Counterfeit-Proof Marking of Individual Primary Packaging Means Using Digital Printing of Ceramic Inks with Spectral Markers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method 500 for digital printing on a substrate 100. The method comprising the following steps: a. providing 510 the substrate 100, and b. digital printing 530 at least one ceramic ink on the substrate 100. The at least one ceramic ink comprises a spectral marker, wherein the spectral marker is configured to emit a pre-defined light spectrum.

Claims

1. A method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100), in particular a packaging means comprising glass, the method comprising the following steps: a. providing (510) the substrate (100), and b. digital printing (530) at least one ceramic ink on the substrate (100), wherein the at least one ceramic ink comprises a spectral marker, wherein the spectral marker is configured to emit a pre-defined light spectrum.

2. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100), wherein the pre-defined light spectrum includes at least one emission peak at a pre-defined wavelength and wherein the at least one emission peak optionally has a pre-defined intensity.

3. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to claim 1, wherein the substrate (100) is provided (510) at a temperature of at least 30° C., preferably at least 50° C., more preferably at least 60° C. and most preferably at least 70° C., and/or wherein the step of providing (510) the substrate (100) includes forming the substrate (100), in particular a packaging means comprising glass.

4. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the digital printing (530) includes a multi-color digital printing, and wherein at least three, optionally at least four, further optionally at least five and even further optionally at least six ceramic inks are digitally printed on the substrate (100), wherein at least one of the ceramic inks comprises a spectral marker.

5. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one print element (101) is digitally printed on the substrate (100), and wherein the at least one print element (101) is one of the following: a label, a pattern, a number, a symbol, a serial number (101a), and/or a machine readable element, such as a data matrix code, a barcode (101b), and/or a QR code (101c).

6. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to claim 5, wherein at least one print element (101) allows to identify an individual substrate (100) and/or a batch of substrates.

7. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises at least one of the following steps: c. heating and/or cooling (520) the substrate (100) to a temperature of 30° C. to 85° C., prior to digital printing (530), d. heating (540) the substrate (100) to a temperature of 400° C., preferably 500° C., more preferably 570° C. and most preferably 600° C. after digital printing (530), to burn in the ceramic ink, wherein optionally, at least one of the steps of heating and/or cooling (520), digital printing (530) and heating (540) are repeated, e. inspecting (550) the digitally printed substrate (100).

8. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to claim 7, wherein the inspection (550) of the digitally printed substrate (100) is done by an optical sensor, such as a camera and/or a spectral analysis device.

9. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate (100) comprises a ceramic material and/or a glass material, in particular borosilicate glass, and wherein the substrate (100) optionally substantially consists of a ceramic material and/or a glass material, in particular a borosilicate glass, wherein the substrate (100) optionally is a packaging means, particularly a vial, and wherein the substrate (100) further optionally comprises a curved surface, and wherein the at least one ceramic ink is digitally printed on the curved surface.

10. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spectral marker is not visible in the ceramic ink on the printed substrate (100), and wherein the spectral marker is optionally translucent, and/or wherein the spectral marker further optionally comprises pigments, wherein the pigments are optionally ceramic based pigments.

11. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-defined light spectrum of the spectral marker is in the spectrum of visible light and/or ultraviolet light and/or near-infrared light.

12. The method (500) for digital printing on a substrate (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spectral marker is a luminescent marker, and wherein the luminescent marker optionally is a luminescent emission ink.

13. A printed container (10), comprising: a substrate (100), such as a vial, and an imprint (11) of ceramic ink, comprising a spectral marker, wherein the imprint (11) is digitally printed with a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A ceramic ink, comprising a spectral marker, wherein the ink is adapted for a method of digital printing according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A system (1000) for digital printing on a substrate (100), wherein the system (1000) is adapted for carrying out a method (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the system comprises: a substrate providing means (1010), wherein the substrate providing means is optionally a glass forming machine, optionally a heating and/or cooling means (1020), wherein the heating and/or cooling means is optionally a continuous oven, a digital printing means (1030), wherein the digital printing means is optionally an inkjet printer; optionally a heating device (1040), wherein the heating device is optionally an annealing lehr, and optionally an inspecting means (1050), wherein the inspecting means optionally includes at least one optical sensor, such as a camera and/or a spectral analysis device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In the following, the accompanying figures are briefly described, wherein

[0056] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printed container;

[0057] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for digital printing on a substrate;

[0058] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system for digital printing on a substrate;

[0059] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a pre-defined light spectrum of a spectral marker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printed container 10, comprising a substrate 100, such as a vial, and an imprint 11 of ceramic ink, comprising a spectral marker, wherein the imprint 11 is digitally printed with a method 500 which is described below. In FIG. 1 the imprint 11 comprises three print elements 101. Namely, a serial number 101a, a barcode 101b and a QR code 101c. The serial number 101a, the barcode 101b and/or the QR code 101c are digitally printed 530 on the substrate 100. Thereby a ceramic ink comprising a spectral marker is used. The spectral marker is configured to emit a pre-defined light spectrum. Thus, a two stage authentication of the printed container 10 is possible.

[0061] The container 10, may be a glass container, a ceramic container and/or a glass-ceramic container. The container 10 may be filled with any goods, such as solids, liquids and/or gasses (not shown). Further, the shown container 10 may be a vial, particularly comprising borosilicate glass, which may be filled with a vaccine.

[0062] By combining the individual serial number 101a and/or the barcode 101b and/or the QR code (as shown in FIG. 1) with the pre-defined light spectrum of the spectral marker it may be possible to provide an optimized security feature. First, the individualized serial number 101a and/or the barcode 101b and/or the QR code may enable the individual tracking of each substrate (first stage). Second, the pre-defined spectral marker may allow to identify whether the ceramic ink on the substrate is authentic or was counterfeited (second stage).

[0063] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the method 500 for digital printing on a substrate. The method 500 comprises the steps of [0064] providing 510 the substrate 100, [0065] optionally heating and/or cooling 520 the substrate 100 to a temperature of 30° C. to 85° C., prior to digital printing 530, [0066] digital printing 530 at least one ceramic ink on the substrate 100, wherein the at least one ceramic ink comprises a spectral marker, wherein the spectral marker is configured to emit a pre-defined light spectrum. [0067] optionally heating 540 the substrate 100 to a temperature of 400° C., preferably 500° C., more preferably 570° C. and most preferably 600° C. after digital printing 530, to burn in the ceramic ink, wherein optionally, at least one of the steps of heating and/or cooling 520, digital printing 530 and heating 540 are repeated, [0068] optionally inspecting 550 the digitally printed substrate 100.

[0069] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a system for digital printing on a substrate. The system comprises: [0070] a substrate providing means 1010, wherein the substrate providing means is optionally a glass forming machine, [0071] optionally a heating and/or cooling means 1020, wherein the heating and/or cooling means is optionally a continuous oven, [0072] a digital printing means 1030, wherein the digital printing means is optionally an inkjet printer; [0073] optionally a heating device 1040, wherein the heating device is optionally an annealing lehr, and [0074] optionally an inspecting means 1050, wherein the inspecting means optionally includes at least one optical sensor, such as a camera and/or a spectral analysis device.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a pre-defined light spectrum of a spectral marker. The pre-defined light spectrum may be detected by means of a spectral analysis device. As depicted, thirteen discrete stimulation wavelengths result in a pre-defined light spectrum that includes multiple emission peaks (discrete wavelengths). Thereby the wavelengths of the emission peaks are pre-defined. Further, also the intensities of the emission peaks are pre-defined, e.g. by a specification of the counting rate. By pre-defining the wavelengths of the emission peaks and the intensities of the emission peaks, the pre-defined light spectrum of the spectral marker is defined and the difficulty of coping the security feature is increased. Thus, a high level of security against counterfeiting is obtained.

[0076] Having now fully described the present invention in some detail by way of illustration and examples for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the same can be performed by modifying or changing the invention within a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations and other parameters without affecting the scope of the invention or any specific embodiment thereof, and that such modifications or changes are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the appended claims.

[0077] When a group of materials, compositions, components or compounds is disclosed herein, it is understood that all individual members of those groups and all subgroups thereof are disclosed separately. Every formulation or combination of components described or exemplified herein can be used to practice the invention, unless otherwise stated. Whenever a range is given in the specification, for example, a temperature range, a time range, or a composition range, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. Additionally, the end points in a given range are to be included within the range. In the disclosure and the claims, “and/or” means additionally or alternatively. Moreover, any use of a term in the singular also encompasses plural forms.

[0078] As used herein, “comprising” is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. Any recitation herein of the term “comprising”, particularly in a description of components of a composition or in a description of elements of a device, is understood to encompass those compositions and methods consisting essentially of and consisting of the recited components or elements.

[0079] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that starting materials, device elements, analytical methods, mixtures and combinations of components other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such materials and methods are intended to be included in this invention. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. Headings are used herein for convenience only.

[0080] All publications referred to herein are incorporated herein to the extent not inconsistent herewith. Some references provided herein are incorporated by reference to provide details of additional uses of the invention. All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. References cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety to indicate the state of the art as of their filing date and it is intended that this information can be employed herein, if needed, to exclude specific embodiments that are in the prior art.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0081] 10 printed container [0082] 11 imprint [0083] 100 support member [0084] 101 print element [0085] 101a serial number [0086] 101b barcode [0087] 101c QR code [0088] 500 method for digital printing on a substrate [0089] 510 providing the substrate [0090] 520 heating and/or cooling the substrate [0091] 530 digital printing the substrate [0092] 540 heating the substrate [0093] 550 inspecting the substrate [0094] 1000 system for digital printing on a substrate [0095] 1010 substrate providing means [0096] 1020 heating and/or cooling means [0097] 1030 digital printing means [0098] 1040 heating device [0099] 1050 inspecting means