Abstract:
Disclosed is an invention relating to the application of microdots to an article to provide identification of that article, for example in the event of theft. This may relate to the application of identifying microdots to a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, motorcycle, boat, or jet ski. Also disclosed is an application system for identifier labels which is particularly useful in applying identifier labels to articles or products such as vehicles. In embodiments of this invention, a dynamic fluid such as provided by compressed air is utilized to apply a mixture of identifier labels and a base fluid, such as an adhesive or paint, to an article. In further embodiments, the dynamic fluid is also utilized to assist in the mixing of the mixture.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/715,864, filed Nov. 17, 2000; currently pending or co-pending, entitled “IDENTIFIER LABEL APPLICATION SYSTEM” by the same inventors, namely, Brent D. McLaws and Ian P. Allen; and hereby claims the benefit of said application. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention pertains to a system for applying identifier labels, particles or micro-identification indicia, to articles or products. The present invention also relates to the application of microdots to an article to provide identification of that article, for example in the event of theft. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the application of identifying microdots to a vehicle such as an automobile, truck, motorcycle, boat, or jet ski.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In many applications of product control and tracking, it is desirable to apply an identifier label, identifier particle, microdot or identifying indicia to various articles, including to products. The identifier labels or indicia are generally useful in or utilized to later identify the article(s) to which the indicia are applied or affixed.  
         [0004]     The application of identifying microdots to a vehicle for identification purposes is known. A batch of microdots encoded with identifying data discrete to that particular vehicle and each readable by the eye under magnification, is applied to the vehicle in a number of different places using a strong adhesive. In the event of theft, although an attempt may be made to remove identifying microdots, due to their very small size and large number, at least several thousand per vehicle, it is unlikely that all of the microdots will ever be able to be removed so it is likely that there will always be some microdots remaining on different parts of the vehicle for subsequent identification.  
         [0005]     It is desirable to provide a simple and inexpensive system for applying the microdots. Further, it is important that the contamination of microdots between successive batches is completely avoided.  
         [0006]     There are situations where it is desirable to apply the identifier labels or indicia by generally applying them to the article, such as by spraying or by applying a plurality of the identifier labels or indicia generally such that there are too many applied to readily or easily remove them.  
         [0007]     It is also desirable to provide an application system in which the same components or parts are not exposed to multiple different identifier labels because it may be difficult to clean or remove all the particles from one application before the next application is commenced.  
         [0008]     It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a new identifier label application system.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of one embodiment of a system contemplated by this invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of an application system as contemplated by this invention, which is portable and includes a portable source of dynamic fluid;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of another embodiment of a system contemplated by the invention, illustrating a pressurized container which contains a pressurized mixture of identifier labels and a base fluid; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one possible article, a vehicle, which this invention may be used to place identifier labels on.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exploded elevation view of another embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross section view from the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 5  when the two components are interconnected.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]     Many of the fastening, connection, manufacturing and other means and components utilized in this invention are widely known and used in the field of the invention described, and their exact nature or type is not necessary for an understanding and use of the invention by a person skilled in the art or science; therefore, they will not be discussed in significant detail. Furthermore, the various components shown or described herein for any specific application of this invention can be varied or altered as anticipated by this invention and the practice of a specific application or embodiment of any element may already be widely known or used in the art or by persons skilled in the art or science; therefore, each will not be discussed in significant detail.  
         [0017]     The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” as used in the claims herein are used in conformance with long-standing claim drafting practice and not in a limiting way. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” are not limited to one of such elements, but instead mean “at least one”.  
         [0018]     The term identifier label includes identifiers, identifier labels, identifier particles and identifying indicia, and as used herein is not limited to any specific one type of particle, label or identifier, but instead is each meant to include all unique identifiers, identifier particles and identifiable labels, including without limitation, micro-labels, DNA identifiers, synthetic DNA labels, biological elements, rare earth minerals utilized for tracing (such as those minerals and services offered by Austguard of Perth Australia), UV detectable particles or substances, micro dots, data dots, unique or identifiable chemical compounds and others.  
         [0019]     The term dynamic fluid as used herein may be, without limitation, any one of a number of gases, or liquid fluids, foams, and others, with no one in particular being required to practice this invention, and with air being the preferred dynamic fluid. An aerosol or air and aerosol combination may be utilized for a portable embodiment of the invention.  
         [0020]     The term base fluid as used herein means any substance or material that is mixed with or contains the identifier labels, and which may be discharged with the identifier labels. The base fluid may inherently include or contain the identifier labels. The base fluid may even be solid or semi-solid prior to use, and additives or heat may be added to allow it to be discharged as desired. This may require heating, adding a solvent or some other means to cause it to go to a fluid state. This invention also contemplates a number of different relative proportions of identifier labels and base fluid with no specific proportion or range of proportions being required to practice this invention. Examples of base fluids, without limitation, are adhesives, paints, polymers, foam, undercoatings for application to vehicles, to name just a few.  
         [0021]     The term microdot is one known and used in the industry, and known to those of ordinary skill in the industry. Microdots may be any one of a number of different shapes and fall within a range of sizes, within the scope or contemplation of this invention. Identification information or indicia is typically contained on the microdots, or contained or inherent in or on the microdot, depending on the intended application of the microdots. A predetermined microdot is one with a known identifier to associate with whatever the microdot or identifier is to be applied to.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional elevation view of one embodiment of a container and an application system contemplated by this invention, illustrating a dynamic fluid input hose  101  through which dynamic fluid  102  may flow, conduit  103 , framework  104 , container  105 , identifier labels  106 , discharge feed conduit  107 , dynamic fluid conduit  108 , valve  109 , and discharge aperture  110 .  
         [0023]     In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the applicator  100  has a handle area  112 , a trigger  113  is pivotally mounted to the framework  104  about axis  114 , and is utilized to actuate the flow of compressed fluid, preferably air, through input hose  101 . While a trigger is shown, any one of a number of known activation devices or release mechanisms may be used within the contemplation of this invention.  
         [0024]     Conduit  103  is a tee which allows the air to pass to and through framework  104  as well as through valve  109 . The valve  109  controls the flow of the dynamic fluid through conduit  108  which is routed into the container  105  and positioned such that the dynamic fluid is delivered to a position within the container such that the identifier labels  106  are mixed with the base fluid.  
         [0025]     In this embodiment of the invention, the dynamic fluid may also be utilized to agitate, mix and continue to mix, the base fluid and the identifier labels  106 . In this embodiment it is preferable that the container be configured such that the dynamic fluid is delivered within the container and within the mixture to create or maintain a better mixture.  
         [0026]     A conical or cone shaped bottom portion  105   a  of the container  105  has been found as one of numerous possible shapes or configurations which facilitates a desired mixing. Other shapes wherein there is a smaller cross section at lower section may also achieve desired mixing results in some embodiments, however, no particular configuration of the container  105  or bottom portion  105   a  of the container is required to practice this invention, nor is it required to have a smaller cross section at a lower section. Therefore container shapes such as cylindrical, boxes and others may also be used within the contemplation of this invention.  
         [0027]     The container  105  within the contemplation of this invention may also be made of any particular material, which may render the container collapsible, expandable, folding, rigid or semi-rigid, to name a few examples. For example and without limitation, the container  105  may be made of a rigid steel or polymer or of flexible, collapsible material such as coated organic products such as milk cartons which may be folded and unfolded, bladder type bags (such as polymer or polyester) which collapse, as well as numerous other possibilities.  
         [0028]     It will also be noted by those of ordinary skill in the art that the container  105  need not be located below the discharge aperture  110 , but instead may be positioned above it or at any angle in between. In an embodiment in which the container  105  is located above the discharge aperture  110 , gravity may be partially or wholly used in feeding the identifier labels, mixture and/or solution to the discharge aperture  110 .  
         [0029]     The container  105  in this embodiment is actually in two pieces, an upper and a lower, with the two attaching by threaded joint (as is evident from the drawing). However this invention is not limited to any specific number of pieces or ways of integrating or attaching the same.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of another example of an embodiment of this invention, illustrating a more self contained embodiment of an applicator  150 , which only requires a source of a dynamic fluid (in this embodiment, compressed air).  FIG. 2  illustrates container  151  with a hemispherical bottom portion  151   a , with a mixture  176   a  of identifier labels  174  and base liquid  175 . The mixture  176  may be prepackaged or the base fluid  175  may be later added.  
         [0031]     A compressed air conduit  154  provides the source of dynamic fluid and compressed air conduit  154  attaches to the applicator  150  at input aperture  153 . Discharge valve  170  controls the flow of the compressed air through discharge nozzle  171  and to discharge aperture  152 . The dynamic fluid exiting the nozzle  171  is represented by arrow  172 . It should also be noted that nozzle  171  may be preferred but not necessary as discharge valve  170  may be all that is utilized, all within the contemplation and scope of this invention.  
         [0032]     Valve  157  controls the flow of the compressed air  159  through conduit  158  and into the mixture  176  of identifier labels  174  and base fluid  175 , and provides an agitation or mixing of the identifier labels  174  with the base fluid  175 .  
         [0033]     As discharge valve  170  is opened, compressed air flows out discharge aperture  152  and draws the mixture  176  through conduit  173  and into the discharge aperture  152 . The mixture  176   b  provided to the discharge aperture is shown, as is the mixture  176   c  exiting the discharge aperture  152 .  
         [0034]     Framework  156  may be one piece with the container, it may be integral or even positioned relative to it. Input chamber  155  receives the dynamic fluid and facilitates its flow to discharge valve  170  and valve  157 , both of which may be any one of a number of different types of valves which are well known and which would depend on the dynamic fluid chosen and the valving control desired.  
         [0035]     The discharged mixture  176   c  may be atomized or it may just be drawn or pushed out the discharge aperture  152 , all within the contemplation of this invention. Furthermore, this invention contemplates mixtures wherein the identifier labels are already sufficiently contained within the material or substance such that there is no need for mixing by any means, including with the introduction of a dynamic fluid such as compressed air. The term “mixture” therefore also or additionally includes substances, fluids, etc. wherein the identification characteristics are inherent in the base fluid and no combining or mixing is required. There are embodiments in which only a solvent is added to provide the flow characteristics desired.  
         [0036]     As this application is utilized, one identifier label may be used for one production facility, or one particular identifier label may be used for each separate article produced, such as for one vehicle.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  also illustrates another embodiment or feature which is a more portable system wherein the source of dynamic fluid is an aerosol type of can or compressed fluid container  190  for example. In this embodiment, there are numerous possible gases and/or fluids which may be the dynamic fluid, with aerosols and foams merely being a few of the possible and readily available portable sources. The container  151  may be disposable.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment contemplated by the invention, showing a self contained portable and disposable system, illustrating a container  200 , a discharge conduit, an activation lever  201 , a mixture  203  of identifier labels  204  and base fluid  205 . The mixture  203  is generally compressed or expandable and when the lever or activation device is activated, the mixture  203  is released through the discharge aperture and through whatever discharge conduit  202  is used for the specific application. The lever  201  activates a discharge valve which is in or near the discharge aperture. There are a number of different devices and mechanisms to valve and to actuate the release of the mixture, with no one in particular being required to practice this invention. The base fluid  205  may be any one of a number of different base fluids as stated above, such as an adhesive foam material. There are known containers with known valves for containing and releasing pressurized fluids and foams.  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  illustrates one of the numerous possible articles on which identifier labels may be applied using the invention, namely an article or vehicle  220 .  FIG. 4  illustrates how or where a mixture  221  of identifier labels mixed with a base fluid such as an adhesive may be positioned or sprayed on the vehicle  220 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  shows the main components of an application system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention and including a container for a microdot/adhesive mixture, a discharge part, and an air gun onto which the discharge part when fitted to the container is applied.  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the system comprises a disposable container  302  having a large number of microdots, for example ten thousand (10,000) for application to an automobile, and a viscous adhesive into which the microdots are mixed prior to application. The microdots carry indicia discrete to the particular article to which the microdots are to be applied and in the case of a vehicle that indicia is preferably the VIN which is a discrete, internationally recognized, identification code used by all major vehicle manufacturers. The adhesive itself preferably includes ultraviolet detectable particles or molecules to facilitate identification of the applied microdots under ultraviolet light. The container  302  has an opening at the upper end of the body, as shown a screw threaded opening, which is initially supplied with a closure cap, the cap being removed prior to use and replaced by a discharge part  304  which is screwed onto the container body in place of the cap. It is however to be understood that instead of using a cap and discharge part which screws onto the container body, a secure press-on or snap-on fitting with an appropriate sealing structure could alternatively be used.  
         [0042]     The discharge part  304  is in the form of a one-piece plastics molding with a discharge passage  306  into which leads a tube  307  extending from the mixture within the body of the container  302  whereby the mixture is drawn into the passage  306  through the tube  307  for discharge via an outlet end  308  of nozzle-like form when air under pressure is fed through the passage  306 . The air is fed into the discharge passage via a nozzle  310  which is a second plastics component of one-piece form which is fitted into the inlet end of the discharge passage  306 . The nozzle  310  extends outwardly to terminate in an inlet fitting  310   a  which is mounted over the nozzle  12  of an air gun  314 . In the form shown in  FIG. 5 , the nozzle  312  of the air gun  314  includes an O-ring  316  which seals within the inlet fitting  310   a  so that the nozzle  310  is sealingly and securely attached to the nozzle  312 , but is removable therefrom. In the particular form shown, the nozzle  310  itself is a friction fit within the discharge passage  306  of the discharge part  304 .  
         [0043]     In use, to apply the microdots to a vehicle or other article, the lid is removed from the microdot container  302  and if the adhesive is not pre-supplied within the container it is added at that stage. The discharge part  304  with draw tube  307  is then applied to the upper end of the container body. The separate nozzle  310  may be pre-fitted into the discharge passage  306  in which case all that is then necessary is to mount the discharge part  304  with nozzle  310  over the outlet nozzle  312  of the air gun  314 . Alternatively, the nozzle  310  can be first fitted onto the outlet nozzle  312  and then fitted into the discharge passage  306 . By operating the trigger  318  of the gun which opens and closes an air control valve, air is fed via the nozzle  310  into the discharge passage  306  to thereby cause the mixture to be drawn from within the container via the draw tube  307  for discharge through the outlet end  308  of the discharge passage  306  and hence for application to the vehicle.  
         [0044]     When the microdot/adhesive mixture has been discharged from the container  302 , the nozzle  310  together with the discharge part  304  and container  2  is removed from the outlet nozzle  312  of the gun  314  and disposed. It will be readily understood that since the nozzle  312  of the gun is isolated by means of the nozzle  310  from contacting the microdot/adhesive mixture during discharge, the gun nozzle  312  will remain free from contamination and will therefore not require any cleaning for successive uses.  
         [0045]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative form of discharge part.  FIG. 6  shows a modified version in which the nozzle  310  is snap-fitted into the discharge passage  306  and has at its outer end an inlet fitting  310   a  for releasable snap-fitting over a complementary formation on the nozzle part of the air gun.  
         [0046]     Microdots as identifier labels are applied to an article drawing a mixture of microdots and adhesive from a container  302  using pressurized air. A discharge part  304  is coupled to the container  302  and has a passage  306  with an inlet portion and a discharge outlet  308 . A nozzle  310  separately formed from the discharge part  304  is fitted into the passage  306  in the discharge part  304 ; the nozzle  310  is fitted onto an outlet component  314  of a system for supplying air under pressure.  
         [0047]     Air fed under pressure via the nozzle  310  and into the passage  306  draws the mixture from the container body into the passage  306  for discharge through the discharge part  304  for application to the article. After use the nozzle  310  is removed from the outlet component  314  of the air supply system and the container  302 , the discharge part  304 , and the nozzle  310  are then discarded. Accordingly the outlet component  314  of the air supply system remains free from any contamination with the microdot/adhesive mixture and can thereby be used for a subsequent application without the need to clean it.  
         [0048]     As will be appreciated by those of reasonable skill in the art, there are numerous embodiments to this invention, and variations of elements and components which may be used, all within the scope of this invention.  
         [0049]     One embodiment of this invention for example involves an identifier label container for use in combination with a source of dynamic fluid which provides a force to apply identifier labels to an article, the container comprising: a container with a plurality of predetermined identifier labels therein; a discharge aperture in fluid communication with the container; and a fluid intake aperture configured to receive the source of dynamic fluid and to direct it to the discharge aperture; such that once the plurality of predetermined identifier labels are mixed with a base fluid to form a mixture, the mixture may be discharged through the discharge aperture.  
         [0050]     Examples of some other or further embodiments may include embodiments or configurations: wherein the container is disposed to receive dynamic fluid; wherein the identifier labels are comprised of a DNA identifier; the base fluid is an adhesive; the base fluid is a paint; the base fluid includes DNA molecules; 
    the base fluid includes predetermined ultra violet detectable particles or molecules;     the dynamic fluid is air; and in which there is a dynamic fluid conduit disposed to deliver dynamic fluid to the container.    
 
         [0053]     This invention further contemplates embodiments in which a mixture is created in the container, such as when the base fluid is mixed with the identifier labels in the container.  
         [0054]     Other embodiments contemplated by the invention would include identifier label applicators for use in combination with a source of dynamic fluid, the applicator comprising: an applicator framework; a container operatively attached to the framework and including a plurality of predetermined identifier labels therein; a discharge aperture in fluid communication with the container such that it may receive identifier labels from the container; and a fluid intake aperture operative attached to the framework and configured to receive dynamic fluid and direct it to the discharge aperture; such that once the plurality of predetermined identifier labels are mixed with a base fluid to form a mixture, the mixture may be discharged through the discharge aperture.  
         [0055]     This invention also contemplates method embodiments, for example a method for applying identifier labels to one or more articles, comprising the following steps: providing an identifier label container for use in combination with a source of dynamic fluid, the container comprising: a container with a plurality of predetermined identifier labels therein; a discharge aperture in fluid communication with the container; and a fluid intake aperture configured to receive the source of dynamic fluid and to direct it to the discharge aperture; 
    mixing the identifier labels with a base fluid to form a mixture     providing dynamic fluid through the discharge aperture; and thereby discharging the mixture through the discharge aperture.    
 
         [0058]     A further method embodiment may further comprise the following steps of: 
    providing a dynamic fluid conduit disposed to deliver dynamic fluid to the container; and delivering dynamic fluid into the mixture, thereby causing movement of the mixture and a mixing of the base fluid and the identifier labels.    
 
         [0060]     Examples of some other or further method embodiments may include embodiments or configurations: wherein the container is disposed to receive dynamic fluid; wherein the identifier labels are comprised of a DNA identifier; the base fluid is an adhesive; the base fluid is a paint; the base fluid includes DNA molecules; the base fluid includes predetermined ultra violet detectable particles or molecules; the dynamic fluid is air; and in which there is a dynamic fluid conduit disposed to deliver dynamic fluid to the container.  
         [0061]     Yet another embodiment, a more autonomous or portable embodiment, is an identifier label container comprising: a container with an internal cavity in which there is a pressurized mixture of a plurality of predetermined identifier labels and a base fluid; a discharge aperture in fluid communication with the internal cavity of the container; and a container valve in fluid communication with the internal cavity and which is disposed to release the mixture from the internal cavity upon activation of the container valve to a desired location.  
         [0062]     According to the present invention there is provided a method of applying microdots as identifier labels to an article, said method comprising: providing a container having a body containing a multiplicity of predetermined microdots therein and an adhesive into which the microdots are mixed, a discharge part coupled to the body and having a passage with an inlet portion and a discharge outlet, and a nozzle separately formed from the discharge part and adapted to be fitted into the discharge part; releasably fitting the nozzle onto an outlet component of a system for supplying air under pressure; feeding air under pressure via the nozzle and into the passage so that air flowing through the passage draws the mixture from the container body into the passage for discharge through the discharge part for application to the article; and removing the nozzle from the outlet component of the air supply system after use and disposing of the container, the discharge part, and the nozzle whereby the outlet component of the air supply system remains free from any contamination with the microdot/adhesive mixture and can thereby be used for a subsequent application without the need to clean it.  
         [0063]     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a container assembly for use in the method defined above, the container assembly comprising a body containing a multiplicity of predetermined microdots and an adhesive into which the microdots are mixed, a discharge part coupled to the body and having a passage with an inlet portion and an discharge outlet, a draw tube leading from the mixture to the passage, and a nozzle separately formed from the discharge part and fitted into the passage in the discharge part such that air fed under pressure via the nozzle into the passage draws the mixture into the passage via the tube for discharge through the discharge part for application to the article.  
         [0064]     Preferably the discharge part and the nozzle are each fabricated as separate one-piece plastics mouldings. Preferably the outlet component is an air gun having a discharge nozzle over which the inlet end of the first mentioned nozzle is releasably fitted.  
         [0065]     In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described, since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.