Tamper-Evident Mesh Material with Contrast Layer for Unauthorized Access Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tamper-evident security bags made from woven or nonwoven fabrics fail to detect unauthorized access, as strands can be displaced without detection, allowing unauthorized access to the contents.

Innovation Solution

A tamper-evident mesh material comprising a nonwoven mesh fabric with overlying and underlying strands bonded at crossover points, where a contrast layer is applied to conceal and reveal visual properties upon bond breakage, indicating tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If woven or nonwoven fabric is used for security bags, then the bag can be manufactured, but the strands can be displaced without detection allowing unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of unauthorized accessVSAvoidstructure of mesh material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a contrast layer (such as metalization or printing) over the mesh fabric strands. When strands are displaced due to tampering, the contrast layer breaks or shifts, creating a visible indication of unauthorized access. This color/visual property change provides reliable detection while maintaining a relatively simple mesh structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the mesh fabric with a contrast layer to create a composite tamper-evident material. The mesh fabric provides the structural base while the contrast layer provides the visual indication mechanism. This composite approach enables detection of strand displacement without significantly complicating the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If contrast layer is applied over strands, then tampering can be detected, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of bond breakageVSAvoidapplication of contrast layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The contrast layer is applied to the mesh fabric before the final bag assembly. This preliminary application allows the contrast pattern to be established in advance, and any breaks or shifts in the contrast layer directly indicate subsequent tampering. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If strands are bonded at crossover points, then the mesh structure is maintained, but bond breakage must be detectable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of mesh structureVSAvoiddetection of bond breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The contrast layer is applied over the crossover points where strands are bonded. When bonds break due to tampering, the contrast layer at these locations breaks or shifts, creating visible indications. This approach maintains mesh structure stability while making bond breakage easily detectable through visual inspection of the contrast pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3612457B1Tamper-evident mesh material and methods of manufacture therefor

Publication Date: 2024.09.04 ANCI INC

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AI summary

The present invention is directed to tamper-evident mesh material, methods of manufacture therefor, and tamper-evident bags manufactured therefrom. The tamper-evident mesh material of the present invention may be used, for example, in the manufacture of a variety of tamper-evident security bags for use in applications where it is desirable to detect any traces or evidence of tampering with or of unauthorized access to the contents of the bag.