EXTRUDED FILAMENT HAVING HIGH DEFINITION CROSS-SECTIONAL INDICIA/CODING, MICROSCOPIC TAGGING SYSTEM FORMED THEREFROM, AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF FOR ANTI-COUNTERFEITING AND PRODUCT AUTHENTICATION

摘要

An extruded filament is provided having a cross-sectional configuration which permits a cut transverse section of the filament to function as a high definition tagging material, the extruded filament having contained therein along the direction of the longitudinal axis (the axis of extrusion) of the filament a multitude of extruded strand portions, which may be the same or different from one another from the standpoint of composition, visual or forensic effect, and which strand portions provide a multitude of pixel-like portions within a cross-sectional portion of the filament, which multitude of pixel-like portions, when taken together, comprise at least one pre-selected degree of identification whereby the tagging material may be differentiated or identified based on at least one degree of identification. A cut fiber or microparticle formed from the filament may be used to authenticate a product when used in association with the product.