BRPI1000953A2 - use of new materials in marker systems - Google Patents

Abstract

USE OF NEW MATERIALS IN MARKER SYSTEMS. The present invention relates to marker systems for the security and tracking of items, articles, goods, vehicles or people. The present invention provides a marker to apply to the surfaces of items, the marker comprising at least one fluorescent material, capable of fluorescing at a specific wavelength, when subjected to stimulus. The marker can also include at least one phosphorescent material, capable of phosphorescent, and an infrared emission material, capable of emitting light at a specific frequency, when subjected to infrared stimulation. In use, fluorescence, phosphorescence and / or visible emission, measured through infrared adsorption responses, obtained from the marker, are compared against corresponding codes, to verify the authenticity of the item.

Description

Report of the Invention Patent for "USE OF NEW MATERIALS IN MARKER SYSTEMS".

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to marker systems for the security and tracking of items, articles, goods, vehicles or persons.

In recent years, the use of marker systems has been particularly useful in preventing crime and for tracking and identifying the authenticity of items. These marker systems, as developed by the depositor for many years, have found special application in the areas of security, counterfeiting and crime prevention. Refer to, among others, WO 93/07233, GB 2369078, GB 2410208, and GB 2413675. Surface analysis on which the marker system is placed or disposed may offer a reliable method of tracking or authenticating items, articles, goods, vehicles or persons.

Important features of a marker system are specificity and stability under varying conditions. Conditions may involve overeating due to weather conditions or chemical attack through deliberate attempts to remove the marker from tagged items.

Marker systems can currently have three different "levels" of coding, and they are:

i) a simple indicator of marker presence;

ii) something that provides more information; or

iii) full forensic identification, ie a unique code.

At all three levels of marker systems, the fundamental initial characteristic is the visual indication of the marked area. This is given by a visual or hidden mark through the use of an indicator that needs stimulation before providing a visible emission.

Typically, fluorescent materials, such as optical brighteners or bleaching agents, have been used which are hidden but emit a white or bluish-white color under ultraviolet light. But, they can be confused with natural materials, which are also fluorescent in the same way. In addition, the stability of these materials is limited when subjected to normal, direct sunlight. If these conditions exist, these materials can degrade in a matter of hours and lose their fluorescent emission.

The present invention aims to improve markers by providing a second level of coding by providing simple color combinations in response to various stimuli and from which simple, rapid information can be obtained.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a marker system with a high inherent stability which also offers new optical effects when subjected to different forms of illumination. The formulation in which these materials are used provides further increases in their stability.

Another highlight, as well as greater stability, lies in the fact that materials emit at specific, intense wavelengths, some in the visible range, some in the near infrared, to provide coding information.

This type of information can be used by manufacturers to identify simple, hidden aspects that are nonetheless crucial to product control, for example, which factory was used to manufacture an item.

According to the present invention, a marker is provided for application to surfaces of items, articles, goods, vehicles and / or buildings, said marker comprising at least a fluorescent material capable of fluorescence at a length specific waveform when subjected to stimulation.

Said marker may further further comprise at least one phosphorescent material capable of phosphorescence when subjected to stimulation. More preferably, said marker may further comprise at least one infrared emission material capable of emitting light at a specific frequency when subjected to stimulation.

Preferably said marker is hidden. In use, said marker also includes ultraviolet inhibitors. Still more preferably, said marker is provided as a composition comprising a thickening agent.

Further, in use, said materials are based on emitters, which are supplied in solid state as a suspension. Preferably, said materials have inherent high stability and are resistant to environmental conditions and / or removal by washing or abrasion.

Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for verifying the authenticity of an item comprising the steps of:

apply a marker to the item;

illuminate the marker with ultraviolet radiation and measure fluorescence emission;

subsequently measure the phosphorescence emission;

illuminate the marker with infrared radiation and measure visible emission;

To compare fluorescence, phosphorescence and visible emission measured by infrared adsorption responses, obtained against corresponding codes, to verify the authenticity of the item.

Preferably, the step of comparing fluorescence, phosphorescence, and visible emission, measured by obtained infrared adsorption responses, against corresponding codes to verify item authenticity is done using a lookup table. In use, the method may also include the step of initially locating the marker by use of an ultraviolet lamp or an infrared lamp.

The advantages of the present invention are that a marker system has inherent high stability which also offers new optical effects when subjected to different forms of illumination. The formulation in which these materials are used offers further increases in their stability. The marker system which provides for a second coding level, providing simple color combinations in response to various stimuli, from which simple, rapid information can be obtained.

The present invention involves the development of marker systems that have high stability and can first emit fluorescence at a specific wavelength when subjected to UV light. In addition, they then emit phosphorescence in the same or a different color. Also, in addition to this, when subjected to infrared radiation, they can emit with a specific color.

In terms of second-level coding information, the available variables allow a good level of coding on the spot to be achieved by untrained operators through the use of a simple lamp-like device. Currently, five fluorescent colors and five visible emissions based on infrared conversion are available. These variables can be combined to produce a level of complexity far beyond anything currently available as second-level coding information.

The materials are based on emitters that are present in the solid state as suspensions. Its existence in the solid phase increases its stability with respect to materials in solution under both environmental conditions and its resistance to removal by washing or abrasion.

The stability of fluorescent materials may be further enhanced by the addition of UV inhibitors to the final formulation.

An exemplified formulation comprises the following materials, with the amounts shown, dispersed in an appropriate medium: 1% (w / w) Phospor Technology Blue

0.01% (w / w) PhosphorTechnoIogy UC Green 1% (w / w) UV stabilizer Chisorb 5228S Ciba LS260, an aqueous acrylic emulsion, has been found to be a suitable medium for this purpose. Thickeners may be used, if necessary, to preserve the suspension.

The product can then be applied, either automatically, in a hidden layer, to items on a production line, or manually, if necessary.

In use, the mark can then be found by using a simple UV lamp and an IR lamp, which emit at 980 nm, both of which are easily obtainable now.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the object of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. Marker for applying to surfaces of items, articles, goods, vehicles and / or buildings, said marker comprises at least one fluorescent material capable of fluorescing at a specific wavelength when subjected to stimulation. A marker according to claim 1, further comprising at least one phosphorescent material capable of phosphorescence when subjected to stimulation. Marker according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one infrared emission material capable of emitting light at a specific frequency when subjected to stimulation. Marker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said marker is hidden. The label according to any preceding claim, wherein said label also includes ultraviolet inhibitors. A label according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said label is provided as a composition comprising a thickening agent. Marker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said materials are based on emitters, which are provided in the solid state as a suspension. Marker according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said materials have an inherent high stability, which are resistant to environmental conditions and / or to removal by washing or abrasion. 9. Method for verifying the authenticity of an item, comprising the steps of: applying a marker to the item; illuminate the marker with ultraviolet radiation and measure fluorescence emission; subsequently measure the phosphorescence emission; illuminate the marker with infrared radiation and measure visible emission; and to compare the fluorescence, phosphorescence and visible emission measured by infrared adsorption responses obtained against corresponding codes to verify the authenticity of the item. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of comparing fluorescence, phosphorescence and visible emission measured by infrared adsorption responses obtained against corresponding codes to verify the authenticity of the item is made using a table of Query. A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of initially locating the marker by use of an ultraviolet lamp or an infrared lamp. A method for verifying the authenticity of an item as described above in the present invention.