This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/307,197 filed Jul. 20, 2001.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition and method for marking non-porous objects with fluorescent identification that is non-toxic, water soluble, clear-drying, and will not damage surfaces.
2. Description of the Related Art
A safe marking system is needed by e-commerce auction sellers to prevent fraud. Sellers are sometimes defrauded when an item that is returned by a buyer is not the same item shipped by a seller, but an inferior item. This practice is called “upgrading” and is used by unscrupulous collectors who claim that an item is defective then return a different item and demand their money back.
A safe marking system is needed such that a seller may mark an item so that if it is returned, a seller can confirm that the returned item is the item shipped by the seller. Currently the ability to mark glassware, china, porcelain, pottery, jewelry, toys, tools, painted items, and plastics, i.e., any item that can safely be cleaned with a damp cloth, is limited by the destructiveness, permanence, or unsightliness of the marking agent. Diamond pens, permanent markers, oil-based paints, etc. can permanently damage expensive items and reduce their value. Permanence is an important characteristic of any marking system. Any identification mark must be permanent until such identification is deliberately removed. Marks made on labels or tape, subsequently attached to a non-porous object, are frequently lost when the adhesive fails.
A need also exists for a safe marking system for collectors and homeowners for inventory and insurance purposes. A common method of marking is to place an identifying number on a piece of tape or on a small paper label affixed to the bottom of items. Such tapes and labels are easily dislodged by routine handling of objects. Another method used to identify non-porous items is to engrave an identifying number onto the item. Such an engraving may permanently mar or deface an object and may cause subsequent reduction in value. Further, both methods of identification are readily visible upon inspection and may be removed by someone other than the owner.
A need therefore exists for a composition and method for marking non-porous objects that will allow an e-commerce auction seller to positively identify items that are subsequently returned and further allow owners to mark items for inventory and insurance purposes.