, then protection against tampering improves, but the packaging becomes bulky and exceeds the dimensions of the packaged item

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against counterfeitingVSAvoidpackaging volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective means are merged directly into the container wall structure rather than being added as separate external layers. Holograms, light guides, and protective coatings are integrated within or on the surface of the container wall itself, providing counterfeiting protection without adding significant volume or making the packaging bulky.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging employs thin film structures and flexible protective layers that provide security features without substantial thickness. The container wall itself acts as a thin protective barrier incorporating multiple security elements, avoiding the need for thick protective shells or multiple bulky sealing layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive bonding is used to seal packaging, then ease of manufacture improves, but the packaging can be opened by dissolving the adhesive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging assembly easeVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bonding method transitions from chemical adhesive bonding to thermal or mechanical bonding parameters. The container wall elements are thermally bonded or mechanically interlocked through integrated structures, changing the bonding parameter from chemical to physical/thermal processes. This maintains ease of manufacture through efficient bonding while preventing unauthorized opening by dissolving, as the bonding cannot be chemically reversed.

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 solution provides a secure, tamper-proof packaging that prevents unauthorized access and maintains the integrity of the packaged item, ensuring its authenticity and value without compromising the clarity of the packaging, suitable for various geometries and heavy objects.

Implementation Method 1

at least one ply material of the packaging with the protective means is formed indivisibly by bonding the plies to at least one transparent area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

bonding the plies to at least one transparent area by means of gluing, chemically or thermally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal bonding: Welding

Implementation Method 3

optical lines, light guides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guide: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 4

images, including shadow images, of a code, optical lines, light guides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Light

Implementation Method 5

holograms or a marking made using the spark erosion process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHolography:

Implementation Method 6

diffraction gratings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 7

mechanophores -Plastic that can change color under mechanical stress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanophore effect:

Implementation Method 8

filled and/or coincident images of fluorescent, metalized magnetic colors and fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 9

filled and/or coincident images of fluorescent, metalized magnetic colors and fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMetalization:

Implementation Method 10

The interlocking connection is in the form of at least one step between the mating surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2826723B1Anti-tamper method and packaging for important and valuable items
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 SOKOL KONSTANTIN PAVLOVICH
  • EP2826723B1 patent drawingFigure 1~8
  • EP2826723B1 patent drawingFigure 9~17a

AI summary

The inventions relate to packaging that prevents unauthorized access to valuable items and ensures their protection. The means of protection (2) according to the method of protection and in the protective packaging is designed in such a way that it is destroyed when the packaging is opened. The protective means (2) is placed inside the structure of indivisibly connected layers of packaging material, with the surfaces of each of the packaging elements touching during the connection being arranged parallel or obliquely to each other at an angle of 0.0 to 90.0° with a lock connection and the Castle connection are formed in the form of a connection of paragraphs between the touching surfaces. At least one additional protective means (21), which can be destroyed in the event of unauthorized opening, is formed on at least one of the surfaces (6, 7) of the lock connection. The inventions ensure the manufacture of highly reliable packaging for products of various geometries.