PACKAGE FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS, INCLUDING A RFID TAG

Abstract

A package (24; 124; 224) for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices includes an RFID tag (10; 110) which comprises a sealing portion (14) and is embedded in or attached to the package. The sealing portion (14) is destroyed when the package is opened. The RFID tag is configured to transmit, on request of a reader device (34), a status information indicating whether the sealing portion (14) is intact or has been destroyed.

Claims

1. A package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices (24; 124; 224), the package (24; 124; 224) including an RFID tag (10; 110), wherein the RFID tag (10; 110) comprises a sealing portion (14) and is embedded in or attached to the package (24; 124; 224) so that the sealing portion (14) is destroyed if the package (24; 124; 224) is opened, characterised in that the RFID tag (10; 110) is configured to transmit, on request of a reader device (34), a status information indicating whether the sealing portion (14) is intact or has been destroyed.

2. The package (24) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion (14) includes a conductive element (22), preferably at least one conductive loop, that is connected to an IC (18) of the RFID tag (10), wherein the conductive element (22) is configured to be broken if the sealing portion (14) is destroyed.

3. The package (24) according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag (10) is configured to transmit, on request of the reader device (34), an identification information, such as a unique tag ID, together with the status information.

4. The package (24; 124; 224) according to claim 1, wherein the package is a carton or paper based box or packet (24) or booklet, optionally including an inner liner (28) and/or an outer wrapper (30), or a container including a plurality of such boxes or packets or booklets; or a tin or can (124) or canister, preferably formed from metal and/or plastic; or a pouch (29), preferably formed from plastic or foil lined paper.

5. The package (24; 124; 224) according to claim 1, wherein the package (24; 124; 224) includes tobacco products in the form of: smokable tobacco products, such as cigarettes, small cigars, cigars, or loose tobacco, or smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, dissolvable tobacco, snus, or snuff, or wherein the package (24; 124; 224) includes smokeable or non-smokeable tobacco related commodities, such as cigarette paper, filters, tubes or filter tubes for cigarettes, or wherein the package (24; 124; 224) includes electronic or non-electronic smoking devices, such as electronic cigarettes or aerosol-generating devices.

6. A method of producing a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices (24; 124; 224), including the steps of providing (S1) a package that is configured to store tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices; providing (S2) an RFID tag (10) comprising a sealing portion (14) and embedding the RFID tag (10) in or attaching the RFID tag (10) to the package (24; 124; 224) so that the sealing portion (14) is destroyed if the package (24; 124; 224) is opened, characterised in that the RFID tag (10) is configured to transmit, on request of a reader device (34), a status information indicating whether the sealing portion (14) is intact or has been destroyed.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of filling the package (24; 124; 224) with tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices and closing the package (24; 124; 224).

8. A system (40), including a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices (24; 124; 224) according to claim 1, and a reader device (34), preferably in the form of a mobile device, wherein the reader device (34) is configured to read an identification information and the status information from the RFID tag (10) of the package (24; 124; 224) and to output, based on the status information, a status signal indicating whether the sealing portion (14) of the RFID tag (10) is intact or has been destroyed.

9. The system (40) according to claim 8, further comprising an external server (38) that is connected to the reader device (34) via a communication network (36), wherein the reader device (34) is configured to transmit the identification information and/or the status information to the external server (38), which external server (38) is configure to process the identification information and/or the status information.

10. The system (40) according to claim 9, wherein the external server (38) is configured to provide supplementary data relating to the package (24) dependent on the status information and/or the identification information, and wherein the reader device (34) is configured to process the supplementary data.

11. The system (40) according to claim 10, wherein the external server (38) is configured to provide at least part of the supplementary data only in case the status information indicates that the sealing portion (14) has been destroyed.

12. A consumer communication method, comprising the steps of: providing (T1) a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices (24; 124; 224) according to claim 1; reading (T2) an identification information and the status information of the RFID tag (10) by means of a reader device (34) and outputting (T3) by the reader device (34), based on the status information, a status signal indicating whether the sealing portion (14) of the RFID tag (10) of the package (24; 124; 224) is intact or has been destroyed.

13. The consumer communication method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: transmitting (T4), by the reader device (34), the identification information and the status information to an external server (38) and processing (T5) the identification information and/or the status information by the external server (38).

14. The consumer communication method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: providing (T6; T7.1, T7.2) supplementary data relating to the package (24; 124; 224) to the reader device (34) dependent on the status information and/or the identification information; and processing (T8) the supplementary data by the reader device (34).

15. The consumer communication method according to claim 14, wherein at least part of the supplementary data is only provided in case the status information indicates that the sealing portion (14) has been destroyed.

Description

[0042] In the drawings, same element numbers indicate same elements in each of the views:

[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a preferred embodiment of an RFID tag;

[0044] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective view of a first embodiment of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices, in closed state and in opened state;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices according to a second embodiment;

[0046] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a third embodiment of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices, in perspective view and in bottom view.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices according to a fourth embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates steps of a method of producing a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices;

[0049] FIG. 7 shows components of a system including the package of FIG. 2; and

[0050] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates steps of a consumer communication method with respect to a package according to any one of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 using the system of FIG. 7.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an RFID tag 10 that is provided in the form of a label. Such a label can be attached to a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices, as shown in FIG. 2, e.g. by means of an suitable adhesive that prevents removal of the RFID tag without destroying same. Alternatively, such a label can be embedded in a package, e.g. between different layers of a multi-layer packaging material.

[0052] The label 10 includes a base layer 12, 14 that is flat and can be formed from any suitable material, such as paper or plastics. Preferably, the base layer is printable.

[0053] The RFID tag 10 includes an IC 18 and an antenna 20 arranged on a portion 12 of the base layer 12, e.g. by printing. The antenna 20 is configured to ensure power supply of the IC, from an electromagnetic field generated by a reading device, and communication with the reader device.

[0054] The RFID tag 10 further includes a sealing portion 14 that protrudes from the main portion 12 of the base layer, and that contains a conductive element 22 in the form of a conductive loop 22. The conductive loop 22 is connected to the IC 18. The IC 18 is configured to sense whether the conductive loop is intact or is broken. At an interface between the sealing portion 14 and the main portion 12 of the label a predetermined breaking point 16 is provided, in order to ensure controlled rupture of the sealing portion 14, as described below with respect to FIG. 2A, 2B.

[0055] The IC 18 is configured to store at least an identification information, such as a unique tag ID, and, on request of the reader device, to transmit the identification information and a status information indicating whether the sealing portion is intact or has been destroyed. The value of the status information that is transmitted by the RFID tag 10 depends on whether the conductive loop 22 is intact or has been broken.

[0056] The specific geometric form of the base material main portion 12 and the sealing portion 14 can vary. The RFID tag can also include more than one IC and/or more than one antenna. Also the form of the antenna can vary.

[0057] According to an embodiment not shown, an RFID tag can directly be applied to a package, i.e. without providing a separate base layer. In this case, the IC, the antenna, and the conductive element representing the sealing portion can e.g. be printed to the respective packaging.

[0058] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a perspective view of a first embodiment of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices 24, in closed state (FIG. 2A) and in opened state (FIG. 2B). The package is formed as a generally known cigarette hard box, i.e. carton box with a hinged lid 26. The cigarettes inside the box are further enclosed by an inner liner 28 (cf. FIG. 2B) from an aluminum foil laminate. Optionally (not shown), an outer wrapper, e.g. a plastic foil, can be provided.

[0059] The RFID tag 10 of FIG. 1 is adhered to the front side of the carton box in such a way that the sealing portion 14, and with the sealing portion 14 the conductive loop 22, is broken if the box is opened by opening up the hinged lid 26, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0060] In general, as described below with respect to further embodiments, an RFID tag 10 can be embedded in or arranged to a package 24 in such a way that the sealing portion 14 is arranged at an interface between a first and a second portion of the packaging, which first and second portion are displaced relative to each other if the packaging is openedthereby destroying the sealing portion.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices according to a second embodiment. According to this embodiment, the RFID tag 10 has been applied to the inner liner 28 of a cigarette hard box, at an interface between a pull tab 28a (first portion) and a remaining portion 28b (second portion) of the liner 28. For simplicity, the outer carton box is not shown. When tearing off the pull tab 28a, the sealing portion 14 and the conductive loop 22 are broken.

[0062] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a third embodiment of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices 124, in perspective view and in bottom view. The package 124 is provided in the form of a can including a base portion 124a, which is reclosable by means of a cover 124b. The cover 124b can simply be put or plugged on the base portion 124a or can be provided as a screwed cap. The can 124 can e.g. serve to store any kind of smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, dissolvable tobacco, snus, or snuff.

[0063] In contrast to the RFID tag shown in FIG. 1, the RFID tag 110 of the present embodiment includes a sealing portion 14 having two sub-portions 14a, 14b. Each sub-portion 14a, 14b in turn includes a conductive element 22a, 22b in the form of a conductive loop, which loops are connected to the IC 18, respectively. The main portion 12 of the label including the IC 18 and the antenna 20 is attached to the bottom of the can (cf. FIG. 4B). The sub-portions 14a, 14b of the sealing portion 14 are again attached to the package at an interface between a first portion, namely the base portion 124a, and a second portion, the cap 124b, that are displaced relative to each other if the packaging 124 is opened. If the can 124 is opened, e.g. by opening up the pluggable cap 124b according to an arbitrary direction, at least one of the sub-portions 14a, 14b is destroyed. According to another embodiment, the package can be formed as a tin or can or canister or box, preferably formed from metal and/or plastic. Such a tin, can, or box can comprise an opening that can be closed by means of a lid or a cover. A lid can e.g. be connected to the tin or box by means of a hinge. Alternatively, a cover can be provided as screw cap, a cap to be simply put on or plugged in, or the like.

[0064] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices 224 according to a fourth embodiment. The packaging 224 is formed as a pouch 29 enclosed by an outer wrapper 30 from plastic foil. Such a packaging can e.g. store loose tobacco, such as smokable loose roll your own tobacco, or smokeless tobacco. To the outer wrapper 30, the RFID tag 10 is attached in such a manner that, if the wrapper 30 is opened by tearing of the tear tape 32 of the outer wrapper 30, the sealing portion 14 and the conductive loop 22 are broken.

[0065] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates steps of a method of producing a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices, e.g. a packaging according to any one of the above described embodiments.

[0066] In step S1, a package 24, 124, 224 that is configured to store tobacco products, smokeable or non-smokeable tobacco related commodities, or electronic or non-electronic smoking devices is provided, e.g. a carton box (cf. FIG. 2), a laminated liner (cf. FIG. 3), a can (cf. FIG. 4), or a pouch (cf. FIG. 5). In a further step S2, an RFID tag 10 (cf. FIG. 1, 4) comprising a sealing portion 14 is provided and embedded in or attached to the package so that the sealing portion 14 is destroyed if the package is opened. As described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, 2B, the RFID tag 10, 110 is configured to transmit, on request of a reader, a status information indicating whether the sealing portion 14 is intact or has been destroyed.

[0067] The RFID tag 10 can be adhered to the packaging or can directly been printed to the packaging.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows components of a system 40 including a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices 24. The system 40 further comprises at least one reader device 34, preferably in the form of a mobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, etc. The reader device 34 is configured to read an identification information and the status information from the RFID tag 10 of the package 24 in a generally known manner and to output, based on the status information, a status signal indicating whether the sealing portion 14 of the RFID tag 10 is intact or has been destroyed, i.e. whether or not the packaging 24 has been opened.

[0069] The system 40 can further comprise an external server 38 that is connected to the reader device 34 via a communication network 36, such as the internet. The reader device 34 is configured to transmit the identification information and/or the status information to the external server 38, which is configured to process the identification information and/or the status information.

[0070] The external server 38, which can be hosted by a manufacturer or vendor of the package 24, is configured to provide supplementary data relating to the tobacco product packaging 24 to the reader device 34, dependent on the status information and/or the identification information. The reader device is configured to process, e.g. to store, display, and/or execute, the supplementary data.

[0071] As described below in detail with reference to FIG. 8, the external server 38 can be configured to provide at least part of the supplementary data only in case the status information indicates that the sealing portion 14 has been destroyed.

[0072] The system 40 shown in FIG. 7 can serve to support a consumer communication method, which method is described below with reference to FIG. 8.

[0073] In a first step T1, a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices 24 is provided. In step T2, an identification information and the status information is read from the RFID tag 10 by means of the reader device 34. In step T3, the reader device 34, based on the status information read from the RFID tag 10, outputs a status signal indicating whether the sealing portion 14 of the RFID tag 10 of the package 24 is intact or has been destroyed. A consumer, in this way, can simply an reliably check whether or not the package is intact. According to a first variant, the method can stop at this stage. According to a second variant, further steps follow, as set forth below.

[0074] In step T4, the reader device transmits the identification information and the status information to the external server 38 via the communication network 36. The respective information is processed by the external server 38 in step T5. Processing this information can include storing/and or analyzing this information. Also at this stage, the method, according to a further variant, can stop. According to a preferred variant, supplementary data relating to the package 24 are provided to the reader device 34 by the external server 38, dependent on the status information and/or the identification information. In step T6, the external server analyzes the status information, namely whether the package 24 is intact or has already been opened.

[0075] In case the status information indicates an opened packaging 24, as illustrated with respect to step T7.2, a first set of supplementary data is provided to the reader device. This data can, on the one hand, and independent form the status information, include authenticity information and/or general product information with respect to the specific packaging 24, based on the identification information read by the reader device. On the other hand, the supplementary data can include bonus material for the consumer who has bought and opened the packaging, such as discount on further orders, computer games, and the like.

[0076] In case, however, the external device in step T6 finds out, by analyzing the received status information, that the product packaging 24 is still intact, in step T7.1 as supplementary data only provides the authenticity information and the general product information, but no bonus material. According to a variant, step T7.1 can also be omitted in this case, i.e. no supplementary data are provided.

[0077] In step T8, the reader device 34 processed the received supplementary data, in particular displays the authenticity information and the general product information. Bonus material, if received, can be processed in any suitable manner.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0078] 10, 110 RFID tag [0079] 12 base layer main portion [0080] 14 sealing portion [0081] 14a, 14b sub-portions of the sealing portion [0082] 16 predetermined breaking point [0083] 18 integrated circuit (IC) [0084] 20 antenna [0085] 22, 22a, 22b conductive element [0086] 24, 124, 224 package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices [0087] 26 hinged lid [0088] 28 inner liner [0089] 28a pull tab of inner liner [0090] 28b remaining part of inner liner [0091] 29 pouch [0092] 30 outer wrapper [0093] 32 tear tape [0094] 34 reader device [0095] 36 communication network [0096] 38 external server [0097] 40 system [0098] 124a can base portion [0099] 124b cover [0100] S1, S2 steps of a method of producing a package for tobacco products or tobacco related commodities or smoking devices [0101] T1 to T8 steps of a consumer communication method