Packaging Marking Using Luminescent Ink for Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Counterfeiting of smoking products is a global issue affecting manufacturers and consumers, and existing solutions fail to provide a marking or coding system that is both secure and unobtrusive, capable of automatic recognition, and invariant across different brands and types of products.
Innovation Solution
The packaging incorporates a health warning area with integrated security features such as invisible markings, luminescent inks, and chiral liquid crystal polymer flakes, which serve as unique identifiers and authentication tools, linked to the mandatory health warning on the packaging, allowing for predictable and locatable encoding without altering the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a marking or coding is added to the packaging for authentication and tracking purposes, then the security and traceability of the product is improved, but the overall design and appearance of the packaging is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The marking is integrated specifically within the health warning area, utilizing a localized region rather than adding elements across the entire packaging. This concentrates the security feature in a functionally appropriate zone while preserving the overall aesthetic design of the packaging exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication marking is merged with the mandatory health warning text, combining two functional elements (security identification and health information) into a single integrated area. This eliminates the need for separate marking spaces that would compromise packaging appearance.
2Extent of automation
If a marking is added to enable automatic recognition by authentication devices, then the automation of authentication is improved, but the complexity of the packaging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marking serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides automatic identification for authentication devices, maintains the mandatory health warning information, and acts as a unique identifier for tracking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate systems or components.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking is designed to be self-identifying through its integration with the health warning text, allowing authentication devices to automatically recognize and process the packaging without requiring additional manual intervention or complex external reference systems.
3Measurement precision
If a marking is made visible to the unaided eye, then the identifiability of the security feature is improved, but the marking becomes obtrusive and affects packaging design
Solution Approach 1:
The marking utilizes luminescent ink that changes its optical properties under specific lighting conditions. The marking remains invisible or minimally visible under normal lighting to preserve packaging appearance, but becomes clearly identifiable under UV or alternative light sources during authentication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking transitions between different visibility dimensions depending on lighting conditions. Under normal visible light, the marking is concealed; under UV or specialized lighting, the marking becomes visible in a different spectral dimension, allowing identifiability without compromising normal packaging appearance.
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
This solution enhances the identifiability, authenticity, and traceability of smoking product packaging, reducing the need for additional reference marks and enabling country-specific differentiation without changing the packaging's appearance, while leveraging the mandatory health warning as a reference point.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one marking or a part thereof may comprise a luminescent ink
Implementation Method 2
flakes comprising a chiral liquid crystal polymer (CLCP)
Data Source
AI summary
A packaging for smoking products having an area with a warning relating to the health hazards of smoking thereon. The area includes at least one marking that is suitable for identification and/or authentication and/or track and/or trace purposes.