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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         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.