FIELD

The present invention relates to a tamper evident package. In particular, the present invention relates to a tamper evident package for a pharmaceutical product.

BACKGROUND

A package may be closed and sealed with a sealing label, so as to provide a sealed package. The sealed package may be designed such that it cannot be opened without breaking the package or without breaking the sealing label. Consequently, a consumer may visually inspect whether the sealed package has been opened. An intact sealed package may be interpreted to be an indication that the sealed package has not been opened after the authorized sealing operation. A damaged package may be interpreted to be an indication that the package has been opened after the authorized sealing operation.

SUMMARY

An object is to provide a package. An object is to provide a package for a pharmaceutical product. An object is to provide a sealed package. An object is to provide a sealed package for a pharmaceutical product. An object is to provide a method for sealing a package. An object is to provide a method for sealing a package, which contains a pharmaceutical product. An object is to provide a method for determining whether the sealed package has been opened.

According to an aspect, there is provided a combination (LC1 ) of a package (200) and a sealing label (100), wherein the package (200) comprises varnished cardboard (230), wherein the package (200) comprises a first rupture region (REG1 ) formed of the varnished cardboard (230), wherein the first rupture region (REG1 ) comprises one or more structural deviations (DEV1 ) such that a tear strength (S1 ) of the first rupture region (REG1 ) is in the range of 2% to 50% of an average tear strength (SAVE) of the varnished cardboard (230) of the package (200), and wherein the sealing label (100) has been attached to the first rupture region (REG1 ).

According to an aspect, there is provided a package (200) comprising varnished cardboard (230), wherein the package (200) comprises a first rupture region (REG1 ) formed of the varnished cardboard (230), wherein the first rupture region (REG1 ) comprises one or more structural deviations (DEV1 ) such that a tear strength (S1 ) of the first rupture region (REG1 ) is in the range of 2% to 50% of an average tear strength (SAVE) of the varnished cardboard (230) of the package (200).

Further aspects are defined in the claims.

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention. An authorized sealing operation may comprise attaching a genuine sealing label to an intact package, in a situation where the package contains a genuine product associated with one or more markings of the package. The package may contain e.g. a pharmaceutical product. The package may contain e.g. a medicament. The authorized sealing operation may be performed e.g. at a pharmaceutical plant. The authorized sealing operation may be performed e.g. at an authorized packing line.

The package may comprise a rupture region. The purpose of the rupture region may be to ensure that removal of the sealing label from the package causes visually detectable damage to the package. The visually detectable irreversible damage may comprise e.g. tearing and/or delamination of the varnished cardboard of the package. Pulling the sealing label outwards may cause tearing and/or delamination of the rupture portion. Using the sealing label together with the rupture region may improve the tamper evident sealing of the package. The rupture region may be arranged to operate together with the sealing label, e.g. in a situation where a fraudulent person attempts to remove the sealing label. This may provide more benefits and/or better performance when compared to a design, which would be based on the properties of the label only. A customized rupture region prepared to accept and hold the sealing label may also be a more effective and economical solution than preparing the entire surface of the package for the same. Furthermore, this may allow maintaining the visual appearance of the package clean and simple. This may allow maintaining the visual appearance of the package more adaptable to different branding purposes.

The sealing label may be attached to the rupture region. The dimensions and the materials of the rupture region may be selected such that pulling the label with a pulling force may cause visually detectable irreversible breaking of the rupture region. The breaking pulling force may be e.g. smaller than a minimum force needed to detach the adhesive of the label from the surface of rupture region. The dimensions and the materials of the rupture region may be selected such that an attempt to separate the label from package causes visually detectable irreversible breaking of the rupture region. In particular, pulling the label outwards away rupture region from the may cause tearing and/or delamination of the rupture region.

The package may comprise varnished cardboard. The package may be made of varnished cardboard. The package may comprise a rupture region, which comprises varnished cardboard. The package may comprise a rupture region formed of varnished cardboard. The package may comprise an opening joint. The package may comprise a first rupture region on a first side of the opening joint, and a second rupture region on a second side of the opening joint. The sealing label may be attached to the package such that the sealing label overlaps the first rupture region, the second rupture region, and the opening joint between the first rupture region and the second rupture region. The rupture region may comprise one or more structural deviations. The structural deviation may reduce the strength of the rupture region e.g. when compared e.g. with the strength of a surrounding region of the varnished cardboard of the package. The structural deviation may be called e.g. as a weakening structural deviation. The structural deviation may be e.g. an incision, a score, a groove, a hole, a depressed portion, a thin portion, a chemically degraded portion, a thermally degraded portion and/or a laser processed portion. The structural deviation may comprise or consist of an incision, a score, a groove, a hole, a depressed portion, a thin portion, a chemically degraded portion, a thermally degraded portion and/or a laser processed portion.

The damage of the package may indicate that the package has been opened. The damage of the package may indicate that the package has been opened after a first sealing. The damage of the package may indicate that the package has been tampered e.g. in a situation where a fraudulent person has attached another sealing label to the package. The damage of the package may indicate that the package has been tampered in a situation where a sealing label has been attached to the package. The rupture region may be used as a visual indicator, which may indicate whether a sealing label attached to the package is the first sealing label, which was attached to the package. An intact rupture region may indicate that the label attached to the package is the first label. An altered rupture region may indicate that the that a label attached to the package is not the first label.

In an embodiment, the intact rupture region may be formed such that it is not visually detectable from the outside of the package. The rupture region may be implemented without altering the visual appearance of the package. The rupture region may be used with a substantially transparent sealing label such that the surface of the package can be seen through the label. Avoiding altering the visual appearance may save time and/or costs. For example, a distributor or manufacturer of a pharmaceutical product may need to request a permission from an authority to change the visual appearance of the package.

In an embodiment, the intact rupture region may be visually detectable from the outside of the package. A visually detectable rupture region may be used e.g. for checking whether the sealing label has been attached to correct position on the package. Such check may be made e.g. visually by a person and/or by an optical monitoring apparatus. The optical monitoring apparatus may comprise e.g. a camera and an image analysis unit. The position of the label may be checked at one or more points during storage, transportation and/or distribution. The position of the label may be checked e.g. when the label is attached to the package, during storage of the sealed package, during transportation of the sealed package and/or at a point of sale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following examples, several variations will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, a sealed package,

Fig. 2a shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, a rupture region, which comprises a structural deviation formed on the inner surface of varnished cardboard of the package,

Fig. 2b shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, the rupture region of Fig. 2b when viewed from the outside of the package through the sealing label, Fig. 2c shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, a damaged portion of the package after the label has been pulled away from the package,

Fig. 3a shows, by way of example, in a top view, a substantially rectangular sealing label,

Fig. 3b shows, by way of example, in a top view, a substantially circular sealing label,

Fig. 4a shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, a sealing operation which comprises attaching a sealing label to an intact closed package,

Fig. 4b shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, an intact sealed package, which comprises a product,

Fig. 4c shows, by way of example, in a three-dimensional view, the package of Fig. 4b after it has been irreversibly damaged,

Fig. 5a shows, by way of example, in a cross-sectional side view, a sealing label attached to a first rupture region and to a second rupture region,

Fig. 5b shows, by way of example, in a cross-sectional side view, a damaged portion formed by pulling the sealing label of Fig. 5a, and Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, elongation of the sealing label as a function of pulling force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to Fig. 1 , a sealing label 100 may be attached to a package 200 e.g. to indicate that the package contains a genuine product PROD1. The sealing label 100 and the package 200 may together form a combination LC1. The combination LC1 may be called as a sealed package. The sealed package LC1 may contain a product PROD1. The product PROD1 may be e.g. a pharmaceutical product. The product PROD1 may be e.g. a medicament. The package 200 may be a container for a medicament.

The package 200 may comprise varnished cardboard 230. The package 200 may be made of varnished cardboard 230. The package 200 may be made of varnished cardboard 230 e.g. by folding and adhesive bonding. A package 200 containing a genuine product PROD1 may be closed and sealed with the sealing label 100. The sealing label 100 may be attached to a rupture region REG1 of the package 200. The package 200 may comprise a first rupture region REG1 and a second rupture region REG2. The package 200 may comprise an opening joint 201. The first rupture region REG1 may be located on a first side of the opening joint 201 , and the second rupture region REG2 may be located on a second side of the opening joint 201. The opening joint 201 may be located between the first rupture region REG1 and the second rupture region REG2. The closed package 200 may be sealed by attaching the sealing label 100 to the first rupture region REG1 and to the second rupture region REG2.

The first rupture region REG1 and the second rupture region REG2 may be arranged to operate in a substantially similar manner. Pulling the label away from the package 200 may also cause irreversible alteration of the second rupture region REG2. The second rupture region REG2 may be substantially similar to the first rupture region REG1.

A consumer may open the sealed package e.g. by breaking the sealing label 100, and the consumer may subsequently open the opening joint 201 of the package 201 so as to access the product PROD1 inside the package 200. The package 200 may comprise one or more visually detectable markings MRK1 , MRK2.

The label 100 may be substantially transparent. At least 90% of the area of the label may be substantially transparent, so as to have a minimum effect on the visual appearance of the package 200.

One or more markings MRK1 , MRK2 of the package 200 may be visually detectable through the sealing label 100.

A marking MRK1 , MRK2 may be associated with the product PROD1. A marking MRK1 , MRK2 may indicate the contents of the package. A marking MRK1 , MRK2 may indicate the composition, type and/or purpose of the product PROD1. A marking MRK1 , MRK2 may indicate a manufacturer, distributor and/or trade mark associated with the product PROD1.

The package 200 may have six substantially rectangular faces. The opening joint 201 may be located between a first face 202 and a second face 203. The first face 202 may comprise the first rupture region REG1. The second face 203 may comprise the second rupture region REG2.

SX, SY, and SZ denote orthogonal directions. The opening joint 201 of the package 200 may be e.g. substantially parallel with the direction SY. The first rupture portion REG1 may be e.g. in a plane defined by directions SX and SY. CNT 1 may denote a center point of the largest face of the package 200.

Referring to Fig. 2a, the first rupture region REG1 may be formed of varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The varnished cardboard 230 may comprise cardboard 230 coated and/or impregnated with a varnish layer 231. The varnished cardboard 230 may comprise one or more layers of varnish 231.

The first rupture region REG1 may comprise one or more structural deviations DEV1. The structural deviations DEV1 may be arranged to reduce the tear strength of the rupture region REG1. The tear strength of the rupture region REG1 may be substantially lower than the average tear strength of the varnished cardboard of the package 200. The tear strength of the rupture region REG1 may be substantially lower than a reference tear strength of the varnished cardboard of the package 200. The reference tear strength of the varnished cardboard of the package 200 may be determined e.g. at the middle point CNT 1 of a largest face of the package 200.

The structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. an incision, a groove, or a perforation.

The structural deviation DEV1 may have locally reduced thickness and/or density of the surface material or coating when compared with surrounding varnished cardboard. A varnish layer of the structural deviation DEV1 may have locally reduced thickness and/or density when compared with the thickness or density of the varnish layer of the surrounding varnished cardboard. Cardboard material of the structural deviation DEV1 may have locally reduced thickness and/or density when compared with the thickness or density of cardboard material of the surrounding varnished cardboard. The varnished cardboard may be more porous at the structural deviation DEV1 , when compared with the surrounding areas.

The structural deviation DEV1 may have different delamination properties, when compared with the surrounding areas. The rupture region may be arranged to exhibit delamination when pulled outwards. The structural deviation DEV1 may have different delamination strength, when compared with the surrounding areas.

At least a part of the rupture region may be converted into a damaged portion when the label and/or the rupture region is pulled outwards with a sufficient force. The visual appearance of the damaged portion may be different when compared with visual appearance of the intact rupture region. The visual appearance of the damaged portion may be different when compared with visual appearance of the surrounding areas of the varnished cardboard. The visually detectable difference between the damaged portion and the surrounding area may relate e.g. to color, optical absorption, optical reflectance and/or optical scattering. The damaged portion may have a different color, when compared with surrounding unbroken areas of the varnished cardboard. The color of the damaged portion may be different from the color of the intact rupture region.

The thickness of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of the average thickness of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200.

The thickness of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of the maximum thickness of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The thickness of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of a reference thickness of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The reference thickness may be determined e.g. at the center CNT1 of the largest face of the package 200.

The density of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of the average thickness of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The tensile strength of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of the average tensile strength of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200.

The tear strength of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of the average tensile strength of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200.

The tear strength of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of the maximum tensile strength of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The tear strength of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of a reference tear strength of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The reference tear strength may be determined e.g. at the center CNT1 of the largest face of the package 200.

The tear strength of the varnished cardboard at the structural deviation DEV1 , at a distance of 10 mm from the opening joint 201 , may be e.g. in the range of 5 to 50% of a reference tear strength of the varnished cardboard 230 of the package 200. The reference tear strength may be determined e.g. at the center CNT 1 of the largest face of the package 200.

The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by die-cutting. The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by laser processing. The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by laser cutting. The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by cutting with an abrasive jet. The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by cutting with a water jet. The structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. depressed portion formed by local compression of the varnished cardboard. The local compression may be performed such that the tear strength of the cardboard is locally reduced. The local compression may e.g. locally cut and/or tear the fibers of the cardboard material.

The structural deviation DEV1 may be e.g. depressed portion formed by removing material away from the cardboard. The material may be removed e.g. by laser cutting, by mechanical grinding and/or by a mechanical blade. The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by thermally degrading the material of the varnished cardboard at a selected location. The varnished cardboard may be locally heated such that the tear strength is reduced. The structural deviation DEV1 may be formed e.g. by chemically degrading the material of the varnished cardboard at a selected location, so as to provide reduced tear strength. In an embodiment, the sealing label may comprise one or more chemical substances, which may cause controlled local degradation of the varnished cardboard.

In an embodiment, the adhesive layer of the sealing label may comprise one or more chemical substances, which may cause controlled local degradation of the varnished cardboard.

The chemical degradation of the varnished cardboard may take some time. A reaction time period needed to chemically convert the original varnished cardboard into a functional rupture region may be e.g. in the range of 1 second to 10 hours. The sufficient degradation to achieve a functional rupture region may be achieved only after a certain time period from attaching the label. The reaction time period may be designed to be e.g. shorter than an average time required for shipping the sealed packages.

In an embodiment, an additional chemical substance may be applied to the varnished cardboard and/or to the label, to cause local chemical degradation of the varnished cardboard. The additional chemical substance may also e.g. improve adhesion of the label to the package and/or may participate in a curing process of an adhesive of the label.

The structural deviations DEV1 may be optionally filled with a filling material. The filling material may be selected such that the tear strength of the rupture region at the location of the structural deviations is substantially lower than the average tear strength of the varnished cardboard of the package 200.

The label 100 may have a width wioo. The rupture region REG1 may have a width WREGI . The dimensions of the rupture region REG1 may be defined by the opening joint 201 and/or by one or more structural deviations DEV1. The width WREGI of the first rupture region REG1 may be e.g. in the range of 10% to 80% of the width W201 of the opening joint 201 of the package 200.

The length LREG1 of the first rupture region REG1 may be e.g. in the range of 25% to 400% of the width WREGI of the first rupture region REG1.

Fig. 2a shows the structural deviation DEV1 formed on the inner surface of the package 200. Fig. 2b shows the rupture region when viewed from the outside of the package 200.

Removal of the label 100 may be attempted by pulling the label with a pulling force Fp. The label 100 may be removed by pulling with a pulling force Fp, which is greater than or equal to a breaking force of the underlying rupture region REG1. The symbol dp may denote the distance between the opening joint 201 and the pulling point of the force Fp. The distance dp between the opening joint 201 and the pulling point may be e.g. greater than or equal to 10 mm. In particular, the pulling point of the force Fp may be as far as possible from the opening joint 201 , at an edge EDG1 of the label 100.

A fraudulent person may try to remove the label 100 e.g. by pulling an edge EDG1 of the label with the pulling force Fp. The fraudulent person may select the pulling point such that it is far away from the opening joint 201 , in order to minimize the risk of tearing the varnished cardboard.

Flowever, the dimensions of the rupture region REG1 may be selected such that it is difficult or impossible for the fraudulent person to remove the label 100 without breaking the rupture region REG1.

The first rupture region REG1 may be partly defined by the opening joint 201 of the package 200.

The first rupture region REG1 may be arranged to exhibit visually detectable alteration in a situation where the first rupture region REG1 is pulled outwards by a pulling force FP, which is greater than or equal to a first breaking force FBI . The direction of the pulling force FP may be e.g. substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the first rupture region REG1.

The varnish layer may cover the face 202 of the package 200. The varnish layer of the face 202 may cover the first rupture region REG1 and the surrounding area of the face 202. The varnish layer may substantially continuously extend from the surrounding area of the face 202 to the first rupture region REG1. The surface structure of the first rupture region REG1 may look substantially similar as the surface structure of the surrounding area of the face 202, but the first rupture region REG1 may be substantially weaker to resist a force which pulls the surface outwards. The structural deviations DEV1 of the rupture region REG1 may be formed such that they do not penetrate through the varnish layer 232 of the varnished cardboard 230. The structural deviations DEV1 may be formed on the interior of the varnished cardboard of the package 200 such that the structural deviations DEV1 are not visible when viewed from the outside of the (closed) package 200. Consequently, the structural deviations DEV1 may have a small or negligible effect on the visual appearance of the intact package 200.

Alternatively, one or more structural deviations DEV1 may extend through the varnished cardboard 230. One or more structural deviations DEV1 may extend from the inner side of the varnished cardboard 230 to the outer side of the varnished cardboard 230. The structural deviations DEV1 may be e.g. holes of a perforation. In that case the structural deviations DEV1 may be visible when viewed from the outside of the package.

Referring to Fig. 2c, pulling the label 100 with a sufficient pulling force FP may eventually cause visually detectable irreversible breaking of the rupture region REG1. The package 200 may have a visually detectable damaged portion DPOR1. Pulling the label 100 with a sufficient breaking force FP may convert at least a part of the rupture region REG1 into a damaged portion DPOR1.

The presence of the damaged portion DPOR1 may be interpreted to be an indication that the package 200 has been opened and/or that someone has attempted to remove the original label 100 from the package 200.

In an embodiment, the first rupture region REG1 may be completely covered by the label 100 so as to make it more difficult for the fraudulent person to provide additional support to the rupture portion during a pulling operation.

The width WREGI of the first rupture region REG1 in the direction of the opening joint 201 may be smaller than or equal to the width wioo of the label (100) so as to make it more difficult for the fraudulent person to provide additional support to the rupture portion.

The width WREGI of the first rupture region REG1 may be e.g. substantially equal to a maximum width defined by the one or more structural deviations DEV1 of the first rupture region REG1 , said maximum width being defined in the direction of the opening joint 201.

Referring to Fig. 3a and 3b, the perimeter of the sealing label 100 may be e.g. rectangular or circular. In case of a rectangular label 100, the length Lo of the label may be e.g. greater than or equal to 20 mm, and the width wo of the label may be e.g. greater than or equal to 10 mm. The length of the label may preferably be e.g. greater than or equal to 30 mm, and the width of the label may preferably be e.g. greater than or equal to 15 mm.

In case of a circular label, the diameter (wo) of the label may be e.g. greater than or equal to 10 mm. The diameter of the label may preferably be e.g. greater than or equal to 25 mm. The label 100 may have an initial length Lo and an initial width wo. In an embodiment, the perimeter of the label 100 may be used as a visual stretching indicator. A marking 90 of the label 100 may have an initial length L90 and an initial width W90. In an embodiment, the marking 90 may be used as a visual stretching indicator.

Referring to Fig. 3a, the sealing label 100 may have e.g. a substantially rectangular shape. The length Lo of the label 100 may be e.g. greater than or equal to 20 mm, and the width wo of the label 100 may be e.g. greater than or equal to 10 mm.

Referring to Fig. 3b, the sealing label 100 may have a substantially circular shape. The diameter (wo) of the label 100 may be e.g. greater than or equal to 10 mm.

Referring to Figs. 4a and 4b, the label 100 may be attached to a package 200 to form a sealed package LC1. One of the faces of the package 200 may operate as a lid (e.g. the face 202). The lid may be joined to the other parts of the package by a flexible hinge. The package 200 may comprise an opening joint 201. When the joint 201 is not sealed with the label, the joint 201 may be opened and closed several times without causing visual damage to the package. The label 100 may be attached to the package 200 such that the opening joint 201 is located between two rupture regions REG1 , REG2. The package 200 may comprise one or more markings MRK1 , MRK2, 290, which have been produced e.g. by printing or embossing. A surface of the varnished cardboard may also comprise one or more holograms.

Referring to Fig. 4c, the sealed package 300 may be opened e.g. by tearing the label 100 away from the package 200. The dimensions of the rupture regions REG1 , REG2 may be selected such that pulling the label 100 away from the package 200 causes breaking of the rupture regions REG1 , REG2. The package 200 may be irreversibly altered. The altered package 200 may comprise one or more damaged portions DPOR1 , DPOR2. The presence of a damaged portion may visually indicate that the package 200 has been opened and/or that someone has attempted to remove the label 100.

In an embodiment, the properties of the label 100 may be selected such that the pulling the label 100 away from the package 200 causes permanent stretching of the label 100, in addition to causing irreversible alteration of the package 200.

The label 100 may have a final length LF after it has been separated from the package 200. The final length LF of the label 100 may be substantially greater than the initial length Lo of said label 100. The stretching of the label 100 may be easily detected by comparing one or more dimensions of the label with a reference dimension. In an embodiment, one of the markings MRK1 of the package may define said reference dimension. A method of checking the authenticity of the sealed package LC1 may comprise comparing a dimension of the label 100 with a reference dimension of a reference marking MRK1. In an embodiment, possible stretching of the label 100 may be detected by comparing a marking 90 of the label 100 with a marking MRK1 of the package.

Fig. 5a shows a sealing label 100, which has been attached to a package 200, which comprises varnished cardboard 230. The label 100 may be attached to the first rupture region REG1 and to the second rupture region REG2 of the package 200. The label 100 may be attached to the package such that an opening joint 201 of the package is located between the rupture regions REG1 , REG2. The label 100 may be attached to the package 200 such that the opening joint 201 cannot be opened without breaking the label 100 and/or without damaging the package. The varnished cardboard 230 may comprise cardboard material 231 covered with varnish 232. The varnished cardboard 230 may comprise a varnish layer 232 and cardboard material 231. The adhesive layer 20 of the label 100 may be in contact with the varnish 232. The varnished cardboard 230 may comprise a first layer 231 and a second layer 232. The first 231 layer may comprise cardboard material. The first 231 layer of the varnished cardboard 230 may comprise cellulose fibers. The second layer 232 may consist essentially of varnish, or the second layer 232 may comprise cellulose fibers impregnated with the varnish. The second layer 232 may be the outermost layer of the varnished cardboard 230. The varnish may be e.g. water-based acrylate varnish or UV-curable varnish. An UV-curable varnish may be applied to the cardboard material and cured by using ultraviolet light. The varnish may be approved for use in pharmaceutical packages. The varnished cardboard 230 may be e.g. fully coated folding boxboard. The varnished cardboard 230 may be e.g. fully coated folding boxboard approved for containing a medicament, wherein the varnish of the varnished layer 232 may be e.g. water-based acrylate varnish Referring to Fig. 5b, the dimensions of the structural deviations DEV1 of the rupture region REG1 may be selected such that pulling the label 100 with a sufficient force FP causes visually detectable irreversible damage to the cardboard material 230. The structural deviations DEV1 may be e.g. incisions, wherein the depth and length of the incisions may be selected to facilitate breaking of the rupture region REG1 in a situation where the label 100 attached to the rupture region REG1 is pulled outwards away from the package.

Pulling the label 100 away from package 200 may convert the at least a part of the first rupture region REG1 into a visually detectable damaged portion DPOR1. Pulling the label 100 away from package 200 may convert the at least a part of the second rupture region REG2 into a visually detectable damaged portion DPOR2. The sealing label 100 of the sealed package LC1 may be a tamper-evident label. For example, the label 100 may be arranged to irreversibly stretch in a situation where the label is pulled away from the package 200. The materials and the dimensions of the rupture region REG1 and the label 100 may be selected such that the label 100 is irreversibly deformed before breaking of the rupture region REG1. The adhesive 20 of the label 100 may be selected such that the rupture region REG1 breaks before the label 100 is detached from the varnished cardboard.

Fig. 6 shows, by way of example, maximum elongation EM(FM) of a sealing label 100 as the function of maximum pulling force FM, and final elongation EF(FM) of the label (100) as the function of the maximum pulling force FM.

The irreversible deformation of the label 100 may be easily visually detectable after the maximum pulling force FM has been greater than a limit value FLIM. The elongation EF(FLIM) at the limit value FLIM may be e.g. equal to 30%. The limit value FLIM may be defined to be e.g. the value of the pulling force FM, which causes an elongation EF, which is equal to 30%.

The first breaking force FBI may denote a pulling force needed to break the rupture region REG1 , in a situation where the label 100 is pulled away from the rupture region REG1.

FA may denote the detaching force of the adhesive of the adhesive layer 20 of the label 100. The detaching force FA may mean the minimum value of the pulling force FM, which is sufficient to separate the label 100 from the varnished surface of the rupture region REG1. The detaching force FA may also be called e.g. as the de-bonding force.

The properties of rupture region REG1 and the properties of the label 100 may be selected such that an attempt to separate the label 100 from the varnished cardboard causes irreversible damage both to the label 100 and to the rupture region REG1.

The properties of rupture region REG1 and the properties of the label 100 may be selected such that the label 100 cannot be separated from package 200 without causing visually detectable stretching the label and without breaking the rupture region REG1.

The label 100 may have a high breaking strength in order to ensure that the rupture region REG1 is permanently damaged before the label is broken into pieces. The label may be arranged to break the rupture portion at a lower force than what is required to break the label.

The adhesive layer 20 of the label 100 may be firmly adhered both to the carrier layer 10 and to the varnish 232 in order to ensure that the cardboard is permanently damaged before the adhesive layer 20 is detached.

The label may be arranged to break the rupture portion at the lower force than what is required to break the label.

The label (100) may comprise a carrier layer (10), and an adhesive layer (20). The thickness (dio) of the carrier layer (10), the material of the carrier layer (10), and the composition of the adhesive layer (20) may be selected such that:

- a minimum deformation force (FLIM) of the label is smaller than a first breaking force (F _BI ) needed to break the rupture region (REG1 ),

- a minimum detaching force (FA) of the label (100) is greater than the first breaking force (FBI ), and

- a second breaking force (FB2) needed to break the label (100) is greater than the first breaking force (FBI ).

The first breaking force (FBI ) may be a first pulling force (FP) which causes breaking of the first rupture region (REG1 ) in a situation where the label (100) is separated from the package (200) by pulling the label (100) with said first pulling force.

The minimum detaching force (FA) may be a second pulling force which is needed to separate the adhesive layer (20) of the label (100) from the outer surface of the varnished cardboard (230) of the rupture region REG1 , in a situation where the label (100) is pulled with said second pulling force. The second breaking force (FB2) may be a second pulling force (FP) which causes breaking of the label 100 into two or more pieces. The minimum deformation force (FLIM) may be a pulling force (FP) which causes 30% final elongation of the label (100).

The elongation (EBRK) at break of the carrier layer (10) may be e.g. higher than or equal to 300%, advantageously higher than or equal to 450%, and preferably higher than or equal to 500%. The carrier layer (10) may comprise e.g. polypropylene.

In case of a perforated label 100, a non-perforated continuous portion of the label 100 may have a high breaking strength in order to ensure that the rupture portion is permanently damaged before the non-perforated continuous portion of the label is broken into pieces.

The label (100) may comprise a carrier layer (10), and an adhesive layer (20). The thickness (dio) of the carrier layer (10), the material of the carrier layer (10), and the composition of the adhesive layer (20) may be selected such that:

- a minimum deformation force (FLIM) of the label is smaller than a first breaking force (F _BI ) needed to break the rupture region (REG1 ),

- a minimum detaching force (F _A ) of the label (100) is greater than the first breaking force (F _BI ), and

- a breaking force needed to break a non-perforated continuous portion of the label (100) is greater than the first breaking force (F _BI ).

The tear strength of a material layer may be measured by e.g. by cutting the material layer to form a test strip formed of said material layer. The width of the test strip may be e.g. equal to 10 mm. The tear strength of the material layer may mean a horizontal pulling force, which causes breaking of said test strip into two or more pieces in a situation where the test strip is pulled with said horizontal pulling force. The direction of the horizontal pulling force is parallel with the major surface of the test strip and perpendicular to said width of the test strip. The unit of the tear strength may be e.g. N/mm.

For the person skilled in the art, it will be clear that modifications and variations of the devices and the methods according to the present invention are perceivable. The figures are schematic. The particular embodiments described above with reference to the accompanying drawings are illustrative only and not meant to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.