Damage indicating packaging

Abstract

Damage indicating packaging is disclosed. A damage indicating material may be applied between inner and outer wrapper layers. When the damage indicating material is exposed to oxygen, excessive heat and/or excessive pressure, the material changes in appearance to thereby alert the user that the package may be compromised. The damage indicating material may include an anti-counterfeiting taggant material. Active and intelligent tamper-evident packaging is thus provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A damage indicating package comprising a first packaging layer and a second packaging layer attached to the first packaging layer thereby forming a product pocket having an interior volume between the first packaging layer and the second packaging layer structured and arranged to receive a product, wherein the first packaging layer comprises:
 an inner wrapper layer comprising a film having an interior surface exposed to the interior volume of the product pocket;   an outer layer comprising a film at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer and the interior volume of the product pocket and forming a damage indicating material pocket between an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and an interior surface of the outer layer, wherein the damage indicating material pocket is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas;   a damage indicating material in the damage indicating material pocket between the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and the interior surface of the outer wrapper layer; and   a taggant material attached to the first packaging layer.   
     
     
         2 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a condom, a food product or a pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         3 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material changes color when exposed to oxygen and comprises methylene blue. 
     
     
         4 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material or taggant material is applied to the interior surface of the outer layer. 
     
     
         5 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material or taggant material is applied to the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer. 
     
     
         6 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is coextensive with the inner wrapper layer. 
     
     
         7 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the damage indicating material is applied to the inner wrapper layer or the outer layer in the form of indicia. 
     
     
         8 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the taggant material is provided in a coating, ink or adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the taggant material is in the form of particles. 
     
     
         10 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the taggant material is embedded in the first packaging layer. 
     
     
         11 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the taggant material comprises infrared responsive particles, infrared responsive ink, ultraviolet responsive particles, ultraviolet responsive ink, pigment, metachromic material, color-shifting material, thermochanging material or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The damage indicating package of  claim 1 , wherein the second packaging layer comprises:
 an inner wrapper layer comprising a film having an interior surface exposed to the interior volume of the product pocket;   an outer layer comprising a film at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer and the interior volume of the product pocket and forming a damage indicating material pocket between an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and an interior surface of the outer layer, wherein the damage indicating material pocket is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas;   a damage indicating material in the damage indicating material pocket between the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and the interior surface of the outer wrapper layer; and   a taggant material attached to the first packaging layer.   
     
     
         13 . A packaged product comprising a first packaging layer and a second packaging layer attached to the first packaging layer thereby forming a product pocket having an interior volume between the first packaging layer and the second packaging layer containing the product with the packaged product contained within the product pocket, wherein the first packaging layer comprises:
 an inner wrapper layer comprising a film having an interior surface exposed to the interior volume of the product pocket;   an outer layer comprising a film at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer and the interior volume of the product pocket and forming a damage indicating material pocket between an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and an interior surface of the outer layer, wherein the damage indicating material pocket is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas;   a damage indicating material in the damage indicating material pocket between the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and the interior surface of the outer wrapper layer and a taggant material between the inner wrapper layer and the outer wrapper layer; and   a taggant material attached to the first packaging layer.   
     
     
         14 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the product is a condom, a food product or a pharmaceutical product. 
     
     
         15 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the damage indicating material or taggant material is applied to either the interior surface of the outer layer or to the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer. 
     
     
         16 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the taggant material is provided in a coating, ink or adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the taggant material is in the form of particles. 
     
     
         18 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the taggant material is embedded in the first packaging layer. 
     
     
         19 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the taggant material comprises infrared responsive particles, infrared responsive ink, ultraviolet responsive particles, ultraviolet responsive ink, pigment, metachromic material, color-shifting material, thermochanging material or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The packaged product of  claim 13 , wherein the second packaging layer comprises:
 an inner wrapper layer comprising a film having an interior surface exposed to the interior volume of the product pocket;   an outer layer comprising a film at least partially covering the inner wrapper layer and the interior volume of the product pocket and forming a damage indicating material pocket between an exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and an interior surface of the outer layer, wherein the damage indicating material pocket is evacuated or at least partially filled with an inert gas;   a damage indicating material in the damage indicating material pocket between the exterior surface of the inner wrapper layer and the interior surface of the outer wrapper layer; and   a taggant material attached to the first packaging layer.