Tobacco product and system for identifying tobacco products

Abstract

A system for tracking tobacco products includes a reader and an associated wireless communication device which is embedded within the tobacco product. The wireless communication device is disposed underneath the outer wrapper layer of the tobacco product and preferably located within the butt portion of the tobacco product. The wireless communication device may be a radio frequency identification device. When queried, the device provides the reader with identifying information for the tobacco product including the brand and the manufacturer. The device aids in identifying and tracking tobacco products to prevent counterfeit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to tobacco products and a system for identifying tobacco products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An increase in the consumption of cigars and related tobacco products has created a heightened awareness of the disparate quality of tobacco products amongst different cigar manufacturers. With consumers becoming sensitive to the wide range of quality in tobacco products, there is an associated increase in the level of consumer brand awareness in the cigar market. This has led to a greater degree of counterfeit activity as inferior cigar products are passed off as higher quality brands. Inferior cigars may be packaged in containers having the markings of the higher quality brands or inferior cigars may be adorned with ring labels copied from higher quality brands.

[0003] Identifying counterfeit tobacco products, such as cigars, is difficult because the inferior and superior products themselves are not easily distinguishable on visual inspection. The brand markings are usually only applied to packaging or ring labels. If an inferior product bears a ring label or is packaged so as to resemble a higher quality brand, it may require expert analysis of the product itself to identify it as counterfeit. To be successful, this visual inspection may also require destruction of the product, i.e. the cigar will need to be unwrapped to analyze its contents.

[0004] It would be advantageous to have a tobacco product and system for identifying tobacco products which address these and other shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a tobacco product that includes a transponder embedded within the tobacco product itself. The transponder includes encoded identification information which it provides to a corresponding reader when queried.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention provides a tobacco product having a main body portion and a butt portion. The tobacco product includes filler tobacco, at least one outer layer wrapped around the filler tobacco, and a wireless communication device embedded within the tobacco product, the wireless communication device having identification information encoded therein.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for identifying a tobacco product, the tobacco product having a main body portion and a butt portion. The system includes the tobacco product and a reader. The tobacco product includes filler tobacco, at least one outer layer wrapped around the filler tobacco, and a wireless communication device embedded within the tobacco product, the wireless communication device having identification information encoded therein. The reader includes a transmitter portion for transmitting an interrogation signal to the wireless communication device and a receiver portion for receiving a response signal, wherein the wireless communication device includes an antenna for receiving the interrogation signal and an electronic device for modulating the interrogation signal, thereby creating the response signal, and wherein the response signal includes the identification information.

[0008] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the present invention, and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a cigar according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an unwrapped cigar according to embodiments of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a cigar according to the embodiments of present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a cigar according to further embodiments of the present invention; and

[0014] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a reader and cigars according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] Similar numerals are used in different figures to denote similar features or components.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a side view of an embodiment of a tobacco product and, in particular, a cigar 10 according to the present invention.

[0017] The cigar 10 is generally cylindrical in shape and features a main body portion 12 and a shorter butt portion 14. The main body portion 12 has an end 16 distant from the butt portion 14. The butt portion 14 may sometime be referred to as the “head” of the cigar 10 and the end 16 of the cigar 10 is often referred to as the “foot”.

[0018] The user of the cigar 10 applies a flame (not shown) to the end 16 so as to initiate the burning of the cigar 10. The butt portion 14 of the cigar 10 often terminates in a tip 18 or rounded cap made of wrapper leaf, which the user clips or pierces prior to lighting the cigar 10. The tip 18 may also be finished by a tapered point. Using his or her mouth at the area of the removed tip 18, the user draws air through the end 16 while a flame is held in close proximity to the end 16, thereby drawing the flame into the main body 12 and igniting the cigar 10. As a user smokes the cigar 10, the main body 12 is gradually consumed and converted to ash. The user typically extinguishes the cigar 10 once the main body 12 has been consumed, leaving the butt portion 14 as waste.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cigar 10 includes a ring label 20. The ring label 20 encircles the body of the cigar 10 and is typically positioned where the main body portion 12 and the butt portion 14 of the cigar 10 meet. The ring label 20 is often formed from paper onto which insignia, trade-marks or other information has been printed, although the ring label 20 may be made of other material. The ring label 20 is typically easy to remove from the cigar 10 simply by sliding it off the cigar 10 body.

[0020] The cigar 10 also includes a wireless communication device, which may also be referred to as a transponder 22. In one embodiment, the transponder 22 is a passive radio frequency identification device (RFID). The transponder 22 is associated with a reader 50 (FIG. 5) which transmits an interrogation signal to query the transponder 22. The transponder 22 includes encoded identification information.

[0021] In one embodiment, the transponder 22 is disposed within the butt portion 14 of the cigar 10. Advantageously, if the transponder 22 is located in the butt portion 14 of the cigar 10, then the transponder 22 will not be burned in the course of smoking the cigar 10; however, the present invention is not limited to cigars 10 having the transponder 22 in the butt portion 14.

[0022] The transponder 22 is embedded in the cigar 10, meaning that it cannot be removed without unwrapping, and therefore damaging, the cigar 10.

[0023] A reader 50 for use with the transponder 22 transmits an interrogation signal. If the cigar 10 is within range of the interrogation signal, then the transponder 22 senses the signal and modulates it so as to create a response signal. The response signal provides the reader with the identification information encoded in the transponder 22. Accordingly, the reader will be able to identify the cigar 10 based upon the response from the transponder 22. This permits the RFID reader to query one or more cigars 10 and obtain detailed information about each cigar 10 and its maker.

[0024] The identification information may include a data string having one or more data fields containing information about the cigar 10. For example, the identification information may identify the manufacturer by name, the model of the cigar 10, the factory at which it was produced, the ring gauge, the length of the cigar 10, the name of the roller, the date of production, or any other information about the cigar 10, its production, or its distribution which may be useful in identifying or tracking the cigar 10.

[0025] Those of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar with appropriate RFID transponders (sometimes called “tags”) and readers. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transponder 22 includes an antenna 44 and an electronic device 40. The antenna 44 and the electronic device 40 are mounted upon a substrate 42. In one embodiment, the antenna 44 includes a conductive material such as aluminum and the electronic device 40 is an integrated circuit created upon a silicon chip. The electronic device 40 includes memory which is encoded with the identification information. The identification information may be encrypted, in which case the associated reader includes a decryption module to read the encrypted identification information.

[0026] In another embodiment, the substrate 42 is a flexible paper and the antenna 44 is created by printing upon the paper with conductive ink. The electronic device 40, in the form of a silicon chip, is coupled to the antenna 44 by contacting it with the conductive ink before the ink dries and sets. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar with other RFID systems and methods of manufacture appropriate for use in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a partially unwrapped cigar according to the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views of embodiments of the cigar 10 of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A.

[0028] The cigar 10 is composed of a filler tobacco 24 around which is wrapped a binder layer 26. A wrapper layer 28 is wrapped around the binder layer 26. The binder layer 26 and the wrapper layer 28 are formed from tobacco leaves.

[0029] Depending upon the model, the filler tobacco 24 is typically a blend of between two and four different tobacco leaves. In constructing the cigar 10, the filler tobacco 24 is formed into a “bunch”. The binder layer 26 is used to hold or pre-form the “bunch” before placement into a wooden press or mould, which reinforces the cigar's 10 cylindrical shape. The wrapper layer 28 is usually formed from a wrapper leaf carefully selected for its colour, uniformity, and sheen, since it is the principal part of the cigar 10 that is seen by the consumer.

[0030] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transponder 22 is embedded in the cigar 10 between the binder layer 26 and the filler tobacco 24. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the transponder 22 is embedded in the cigar 10 by placing it between the binder layer 26 and the wrapper layer 28. In yet another embodiment, the transponder 22 may be embedded within the filler tobacco 24 itself. Any other manner of incorporating the transponder 22 into the cigar 10 during the wrapping process may be employed.

[0031] Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which shows a system for identifying tobacco products, in accordance with the present invention.

[0032] A carton 52 contains a plurality of cigars 10. Each of the cigars 10 includes one of the transponders 22. A reader 50 transmits an interrogation signal which is received by the transponders 22 and modulated with the identification information to produce a response signal. The reader 50 receives the response signal and demodulates it to obtain the identification information. The reader 50 and the transponders 22 may incorporate suitable anti-collision mechanisms to enable the reader 50 to manage communications with multiple transponders 22 within its range.

[0033] Although above-described embodiments of the present invention have included a passive RFID transponder, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to any particular type of wireless communication device. Wireless communication devices are available that communicate in a wide range of frequencies and modes. The present invention is not limited to passive devices powered by the interrogation signal transmitted by the reader and may feature an active device having its own power source.

[0034] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the above discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A tobacco product having a main body portion and a butt portion, comprising:

(a) filler tobacco;

(b) at least one outer layer wrapped around said filler tobacco; and

(c) a wireless communication device embedded within the tobacco product, said wireless communication device having identification information encoded therein.

2. The tobacco product claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is a radio frequency identification transponder.

3. The tobacco product claimed in claim 2, wherein said radio frequency identification transponder includes an antenna and an integrated circuit coupled to said antenna.

4. The tobacco product claimed in claim 3, wherein said transponder includes a paper substrate and wherein said antenna is printed upon said paper substrate with conductive ink.

5. The tobacco product claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is disposed between said outer layer and said filler tobacco.

6. The tobacco product claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer layer includes a binder layer and a wrapper layer wrapped around said binder layer, and wherein said wireless communication device is disposed between said binder layer and said wrapper layer.

7. The tobacco product claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer layer includes a binder layer and a wrapper layer wrapped around said binder layer, and wherein said wireless communication device is disposed between said binder layer and said filler tobacco.

8. The tobacco product claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is disposed within said butt portion.

9. The tobacco product claimed in claim 1, wherein said tobacco product is a cigar.

10. A system for identifying a tobacco product, the tobacco product having a main body portion and a butt portion, comprising:

(a) the tobacco product, including

(i) filler tobacco,

(ii) at least one outer layer wrapped around said filler tobacco, and

(iii) a wireless communication device embedded within the tobacco product, said wireless communication device having identification information encoded therein; and

(b) a reader including a transmitter portion for transmitting an interrogation signal to said wireless communication device and a receiver portion for receiving a response signal;

wherein said wireless communication device includes an antenna for receiving said interrogation signal and an electronic device for modulating said interrogation signal, thereby creating said response signal, and wherein said response signal includes said identification information.

11. The system claimed in claim 10, wherein said wireless communication device is a radio frequency identification transponder.

12. The system claimed in claim 11, wherein said transponder includes a paper substrate and wherein said antenna is printed upon said paper substrate with conductive ink.

13. The system claimed in claim 10, wherein said wireless communication device is disposed between said outer layer and said filler tobacco.

14. The system claimed in claim 10, wherein said outer layer includes a binder layer and a wrapper layer wrapped around said binder layer, and wherein said wireless communication device is disposed between said binder layer and said wrapper layer.

15. The system claimed in claim 10, wherein said outer layer includes a binder layer and a wrapper layer wrapped around said binder layer, and wherein said wireless communication device is disposed between said binder layer and said filler tobacco.

16. The system claimed in claim 10, wherein said wireless communication device is disposed within said butt portion.

17. The system claimed in claim 10, wherein said tobacco product is a cigar.

18. A method of making a tobacco product having a main body portion and a butt portion, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing filler tobacco;

(b) wrapping at least one outer layer around said filler tobacco; and

(c) embedding a wireless communication device within the tobacco product, said wireless communication device having identification information encoded therein.

19. The method of making a tobacco product claimed in claim 18, wherein said step of embedding includes placing said wireless communication device into said filler tobacco prior to said step of wrapping.

20. The method of making a tobacco product claimed in claim 18, wherein said step of wrapping includes wrapping a binder layer around said filler tobacco and wrapping a wrapper layer around said binder layer and said step of embedding includes placing said wireless communication device between said binder layer and said wrapper layer prior to wrapping said wrapper layer around said binder layer.

21. The method of making a tobacco product claimed in claim 18, wherein said step of wrapping includes wrapping a binder layer around said filler tobacco and wrapping a wrapper layer around said binder layer and said step of embedding includes placing said wireless communication device between said filler tobacco and said binder layer prior to wrapping the binder layer around said filler tobacco.