Composite container having an electromagnetic surveillance device

Abstract

A composite container having an electromagnetic surveillance device such as an EAS or RFID device or the like, and an outer label and / or inner liner that does not contain a metal foil layer. The label in one embodiment comprises a lamination of a paper layer and at least one polymer film layer. The polymer film layer is either metallized with a vapor-deposited layer of metal, or has a metallic ink disposed thereon. The liner comprises a paper layer, a barrier-coated film attached to the inner surface of the paper layer, and a sealant layer disposed on an opposite side of the barrier-coated film from the paper layer and forming an innermost surface of the liner, the sealant layer comprising a heat seal material. The barrier-coated film can comprise a metallized film, an aluminum oxide-coated film, a silicon oxide-coated film, or the like.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 842,751 filed May 11, 2004, currently pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to composite containers, and more particularly relates to composite containers that incorporate an electronic article surveillance (EAS) or radio frequency identification (RFID) device. These EAS and RFID devices, and other devices operating on similar principles, are generically referred to herein as electromagnetic (EM) surveillance devices. [0003] It is becoming increasingly common for the operators of retail establishments to attach EM surveillance devices to products to deter and detect shoplifting. A number of different types of EAS tags and detector systems have been developed and are in use. Generally, all EAS systems include a detection zone formed by a transmitter and a receive...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] If a high moisture barrier is required from the label, structures based on metallized film can be used. For instance, an inner label in accordance with the invention can have the structure {in kraft / tie / metal layer / film out}. The metal layer is a vapor-deposited layer of substantially pure metal such as aluminum. The surface of the film that is metallized can be coated with a metallization-promoting material prior to metallization to improve the uniformity and continuity of the metal layer, thereby enhancing the barrier performance. The metallization-promoting material can comprise an acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyester copolymer (e.g., PET copolymer), or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the surface of the film can be plasma-treated prior to metallization to enhance the barrier performance. In further embodiments of the invention, the metal layer of the metallized film can have a protective coating applied over it. The protective coating can comprise a lacquer (e.g., nitrocellulose, acrylic, etc.) or a vacuum acrylate coating.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the barrier-coated film comprises a metallized film in which the barrier coating is a metal such as aluminum. The metallized film includes a metallization-promoting material coated onto the substrate prior to metallization to improve the uniformity and continuity of the metal layer, thereby enhancing the barrier performance. The metallization-promoting material can comprise an acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyester copolymer (e.g., PET copolymer), or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the surface of the substrate can be plasma-treated prior to metallization to enhance the barrier performance.

[0022] Further enhancement of the barrier performance is provided in other embodiments by including multiple metal layers and protective coating layers. For instance, the metallized film can have a first metal layer applied to the substrate and then covered by a first protective coating, a second metal layer applied over the first protective coating, and a second protective coating applied over the second metal layer.

[0023] Barrier performance can also be enhanced by the inclusion of an additional barrier web in the liner. The additional barrier web can comprise a metallized film, an aluminum oxide-coated film, a silicon oxide-coated film, or a highly oriented film.

Problems solved by technology

In addition, the read range of a Bistatix device is dependent on size, and for long read ranges a very large device may be required.

However, at least some types of EM surveillance devices cannot be used with composite containers having foil-based liners because the metal foil interferes with the EM surveillance device.

These foil-based liners and / or labels can interfere with the operation of EM surveillance devices.

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