Patent Publication Number: US-7594348-B2

Title: Security label

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to security labels, and more particularly to security labels particularly adapted for pharmaceutical containers to provide an irreversible indication of tampering. 
   Pharmaceutical label counterfeiting is becoming an increasingly frequent and dangerous problem. In one form of counterfeiting, the labels are removed from discarded authentic containers; and then the labels are reapplied to non-authentic containers containing a replica or other fake of the original product. While this problem is of particular concern to the pharmaceutical industry, this problem confronts a variety of other industries. 
   To address this counterfeiting problem, prior art labels have been developed that cannot be removed from the original container without breaking the label into many small pieces, or that leave portions of the label, adhesive, or ink behind on the bottle as an indication of tampering. Although these labels address the above-noted counterfeiting issue, they create another problem for the manufacturer during manufacture. Specifically, it sometimes is necessary for a manufacturer to remove and replace a label before shipment if the label has been applied incorrectly or if the label is found to contain incorrect information. Unfortunately, the destructible label makes removal difficult and expensive, and in some cases may damage the container rendering it unsuitable for sale. 
   Therefore, prior art labels either are susceptible to counterfeiting or create manufacturing difficulties. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present invention in which a security label can be easily removed from a container, and that provides an irreversible indication of removal or other tampering so that the label cannot be reused. 
   In the disclosed embodiment, the present invention is a label having a length greater than the circumference of the container to which it will be applied. Consequently, the label completely encircles the container and overlaps itself. In the area of overlap, a mechanism for providing an irreversible visible indication of tampering is included. 
   The mechanism may take a variety of forms. In the disclosed embodiment, the tamper indicating mechanism is an adhesive between the overlapping portions that provides a bond stronger than the label ply. Consequently, the label stock must be destroyed or permanently deformed in order to remove the label from the container. Consequently, the label cannot be reused, for example in a counterfeiting operation. In alternative embodiments, the tamper indicating mechanism can be a frangible material, an adhesive, and/or printing that fractures and/or separates onto the opposite label plies if the overlap area is separated. 
   The present invention provides a label that may be removed from a container when appropriate, for example during manufacture when the label has been inappropriately applied or contains incorrect information. However, once removed, the label provides an irreversible indication of tampering so that the label cannot be reused inappropriately. 
   These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the description of the current embodiment and the drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container labeled with the new security label; and 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the labeled container. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT 
   A security label constructed in accordance with a current embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the drawings and generally designated  10 . 
   The label is applied to a container  20 , which can be of any conventional design. The disclosed container  20  includes a cap  22  for sealing an open end of the container (not visible under the cap). The container also includes a sidewall  24  extending about and defining the periphery of the container. The sidewall  24  has a circumference, which is the distance around the sidewall. Although the word “circumference” is sometimes associated with a circular configuration, in the present application the word is used to refer to the distance around any closed configuration such as the square cross section (illustrated in the drawings), a circle, a triangle, an oval, or any other shape. 
   The current embodiment is described in conjunction with a pharmaceutical container. However, the present invention is readily extendable to containers in a wide variety of fields, and therefore is not limited to the pharmaceutical field or any other particular field. 
   The label  10  includes a single ply or film  32  having an adhesive  34  on its underside facing the container  20 . Alternatively, the label may have two or more plies or other constructions. In the current embodiment, the label ply  32  is fabricated of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). However, a wide variety of materials well known to those skilled in the art may be used depending upon the particular application and requirements. 
   The label  10  has a height H on the container  20  ( FIG. 1 ). In the current embodiment, the height of the label is less than the height of the sidewall  24 . In alternative embodiments, it is possible that the label would be the same height as the sidewall  24 , or even conceivably greater than the sidewall if the marginal portions of the label were wrapped around the neck and/or bottom of the container. 
   The label  10  has a length greater than the circumference of the sidewall  24 . Consequently, when wrapped around the container  20 , the label  10  overlaps in the overlap area  40 , also referred to as the destruction zone. Consequently, the label  10  has a container portion  41  extending from the leading edge  42  to the line  44  and an overlap portion  43  extending from the line  44  to the trailing edge  46 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the container portion engages the container; and the overlap portion  43  overlies the container portion  41  in the overlap area  40 . 
   The adhesive  34  includes a container zone  34   a  and an overlap zone  34   b.  In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive  34  is the same adhesive throughout both zones. Alternatively, different adhesives and techniques can be used to vary the adhesive bonding strength in the two zones. For example, pattern printing may be used (both with a single adhesive and with multiple adhesives) to provide the two zones with different adhesive qualities. It is preferred that the adhesive zone  34   a  enable the label  10  to be peelable or otherwise releasable from the container  20 . It is further preferred that the adhesive zone  34   b  provide a permanent interconnection between the overlapping label plies in the overlap zone  40 . 
   As described, the overlap zone  40  provides an area of destruction which provides an irreversible visible indication of tampering if the label is removed from the container  20 . More specifically, the adhesive zone  34   b  provides a bond stronger than the label ply  32 . Consequently, if the overlap portion  43  is separated from the container portion  41 , the label ply  32  is permanently torn, stretched, or otherwise deformed to provide the irreversible indication. 
   Alternative/supplementary methods of providing the indication of tampering may be used. For example, a line of weakening, such as a perforation, could be formed in the label  10 . Also, a frangible material (e.g. a destructible vinyl), an adhesive, and/or printing (e.g. ink over silicon) could be included between the two plies which fractures and/or separates onto the two plies if the plies are separated. 
   In one embodiment, the label  10  is transparent. When such a label is applied to a transparent container  10 , the contents of the container can be viewed through the label and the container. 
   The labels  10  are manufactured using well known techniques to be carried by a release liner, which preferably is a continuous web with a multiplicity of labels located there along. Alternatively, the release liner can be a sheet with a fixed number of labels on each liner. 
   During packaging of the products within the containers  20 , a label  10  is applied to each container  20 . More specifically, the label  10  is dispensed from the release liner and wrapped around the container  20  beginning with the leading edge  42  of the label. As the label is wound around the container  20 , the container portion  41  of the label completely encircles and adheres to the sidewall  24 . Then the overlap portion  43  of the label  10  overlaps and adheres to the container portion  41  of the label. 
   If the label  10  is incorrectly applied (for example misaligned or wrinkled) or if the label contains incorrect information, then the label is removed from the container  20  and replaced with another label. When the label  10  is removed, it is permanently deformed in the destruction zone  40  to provide an irreversible indication of tampering. However, the label  10  may be cleanly removed from the container because the combination of the label film  32  and the adhesive zone  34   a  enable the label to be peeled or otherwise cleanly removed from the container. 
   After the labeled container  20  has been released by the manufacturer, any subsequent removal of the label  10 , or even tampering with the label  10  will create a permanent indication in the overlap zone  40 . Consequently, the label  10  cannot be removed from the container  20  and reapplied to a different container, for example as might be attempted in a counterfeiting operation. 
   The present invention therefore provides a simple, inexpensive, and efficient solution to the issue of counterfeit labels, particularly in (but not limited to) the pharmaceutical industry. The labels can be easily removed and replaced during manufacture as necessary. However, the labels cannot be removed and reused after the container has been released by the manufacturer. 
   The above description is that of the current embodiment of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.