Announced in early February from Mikoh Corp. (www.mikoh.com), the specially designed SecureContainer reusable plastic container (RPC) uses a single pressure-sensitive seal to protect the contents from security compromises throughout the supply chain.
The specialized RPC can replace corrugated boxes that are easily penetrated, exposing the contents to potential tampering, theft or counterfeiting.
Unlike conventional RPCs, the SecureContainer features a unique design that significantly mitigates risk by providing a single, protected point of entry. It employs disposable plastic inserts that slide into the container doors and are secured to each other using a tamper-resistant seal. If the container is opened, the pressure-sensitive seal becomes damaged, alerting users to potential product tampering. No clean-up is required to reuse the container, because the seal only contacts the disposable plastic inserts.
"Pharmaceutical companies and others that transport high-value, sensitive materials must deal with various threats to ensure greater security throughout the supply chain,” says Dr. Peter Atherton, CTO of Mikoh Corp.
Option for RFID
SecureContainer works with Mikoh's Smart&Secure technology (see Tamper-evident RFID tags), which alerts an RFID reader or disables the RFID tag if the tag is tampered or moved. It is frequency—and protocol—independent. It permits a secured container of valuable products to be read via RFID using a single smart label. Users without RFID systems may use other pressure-sensitive security seal technologies.
Also, the design of SecureContainer ensures the RFID tags are placed in a consistent position and orientation relative to the tag readers, improving reader accuracy even at high speeds.
Mikoh partnered with an Asian molder to produce the containers. SecureContainer is available in a variety of sizes; the polymer will be dependent on the application. The initial design is hinged to open in the top center, but other variations are possible, according to Mikoh.
Competitively priced and can be retrofit
Retrofitting existing RPC containers with the SecureContainer seal capability is an option, Atherton says. He expects the RPC containers to be only marginally more expensive than current RPCs; he estimates the disposable seals to cost around 50¢ apiece or less. Companies may also choose to use Mikoh's SecureContainer RPCs and use their own security seals.
Atherton says prototypes have been developed and are in the early stages of discussions with distributors of pharmaceutical products. "We hope to be in tests and pilots by year's end."
The specialized RPC can replace corrugated boxes that are easily penetrated, exposing the contents to potential tampering, theft or counterfeiting.
Unlike conventional RPCs, the SecureContainer features a unique design that significantly mitigates risk by providing a single, protected point of entry. It employs disposable plastic inserts that slide into the container doors and are secured to each other using a tamper-resistant seal. If the container is opened, the pressure-sensitive seal becomes damaged, alerting users to potential product tampering. No clean-up is required to reuse the container, because the seal only contacts the disposable plastic inserts.
"Pharmaceutical companies and others that transport high-value, sensitive materials must deal with various threats to ensure greater security throughout the supply chain,” says Dr. Peter Atherton, CTO of Mikoh Corp.
Option for RFID
SecureContainer works with Mikoh's Smart&Secure technology (see Tamper-evident RFID tags), which alerts an RFID reader or disables the RFID tag if the tag is tampered or moved. It is frequency—and protocol—independent. It permits a secured container of valuable products to be read via RFID using a single smart label. Users without RFID systems may use other pressure-sensitive security seal technologies.
Also, the design of SecureContainer ensures the RFID tags are placed in a consistent position and orientation relative to the tag readers, improving reader accuracy even at high speeds.
Mikoh partnered with an Asian molder to produce the containers. SecureContainer is available in a variety of sizes; the polymer will be dependent on the application. The initial design is hinged to open in the top center, but other variations are possible, according to Mikoh.
Competitively priced and can be retrofit
Retrofitting existing RPC containers with the SecureContainer seal capability is an option, Atherton says. He expects the RPC containers to be only marginally more expensive than current RPCs; he estimates the disposable seals to cost around 50¢ apiece or less. Companies may also choose to use Mikoh's SecureContainer RPCs and use their own security seals.
Atherton says prototypes have been developed and are in the early stages of discussions with distributors of pharmaceutical products. "We hope to be in tests and pilots by year's end."
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