Tamper-Evident Seal With Integrated Electronic Integrity Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing package seals do not allow for precise real-time monitoring of when a package is opened, and they lack a simple and effective method for controlling the integrity of the seal beyond visual inspection.
Innovation Solution
A package with a specially designed seal that includes a control component integrated into an irreversibly degradable part, which is anchored to the package and features an electronic unit for detecting degradation and initiating detection means upon seal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional seals are used for packages, then the seal structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to monitor seal integrity in real-time is lost and visual inspection is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control component is integrated within the degradable part of the seal, creating a nested structure where the detection system is contained inside the seal itself. This allows real-time monitoring capability to be embedded within the existing seal structure without requiring separate external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual inspection (mechanical/optical system) with an electronic detection system that automatically monitors seal integrity. The electronic unit detects degradation of the control component and transmits this information remotely, substituting human visual inspection with automated electronic sensing.
2Loss of information
If visual inspection is used to check seal status, then no additional electronic components are needed, but real-time monitoring capability and precise timing information are unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic unit provides continuous feedback on seal integrity status by detecting the state of the control component and transmitting this information to external systems. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring of seal status without requiring physical inspection, automatically informing stakeholders of the package's security state.
3Measurement precision
If the seal uses irreversible degradation to indicate opening, then the seal provides reliable tamper evidence, but the ability to detect precisely when opening occurred is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control component is pre-positioned within the degradable part of the seal before the seal is applied to the package. This preliminary setup ensures that when degradation occurs during opening, the electronic detection system is already in place to immediately detect and record the precise moment of opening, capturing timing information that would otherwise be lost.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5a
AI summary
The invention relates to a package (1) comprising: - a container (2) having a cavity (20); - closure means (3), the package (1) having a closed configuration in which the closure means (3) prevent access to the cavity (20), and an open configuration in which the closing means (3) allow access to the cavity (20); - a seal (4) intended to ensure that the package (1) remains in its closed configuration, the seal (4) comprising a monitoring component (5) for monitoring the integrity of the seal; - an electronic unit (6) for monitoring the integrity of the seal (4), the electronic unit (6) comprising detection means (61) for detecting damage to the monitoring component (5), and means for activating the detection means (61) when the seal (4) is put in its mounted position.