MULTIFUNCTIONAL LABEL, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MULTIFUNCTIONAL LABEL

Abstract

A multifunctional label for a multi-part container has a transponder inlay with an electronic unit and a detection loop, which are arranged on a carrier layer of the transponder inlay and are coupled to one another in terms of signalling. The carrier layer has a predetermined local material weakening in the area of the detection loop. The multifunctional label further includes a label with at least one label layer which has a predetermined introduced local material weakening. The transponder inlay and the label layer are directly or indirectly coupled to one another, so that the material weakening of the label layer and the material weakening of the carrier layer overlap at least in sections with respect to a lateral extent of the multifunctional label.

Claims

1. A multifunctional label (1) for a multi-part container (30), comprising: a transponder inlay (10) having an electronic unit (13) and a detection loop (16), which are arranged on a carrier layer (11) of the transponder inlay (10) and are coupled to one another by means of signalling, the carrier layer (11) having a local material weakening (12) in the region of the detection loop (16), and a label (20) with at least one label layer (21) which has a local material weakening (22), wherein the transponder inlay (10) and the label layer (21) are coupled directly or indirectly to one another, so that the material weakening (22) of the label layer (21) and the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) overlap at least in sections with respect to a lateral extent (L) of the multifunctional label (1).

2. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) is formed by means of a laser.

3. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) comprises a plurality of circular, slit and/or angular recesses.

4. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) is formed with respect to a depth along a stacking direction (R) of the multifunctional label (1) in coordination with a thickness of the carrier layer (11), a shape of the detection loop (16) and/or a shape of the electronic unit (13).

5. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein, with respect to the lateral extent (L), the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) is formed in a planar manner and the material weakening (22) of the label layer (21) is formed in a linear manner.

6. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening (22) of the label layer (21) covers at least 50% of an extent of the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) in relation to the lateral extent (L).

7. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the material weakening (22) of the label layer (21) comprises a perforation, a slit and/or a punching.

8. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, comprising: an adhesive layer (25) disposed between the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21), wherein an adhesive neutral area (24) is formed in the area of material weakening (12, 22) between the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21).

9. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the transponder inlay (10) and the label (20) are formed in coordination with the container (30) so that, with respect to an applied state of the multifunctional label (1) on the container (30), the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21) are coupled in sections to a first part (31) and a second part (32) of the container (30) and the material weakenings (12, 22) of the carrier layer (11) and of the label layer (21) are associated with a transition between the first and the second part (31, 32) of the container (30), so that, when the container (30) applied with the multifunctional label (1) is opened, the transponder inlay (10) and the label (20) can be severed in a predetermined manner in the region of the material weakenings (12, 22), 22) and a portion of the carrier layer (11) and a portion of the label layer (21) are removable together with the first part (31) from the second part (32) of the container (30).

10. The multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic unit (13) comprises an antenna structure (14) and an RFID chip (15) which are signal-coupled to each other.

11. A method of using the multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1 comprising: providing a container (30) which can be divided into a plurality of parts, having at least a first part (31) and a second part (32), and using the multifunctional label (1) to couple the first part (310 and the second part (2) to one another.

12. A system (40), comprising: a container (30) divisible into a plurality of parts and having at least a first part (31) and a second part (32), and the multifunctional label (1) according to claim 1 coupled to the container (30) such that the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21) are coupled in sections to the first part (31) and the second part (32) of the container (30) and the material weakenings (12, 22) of the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21) are associated with a transition between the first and the second part (31, 32) of the container (30), so that, when the container (30) applied with the multifunctional label (1) is opened, the transponder inlay (10) and the label (20) can be severed in a predetermined manner in the region of the material weakenings (12, 22) and a portion of the carrier layer (11) and a portion of the label layer (21) can be removed together with the first part (31) from the second part (32) of the container (30).

13. A system (40) in which the container (30) is formed as a syringe, wherein the first part (31) is arranged as a syringe cap and the second part (32) is arranged as a syringe body, and wherein the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21) couple the syringe cap to the syringe body.

14. A method of manufacturing a multifunctional label (1), comprising: providing a transponder inlay (10) with an electronic unit (13) and a detection loop (16), which are arranged on a carrier layer (11) of the transponder inlay (10) and are coupled to one another in terms of signalling, forming a local material weakening (12) in the carrier layer (11) in the region of the detection loop (16), providing a label (20) with at least one label layer (21), forming a local material weakening (22) in the label layer (21), and coupling the transponder inlay (10) and the label (20) to one another so that the material weakening (22) of the label layer (21) and the material weakening (12) of the carrier layer (11) overlap at least in sections with respect to a lateral extent (L) of the multifunctional label (1).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein forming a local material weakening (12) into the carrier layer (11) and/or forming a local material weakening (22) into the label layer (21) comprises: removing material of the carrier layer (11) by means of a laser, and/or introducing a perforation, a slit and/or a punch into the label layer (21).

16. The method according to claim 14, comprising: providing an adhesive layer (25) so that it is located between the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21), and forming an adhesive neutral region (24) between the carrier layer (11) and the label layer (21) in the region of material weakening (12, 22).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0031] In the drawings,

[0032] FIGS. 1-2 show embodiments of a multifunctional label in a respective top view,

[0033] FIGS. 3-12 show embodiments of components or sections of the multifunctional label in various views,

[0034] FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the multifunctional label in a schematic side view, and

[0035] FIG. 14 is a flow chart for a method of manufacturing a multifunctional label according to FIGS. 1-13.

[0036] Elements or features of the same construction or function are marked with the same reference signs across the figures. For reasons of clarity, not all of the elements or features shown in all of the figures are identified with the corresponding reference signs, possibly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] FIGS. 1-2 each show, in a schematic top view, embodiments of a multifunctional label 1 for a multi-part container. The multifunctional label 1 comprises a transponder inlay 10 and a label 20. The transponder inlay 10 comprises an electronic unit 13 and a detection loop 16, which are arranged on a carrier layer 11 of the transponder inlay 10 and are coupled to one another by means of signalling. The carrier layer 11 has a local material weakening 12 in the region of the detection loop 16, which is formed, for example, by means of a laser.

[0038] The label 20 comprises at least one label layer 21, for example in the form of a foil or paper element. The label layer 21 has a local material weakening in the form of a perforation 22. The transponder inlay 10 and the label layer 21 are directly or indirectly coupled to one another, so that the perforation 22 of the label layer 21 and the material weakening 12 of the carrier layer 11 overlap at least in sections with respect to a lateral extent L of the multifunctional label 1 (see also FIG. 13).

[0039] The label 20 is arranged, for example, on the transponder inlay 10 and coupled to it by means of an adhesive layer 25. With reference to a stacking direction R of the multifunctional label 1, the label 20 can also be referred to as the top label, which covers the transponder inlay 10. In this description, terms such as top, bottom, upper side, lower side, above and below refer to orientations or alignments of the respective elements as illustrated in the figures along the stacking direction R. A respective thickness of the illustrated layers therefore extends along the stacking direction R. The thicknesses of the respective layers of the multifunctional label 1 may be the same or different. The stacking direction R substantially corresponds to a surface normal of the surface of the container for which the multifunctional label 1 is provided. As will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 1-14, the multifunctional label 1 can be used to provide reliable protection for pharmaceutical products in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0040] The transponder inlay 10 and the label 20 each have a protruding area 18, 23, which is formed in particular to match the container 30 to which multifunctional label 1 is to be attached. The projecting areas 18, 23 may be of the same size (see FIG. 2) or of different sizes (see FIG. 1). The container is realized, for example, as a syringe 30 with a syringe cap 31 and a syringe body 32 (see FIG. 13). When the syringe 30 is opened, the syringe cap 31 is removed from the syringe body 32, for example pulled off and/or twisted off. The multifunctional label 1 is attached to the syringe 30 in such a way that the protruding areas 18, 23 are attached to the syringe cap 31 and the respective remaining part of the transponder inlay 10 and the label 20 are attached to the syringe body 32, for example by means of an adhesive layer 17. The material weakenings 12 and 22 are associated with the transition between the syringe cap 31 and the syringe body 32 and form a respective area in which the carrier layer 11 and the label layer 21 can be severed in a controlled manner, so that a completed initial opening is both visually visible and electronically readable.

[0041] FIGS. 3-5 illustrate elements of the multifunctional label 1 that enable digital and analogue initial opening detection. FIG. 3 shows a perforation in the form of a zip fastener, which is formed, for example, by a plurality of slits and/or punchings. Alternatively or additionally, the perforation may be sinusoidal (see FIG. 8), double sinusoidal (see FIG. 9), S-shaped (see FIGS. 10 and 11) and/or jigsaw puzzle-shaped (see FIG. 12) or another shape.

[0042] FIG. 4 schematically shows an embodiment of the material weakening 12, which is formed, for example, by means of a laser in the form of a plurality of circular recesses. By means of the laser, material can be selectively removed at desired positions on and/or in the carrier layer 11, thereby forming the material weakening 12, which substantially specifies a predetermined tear point. FIG. 5 shows the overlap of the perforation 22 according to FIG. 3 and the material weakening 12 according to FIG. 4.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the projecting areas 18 and 23. In the area of the material weakenings 12, 22, the multifunctional label 1 preferably has an adhesive-free or adhesive-neutral area 24. In this way, a low-effort opening of the container and tearing of the multifunctional label 1 with twofold initial opening proof can be set up. For example, the label layer 21 is designed as a plastic or film element or as a paper element and, when the syringe 30 is opened, first tears along the perforation 22 and then transfers the opening force to the underlying carrier layer 11, which is designed, for example, as a plastic film and tears along the material weakening 12.

[0044] FIG. 7 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of the transponder inlay 10. The electronic unit 13 comprises, for example, an antenna structure 14 and an RFID chip 15, which are coupled to one another in terms of signalling. Furthermore, the detection loop 16 is signal-coupled to two inputs of the RFID chip 15 and forms a self-contained tamper loop or sensor track. Accordingly, separate inputs are preferably provided for the detection loop 16 on the RFID chip 15. Damage to or destruction of the detection loop 16 can be detected by the RFID chip 15 due to an associated change in electrical resistance and stored as an opening event.

[0045] FIG. 13 illustrates in a schematic side view a system 40 with an embodiment example of the multifunctional label 1 arranged on a container or syringe 30. With respect to the stacking direction R, the label 20 is arranged on the transponder inlay 10, which is attached to a surface of a container or to the outer lateral surface of the syringe 30 by means of the adhesive layer 17, so that the material weakenings 12, 22 are associated with the transition between the syringe cap 31 and the syringe body 32. Accordingly, the label 20 forms an upper label and covers the transponder inlay 10 so that the perforation 22 and the material weakening 12 overlap. Preferably, the perforation 22 is formed and positioned in the top label such that it covers 50% or more of the structure of the material weakening 12 of the carrier layer 11.

[0046] The multifunctional label 1 thus forms an advantageous combination of a perforation 22 with a material weakening 12 over the surface. The material weakening 12 can in particular be designed to be depth-selective, as indicated in FIG. 13. The perforation lines in the upper label are matched in shape and position to the area of the material weakening 12 in the transponder inlay 10. The opening of the syringe 30 and triggering of the tamper function or the initial opening proofs of the multifunctional label 1 is preferably designed in such a way that no significant increase in force is required to open the syringe 30. This can be realized, for example, by the adhesive-neutral area 24 between the material weakenings 12, 22, in order to prevent the carrier layer 11 and the label layer 21 from sticking together at this position, thus enabling simplified opening handling. The adhesive-neutral area 24 can be formed, for example, by applying an adhesive neutralizer, which is placed on or in the adhesive layer 25 of the label 20 at the intended position.

[0047] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a flow chart for a method of manufacturing one embodiment of the multifunctional label 1. In a step S1, the transponder inlay 10 is provided with the electronic unit 13 and the detection loop 16. The local material weakening 12 may be previously or subsequently formed in the carrier layer 11 in the region of the detection loop 16.

[0048] For example, in a step S2, the carrier layer 11 may be processed by a laser to remove material in a controlled manner to form the material weakening 12. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier layer 11 can already be provided with the material weakening 12 in the step S1.

[0049] In a further step S3, the label 20 is provided with the label layer 21. In the case of the label layer 21, the local material weakening can also be provided in the form of a perforation 22 or formed in a further step, for example by means of a punching machine.

[0050] In a further step S4, the transponder inlay 10 and the label 20 are coupled to each other, for example by means of the adhesive layer 25, so that the perforation 22 of the label layer 21 and the material weakening 12 of the carrier layer 11 overlap at least in sections with respect to the lateral extent L of the multifunctional label 1.

[0051] The area of material weakening 12 in the carrier layer 11 does not have to extend exclusively to locations without conductive tracks, but can also be located directly below the detection loop 16 and does not influence the function of the antenna structure 14. This is made possible by the use of a depth-selective damage mechanism to generate the material weakening 12 in the carrier layer 11. The material of the carrier layer 11, which is realized for example as a PET film element, is weakened in a controlled manner and completely perforated in areas without conductive tracks or laterally spaced from the detection loop 16. The detection loop 16 realizes a conductive path that is not damaged.

[0052] The transponder inlay 10 and the label 20 thus each have a weakening as label layers, which is generated separately. Subsequently, the two label layers are suitably combined. Furthermore, the described sequence can also vary. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the carrier layer 11 and the label layer 21 are also coupled together first and one or both material weakenings 12, 22 are subsequently introduced in order to realize the multifunctional label 1.

[0053] By means of the described embodiments of the multifunctional label 1, reliable protection for pharmaceutical products can be realized in a simple and cost-effective manner. In particular, due to the combination of a digital and an analogue initial opening detection, the multifunctional label 1 enables a particularly secure indication of a tampered and/or already opened container. If the detection loop 16 is damaged, the RFID chip 15 reports during the next interrogation that the tamper loop has been damaged. The way this is reported can be configured when the multifunctional label 1 and the RFID functionality of the transponder inlay 10 are manufactured. In particular, this notification is irreversible. It does not affect the functionality of the RFID chip 15.

[0054] By passing the detection loop 16 from a product body to the removable part, for example the syringe cap 31 (or the other way around), the initial opening of a product can be indicated digitally. As soon as the detachable part is removed from the product, the detection loop 16 tears with the perforation 22 in the upper label. Thus, a digital initial opening indication is combined with an analogue initial opening indication in the multifunctional label 1. Since a basic antenna of the RFID functionality remains undamaged, product data including the digital first opening indication can still be read. A customer or patient is thus reliably warned of a product that has already been opened. The multifunctional label 1 can be used with any product that includes a base body as well as a removable part, for example pens, auto-injectors, syringes, cap-lock systems, syringe closure wrap.

[0055] The multifunctional label 1 with integrated optical and electronic first opening indication may also be adhered to an auto injector. For example, the label 20 is bonded as a main label on the associated injector body and is guided together with the detection loop 16 of the transponder inlay 10 on at least one side of the injector onto a removable cap of the injector.

[0056] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0057] 1 multifunctional label [0058] 10 transponder inlay [0059] 11 carrier layer of the transponder inlay [0060] 12 material weakening of the transponder inlay [0061] 13 electronic unit of the transponder inlay [0062] 14 antenna structure of the electronic unit [0063] 15 chip of the electronic unit [0064] 16 detection loop [0065] 17 adhesive layer [0066] 18 protruding area of the transponder inlay [0067] 20 label [0068] 21 label layer of the label [0069] 22 perforation of the label [0070] 23 protruding area of the label [0071] 24 adhesive neutral area [0072] 25 adhesive layer [0073] 30 container/syringe [0074] 40 system [0075] L lateral direction of the multifunctional label [0076] R stacking direction of the multifunctional label [0077] S(i) steps of a method for manufacturing a multifunctional label