EP2383705A1 - Forgery-proof blister pack - Google Patents

Abstract

The package (1) has a plastic foil, and a heat sealing film for sealing quadrangles (5) and product pieces arranged in the quadrangles. A verification code (10) is applied on the package and derived from inherent character (11) e.g. arrangement, color or geometry of tablets (7) or capsules in the quadrangles, defined by the product pieces. The character is locked with a manufacturer-specific code in such a manner that a public code decrypts the verification code and the authenticity of the package is determined by the comparison of result of decryption with the character. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for manufacturing a push-through package (2) a method for checking authenticity of a push-through package.

Description

The invention relates to a forgery-proof blister pack with product pieces, in particular medicines. The blister pack has a plurality of bays that are deep drawn into a sheet of transparent or at least translucent plastic film. A plurality of product pieces are arranged in the yards. A sealing film seals the courtyards and the product pieces arranged therein. A security code is placed on the blister pack.

Blister packs are used to package medicines in the broadest sense and are sometimes referred to as blister packs. Typical for the production of such blister packs is that a plastic film web (in particular made of a plastic composite film) is deep-drawn. The packaging is created by deep-drawing individual courts, ie cup-like depressions in the so-called bottom film, with a recurring format. These farms are then usually filled with a product piece. A product piece means a tablet, capsule or pill, but also a syringe, ampoule or vial filled with a drug. After each product piece has been introduced into a yard, a sealing film web is guided over the plastic film web, which generally consists of aluminum composite film. By a sealing process, the courts are closed with the product pieces therein, with a firm connection between the sealing film and the bottom foil (plastic film with cups) in all surface areas, which are not deep-drawn courts. From such an endless track individual blister packs are then punched in the intended format, z. B. fed to a cartoner and there stacked usually to several blister packs in an outer packaging, especially a carton packaged.

STATE OF THE ART

A forgery-proof blister pack with product pieces, in particular medicines, is known from the German patent application DE 100 19 721 A1 known. The blister pack illustrated in FIG. 6 has a plurality of bays with a plurality of product pieces arranged in the bays. A numerical security code is applied to the blister pack. This security code is an individual number sequence that was probably generated by a random algorithm and represents a first identifier. Each blister pack has such an individual first tag and is then packaged with the other blister packs in a carton. From all of this Umverpackung belonging security codes of blister packs a second mark is generated, which is applied to the outer packaging.

Another forgery-proof blister pack with product pieces, in particular medicines, is known from the brochure "Lino protect" of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. An independent random pattern is first generated and applied to the pieces of product or blister pack or adhered as a label. This additionally applied random pattern consists in particular of a plurality of differently shaped copper thread sections and is recorded by means of an image processing system and coded to form a 2D data code. This security code is placed next to the random pattern on the blister pack. To check a blister pack, the additionally applied random pattern and the security code are photographed together and compared using the decryption key. The security against counterfeiting arises essentially from the fact that the random pattern is applied in a manner that is not reproducible by copying and printing.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention has for its object to provide a forgery-proof blister pack with product pieces, in particular drugs, and a method for their preparation and verification, the fast and cost-effective application of the security code on the blister pack by the manufacturer, a simple and flexible by the Ensure retailers or end users manageable security check and high counterfeit security.

SOLUTION

The object of the invention is achieved with the features of the independent claims 1, 8 and 9, respectively.

Further state of the art

From the US patent US 4,816,824 For example, a tamper evident package is known in which a sticker is applied to the package and inherent features of the label are used to identify the package.

Other forgery-proof packaging, where multiple security codes are generated, are from the PCT applications WO 80/02757 . WO 99/04364 and WO 93/22745 known.

From the above-appreciated German patent application DE 100 19 721 A1 it is also known elsewhere to determine a first identifier from a characteristic inherent in the product and to generate a second identifier from this first identifier via an encryption algorithm and apply it to the packaging. The inherent characteristic is a specific characteristic parameter of the product itself, such as: B. a certain pressure tolerance, a certain dimension or a specific physical, chemical or optical property. This embodiment will not be described in the context of a blister pack.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a forgery-proof blister pack with product pieces, in particular medicines. The blister pack has a plurality of bays that are deep drawn into a sheet of transparent or at least translucent plastic film. The plastic film is either completely transparent or at least so transparent that optical detection can take place therethrough. A plurality of product pieces is arranged in the yards. A sealing film seals the courtyards and the product pieces arranged therein. A security code is placed on the blister pack. The security code is derived from an inherent feature of the blister pack defined by the product pieces in the yards. The inherent feature is encrypted with a manufacturer-specific key to generate the security code such that an associated public key decrypts the security code and the authenticity of the blister pack can be determined by comparing the result of the decryption with the inherent feature.

In contrast to the prior art, in the blister pack according to the invention with product pieces arranged in the blisters of the blister pack, no additionally generated feature is used to generate a security code, but an inherent feature automatically defined by the product pieces in the yard is used. This thus without separate measures already existing by the manufacturing process inherent feature of the product pieces in the courts simplifies the production of forgery-proof blister pack substantially, since the manufacturing step of generating and applying a random pattern is eliminated. Furthermore, the counterfeit security is increased because the counterfeiter can not recognize what is the inherent feature and therefore can not take this unknown inherent feature in the fake consciously.

Another significant advantage is that no access to a database or the like is required for the comparison of the inherent feature with the security code generated therefrom. The vendor-specific key with which the inherent security code generation characteristic is encrypted suffices for the verifier to decrypt the security code by means of the associated public key, and authenticating the blister pack by comparing the result of the decryption with the intrinsic feature on-site to be able to determine.

In particular, the product pieces are tablets or capsules, the inherent feature being the arrangement, color or geometry of the tablets or capsules in the farms. Such tablets or capsules already offer a variety of different inherent features that can be used to generate the security code. An exemplary way is to take advantage of the diversity of the front and back of the tablets and to generate a binary code therefrom. So can the front and the back, for example, differ in that on the front of a gap for the transection of the tablet is present. This different geometry can be detected well by means of an image processing system. With capsules, it is common that these consist of two different half-shells, which have different colors. Another exemplary possibility is the use of an inscription applied on the front and / or the back of the tablet or capsule in the sense of an embossing. Only one of the pages can be labeled or the pages can be labeled differently. All of these and other features can be used well as a basis for generating the desired security code.

As a starting basis for generating the security code, an inherent feature may be used, which is formed from the entire blister pack or only a portion of the blister pack. So it can be evaluated only a certain part of the courtyards of blister pack, z. For example, only the first two yards of each row or another subarea. Furthermore, the order of optically detecting the tablets in the yards and thus the detection path can be freely determined.

Preferably, the security code is an encrypted binary number formed from the permutation of the tablets or capsules in the yards. In a blister pack with n courts, n! Possibilities of ranking the bits. This means that for a sequence of bit-wise information per yard for a blister with ten yards, there are 3,628,800 different permutations. Already the simple juxtaposition of the bits leads to a multitude of possible permutations. It is z. For example, it is possible to set the type of permutation generation specifically for each manufacturer or even for each drug of a specific manufacturer. The tablets or capsules are particularly well suited for the generation of the binary security code, since they are present in a geometrically defined sequence prescribed by the courtyards and in particular very simply two states "0" and "1" can be defined by e.g. For example, if the side of the capsule provided with a gap is assigned the value "1" and the smooth side of the capsule is assigned the value "0".

The security code may in particular be a data matrix code. With such a code, also referred to as 2D code, the information density per unit area can be significantly increased in comparison to one-dimensional bar codes. The information can be so very compact encoded in a square or rectangular area as a pattern of dots and be applied to the blister pack. In this case, the security code, designed in particular as a data matrix code, is preferably printed on the blister pack and in particular on the side of the signature film which faces the courtyards. However, it can also be applied to the transparent plastic film. In each case, this results in the possibility of photographing the entire blister pack from the side of the transparent plastic film, whereby at the same time the intrinsic feature and the security code not known to the photographer can be photographed. Although this arrangement is preferred, it should be understood that the security code could also be located on the other side of the blister pack.

The present invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a forgery-proof blister pack with product pieces, in particular medicaments, arranged in courtyards made of transparent or at least translucent plastic film. In a first step, the manufacturer of the blister pack optically detects an intrinsic feature of the blister pack defined by the product pieces in the yard. This inherent feature is encrypted with a vendor-specific key to generate a security code. This security code is applied to the blister pack and / or the blister pack and blister packs receiving overwrap. Finally, an associated public key is provided for decrypting the security code to verify the authenticity of the blister pack, wherein the public key decrypts the security code and determines the authenticity of the blip through comparison of the result of the decryption with the inherent feature.

The invention additionally relates to a method for checking the authenticity of a blister pack with product pieces, in particular medicaments, arranged in courtyards made of transparent or at least translucent plastic film. The user of the blister pack takes at least one photo with a camera having digital data device, in particular a mobile phone or a portable digital media player, on. The at least one photograph depicts both the product pieces arranged in the yards of the blister pack and a security code applied to the blister pack. The security code is derived from an inherent feature of the blister pack defined by the product pieces in the yards and encrypted with a manufacturer specific key. The user decrypts the security code with a corresponding public key stored on the mobile data device by means of a software installed on the mobile data device. For the security check, a comparison of the result of the decryption with the inherent feature imaged in the at least one photograph takes place by means of the software installed on the mobile data device, wherein the software if agreed confirms that it is an original while the software in the case of a deviation, the statement is that it is a forgery or can act.

It is particularly preferred that the software makes the statement without telling the user the inherent feature. This will prevent the inherent feature from being tampered with or fake blister packs that have been deliberately manipulated to satisfy the intrinsic feature. The user photographs the partially transparent side of blister packs without knowing which features are relevant to the safety check.

The new manufacturing method thus does not require the generation of a separate random pattern, but instead uses an already existing, the blister pack inherent - d. H. inherent - feature, which is predetermined by the product pieces in the courts of blister pack or derived from these. As a result, the production cost is significantly reduced and turned off an important source of error. The security against counterfeiting is also substantially increased, since the inherent feature, in contrast to a random pattern, can remain unknown and thus a counterfeiter has no knowledge of which characteristic of the blister pack is to be imitated. Because of the multitude of inherent features, it is therefore virtually impossible for the counterfeiter to replicate all these inherent features. Merely copying a proper security code by the counterfeiter and applying that security code to a fake blister pack will therefore result in a mismatch and instead a message stating that the blister pack is a fake.

The encryption method is, in particular, one according to the key-lock principle, as is generally known in the art as pgp encryption, for example. This means that in each case a key pair exists from a public key made available to the user and a private key of the manufacturer which is not known to the user. Because such an encryption method the person skilled in the art is omitted, a more detailed description in this application.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the description and the drawings. The advantages of features and of combinations of several features mentioned in the introduction to the description are merely exemplary and can come into effect alternatively or cumulatively, without the advantages having to be achieved by embodiments according to the invention. Further features are the drawings - in particular the illustrated geometries and the relative dimensions of several components to each other and their relative arrangement and operative connection - refer. The combination of features of different embodiments of the invention or of features of different claims is also possible deviating from the chosen relationships of the claims and is hereby stimulated. This also applies to those features which are shown in separate drawings or are mentioned in their description. These features can also be combined with features of different claims. Likewise, in the claims listed features for further embodiments of the invention can be omitted.

The features mentioned in the patent claims and the description are to be understood in terms of their number so that at least the number mentioned there is present, without requiring an explicit use of the adverb "at least". If, for example, a film is mentioned, this is to be understood as meaning that at least one film is present. If z. For example, if two yards are mentioned, it should be understood that at least two yards are present. If, however, the exact number of a feature is to be specified, the adjective "exactly" before the respective feature is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf die Unterseite eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels einer neuen fälschungssicheren Durchdrückpackung.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen einer neuen fälschungssicheren Durchdrückpackung.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Draufsicht auf die Oberseite der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Durchdrückpackung.

Fig. 4

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht der Überführung der inhärenten Merkmale der Produktstücke in den Höfen einer Durchdrückpackung zu einem Binärcode.

In the following the invention will be further explained and described with reference to preferred embodiments shown in the figures.

Fig. 1

shows a plan view of the underside of a first embodiment of a new tamper-proof blister pack.

Fig. 2

shows a schematic view of a method for producing a new tamper-proof blister pack.

Fig. 3

shows a plan view of the top of in Fig. 1 shown blister pack.

Fig. 4

Figure 11 shows a schematic view of the transfer of the inherent features of the product pieces in the yards of a blister pack to a binary code.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a tamper-proof blister pack 1. The blister pack 1 has the in Fig. 1 shown underside 2 and a in Fig. 3 shown top 3. The blister pack 1 has a substantially transparent plastic film 4, in which a plurality of farms 5 is deep-drawn. The plastic film 4 is either completely transparent or at least so transparent that optical detection can take place through it. In each of the yards 5, a product piece 6 is arranged. The product pieces 6 are, in particular, pharmaceuticals and preferably tablets or capsules. In the present example, 6 tablets 7 are contained in the yards. In the Fig. 3 illustrated upper side 3 of the blister pack 1 has a sealing film 8, which closes the courtyards 5 and the product pieces 6 arranged therein. The sealing film 8 is in particular an aluminum composite film. Perforations 9 are provided in the sealing film 8 corresponding to the yards, so that the product pieces 6 are pushed out of the blister pack 1 in a known manner from the upper side 3 through the predetermined breaking point in the sealing film 8 provided by the perforations 9 and thus from the blister pack 1 can be removed.

Visible from the bottom 2, the blister pack 1 has a security code 10. The security code 10 is formed in the present example as a data matrix code, it being understood that other suitable security codes 10 can be used. While it is preferred that the security code 10 be readable from the bottom 2 of the blister pack 1, it would also be possible to place the security code 10 on top 3 of the blister pack 1. The security code 10 may be printed on the transparent plastic film 4 or the sealing film 8. It is preferred that the security code 10 is printed on the side of the sealing film 8, which faces the interior of the courtyards 5, wherein the security code 10 is then arranged in a region of the blister pack 1, in which no courts 5 are present. In this way, the security code 10 is visible and detectable through the plastic film 4 at the same time as the tablets 7 arranged in the yards 5.

The security code 10 was derived from an inherent feature 11 of the blister pack 1 defined by the product pieces 6 in the yards 5. The inherent feature 11 has been encrypted to generate the security code 10 with a vendor-specific key such that an associated public key decrypts the security code 10 and the authenticity of the blister pack 1 can be determined by comparing the result of the decryption with the inherent feature 11. In the example shown here, the inherent feature 11 is the arrangement of the tablets 7 in the yards 5, and more particularly the sequence of differently shaped sides of the tablets 7. As in FIG Fig. 1 can be seen, the tablets 7 have a top 12 and a bottom 13, which are formed differently. The top 12 has a gap 14, while the bottom 13 has a smooth surface. It is now possible, for example, to assign the number "1" to the upper side 12 and the number "0" to the lower side 13. In an evaluation starting in the in Fig. 1 on the top left tablet 7 to the right to the last tablet 7 in this row and then down to the second row and then further to the left to the last tablet 7 bottom left thus resulting in the binary number "10100110".

This binary code is then encrypted by means of an encryption method to the security code 10 and this security code 10 is applied to the blister pack 1. Only the manufacturer of the blister pack 1 knows the nature of the inherent feature 11, which serves to generate the security code 10. For counterfeiters, therefore, it is almost impossible to imitate this intrinsic feature 11, which is not known to them, and to generate a matching security code 10 or to take it over from a proper blister pack 1.

The arrangement of the inherent feature 11 and the security code 10 on a common side of the push-through pack 1 offers the great advantage that both information can be recorded simultaneously by means of only one photo. To check the blister pack 1 so the reviewer can just take a photo of the bottom 2 of Record blister pack 1 and decrypt this by means of a software installed on his mobile phone or other mobile device by means of the associated public key and thus make the statement as to whether the blister pack 1 is an original or a forgery. A data connection to a database or a server on which packages identified as originals are maintained is not required.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a structure for carrying out a method for producing the tamper-proof blister 1. With respect to the features of blister pack 1, reference is made to the above description.

An encoding device 15 has a camera 16 and a computer 17 connected thereto. The camera 16 serves to optically detect an inherent feature 11 of the blister pack 1 defined by the product pieces 6 in the courtyards 5. The computer 17 serves to encrypt the inherent feature 11 with a manufacturer-specific key for generating the security code 10. This security code 10 then becomes the blister pack 1 and / or a receiving this outer packaging applied, as previously described. In particular, a "print on demand" system can be used.

Fig. 4 shows various possible exemplary ways to generate a binary number from the arrangement of the tablets 7 in the yards 5, not shown here. When a tablet 7 faces the camera 16 with its underside 13, this arrangement is assigned the binary value "0". In contrast, if the top 12 is visible with the gap 14, this arrangement is assigned the binary value "1". Depending on the order of the optical detection of the tablets 7 in the yards 5, which can be freely determined by the manufacturer, this results in the binary numbers "0010", "0001" or "1000".

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Blister pack

2

bottom

3

top

4

Plastic film

5

court

6

product pieces

7

tablet

8th

sealing film

9

perforation

10

security code

11

inherent feature

12

top

13

bottom

14

gap

15

coding means

16

camera

17

calculator

Claims (10)

Counterfeit-proof blister pack (1) with product pieces (6), in particular pharmaceuticals, with
a plurality of yards (5) deep-drawn into a sheet of transparent or at least translucent plastic film (4),
a plurality of product pieces (6) arranged in the yards (5),
a sealing foil (8) which closes the courtyards (5) and the product pieces (6) arranged therein,
a security code (10) applied to the blister pack (1), characterized in that
the security code (10) is derived from an inherent feature (11) of the blister pack (1) defined by the product pieces (6) in the yards (5), and
the inherent feature (11) for encrypting the security code (10) is encrypted with a vendor-specific key such that an associated public key decrypts the security code (10) and authenticates the security by comparing the result of the decryption with the inherent feature (11) Blister pack (1) is detectable. Blister pack (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the product pieces (6) are tablets (7) or capsules, and
the inherent feature (11) is the placement, color or geometry of the tablets (7) or capsules in the yards. Blister pack (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that
the tablets (7) have two differently shaped sides (12, 13) and the inherent feature (11) is the arrangement of the sides (12, 13) of the tablets in the courtyards (5), and / or
the tablets (7) have two differently colored sides and the inherent feature (11) is the arrangement of the sides (12, 13) of the tablets in the courtyards (5), and / or
the capsules have different color values and the inherent feature (11) is the arrangement of the capsules in the courtyards (5). Blister pack (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security code (10) is an encrypted binary number formed from the permutation of the tablets (7) or capsules in the courtyards (5). Blister pack (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security code (10) is a data matrix code. Blister pack (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security code (10) is printed on the blister pack (1). Blister pack (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the security code (10) is printed onto the side of the sealing film (8) facing the courtyards (5). Method for producing a counterfeit-proof blister pack (1) with product pieces (6), in particular medicaments, in particular a blister pack (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, arranged in courtyards (5) made of transparent or at least translucent plastic film (4) steps: optically detecting an inherent feature (11) of the blister pack (1) defined by the product pieces (6) in the yards (5), Encrypting the inherent feature (11) with a vendor-specific key to generate a security code (10), Applying the security code (10) to the blister pack (1) and / or an overwrapping (1) receiving overpack, and Providing an associated public key for decrypting the security code (10) to verify the authenticity of the blister pack (1), the public key decrypting the security code (10) and verifying the authenticity of the security key by comparing the result of the decryption with the inherent feature (11) Blister pack (1). Method for checking the authenticity of a push-through pack (1) with product pieces (6), in particular medicaments, arranged in yards (5) made of transparent plastic film (4) in particular a blister pack (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, which was produced in particular by means of the method according to claim 8, with the steps: Taking at least one photograph with a digital data device having a camera, in particular a mobile telephone or a portable digital media player,
wherein the at least one photograph depicts both the product pieces (6) arranged in the yards (5) of the blister pack (1) and a security code (10) applied to the blister pack (1),
wherein the security code (10) is derived from an inherent feature (11) of the blister pack (1) defined by the product pieces (6) in the yards (5) and encrypted with a manufacturer specific key,
Decrypting the security code (10) with an associated public key stored on the mobile device by means of software installed on the mobile device; and Comparing the result of the decryption with the intrinsic feature (11) imaged in the at least one photograph by means of the software installed on the mobile data device, wherein the software when asserted is an original and the software is deviated the statement is that it is a forgery or can act. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the software makes the statement without telling the user the inherent feature (11).

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