Abstract:
An RFID label comprising an RFID circuit and an RFID antenna, and optional secondary security label ensures the authenticity of a beverage contained in a beverage container. The RFID label cannot be removed without destroying the RFID label or rendering it inoperable. A secondary security label may be placed over the closure of the beverage container to provide a secondary measure against tampering as well as a visual indicator of authenticity. It is placed on a portion of the bottle, a portion of the beverage container&#39;s closure, and the RFID label. An attempt to remove the secondary security label will also render the RFID label unusable.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/813,243, entitled “Beverage Container Authenticity and Provenance Devices and Methods,” filed Jun. 10, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/035,803, entitled “Beverage Container Authenticity and Provenance Devices and Methods,” filed Feb. 22, 2008, and incorporates the same by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to maintaining the authenticity and the preventing of counterfeiting of beverage containers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An RFID label and optional secondary security label ensures the authenticity of a beverage contained in a beverage container. The RFID label cannot be removed without destroying the RFID label or rendering it inoperable. The secondary security label may be placed over the closure of the beverage container to provide a secondary measure against tampering, as well as a visual indicator of authenticity. The secondary security label is placed on a portion of the bottle, a portion of the beverage container&#39;s closure, and a portion of the RFID label. An attempt to remove the secondary security label will also render the RFID label unusable. 
         [0004]    According to a feature of the present disclosure, a device is disclosed comprising an RFID tag, comprising an RFID circuit and RFID antenna, permanently affixed in conjunction with a closure of a beverage container. The RFID tag is disposed in conjunction with the closure whereby the RFID tag is rendered inactive if the RFID antenna is damaged or severed from the RFID circuit. 
         [0005]    According to a feature of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed comprising affixing an RFID label, comprising an RFID antenna and RFID circuit, to a wine or spirit bottle whereby removal of the capsule of the wine or spirit bottle renders the RFID label inoperative. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage container authenticity and provenance device; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a beverage container authenticity and provenance device with a visual security member attached; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a case containing beverage containers having authenticity and provenance devices connected; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of the processes of authentication of application of an RFID label to a beverage container; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an RFID antenna system affixed to a beverage container where the antenna is a monopole antenna; and 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of embodiments of an RFID antenna system affixed to a beverage container where the antenna comprises a pattern of conductive material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which is shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, biological, electrical, functional, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. As used in the present disclosure, the term “or” shall be understood to be defined as a logical disjunction and shall not indicate an exclusive disjunction unless expressly indicated as such or notated as “xor.” 
         [0014]    This application also incorporates by reference U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/837,462 (U.S. Pat. Pub. 2008/0222003), filed 10 Aug. 2007; and U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/837,465 (U.S. Pat. Pub. 2008/0217404), filed 10 Aug. 2007. 
         [0015]    As used herein, the term “RFID tag” and “RFID label” may be used interchangeably. RFID labels generally comprise a circuit or microchip and an antenna. As used herein “RFID tag” or “RFID label” may refer to any of passive, active, or semi-active RFID. 
         [0016]    As used herein, the term “inactive” or “inoperable” as the terms apply to RFID labels mean that the RFID label is no longer capable of usefully transmitting data. Accordingly, the terms imply that the RFID label is no longer receiving signals from an RFID reader, that the RFID label cannot generate sufficient power to transmit data, or that the RFID label cannot transmit the data, etc. 
         [0017]    As used herein, the term “affixed” as applied to the placement of RFID labels in conjunction with a beverage container means direct attachment to the beverage container or attachment to packaging, labels, or other component commonly used with beverage containers. 
         [0018]    According to embodiments and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there is shown a security and authenticity labeling system to be used with beverage containers  100 . Beverage containers  100  may comprise containers holding beverages, including bottles of all sizes, such as wine or spirit bottles, cans, carafes, and jars. Beverage containers  100  are closed or sealed as would be known to artisans, for example by screw top caps, corks and capsules, can tabs, perforated capsules (e.g., water bottle capsule lids), lids that affix by friction (e.g., the lid on a gallon of milk), etc. According to embodiments, where a bottle is used, capsule  120  is placed over beverage container opening that employ less secure methods of closing, for instance corks. According to embodiments, beverage container  100  comprising a wine bottle is corked after wine is put into it. After the closing of beverage container  100 , capsule  120  is placed over the former opening of beverage container  100 , covering the former opening as well as portion of beverage container neck no. The devices used to close or seal beverage container  100  comprise the closure. For example, closure may comprise a cork and capsule  120 . Alternatively, the closure may comprise a screw top or can tab, according to various embodiments. 
         [0019]    To ensure authenticity and security and according to embodiments, RFID label  130  is permanently affixed to the closure of beverage container  100 . RFID label  130  is also permanently affixed to at least one portion of beverage container  100  or beverage container neck no. Thus, beverage container  100  cannot be opened without destroying or permanently disabling RFID label  130 . RFID label  130  comprises an RFID circuit and RFID antenna integrated together and in electrical communication. 
         [0020]    For example, beverage container  100  is a wine or spirit bottle. Beverage container  100  is corked at the winery and a capsule is placed over the cork and beverage container neck no, as known and understood by artisans. RFID label  130  is then permanently affixed to capsule  120  and a portion of beverage container neck no. 
         [0021]    According to embodiments, RFID label  130  is a passive RFID device comprising at least an integrated circuit and an antenna, as known to artisans. According to embodiments, RFID label  130  may also be active or semi-active RFID devices. RFID label  130  is placed such that it is permanently affixed to a portion of beverage container neck  110  and placed onto capsule  120 , thereby preventing removal of either the capsule or opening beverage container  100  without causing irreparable damage to RFID label  130 . According to embodiments, RFID label  130  is permanently affixed to beverage container neck no, placed across at least a portion of capsule  120 , and to a second portion of beverage container neck no, thereby preventing opening of beverage container  100  without removal of capsule  120 . 
         [0022]    According to embodiments, suitable adhesives, including epoxy-based adhesives or permanent pressure sensitive adhesives, are used to affix RFID label  130  to beverage container neck no. Generally, the adhesive used prevents the label from being removed from beverage container  100  without damaging RFID label  130 . The same or a different suitable adhesive is used to affix RFID label  130  to capsule  120 . 
         [0023]    According to embodiments and as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , security label  200  is affixed over closure  120 , RFID label  130 , beverage container neck no. Placement of security label  200 , according to embodiments, prevents access to the edges of the closure, for example the bottom of capsule  120  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Security label  200  adheres to capsule  120 , beverage container neck no, and optionally RFID label  130  via a suitable adhesive such as epoxy based adhesives or permanent pressure sensitive adhesives. According to embodiments, if security label  200  is removed, it will render RFID label  130  inoperative. Accordingly, the adhesive used to secure security label  200  will require more force to remove than the force necessary to cause damage to RFID label  130  upon removal of security label  200 . Thus, removal of security label  200  will render RFID label  130  inoperative if it is removed from beverage container  100 . 
         [0024]    Naturally, the adhesive affixing security label  200  to beverage container  100  will be tamper-resistant, which will prevent removal of security label  200  using heat or chemical agents to degrade the adhesive. Not only will security label  200  render RFID label  130  inoperable upon removal, it also provides a visual confirmation as to whether the beverage container is authentic or whether it has been tampered with, etc. 
         [0025]    According to embodiments, security label  200  is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polyester (i.e., Mylar). According to embodiments, the PET selected is treated to make it “no-tear,” for example by applying a layer of polyethylene to PET security label  200 . PET security label  200  affixes to capsule  120 , RFID label  130 , and beverage container neck no such that the surface of the PET is smooth. If PET security label  200  is removed, it will “crumble” and be unable to be reapplied such that the surface is again smooth. Similarly, according to embodiments, an adhesive or chemical agent may be selected and applied under PET security label  200  that changes appearance if tampered with (e.g., heated or chemicals applied), thereby providing visual clues as to whether security label  200  has been tampered with. 
         [0026]    According to embodiments, RFID labels  130  may be affixed in other locations. For example, RFID label  130  may be affixed over the top of a cork or within a cork on a wine bottle because the cork must be removed to consume the contents of the beverage container. However, as known in the art, corks are removable without corkscrews; thus, RFID labels  130  affixed to the top or inside of a cork would be able to be removed without rendering RFID label  130  inoperative. According to embodiments, PET security label  200  is affixed over cork and beverage container neck no, whereby removal of PET security label provides either the visual indicia of tampering or cannot be replaced in its original smooth conformation, as described above. 
         [0027]    According to embodiments and as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , beverage containers  100  having RFID labels  130  affixed may be packaged in cases  140  for shipment. Each case  140  may have RFID label  130  affixed. Thus, retailers, wholesalers, and consumers can readily determine, based on a correlation of data either stored on RFID label  130  affixed to case  140  or by using an electronic product code embedded in RFID label  130  affixed to case  140  whether the correct individual beverage containers  100  are contained in each case  140 . Thus, one can readily determine if tampering has occurred not only with single beverage containers  100 , but also by evaluating the contents of each case  140 . 
         [0028]    According to embodiments, RFID antenna  150  is formed on or in capsule no and suitably connected with RFID circuit  145 . As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , capsule  120  is made of a conductive foil, such as aluminum foil, tin foil, or gold foil, for example, and itself comprises a monopole RFID antenna  150  to which is in electric communication with RFID label  130 . Thus, no separate RFID antenna  150  apart from capsule  120  itself is necessary. 
         [0029]    According to other embodiments, and as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , RFID antenna  150  may be installed on capsule  120  as a separate component of RFID label  120  in conjunction with RFID circuit  145 . Accordingly and as shown by the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 6 , RFID antenna  150  is etched into one or both sides (or top or under) of capsule  120 . An advantage of having RFID antenna  150  under capsule  120  is that consumers are unable to ascertain where RFID antenna  150  is located and thereby intentionally avoid breaking RFID antenna  150  upon opening beverage containers  100 . 
         [0030]    According to the embodiments illustrated by  FIGS. 6A and 6B , capsule  120  therefore need not be made from a conductive material. Rather it may be made from plastic or other non-conductive polymers, for example. According to embodiments, RFID antenna  150  may be masked on or comprise a pre-made RFID antenna affixed with an adhesive. 
         [0031]    According to embodiments as illustrated by  FIGS. 6A and 6B , RFID antenna  150  may be placed in virtually limitless configurations. As illustrated in  FIG. 6A , RFID antenna  150  is placed parallel to the long axis of beverage container  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6B , RFID antenna  150  is placed perpendicular to the long axis of beverage container  100 . According to still other embodiments not shown, RFID antenna  150  may be situated at any other angles with respect to the long axis of beverage container  100 , or a combination of angles, including perpendicular and parallel. 
         [0032]    According to embodiments, RFID antenna  150  is etched onto capsule  200 , as would be known and understood by artisans. Alternatively, RFID antenna  150  may be applied as a mask similar to the masking of microelectronics. In all cases, when capsule is removed, RFID antenna  150  is destroyed by severing RFID antenna  150  from RFID circuit  145  or by damaging the antenna and preventing the receipt of signals from an RFID reader, preventing the generation of sufficient power to transmit, or by eliminating the ability to transmit a signal thereby rendering RFID label  130  inoperative. 
         [0033]    According to embodiments, RFID antenna  150  is rendered inoperative by affixing capsule  120  with a strong adhesive and in such a way that removing capsule  120  separates RFID circuit  145  from RFID antenna  150 . Thus, potential counterfeiters are unable to remove capsule  120  without rendering RFID label  130  inoperative. For example, RFID antenna  150  is connected near the top of capsule  120  and affixed with an adhesive at the end to beverage container  100  and at the point where it connects with RFID label  130  to capsule  120 . Thus, it would be impossible to remove capsule  120  from beverage container  100  without destroying RFID antenna  150  and thereby rendering RFID label  150  inoperative because during the removal process the end of RFID antenna  150  will remain affixed to beverage container  100  and the portion of RFID antenna  150  closest to RFID circuit  145  is removed together with capsule  120 . 
         [0034]    According to similar embodiments, RFID circuit  145  may be affixed to capsule  120  and RFID antenna  150  substantially affixed to beverage container  100 . Thus, when capsule  120  is removed, RFID circuit  145  is separated from RFID antenna  150 , thereby rendering RFID label inoperative. The opposite configuration may also be used. In both cases, the adhesive must be stronger than the force required to break or damage the RFID antenna  150  to ensure that when capsule  120  is removed the portion of RFID label  130  affixed to beverage container  100  is not removed with capsule  120 . 
         [0035]    The present disclosure discloses methods of providing a tool for ensuring authenticity of beverages contained in beverage containers as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . According to embodiments, an RFID label is applied to beverage container to ensure authenticity and provenance of the contents of the beverage container over the course of time. The RFID labels may be applied either at the origin of the beverage or at a later time and location. 
         [0036]    Placement of an RFID label and security label, according to embodiments, are applied at the point of origin. After the beverage is deposited in the beverage container in operation  300  and the beverage container is closed and sealed using the closure device in operation  302 , the RFID label is applied over the closure and at least a portion of the beverage container in operation  320 , as described in detail above. Optionally, according to embodiments, security label is applied over at least a portion of the RFID label in operation  322 , as described in detail above. An adhesive is used to ensure the RFID label and security label cannot be removed without destroying or rendering inoperable the RFID label, according to embodiments. Thus, the closure cannot be removed without destroying the RFID label, and the RFID label cannot be removed without destroying it. Moreover, the RFID label cannot be easily removed and applied to counterfeit beverages. According to similar embodiments, security label changes appearance if removed or tampered with. 
         [0037]    Placement of an RFID label, and optionally a security label, may be applied after the beverage has departed from its point of origin, according to embodiments. Prior to applying the RFID label, the beverage contained in the beverage container is authenticated in operation  310 . Thereafter, the RFID label and security labels are applied in operations  320 ,  322 . 
         [0038]    For example, an aged wine originated prior to the advent of RFID technologies. According to embodiments, an expert authenticates the aged bottle of wine as genuine, after which an RFID label is applied as disclosed herein. Thus, after a particular beverage is deemed to be authentic, the RFID label provides continuing assurance that the particular bottle is genuine, as well as records provenance data from that point on. 
         [0039]    While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.