Track and trace packaging and systems
Track and trace packaging is disclosed which may also be damage indicating. Track and trace functionality may be incorporated on, in or near the packaging at various stages of a supply chain. A damage indicating material can be incorporated into a variety of packaging substrates, which may change color when exposed to oxygen, excessive heat and/or excessive pressure. An anti-counterfeiting taggant material may be used to provide track and trace capabilities. Exemplary products with which the present track and trace packaging may be used include packaged condoms, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, cannabis and the like.
1. A track and trace package comprising:
a product pocket comprising an interior volume structured and arranged to contain a product; and
a first packaging layer between the interior volume of the product pocket and an exterior of the package, wherein the first packaging layer comprises:
an inner wrapper layer adjacent the interior volume;
an outer layer comprising a film at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer and the interior volume;
a gap between an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and an interior surface of the outer layer;
at least one track and trace element at least partially covering the product pocket attached to at least one of the inner wrapper layer or outer layer, or located inside the gap;
a damage indicating material in the gap between the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and the interior surface of the outer layer, wherein the gap is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas; and
a taggant material located inside the gap with the damage indicating material.
2. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material or taggant material is applied to the interior surface of the outer layer.
3. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material or taggant material is applied to the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer.
4. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the at least one track and trace element comprises a scannable code, an RFID device, a BLE device, a WiFi device, a GPS device or a combination thereof.
5. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the at least one track and trace element comprises a QR code and/or a GPS transceiver.
6. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the at least one track and trace element is attached to the interior surface of the outer layer or to the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer.
7. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is coextensive with the inner wrapper layer.
8. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein a damage indicating material changes color when exposed to oxygen.
9. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the product to be contained in the package is a condom, food product, beverage, pharmaceutical product or cannabis product.
10. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the taggant material is combined with the damage indicating material.
11. The track and trace package of claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material comprises a coating and the taggant material comprises particles contained on or in the coating.
12. A track and trace packaging material comprising:
an inner wrapper layer comprising a film;
an outer wrapper layer comprising a film;
a gap between the inner and outer wrapper layers;
at least one track and trace element attached to the inner or outer wrapper layer, or located in the gap between the inner and outer wrapper layers;
damage indicating material in the gap between the inner and outer wrapper layers, wherein the gap is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas; and
a taggant material located inside the gap with the damage indicating material.
13. The track and trace packaging material of claim 12 , wherein the track and trace element comprises a scannable code, an RFID device, a BLE device, a WiFi device, a GPS device or a combination thereof.
14. The track and trace packaging material of claim 12 , wherein the taggant material is combined with the damage indicating material.
15. The track and trace packaging material of claim 14 , wherein the damage indicating material comprises a coating and the taggant material comprises particles contained on or in the coating.
16. A method of making a track and trace packaging material comprising:
providing an inner wrapper layer comprising a film, an outer wrapper layer comprising a film, and a gap between the inner and outer wrapper layers;
applying at least one track and trace element to the inner or outer wrapper layer, or in the pocket between the inner and outer wrapper layers; and
applying a damage indicating material to the inner or outer wrapper layer inside the gap, wherein the gap is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the taggant material is combined with the damage indicating material.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the damage indicating material comprises a coating and the taggant material comprises particles contained on or in the coating.