PACKAGE COMPRISING A RADIO-FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION SEAL

Abstract

The invention relates to a package comprising: a container having a cavity; closing means that can adopt, with the container, a closed configuration in which the closing means prevent access to the cavity, or an open configuration in which the closing means allow access to the cavity; a seal guaranteeing that the package is maintained in its closed configuration, the seal comprising a part that is irreversibly degradable when the package switches from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the seal comprising a radio identification electronic chip.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A package comprising: a container having a cavity; closing means that can adopt, with the container, a closed configuration in which the closing means prevent access to the cavity, or an open configuration in which the closing means allow access to the cavity; a seal guaranteeing that the package is maintained in its closed configuration; in which the seal comprises: a part that is irreversibly degradable when the package switches from the closed configuration to the open configuration; a radio identification electronic chip; first communication means comprising an antenna, the first communication means being coupled to the electronic chip and extending at least partially into the degradable part of the seal; wherein the package incorporates an electronic unit separate from the seal, the electronic unit being embedded in a wall of the container, the electronic unit comprising: a transceiver configured to periodically send a radio request capable of being picked up by the antenna then transmitted to the electronic chip, and to receive a return signal produced by the electronic chip in response to the radio request then transmitted by the antenna, the electronic unit being configured to detect an absence of return signal; second communication means configured to emit, in the absence of a return signal, an alert signal to a remote receiver; and in that each of the container and the closing means has a member for receiving the seal, the two receiving members being in close proximity to each other in the closed configuration of the package, the seal being intended to be coupled to each of the receiving members in the closed configuration of the package.

15. The package according to claim 14, wherein the first communication means also comprise at least one breakable electrical conductor coupling the antenna to the radio identification electronic chip, the breakable electrical conductor(s) passing through the degradable part of the seal.

16. The package according to claim 14, wherein the collar comprises: a head carrying a cage; a strip made of flexible material extending from the head, and being complementary to the insertion of the cage, the strip forming the degradable part of the seal.

17. The package according to claim 16, wherein the strip extends from the head to a free end, the breakable electrical conductor(s) extending along the strip between the head and the free end.

18. The package according to claim 17, wherein the radio identification electronic chip is housed in the free end of the strip, and in that the antenna of the first communication means is housed in the head of the collar.

19. The package according to claim 16, wherein the collar is a self-locking clamp, the cage being a non-return cage.

20. The package according to claim 14, wherein the electronic unit is housed in a wall, or a bottom, or a cover of the container.

21. The package according to claim 14, wherein the electronic unit comprises means for timestamping the alert signal.

22. A tracking system, wherein it comprises: at least one package according to any one of the preceding claims, the seal of the package comprising an initial identification code written in the radio identification electronic chip; a computer server integrating the remote receiver, the computer server comprising a database listing certified identification codes, and being configured to identify the initial identification code of the seal in the database.

23. A method for tracking a package of the tracking system according to claim 22, wherein it comprises: a step of emitting a radio request by the transceiver in the direction of the seal, the radio request being capable of being picked up by the antenna then transmitted to the electronic chip; a step of waiting for reception of a return signal produced by the electronic chip in response to the radio request; and in that, in the absence of reception of a return signal, the step of waiting for reception of a return signal is followed by a step of broadcasting an alert signal to a remote receiver.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein it comprises, prior to the step of emitting a radio request, a sequence of pairing the seal to the package, the pairing sequence comprising successively: a step of reading the initial identification code of the seal by the transceiver; a step of transmitting the initial identification code to the computer server by the transceiver; a step of identifying the initial identification code by the computer server; a step of generating a new unique identification code by the computer server, and of transmitting the new unique identification code to the transceiver; a step of sending and writing the new identification code in the seal by the transceiver.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the pairing sequence ends with a test of the presence of the seal on the package by the transceiver.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the identification step consists in comparing the initial identification code with the certified identification codes of the database to certify the seal and authorize the step of generating a new unique identification code.

Description

[0086] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

[0087] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a package according to the invention, representing the package in a closed configuration, and provided with at least one seal;

[0088] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation illustrating more specifically a seal affixed to a package according to the invention, the seal being more particularly coupled to two package receiving members;

[0089] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation in perspective view of a package according to the invention, in an open configuration;

[0090] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a package tracking system according to the invention.

[0091] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, a package 1 is illustrated according to the invention.

[0092] The package 1 comprises a container 2 and closing means 3.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 3, the container 2 has a cavity 20.

[0094] More specifically, the container 2 is a case composed of a bottom 200 and four walls 201 extending peripherally from the bottom 200.

[0095] The walls 201 and the bottom 200 jointly delimit the cavity 20.

[0096] Still with reference to FIG. 3, the closing means 3 take the shape of a cover 30.

[0097] This cover 30 is hinged on the upper end of one of the walls 201 so as to allow or prevent access to the cavity 20.

[0098] More generally, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the closing means 3 and the container 2 can together adopt either a closed configuration in which the closing means 3 prevent access to the cavity 20 (configuration illustrated by FIG. 1) or else an open configuration in which the closing means 3 allow access to the cavity 20 (configuration illustrated by FIG. 3).

[0099] According to other conceivable and not illustrated embodiments, the container 2 can be formed by a flexible bag and the closing means 3 then take the shape of a flap intended to extend covering an opening of the flexible bag.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and as is more detailed below, each of the container 2 and the closing means 3 has at least one member 21, 31 for receiving a seal 4.

[0101] In particular, according to the present embodiment, the container 2 has two receiving members 21, and the closing means 3 have two receiving members 31.

[0102] According to the principle of the invention, the package 1 also comprises a seal 4 which guarantees holding a package 1 in its closed configuration.

[0103] This seal 4 comprises a degradable part 400 which is irreversibly degradable when the package 1 switches from its closed configuration to its open configuration.

[0104] In other words, switching the package 1 from its closed configuration to its open configuration is prevented by the seal 4 or else involves breaking the degradable part 400 to allow opening the package 1.

[0105] According to this embodiment, the seal 4 takes the shape of a collar which is intended to be coupled to each of the receiving members 21, 31 in the closed configuration of the package 1.

[0106] Indeed, the two receiving members 21, 31 of the container and the closing means 3 are in close proximity to each other in the closed configuration of the package 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0107] In particular, the receiving members 21, 31 of the seal, of each of the container 2 and the closing means 3, take the shape of pierced tabs standing opposite each other when the container and the closing means are in the closed configuration of the package 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0108] These pierced tabs each have an opening 210, 310 allowing the introduction of the seal 4, and the formation of a collar by the seal.

[0109] More specifically, the collar comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, a head 40 and a strip 41 extending from the head 40.

[0110] The head 40 has a disc shape.

[0111] This head 40 carries a cage 42.

[0112] The strip 41 is formed from a flexible material and is complementary to the insertion of the cage 42. In other words, the strip 41 can be inserted into the cage 42, and passes therethrough.

[0113] The collar, and more specifically the head 40 and the strip 41 are in particular made of plastic.

[0114] As explained below, the strip 41 forms the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

[0115] More particularly, the collar is a self-locking clamp and the cage 42 is a non-return cage.

[0116] In other words, the introduction of the strip 41 through the cage 42 is authorized in one direction but leads irreparably to the captive holding of this strip 41 in the cage 42.

[0117] It is thus not possible to remove the strip 41 from the cage 42 without damaging the seal 4.

[0118] The buckle formed by the strip 41, between the head 40 and the cage 42, must be damaged if the package 1 is to be opened.

[0119] For example, the buckle formed by the strip 41 must be cut using a sharp tool, such as a pair of scissors or a cutter.

[0120] Advantageously, the cage 42 and the head 40 have a mechanical resistance to breakage greater than a mechanical resistance to breakage of the band 41.

[0121] According to the principle of the invention, and as illustrated by FIG. 2, the seal 4 comprises a radio identification electronic chip 50, as well as first communication means 51 coupled to the electronic chip 50.

[0122] The seal 4 comprises an initial identification code. In other words, this identification code is written in the electronic chip 50 of the seal 4.

[0123] This initial identification code is specific to each seal.

[0124] Potentially, the initial identification code can be shared by several seals 4 which are not yet used. For example, these seals sharing the same initial identification code can be part of the same batch.

[0125] As detailed below, the electronic chip 50 is designed to be able to receive a new unique identification code.

[0126] Advantageously, this new unique identification code replaces the initial identification code written in the electronic chip 50.

[0127] Still with reference to FIG. 2, the first communication means 51 comprise an antenna 510.

[0128] Furthermore, the first communication means 51 extend into the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

[0129] According to the present embodiment, the first communication means 51 also comprise a breakable electrical conductor 511 which couples the antenna 510 to the radio identification electronic chip 50.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 2, this breakable electrical conductor 511 passes through the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

[0131] According to another possible embodiment, the antenna 510 could be located in the degradable part 400 of the seal 4.

[0132] Referring to FIG. 2, the antenna 510 is housed in the head 40 and the breakable electrical conductor 511 extends along the strip 41 to a free end 410 of the strip in which the radio identification electronic chip 50 is housed.

[0133] According to this embodiment, the electronic chip 50 and the first communication means 51 are embedded in the seal 4.

[0134] In particular, the antenna 510 is embedded in the material forming the head 40 of the seal 4, and the breakable electrical conductor 511 as well as the electronic chip 50 are embedded in the material constituting the strip 41.

[0135] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to the invention, the package 1 also incorporates an electronic unit 6.

[0136] This electronic unit 6 is intended to cooperate with the seal 4, and more specifically with the radio identification electronic chip 50 and the first communication means 51.

[0137] Indeed, this electronic unit 6 comprises a transceiver 7 which is configured to periodically send a radio request 10 and receive a return signal 11.

[0138] The antenna 510, located in the seal 4, allows to pick up this radio request 10.

[0139] The radio request 10, after having been picked up by the antenna 510, is transmitted to the electronic chip 50.

[0140] According to the present embodiment, the radio request 10 is transmitted to the electronic chip 50 via the breakable electrical conductor 511.

[0141] In response to the radio request 10, the electronic chip 50 is configured to produce a return signal 11.

[0142] The return signal 11 is formulated by integrating an identification code of the electronic chip 50. Consequently, this return signal 11 can only be produced by the seal 4.

[0143] More specifically, and as detailed below, the return signal 11 is formulated by integrating an identification code which is unique, and written in the electronic chip 50. This identification code is in particular the new unique code.

[0144] After production, the return signal 11 is conveyed through the divisible electrical conductor 511 and is emitted by the antenna 510.

[0145] The transceiver 7 then allows to pick up the return signal 11 emitted by the electronic chip 50 and its antenna 510 in response to the radio request 10 previously emitted.

[0146] The electronic unit 6 is also configured to detect an absence of return signal 11.

[0147] Indeed, the electronic unit 6 comprises processing means 60 configured to record a return signal 11 in response to the emission of a radio request 10, as well as to detect the absence of reception of a return signal 11 in response to the emission of a radio request 10.

[0148] The electronic unit 6 also comprises, according to the invention, second communication means 8 which are, in turn, configured to emit, in the absence of a return signal 11, an alert signal 12 to a remote receiver 90.

[0149] These second communication means 8 are controlled by the processing means 60.

[0150] The second communication means 8 are in particular designed to allow the emission of the alert signal 12 by means of a wireless communication protocol, such as those implemented for cellular networks or those of the Bluetooth and wifi type.

[0151] Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic unit 6 also comprises means 61 for timestamping the alert signal 12.

[0152] According to FIGS. 1 and 4, the electronic unit 6 can more specifically take the form of an electronic card integrating the transceiver 7, the second communication means 8, the processing means 60, as well as the timestamp means 61.

[0153] According to the present embodiment, this electronic unit 6 is housed or even embedded in one of the walls 201 of the container 2.

[0154] In this way, the electronic unit 6 is protected, and potentially made inaccessible, when the package 1 is in an open position as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0155] The package 1 comprises an electric battery (not shown), which is advantageously rechargeable, allowing the electronic unit 6 to be power supplied.

[0156] According to a preferred design, the transceiver 7 and the antenna 510 are configured to operate on the ultra-high frequency band.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 4, the invention also relates to a tracking system which comprises packages 1 as described above, and a computer server 9

[0158] In this system, the remote receiver 90 is integrated into the computer server 9.

[0159] The computer server 9 also comprises a database 91.

[0160] This database 91 lists identification codes called “certified” identification codes, each corresponding to an initial identification code of a seal 4.

[0161] The computer server 9 is configured to analyze the initial identification code transmitted by the electronic unit, and compare it to the certified identification codes of the database 91 in order to identify the initial identification code.

[0162] The system implements a method for tracking a package 1 which also forms an object of the invention.

[0163] The method comprises:

[0164] a step of transmitting a radio request 10 by the transceiver 7 in the direction of the seal 4, the radio request 10 being intended to be picked up by the antenna 510 then transmitted to the electronic chip 50;

[0165] a step of waiting for reception of a return signal 11 produced by the electronic chip 50 in response to the radio request 10.

[0166] In the absence of reception of a return signal 11, the step of waiting for reception of a return signal 11 is followed by a step of broadcasting an alert signal 12 to a remote receiver 90.

[0167] This method also comprises, prior to the steps described above, a pairing sequence aiming at electronically associating the seal 4 with the electronic unit 6 of the package 1.

[0168] To this end, the pairing sequence successively comprises:

[0169] a step of reading the initial identification code of the seal 4;

[0170] a step of transmitting the initial identification code to the computer server 9;

[0171] a step of identifying the initial identification code;

[0172] a step of generating a new unique identification code, and of transmitting the new unique identification code to the transceiver 7;

[0173] a step of sending and writing the new identification code in the seal 4 by the transceiver 7.

[0174] The step of reading the initial identification code, and the step of transmitting to the computer server 9 are carried out by the transceiver 7.

[0175] Following these two steps, the identification step, and the step of generating and transmitting the new unique identification code are carried out by the computer server 9.

[0176] The identification step consists in comparing the initial identification code with the certified identification codes of the database 91 to certify the seal 4 and authorize the step of generating a new unique identification code.

[0177] During the step of sending and writing the new identification code in the seal 4 by the transceiver 7, the new unique identification code can be written in the electronic chip 50 to replace the initial identification code.

[0178] If the initial identification code is found in the database 91, then the seal 4 is certified. In other words, the seal 4 is authenticated and accepted in the system.

[0179] If the initial identification code is not found in the database 91, then the seal 4 is rejected.

[0180] Alternatively, or in addition, if the seal 4 is rejected, then the computer server 9 can send a fraudulent pairing signal to the electronic unit 6.

[0181] In this case, the system cannot guarantee the electronic tracking of the package 1 using the seal 4.