GB2364272A - Kit for security marking using a yellow fluorescent ink - Google Patents

Abstract

The kit includes a bottle of UV yellow fluorescent ink, vinyl stencils for applying postcodes or other marks to a substrate, a polyester foam ended liquid applicator, a paintbrush for spot marking a substrate, and a handheld elongate UV lamp or lamp stick.

Description

2364272 Page I Request for grant of a Patent.

To accompany Patents Form 1/77 Title of the invention. The Ultra-Violet [Yellow$ Security Marking Process and Kit

Description of the invention.

The Ultraviolet [Yellow] Security Marking Kit is an invention that relates to the invisible marking of an item of any size, shape or colour, with a bright yellow ultraviolet [UV] solution [Item 2 on Diagram 1]. The subsequent detection of that marking is made using a specially developed handheld lampstick [item 1 a] with a 4 waft 15cm Blacklight Blue fluorescent tube [BLB], powered either by 230/240 volts AC or by a 12 volt DC 2,8 Ah sealed lead-acid rechargeable battery or through a vehicle cigarette lighter.

When an item that has been marked with the rapid drying UV fluid [Item 2] is viewed under the UV handheld fluorescent lampstick [Item 1 a], it can then be positively and definitively identified as property from a particular dwelling.

Background

As a similar product, there is an inexpensive pen that uses a purple ultra-violet ink, similar to that used to detect counterfeit banknotes in retail establishments, which does not shine at all brightly under UV light, and has the drawback of fading in sunlight and can be washed off. The background to this development was that, although there are other types of marking systems, [such as microdots, etching and DNA-based systems], the UV [yellow] system of marking ensures that articles can be invisibly marked with no apparent damage or reduction in their value [etching], do not require forensic science [DNA marking] and can be readily identified on the spot by the use of the UV lampstick [Item 1 a], If any UV [yellow] marked articles are recovered by the Police or appear in an Auction House for example, the shining of the UV lampstick [item 1 a] over these UV [yellow] marked items will immediately identify the article as having been security marked and the Police can then contact the owner for verification of the ownership of that article and the return of that particular article. The UV [yellow] marking does not fade under bright sunlight or deteriorate under extreme weather conditions, can be used on items inside the dwelling, including valuables, Fine Art and computers, cameras and clothing. In addition the UV [yellow] liquid [Item 2] can be used to mark outside articles as diverse as cycles [frame + tyres], statuary, garden machinery, motor cycles, outboard engines and power tools, to name a few items and bring immediate and positive identification.

All the contents of the kit in any configuration of the handheld UV lampstick [Itemla and 1 b] and the application process form part of this invention.

The contents of the Kit appear on pages 4 and 5 after Diagrams I and 2 that follow on pages 2 and 3.

VOIT Q.

Contents of Ultraviolet Security Marking Kit shown in Diagram 1 This list contains all the contents of the Ultraviolet Security Marking Kit Invention shown in Diagram 1 and 2 and numbered 1 to 17 as indicated in this table.

Item 1 a/4w 15cm 4 waft BLB UV handheld lampstick with 230/240v cable + plug Blacklight Blue [BLB] Fluorescent tube Item 1 b/4w 15cm 4 waft BLB UV handheld lampstick with 12v cable + plug Item 1 a/6w 22,5cm 6 waft BLB UV handheld lampstick with 230/240v cable + plug Item 1 b/6w 22,5cm 6 waft BLB UV handheld lampstick with 12v cable + plug Item 1 a/8w 30cm 8 waft BLB UV handheld lampstick with 230/240v cable + plug Item 1 b/8w 30cm 8 waft BLB UV handheld lampstick with 12v cable + plug Any configuration of the above Blacklight Blue fluorescent tube wattage with either AC or DC power is included in this invention.

The handheld lampstick has one of the above-sized Blacklight Blue fluorescent tubes located in a body of PVC tubing, and can be supplied with either a 230/240 volt AC or 12 volt DC supply. There is a black plastic hand grip from where the power cable exits and an end cap both secured with a plastic fixing pin. The handheld UV lampstick has a silver reflector across half of the inside of the PVC tube and black vinyl on half of the outside of the PVC tube in which the BL13 fluorescent tube is located.

Item 2- UV [yellow] fluid. The UV [yellow] fluid comprises an acrylic ester copolymer dispersion [as a binder], an anionic dispersion of a water-soluble oxizanone in liquid form [UV], an ester alcohol [coalescent] , and de-ionised water.

Item 3- LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene] Bottle for UV fluid.

Item 4- Nozzle of HDPE [High Density Polyethylene] for UV fluid bottle [Item 3].

Item 5- Screw cap HDPE container 40mm diameter at base.

Item 6- Foam Polyester pad 35mm diameter.

Item 7- Applicator in polished Ash wood.

Item 8- Polyester Foam Applicator pad 22mm diameter + double sided tape.

Item 9- Vinyl Stencils with 2 stencils cut at centre and at one end. Size 205 x 85mm.

Item 10- PVC Wallet for Stencils Size 210 x 90mm.

Item 11 - PVC Stencil Holder with stencil in centre and at one end. Size 210 x 90mm.

Item 12- Fine No 2 Paintbrush in Ash colour.

I Contents of Ultraviolet Security Marking Kit as shown in Diagram 2 Item 13- Plastic Carry case in Blue + die-cut Black foam insert. Size 300 x 220mm. Item 14- Carry case label 190 x 130mm. Not shown on diagram. Item 15-Instructions on A4 sheet. Not shown on diagram. Item 16 Marking Record Sheet on A4 sheet. Not shown on diagram. Item 17- "Property Marked" vinyl stickers 75mm diameter. Not shown on diagram.

?Ole The application and explanation of the invention.

Most items, except very small articles such as jewellery, have the UV [yellow] fluid (item 2] applied with a fine density Polyester foam pad and Ash wood Applicator [item 7 & 6], through a specially cut fine vinyl stencil [item 9] in varying letter sizes, [typically from 4mm to 25mm letter height]. The stencil [item 9] is then placed in a PVC stencil holder [Item 11], and positioned onto the article to be marked. A small amount of the UV [yellow] liquid [Item 2] is then dropped onto a Polyester foam pad [item 6] in a small plastic screw cap bottle [item 5], allowed to soak in, and the Applicator [item 7] is then dabbed lightly onto this pad [Item 6] to absorb the fluid. The security marking is applied with a circular motion through the stencil [Item 9], which is then removed from the article and the special UV handheld Lampstick (Item 1 a or 1 b in any configuration of 4,6 or 8 wafts, be it 230/240v or 12 volts], will then be shone over the marking to establish that it has been correctly applied. The UV [yellow] marking process will then be repeated in a different place on the article, since it is always advisable to mark an item in more than one place. A light dabbing of the Applicator [Item 7] onto the Polyester foam pad [Item 6] will be sufficient for the next 2 or 3 UV [yellow] markings, depending on the porous or otherwise nature of the item being UV [yellow] marked.

For items requiring to be UV [yellow] marked that are not flat and cannot use the PVC stencil holder [Item 11], for example a porcelain jar or cycle frame, the vinyl stencil [item 9] can be wrapped firmly around the curve of the item and stencilled in the above described manner. For small items the smaller 5mm stencil [Item 9] will be employed. Cycle tyres will use the 5mm stencil [item 9] that is cut in an arc to facilitate UV [yellow] marking and will be marked on the flat part of the tyre nearest to the rim of the wheel.

The vinyl stencil [Item 9] will comprise a full Post Code of the dwelling pertaining to the items to be marked. In Britain, there may be 10 houses in a street that will have the same postal code, [TA1 1 SE, for example]. Those houses may be numbered 4-13 and all have the same post code. This vinyl stencil [item 9] will positively identify a particular dwelling, number 12 for example, by having the vinyl stencil [Item 9] cut as TA1 1 SE 12. In the case of a house name of Shire Cottage, the stencil would be TA1 1 SE SC. This will allow positive identification of any post coded property recovered anywhere in Britain, or in any country that has a police force aware of another nation's postal coding system, should stolen property arrive at an Auction House, for example. Without the 12 or the SC on the stencil, it is often not possible to pinpoint the exact location of each dwelling when the proof of ownership is required. This full method of postcoding is advised in a Home Office leaflet Coded For Keeps, and is not claimed as original in the invention, but forms part of the UV [yellow] security marking process.

For very small items that cannot utilise a vinyl stencil [Item 9], the UV [yellow] fluid [item 2] can be applied with a fine No 2 size Paintbrush [item 12]. For example, on a diamond ring, three or four small UV [yellow] dots may be applied, which will be invisible. The dot positions should then be noted on the accompanying Marking Record Sheet [Item 14] and which will be known only to the owner (marker), who can positively state where that piece of jewellery is marked and thus identify it as their property. The marking will not wear off if placed in a position that is not subject to wearing or rubbing. The purpose of the UV handheld Lampstick [item 1] is to verify that the marking is in the position stated on Marking Record Sheet [Item 14]. The UV [yellow] marking cannot be seen except under UV light NC S.

Claims (21)

1- Examples of items that can be marked invisibly using the UV [yellow] Security Marking Process and Kit described are as follows:

2- The technical features of the invention are the Ultra-Violet [yellow] fluid [Item 2], the vinyl fine cut Postcode stencil [Item 9-or other required type of stencil to identify a property-such as a Family Crest], and the method of detection of the UV [yellow] security marked item through a specially designed handheld lampstick with a Blacklight Blue fluorescent tube powered either by 230/240 volts or with a rechargeable 12 volt Dc 2,8 Ah sealed lead-acid battery.

3- Paintings can be UV [yellow] security marked as claimed in claim 1 on the back of the canvass or on the back of the frame without any devaluation of the article.

4- Silverware can be UV [yellow] security marked as claimed in claim 1 with a fine brush in areas that could not be polished or cleaned, such as a join around the base of a silver wine coaster. Likewise jewellery that could not otherwise use the vinyl stencil [item 9] can be spotmarked with a fine paintbrush.

5- Clothing can be UV [yellow] security marked as claimed in Claim 1 and the UV security mark will not be removed in a washing machine process or in dry cleaning.

6- Cycles can be UV [yellow] security marked as claimed in claim 1 in six places on the frame and tyres in three minutes, whereas etching or engraving would take much longer and can be removed. To attempt any removal of UV [yellow] security mark, the UV [yellow] security marking must first be located, which is not possible without the UV lampstick [Item 1a].

7- Power Hand Tools are very effectively UV [yellow] security marked as claimed in claim 1, and even through constant use, do not lose the marking through fading with use of hands on the power tool, which would occur in use having been marked with the alternative such as a UV pen.

9- Almost anything that needs to be security marked can be UV [yellow] security marked as claimed in claim 1, and will it retain its marking.

10- The UV [yellow] security marking as claimed in claim 1, is very bright and has an easily discernible colour under ultraviolet light, is very durable under adverse weather conditions, has long-lasting properties, and is readily identifiable from the tailor-made stencil [item 9] for each dwelling, be it a household, office, warehouse or production unit in the United Kingdom.

It is a simple to use, very effective method of protecting property and assets against burglary, and should stolen items be recovered, instant identification is possible with the handheld UV lampstick [Item 1 a or lb with 15cm 22,5cm or 30cm BLB tube].

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Vey, (0 CLAIMS A security marking kit which includes: -atontainer of ultra violeffluid in which the marking fluid when dry, is invisible in sunlight but f luomsms Yellow under ultra-violet light; -a stenci I to be placed on an article to be marked; and -an applicator for applying the f luid through the stencil.

2. A security marking kit according to Claim 1, in which the ultra violet marking f4uid comprises an anionic dispersion of water-soluble oxizanone in liquid form.

3. A security marking kit according to Claim 2, in which the ultra violet marking f luid comprises a binder in the form of an acrylic ester copolymer dispersion. - 4. A security marking kit according to Claim 2 or 3, in which the ultra violet marking f luid comprises a coalescent in the form of an ester alcohol.

5. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, including a further container having an absorbent pad for impregnation with ultra violet marking f luid.

6. A security marking kit according to Claim 5, in which the applicator incorporates a handle with a foam pad.

7. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, in which the stencil is a flexible sheet.

B. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, in which the stencil is provided with a holder in the form of a windowed envelope.

9. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, including a hand held lampstick.

10. A security marking kit according to Claim 9, in which the lampstick comprises a fluorescent tube mounted in an elongate tubular housing.

11. A security marking kit according to Claim 10, in which the housing forms a handle projecting fromone end of the tube.

12. A security marking kit according to Claim 10 or 11, in which the housing is provided in a elongate window.

13. A security marking kit according to Claim 10, 11 or 12, in which the housing contains a reflector.

14. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, in which the container for the ultra violet f luid is a bottle with screw cap.

15. A security marking kit according to Claim 14, including a nozzle for attachment to the bottle.

16. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, which includes a fine-tipped brush for spot marking an article.

17. A security marking kit according to any preceding claim, in which the components of the kit are provided in a carry case.

18. A method of security marking an article which includes:

-applying a quantity of ultra-violet marking f luid to an absorbent pad, -placing a stencil against an article to be marked, and -using an applicator to transfer the ultra-violet f luid f rom the pad and apply it to the article through the stencil, and the marking f luid, when dry is invisible in sunlight, but fluoresces yellow under ultra-violet light.

19. A method of security marking an article according to Claim 18, in which the stencil is formed of flexible sheet which is applied closely to a curved surface of the article.

20. A method of security marking an article according to Claim 18 or 19, which includes inserting a stencil into a windowed envelope.

21. A security marking kit substantially as described with reference to the drawings.