Thinnest ever smart tag from Flying Null

Flying Null, a manufacturer of magnetic tagging technologies based in Cambridge, UK, has announced the release of what they believe is the thinnest remotely readable, non-line of sight smart tagging system in the world. The tags can be incorporated into brand labels, and at only three micron thick, have no effect on the wet-glue or PSA label application process.

Developed from Flying Null's existing Electro Magnetic Identification (EMID) technology, the new tags offer users greater flexibility when choosing where to apply tags to packaging and products in the production process. The tags can be laminated, embedded, applied directly to the surface, over-printed or even form part of the final packaging design or incorporated into shrink sleeve seals and secondary packaging, or even in to corks.

Developed for brand protection or document security, the transfer tags provide the same security levels of the existing Flying Null technologies. Existing label designs are retained and no changes or costs in application speed or line yield are required. As the tags are sandwiched between the label and the bottle, they can only be removed by defacing the brand label, and in the cases of diversion, devaluing the product.

Although thinner than Flying Null's other EMID tags, the new Transfer Tags offer the same durability. They can survive a host of harsh environments varying from high temperatures at 200C to very low temperature and many atmospheres of pressure. They can also withstand exposure to high levels of radiation, microwaves, and electrostatic and electromagnetic fields.

The tags can be supplied in various formats to cater for product authentication, batch control, warranty control or track and trace applications. Suitably positioned and applied, the tags will also provide machine-readable tamper evidence functionality. When used in tandem with other technologies, FN Transfer Tags can add a covert machine-readable feature to security print features or optical technologies such as Holograms.

The new FN Transfer Tag is also ideal for recycling applications. The low metallic content and small size of the tags means that they introduce less then 0.3 parts per million into glass when recycled; also, there is no danger of inclusions occurring. 'Since launching our first tagging system in 1998, Flying Null has constantly redefined the functional boundaries for magnetic tagging systems,' said Rob Karsten, Sales and Marketing director at Flying Null. 'The new Transfer Tag offers wine and spirits customers secure authentication, tracking and traceability coding within standard application processes and without costs in speed or bottling line yield.'