US4767205A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composition and method for hidden identification
Assignee: Caribbean Microparticles Corp
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Filing: 1986-01-28
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2006-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An identification method and identification kit are based upon making up groups of microsized particles normally invisible to the naked eye with each particle in each group being of a selected uniform size, shape and color. Coded identification is established by transferring a population of particles from a selected number of the groups to the item to be identified and then confirming such identification by examining the marked item under high magnification with a light microscope.
Inventors
- 👤 Abraham Schwartz
- 👤 Gary A. Woodward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/08; G06K19/083; G06K19/086; D; D06; D06H; D06H1/00; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K19/10; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/12; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/086; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G06V; G06V20/00; G06V20/95
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for coded identification of a selected item comprising: (a) making up a selected number of groups of highly uniform microbeads of a size of 2-20 microns and normally invisible to the naked eye, each group being made up of highly uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform size, shape and color with the specific combination of size, shape and color in one group not being repeated in any other group; (b) transferring highly uniform microbeads from a selected number of groups to the item to be identified such that the item to be identified is characterized by populations of highly uniform microbeads from the selected groups which are highly dispersed in the selected item or in a medium applied thereto, to encode such item according to the combination of size, shape and color of the highly dispersed microbeads transferred; and (c) examining the item or applied medium comprising the transferred highly dispersed microbeads under light microscope magnification to verify the code established by the highly dispersed microbeads so transferred.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A method for coded identification of a selected item comprising: (a) making up a selected number of groups of highly uniform microbeads of a size of 2-20 microns and normally invisible to the naked eye, each group being made up of highly uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform size, shape and color with the specific combination of size, shape and color in one group not being repeated in any other group; (b) transferring highly uniform microbeads from a selected number of groups to the item to be identified such that the item to be identified is characterized by populations of highly uniform microbeads from the selected groups which are highly dispersed in the selected item or in a medium applied thereto, to encode such item according to the combination of size, shape and color of the highly dispersed microbeads transferred; and (c) examining the item or applied medium comprising the transferred highly dispersed microbeads under light microscope magnification to verify the code established by the highly dispersed microbeads so transferred.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of separately dispersing the highly uniform microbeads from each group in the medium to be applied to the item to be identified.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said highly uniform microbeads comprise spherical polymer microbeads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least two said groups are made up and the highly uniform microbeads from at least two said groups are transferred to said item.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said highly uniform microbeads contain a fluorescent dye and including the step of examining the transferred highly uniform microbeads under a microscope with a light source effective to cause said microbeads to fluoresce.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said highly uniform microbeads are formed to contain a magnetic substance and including the step of initially separating the transferred highly dispersed microbeads from the item identified by magnetically attracting said transferred highly dispersed microbeads from said item.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said selected number of groups comprises a single group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said highly uniform microbeads comprise spherical polymer microbeads and said medium comprises a solution in which said spherical microbeads are confined.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said medium comprises a film forming a medium in which said spherical microbeads are confined and including the step of stripping said film from said item prior to identifying said transferred particles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said medium comprises epoxy resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said medium contains a fluorescent dye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the epoxy contains a fluorescent dye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
An identification kit for coded identification of a selected item, comprising: (a) a selected number of containers; (b) a group of highly uniform microbeads of a size of 2-20 microns normally invisible to the naked eye within each container made up of highly uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform size, shape and color with the specific combination of size, shape and color in one group not being repeated in any other group; and (c) means to apply highly uniform microbeads from a selected number of containers to the item to be identified in the form of highly dispersed populations of microbeads from the selected groups, to encode such item according to the combination of size, shape and color of the highly dispersed microbeads transferred.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
131 words
An identification kit for coded identification of a selected item, comprising: (a) a selected number of containers; (b) a group of highly uniform microbeads of a size of 2-20 microns normally invisible to the naked eye within each container made up of highly uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform size, shape and color with the specific combination of size, shape and color in one group not being repeated in any other group; and (c) means to apply highly uniform microbeads from a selected number of containers to the item to be identified in the form of highly dispersed populations of microbeads from the selected groups, to encode such item according to the combination of size, shape and color of the highly dispersed microbeads transferred.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said highly uniform microbeads comprise spherical polymer microbeads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said highly uniform microbeads are formed to contain a fluorescent dye.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said highly uniform microbeads are formed to contain a magnetic substance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said selected number of containers comprises a single container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said application means includes a medium containing a fluorescent dye and said highly uniform microbeads.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 14 wherein said highly uniform microbeads are formed to contain fluorescent dye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 14 wherein said highly uniform microbeads are formed to contain a magnetic substance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
An identification kit as claimed in claim 14 wherein said application means includes a medium containing a fluorescent dye and said highly uniform microbeads.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
74 words
An identified item containing a selected number of groups of highly uniform microbeads of a size of 2-20 microns and normally invisible to the naked eye, highly dispersed in the item or in a medium applied thereto; each group being made up of highly uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform size, shape and color with the specific combination of size, shape and color in one group not being repeated in any other group.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
An identified item containing a selected number of groups of highly uniform microbeads of a size of 2-20 microns and normally invisible to the naked eye, highly dispersed in the item or in a medium applied thereto; each group being made up of highly uniform microbeads of substantially the same uniform size, shape and color with the specific combination of size, shape and color in one group not being repeated in any other group.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
An identified item as claimed in claim 22 wherein said selected number of groups comprises a single group.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An identified item as claimed in claim 22 wherein said highly uniform microbeads comprise spherical polymer microbeads.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein at least two said groups are made up and the highly uniform microbeads from at least two said groups are mixed with each other and transferred to said item.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said item is a fibrous web.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said item is a paper document.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said highly uniform microbeads are interiorly contained in the paper document.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said item is cloth.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said item is a resin article.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said item is a particulate material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
An identified item according to claim 22, containing at least two said groups of highly uniform microbeads mixed with one another.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
A fibrous web as the identified item according to claim 22.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
A paper document as the identified item according to claim 22.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
An identified item according to claim 22, wherein said highly uniform microbeads are interiorly contained in the paper document.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
A cloth article as the identified item according to claim 22.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
11 words
A resin article as the identified item according to claim 22.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A resin article as the indentified item according to claim 22, wherein the highly uniform microbeads are spherical polymeric microbeads.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
11 words
A particulate material as the identified article according to claim 22.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |