PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10937341-B2
Application Number: US-201916519771-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Peel-able, tamper-evident security label for concealing information

Abstract:
A visual-information security system that includes an information security label positioned to conceal visual information on a substrate. The information security label may include a spiral-shaped cut (or other complex shape) within the body of the label and a pull-tab, such that when a user pulls on the tab, the label peels off of the substrate in a spiral pattern, revealing the information concealed beneath the label. The complex-shaped cut makes reapplication of the label difficult and evident, thus providing security to consumers. The label may include multiple layers of material, for example, a peel-off layer and an adhesive layer.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A visual-information security system, comprising:
 a substrate having visual information thereon; and 
 a tamper-evident label disposed over and concealing the information, the label comprising a peel-off layer comprising a pull-tab and having a cut extending through the peel-off layer, wherein the peel-off layer is adhered to the substrate, 
 wherein the cut of the peel-off layer is at least three times as long as a maximum in-tact length of the label, 
 wherein when the pull-tab is pulled away from the substrate, the peel-off layer separates along the cut to peel off of the substrate in a single continuous strip to reveal the information, and 
 wherein the peel-off layer is formed of a scratch-off ink, and can be scratched off by a user instead of being peeled off. 
 
     
     
       2. The visual-information security system of  claim 1 , wherein the cut of the peel-off layer is defined by straight sections continuously connected by arcuate sections. 
     
     
       3. The visual-information security system of  claim 2 , wherein the straight sections are parallel to each other. 
     
     
       4. The visual-information security system of  claim 1 , wherein the cut through the peel-off layer is only cut through the peel-off layer. 
     
     
       5. The visual-information security system of  claim 4 , wherein the cut forms a pair of concentric spirals. 
     
     
       6. The visual-information security system of  claim 1 , wherein the information is located centrally beneath the label, and
 wherein when the pull-tab is pulled away from the substrate, greater than 50% of the peel-off layer is peeled off before a full text character of the information is revealed. 
 
     
     
       7. The visual-information security system of  claim 1 , wherein the visual information is printed on the substrate. 
     
     
       8. The visual-information security system of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the peel-off layer and the substrate, the adhesive layer adhering the peel-off layer to the substrate. 
     
     
       9. The visual-information security system of  claim 8 , wherein the peel-off layer is opaque and wherein the adhesive layer is transparent. 
     
     
       10. The visual-information security system of  claim 1 , wherein when the pull-tab is pulled away from the substrate, greater than 90% of the peel-off layer is peeled off before the information is fully revealed. 
     
     
       11. The visual-information security system of  claim 8 , further comprising a deadening layer disposed between the pull-tab and the substrate, wherein the deadening layer reduces the adhesion of the pull-tab to the substrate. 
     
     
       12. An information security label for removably concealing information, the label comprising:
 a concealing layer comprising a pull-tab and having a single, continuous, smooth cut extending through the concealing layer, 
 an adhesive layer disposed beneath the concealing layer, and 
 a deadening layer disposed beneath the pull-tab of the concealing layer, 
 wherein the cut defines a spiral pathway of the label, the spiral pathway originating at the pull-tab and terminating within the label at a position spaced away from any outer edge of the label, 
 wherein the cut goes through the concealing layer, but does not go through the adhesive layer, and 
 wherein the deadening layer reduces adhesive properties of the adhesive layer beneath the pull-tab. 
 
     
     
       13. The information security label of  claim 12 , wherein the spiral pathway is at least three times as long as a maximum linear length of the label. 
     
     
       14. The information security label of  claim 12 , wherein the spiral pathway of the label comprises a first spiral pathway and a second spiral pathway defined by the cut, the second spiral pathway originating at the pull-tab and terminating within the label at a position spaced away from any outer edge of the label. 
     
     
       15. The information security label of  claim 14 , wherein a combined length of the first spiral pathway and the second spiral pathway is at least six times as long as a maximum linear length of the label. 
     
     
       16. The information security label of  claim 12 , wherein the cut begins within the label immediately in front of the pull-tab, and
 wherein the cut ends at an outer edge of the label and defines a side of the pull-tab. 
 
     
     
       17. A transaction card, comprising:
 confidential information disposed on a surface of the transaction card; and 
 a tamper-evident label disposed over the confidential information and temporarily adhered to the surface of the card, the label concealing the confidential information when adhered to the surface of the card, the label being configured to be removed from the surface of the card to show the confidential information disposed below the label, the label having a single continuous spine including portions oriented in different directions, the portions together cover the confidential information when adhered to the surface of the card and come apart to show the confidential information when removed. 
 
     
     
       18. The transaction card of  claim 17 , wherein the portions of the single continuous spine include two continuous pathways of material connected together at a pull tab. 
     
     
       19. The transaction card of  claim 17 , wherein the single continuous spine forms a spiral.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/922,211, filed Sep. 17, 2018, entitled “PRINTED-INFORMATION SECURITY SYSTEM AND INFORMATION SECURITY LABEL,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The described embodiments relate generally to security systems for concealing information. More particularly, the embodiments relate to peel-able, tamper-evident security labels for concealing visual information. 
     Transaction cards may include visual information (e.g., an account number or authorization code) that is intended to remain hidden until the card is in the possession of its end user. Such visual information may be covered by a security label that conceals the visual information. The security label may be removed—ideally by the end user—to reveal the previously-concealed information. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments are disclosed that relate to visual-information security systems that may include a tamper-evident information label configured to conceal information disposed on a substrate (e.g., a transaction card). The information security label may be peel-able, and may be configured to split apart during removal such that reapplication of the label is difficult once it has been removed, and such that an attempted re-application will be visually evident. 
     For example, embodiments include an information security label for removably concealing information, where the security label includes a concealing layer having a pull-tab. The concealing layer may include a continuous cut therethrough, where the cut defines a pathway of the label. The pathway may originate at the pull-tab and terminate within the label at a position spaced away from any outer edge of the label. 
     Embodiments also include a visual-information security system, where the system includes a substrate having visual information thereon and a tamper-evident label disposed over and concealing the information. When a user pulls the label away from the substrate, the label splits apart along a cut to peel off of the substrate in the form of a continuous strip to reveal the information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a visual-information security system having an information security label. 
         FIG. 2  shows the visual-information security system of  FIG. 1  with the information security label partially removed by a user. 
         FIG. 3  shows a visual-information security system having an information security label. 
         FIGS. 4-8 , in sequence, show a user removing the information security label of the visual-information security system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  shows the information security label of the information security system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  shows an exploded view of the information security label of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  shows another embodiment of an information security label. 
         FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of an information security label. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Transaction cards are commonly used to represent a monetary value that may be redeemed for goods, services, discounts, cash or the like. Some transaction cards may include visual information (e.g., a unique code) disposed on the card that is used to activate the card and to keep track of the value assigned to the card. For example, a user may purchase a transaction card from a vendor, and during the transaction the unique code disposed on the card is used to activate the card so that the user may redeem the value of the card (e.g., by entering the unique code into an online system where the value of the card may be used to make purchases). 
     The transaction card may be any tangible card, document, or the like having information disposed thereon. The transaction card may be, for example, a stored-value card, gift card, telephone card, discount card, coupon, lottery ticket, or other card or document with visual information disposed thereon. The visual information may include, for example, any visual human-readable representation of data or any optical machine-readable representation of data. Examples include text having any number of characters or symbols, indicia, a linear barcode (e.g., a Universal Product Code (“UPC”)), and/or a matrix barcode (e.g., a Quick Response (“QR”) Code). The transaction card or its visual information may have no associated value until the transaction card is activated using its visual information. 
     Since the information disposed on the card may be associated with a certain value, it may be desirable to secure the visual information such that only an authorized user (e.g., the purchaser of the card) may view the visual information. Some existing visual-information security systems may include, for example, a removable label that is disposed to conceal the visual information. The transaction card may also include an activation barcode or magnetic strip, for example, that corresponds to the concealed visual information and is used to activate the concealed visual information during a transaction with the user. In this manner, the concealed visual information may be assigned a value during a transaction without the label being removed. Then, when a user is ready to redeem the value of the card, the user may remove the removable label and view the visual information. 
     Some existing information security systems may include a peel-off label that is configured to conceal information that is disposed on a transaction card until a user peels off the label. Such peel-off labels may be quickly and easily removed, providing users with efficient access to the concealed visual information. Further, as an alternative to some other security labels—such as scratch-off labels—peel-off labels may not require a coin or other hard object to aid in removing the label, and may not produce small bits of debris during removal. 
     Some existing peel-off labels may include an opaque portion and an adhesive, where the opaque portion conceals the visual information and the adhesive secures the label to the transaction card. When a user pulls on an edge of the label, the label may peel off the card in one piece, revealing the visual information. Since the label may remain substantially intact during removal, however, a thief or other unscrupulous party may remove or partially remove the peel-off label before the card has been sold to a user, obtain the visual information, and then reapply the label, leaving little or no evidence that the label has been previously removed. Since it may not be apparent that the label has been tampered with, a user may purchase the card without realizing that the visual information has been compromised. Then, after the card has been purchased and activated, the thief may redeem the value associated with the card by entering the ill-gotten information into the appropriate online or other system to redeem the value of the card before the rightful purchaser has the opportunity to do so. 
     Embodiments as described herein provide visual-information security systems that include a tamper-evident information security label for concealing visual information. Such information security labels may be peel-off labels configured to be easily removed from a transaction card but difficult to reapply to the card without it being visually apparent that the card has been tampered with. Thus, such visual-information security systems may provide users with both convenience and security. 
     Some information security labels as described herein may include, for example, a concealing layer (which may be opaque, for example), an adhesive layer, a pull-tab, and a continuous cut within the concealing layer that defines a continuous strip of material. The label may be adhered to the surface of a transaction card and positioned to conceal the visual information disposed on the card. A user may remove the label by pulling on the pull-tab, which causes the concealing layer to separate along the cut, and which causes the continuous strip of material to continuously peel away from the card. The visual information may be disposed such that a significant portion of the label must be peeled away from the card before the visual information is revealed. Since the label splits into continuous strips of material when removed, it may be difficult to recreate the original appearance of the label without leaving evidence of tampering, thus providing security to users and sellers who may avoid purchasing or selling/activating a transaction card with a visibly compromised label. 
     In some embodiments, the cut may be in the shape of a spiral, so that when the user pulls on the pull-tab, the label splits and peels away starting around the outer edge of the label, and continuing inward along a spiral path until the concealed visual information is revealed (e.g., upon full removal of the label). Other shapes and paths are possible, as explained in more detail below. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-12 . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a visual-information security system  10 , which may include a substrate  12  having information  14  disposed thereon and an information security label  100 . Substrate  12  may be, for example, any tangible card, document, or the like that includes visual information. Visual information  14  may be any visual human-readable representation of data or any optical machine-readable representation of data, including, for example, text having any number of characters or symbols, indicia, a linear barcode (e.g., a UPC), and/or a matrix barcode (e.g., a QR Code). In some examples where visual information  14  is printed on substrate  12 , the information may be printed on substrate  12  using any printing method such as, for example, ink printing, laser printing, or the like. In some embodiments, substrate  12  may be, for example, a transaction card. Substrate  12  may include other visual information that is unconcealed, such as unconcealed visual information  15 , which may include identification information, account information, value indications, use descriptions or instructions, visual representations of data (e.g., barcodes), etc. 
     Information security label  100  may be disposed to cover and conceal visual information  14 , and may be adhered to substrate  12  using an adhesive. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a user  500  may remove information security label  100  by pulling on a first end  102  of information security label  100 . As the user  500  continues to pull first end  102  away from substrate  12 , information security label  100  remains substantially intact and visual information  14  becomes visible to the user  500 . 
     As described above, since information security label  100  remains substantially intact as it is removed, information security label  100  may be peeled off and reapplied to substrate  12  with little or no evidence that information security label  100  has been compromised. As such, a bad actor may remove label  100 , obtain visual information  14 , and reapply label  100  with little or no evidence of the act. This can be detrimental, since information security label  100  is intended to keep information  14  confidential until it has been removed by the rightful user (e.g., the purchaser or rightful recipient of card  10 ), who may have no knowledge that a bad actor has previously viewed information  14 . 
       FIGS. 3-8  show a visual-information security system  20 , which may include a substrate  22  having information  24  disposed thereon (e.g., on a surface thereof) and an information security label  200 . Information security label  200  may be a tamper-evident label. Substrate  22  may be, for example, any tangible card, document, or the like that includes visual information. Visual information  24  may be any visual human-readable representation of data or any optical machine-readable representation of data, including, for example, text having any number of characters or symbols, indicia, a linear barcode (e.g., a UPC), and/or a matrix barcode (e.g., a QR Code). In some embodiments visual information  24  is confidential information. In some examples where visual information  24  is printed on substrate  22 , the information may be printed on substrate  22  using any printing method such as, for example, ink printing, laser printing, or the like. In some embodiments, visual information  24  may be textured. In some embodiments, substrate  22  may be, for example, a transaction card. Substrate  22  may include other visual information that is unconcealed, such as unconcealed visual information  25 , which may include identification information, account information, value indications, use descriptions or instructions, visual representations of data (e.g., barcodes), etc. 
     Information security label  200  may be disposed to cover and conceal visual information  24 , and may be adhered to substrate  22  (e.g., using an adhesive). Information security label  200  may include a cut  240  within information security label  200 . As shown in  FIGS. 4-8 , a user  500  may remove information security label  200  by pulling on a pull-tab  212  disposed at a first end  202  of information security label  200 . As the user  500  continues to pull pull-tab  212  away from substrate  22 , information security label  200  splits apart along cut  240  into narrow, continuous strips of material  214 , which may peel away from substrate  22  in an inward spiral manner following cut  240  (e.g., in the case where cut  240  is spiral shaped, as shown). In other words, information security label  200  may peel away in different directions as it is pulled by a user (e.g., back-and-forth along the length of security label  200 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-8 ). Visual information  24  may be disposed beneath the center of information security label  200  and, thus, visual information may be revealed or shown to user  500  only after a significant portion of label  200  has been peeled away from substrate  22 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-8  and described above, by pulling pull-tab  212 , the entirety of information security label  200  may be pulled away in a single continuous piece that no longer has the same outer shape as it did when it was originally adhered to substrate  22 . Since information security label  200  splits apart during removal, it may be difficult to recreate the original appearance of information security label  200  without leaving visible evidence of tampering, thus providing security to users and sellers who may avoid purchasing or selling/activating a transaction card with a visibly compromised label. In this manner, information security label  200  may maintain the convenience and ease of use of existing peel-off labels, but may also provide consumers and sellers with added security. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , information security label  200  includes a second end  204  disposed opposite first end  202 . The distance between first and second ends  202 ,  204  may define an intact length  205  of information security label  200 . In some embodiments, intact length  205  of information security label  200  may be between approximately 20-80 millimeters. A perimeter  206  may define the shape of information security label  200 . Information security label  200  is shown to have a generally rounded rectangular shape, however, it may take other shapes as well, including, for example, a square (see  FIG. 11 , for example), circular, elliptical, polygonal or non-polygonal shape and may or may not be symmetrical about any axis. In some embodiments, information security label  200  is flat. 
       FIG. 10  shows an exploded view of information security label  200 . As shown, information security label  200  includes a peel-off layer  210 , an adhesive layer  220 , and a deadening layer  230 . Peel-off layer  210  may be a concealing layer configured to conceal visual information  24  until peel-off layer  210  is removed by a user. In some embodiments, peel-off layer  210  may be sufficiently opaque such that a user may not see visual information  24  through peel-off layer  210 . In some embodiments, peel-off layer  210  may be formed of a scratch-off ink, such that a user may either peel off or scratch off layer  210  in order to reveal visual information  24 . Peel-off layer  210  may be formed of, for example, varnish, scratch-off ink, release lacquer, polyester, and/or dry peel coating. In some embodiments where visual information  24  is textured, peel-off layer  210  may be sufficiently thick or rigid such that visual information  24  may not be seen or felt through peel-off layer  210 . 
     Adhesive layer  220  may be disposed between peel-off layer  210  and substrate  22  to temporarily adhere information security label  200  to substrate  22 . In some embodiments, adhesive layer  220  may have the same size and shape as intact peel-off layer  210 . Adhesive layer  220  may include an adhesive such as, for example, glue, cement, paste, or other substance capable of adhering peel-off layer  210  to substrate  22 . In some embodiments, adhesive layer  220  may directly adhere peel-off layer  210  to substrate  22 . In other embodiments, information security label  200  may include intervening layers disposed between adhesive layer  220  and/or peel-off layer  210  such that adhesive layer  220  indirectly adheres peel-off layer  210  to substrate  22 . 
     In some embodiments, when a user removes peel-off layer  210 , adhesive layer  220  may remain on substrate  22  after peel-off layer  210  has been removed from substrate  22 . Adhesive layer  220  may be sufficiently transparent such that a user may see visual information  24  though adhesive layer  220 . Adhesive layer  220  may be more strongly adhered to substrate  22  than to peel-off layer  210  such that adhesive layer  220  remains on substrate  22  while and after peel-off layer  210  is peeled off. Adhesive layer  220  may have insufficient strength to resist a peel force applied by a user to information security label  200 , thereby allowing the user to manually remove peel-off layer  210  in a single continuous strip of material  214 , leaving adhesive layer  220  behind. Adhesive layer  220  may have sufficient strength to resist a shear force applied by a user to information security label  200  such that peel-off layer  210  may not be sheared off of substrate  22 , leaving adhesive layer  220  behind, without disturbing the original appearance of peel-off layer  210 . 
     In some embodiments, pull-tab  212  may be formed as a part of peel-off layer  210 , and may help a user remove peel-off layer  210  by providing a surface whereby the user may begin to remove peel-off layer  210 . Pull-tab  212  is shown to be disposed at first end  202  of information security label  200 , however, in other embodiments it may disposed elsewhere along perimeter  206  of information security label  200 . Pull-tab  212  may include a graphic  211  to indicate to a user that it is meant to be pulled (e.g., an arrow as shown). 
     In some embodiments, a deadening layer  230  may be used to reduce or weaken the adhesiveness of certain portions of adhesive layer  220 . Deadening layer  230  may be used, for example, to reduce or weaken the adhesiveness of the portion of adhesive layer  220  beneath pull-tab  212 , thereby making it easier for a user to grasp pull-tab  212  and begin peeling peel-off layer  210 . In some embodiments, deadening layer  230  may sufficiently reduce the adhesiveness of adhesive layer  220  such that pull-tab  212  is unattached to substrate  22 . In some embodiments, deadening layer  230  may sufficiently reduce the adhesiveness of adhesive layer  220  such that pull-tab  212  is only partially adhered to substrate  22 . In some embodiments, deadening layer  230  may sufficiently reduce the adhesiveness of adhesive layer  220  such that pull-tab  212  is more weakly adhered to substrate  22  than other portions of peel-off layer  210 . In some embodiments, no adhesive may be disposed beneath pull-tab  212 , and no deadening layer  230  may be included in information security label  200 . 
     Although shown in  FIG. 10  as having only three layers, information security label  200  may include any number of layers that include materials and/or properties not described above. 
     Cut  240  may be disposed in information security label  200  and may be used to control the manner in which peel-off layer  210  splits apart and peels away from substrate  22  when being removed by a user. Cut  240  may include a first end  242  and a second end  244  defining a length of cut  240 . The length of cut  240  is the distance that cut traverses within the outer perimeter  206  of information security label  200 . In some embodiments, cut  240  may be at least two times as long as the maximum intact length  205  of information security label  200 . In some embodiments, cut  240  may be between two and four times as long as the maximum intact length  205  of information security label  200 . In some embodiments, the length of cut  240  may be between approximately 40-320 millimeters. 
     Cut  240  may be configured such that first end  242  of cut  240  intersects perimeter  206 , and second end  244  of cut  240  may be disposed within perimeter  206  and spaced away from perimeter  206 . Pull-tab  212  may be disposed immediately adjacent to first end  242  of cut  240  such that when pull-tab  212  is pulled, peel-off layer  210  first splits apart at perimeter  206 , and then continues to split apart along the path of cut  240  (see  FIGS. 4-8 ). 
     Cut  240  may be continuous, which is to say that it follows a continuous path with no breaks and does not intersect with itself. Cut  240  may follow a variety of complexly shaped paths within perimeter  206 . In some embodiments, cut  240  may follow a continuously curving path. In some embodiments, cut  240  may follow a curved path that includes both straight and curved segments. In some embodiments, cut  240  may be formed solely of straight segments (e.g., connected at angles, such as in a rectilinear spiral or serpentine shape). In some embodiments, cut  240  may follow a path that defines more than one shape. In some embodiments, information security label may include more than one continuous, but separate, cut  240 . 
     Cut  240  may be a score. Cut  240  may be deep enough to sufficiently weaken peel-off layer  210  such that it splits apart along the path of cut  240  when a user pulls on pull-tab  212 . In some embodiments, cut  240  may extend only partially through information security label  200 . For example, cut  240  may extend through peel-off layer  210  but not adhesive layer  220 . As described above, adhesive layer  220  may be transparent and may be more strongly adhered to substrate  22  than to peel-off layer  210 , thereby allowing adhesive layer  220  to remain attached to substrate  22  while and after peel-off layer  210  is peeled off by a user, and preventing information security label  200  from separating from substrate  22  without splitting apart. 
     In some embodiments, cut  240  may extend completely through information security label  200 . Adhesive layer  220  may be more strongly adhered to peel-off layer  210  than to substrate  22  such that adhesive layer  220  remains attached to peel-off layer  210  while and after peel-off layer  210  is peeled off. Adhesive layer  220  may have insufficient strength to resist a peel force applied by a user to information security label  200 , thereby allowing the user to manually remove peel-off layer  210  in a single continuous strip of material  214 , taking adhesive layer  220  with peel-off layer  210 . Adhesive layer  220  may have sufficient strength to resist a shear force applied by a user to information security label  200  such that peel-off layer  210  may not be sheared off of substrate  22 , along with adhesive layer  220 , without disturbing the original appearance of peel-off layer  210 . 
     In some embodiments, cut  240  may be a groove cut, meaning the material along the path of cut  240  is continuously separated. In some embodiments, cut  240  may be a perforated cut, meaning the material along the path of cut  240  includes perforations that sufficiently weaken the material such that the material splits apart along the path of cut  240  when peeled away from substrate  22  by a user. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , first end  242  of cut  240  may intersect with perimeter  206  and may define a side  213  of pull-tab  212 , and second end  244  of cut  240  may be disposed immediately in front of pull-tab  212 . Beginning at first end  242 , cut  240  may follow an inwardly spiraling path toward the center of information security label  200  that then continuously transitions to an outwardly spiraling path away from the center of information security label  200  that terminates at second end  244 . Between first and second ends  242 ,  244 , cut  240  may include straight sections  248  that are parallel to each other, and that are continuously connected to each other by arcuate sections  246 . The inwardly and outwardly spiraling paths of cut  240  may be substantially concentric, which is to say that they wind around the same, general central portion of information security label  200 . 
     Cut  240  may define two continuous pathways of material  214  that begin immediately in front of pull-tab  212  and terminate at termination points  216  within perimeter  206  of information security label  200 . Pathways  214  may be continuous with each other, such that pathways  214  define a single continuous spine, which may be oriented in different directions. Pathways  214  (e.g., connected together at pull-tab  212  to form a single, continuous spine) may come together to cover visual information  24  when adhered to substrate  22  (e.g., a surface of a transaction card), and may come apart (e.g., upon removal of pathways  214  from substrate  22 ) to show visual information  24 . Pathways  214  may be spirally shaped and may include both straight and curved segments that correspond to the path defined by cut  240 . The distance between the area immediately in front pull-tab  212  and termination points  216 , as measured along pathway  214 , defines the length of each pathway  214 . In some embodiments, the length of each pathway  214  may be at least two times as long as the intact length  205  of information security label  200 . In some embodiments, the combined length of the two spiral pathways may be at least four times as long as the intact length  205  of information security label  200 . In some embodiments, each of the two pathways is of a different length. In some embodiments, cut  240  defines more or fewer than two continuous pathways. For example, cut  240  may define a single continuous pathway, or may define 3, 4, 5, or more continuous pathways. In some embodiments multiple cuts  240  may be used to form such multiple pathways. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4-8 , when a user  500  pulls on pull-tab  212 , pathways  214  may peel off of substrate  22  simultaneously, beginning around perimeter  206  of information security label  200  and ending within perimeter  206  at termination points  216 . In some embodiments, one pathway  214  may terminate and detach from substrate  22  while the other pathway  214  remains attached to substrate  22  and continues to peel away from substrate  22 . 
     Cut  240  may follow a variety of complexly shaped paths and may include any number of curves and/or straight sections. Cut  240  is shown in  FIG. 9  to follow a path defined by two substantially concentric spirals, however, cut  240  may follow a variety of differently shaped paths that may define a variety differently shaped pathways  214 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , for example, cut  240  may follow a single spiral-shaped path, and may define a spiral-shaped pathway  214 , such that when a user pulls on pull-tab  212 , peel-off layer  210  may peel off of substrate  22  beginning around perimeter  206  and ending at the center of the label  200 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , for example, cut  240  may follow a wave-shaped path (e.g., following a serpentine or sinusoidal path). In such an example, cut  240  may define a substantially horizontal pathway  214 , such that when a user pulls on pull-tab  212 , peel-off layer  210  may peel off of substrate  22  beginning at first end  202 , then toward second end  204 , then back toward first end  202 . In some embodiments, cut  240  may follow a path that combines features of a spiral path and a wave-shaped path, whether curved, rectilinear, or both. 
     In some embodiments, pathways  214  may have a width  215  (see  FIG. 9 ) of at least 1 millimeter. In some embodiments, pathways  214  may have a width  215  of between 1 and 5 millimeters. In some embodiments, pathways  214  may have sufficient shear and tensile strength to resist breaking or tearing when pathways  214  are peeled away from substrate  22 . In some embodiments, the width  215  of pathways  214  may vary along the lengths of pathways  214 . 
     Cut  240  may follow a continuous, smooth path with no sharp corners or abrupt transitions. Sharp corners or abrupt transition may increase the stress concentration in pathways  214  at the corners or transitions, which may promote breaking or tearing of pathways  214 . Accordingly, arcuate sections  246  of cut  240  may have a sufficiently large radius to reduce the stress concentrations in pathways  214 , such that as pathways  214  are peeled away from substrate  22 , pathways  214  do not tear or break apart as they change direction. In some embodiments, the radius of arcuate sections  246  may be at least 0.5 millimeters. In some embodiments, the radius of arcuate sections  246  may be between 1 and 5 millimeters. 
     Once removed from substrate  22 , continuous pathways  214  may be connected only at their origin near pull-tab  212 . Although continuous pathways  214  may be connected at pull-tab  212  and removed from substrate  22  as one continuous piece, peel-off layer  210  is no longer intact, which is to say it is no longer in its original shape and configuration. 
     In some embodiments, visual information  24  may be located centrally beneath the security label such that a user may peel away a portion of the information security label  200  without revealing visual information  24 . In some embodiments, a user must peel off greater than 40-60% of the peel-off layer before any portion of visual information  24  is revealed. In some embodiments, a user  500  must peel off between 60 and 80% of the peel-off layer before any portion of visual information  24  (e.g., a full text character) is revealed. In some embodiments, a user  500  must peel off greater than 80-95% of the peel-off layer before all of visual information  24  is revealed. 
     The splitting apart of peel-off layer  210  as it is removed from substrate  22 , makes it difficult to recreate the original appearance of information security label  200  after a portion of the peel-off layer  210  has been removed. In some embodiments, visual information  24  is not visible until after a sufficient portion of peel-off layer  210  has been removed such that the original appearance of information security label  200  cannot be recreated. In some embodiments, the original appearance of information security label  200  cannot be recreated after between 50 and 80% of peel-off layer  210  has been removed. In some embodiments, the original appearance of information security label  200  cannot be recreated after 75% of peel-off layer  210  has been removed. In some embodiments, pathways  214  may retain some adhesive after removal from substrate  22 , which may cause pathways  214  to stick to one another or to become entangled with one another, thereby making it difficult to recreate the original appearance of information security label  200 . 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190723
Publication Date: 20210302
Grant Date: 20210302
Priority Date: 20180917
Inventors: VANSLETTE, JEREMY
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G09F2003/0277", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0292", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F2003/0264", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F2003/0222", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F2003/0213", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0292", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D25/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0341", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D15/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B41M3/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B7/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0288", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0292", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D25/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F2003/0279", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D25/23", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F2003/0222", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D15/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F2003/0213", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D25/305", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0288", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B32B7/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D15/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B42D25/30", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/0292", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G09F3/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B41M3/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69774304