Frangible security device

Inventors

Dimaio, Jeffrey R. • Hunt, Zachary • Breakiron, Yanina • Kokuoz, Baris • Zdyrko, Bogdan • Schreuder, Michael A. • Hudson, Stephen D.

Assignees

Tetramer Technologies LLC

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to a tamper indicating security device, which indicates unauthorized duplication of and/or access to a variety of secure documents, technologies, products, and/or protected volumes.

Core Innovation

The disclosed invention provides an authentication device comprising a frame and an internal reservoir disposed within the frame. An uncured polymer or monomer is disposed within the internal reservoir and subsequently cured to render a cured polymer solid and frangible. At least one end of a security loop is disposed within the uncured polymer or monomer, and curing causes cracks to form in the cured polymer, thereby forming a cracked three dimensional identification scheme in the cured polymer.

The cracked three dimensional identification scheme provides optical indication, where light shown on the cured polymer is distorted by the cracked three-dimensional identification scheme. Removing at least one end of the security loop embedded in the cured polymer changes the three-dimensional identification scheme pattern, disrupting the identification scheme associated with the device.

In addition to the cracked three dimensional identification scheme, the authentication device includes structural and optical characteristics associated with curing of the polymer in the presence of the security loop end. The frame is transparent, and the cured polymer is intertwined with a structure of the security loop end. In some embodiments, dyes and/or particles are randomly dispersed in the polymer or monomer prior to curing to form randomly distributed authentication features within the cured polymer.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim covers an authentication device with a frame and internal reservoir that receives an uncured polymer or monomer which is subsequently cured to form a solid, frangible cured polymer containing an embedded security loop end; curing forms a cracked three-dimensional identification scheme in the cured polymer. Dependent claims further add optical behavior, tamper-induced pattern change, random authentication features, and structural constraints such as a transparent frame and intertwining of the cured polymer with the security loop end structure.

Overall claim coverage centers on curing an uncured polymer or monomer within a frame reservoir to produce a solid frangible cured polymer that includes an embedded security loop end and a cracked three-dimensional identification scheme formed during curing. The dependent claims specify that the cracked scheme distorts light, that removal of the security loop end changes the pattern, and that additional features include randomly distributed authentication features, a transparent frame, and intertwining between the cured polymer and the security loop end structure.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications

No documented applications found