Method of attaching an RF ID tag to a hose and tracking system

• US 20050199700A1
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Age Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Newage Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Needling, Michael C., Greer, David, Younan, George, Baker, Kenneth D., Rozenblat, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,195,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A hose tracking system having a hose assembly with an attached RF ID tag imbedded therein during manufacture, molded thereon or permanently attached. The RF ID tag is coded with an identification specific to the particular hose assembly. An RF ID tag reader is provided, which is usable by a user to obtain the identification from the RF ID tag on the hose, preferably after it is installed at the user facility. The RF ID tag reader includes a user input for at least one trackable event and is at least one of connectable to a computer network or compatible for uploading the identification and any user input to a network accessible device. A network accessible hose database is provided, having hose-related information. The network accessible hose database provides access to a user to obtain the hose-related information based on the identification from the RF ID tag and receives and stores data related to the at least one trackable event.

Claims

1. A hose tracking system, comprising:

a hose assembly with an attached RF ID tag embedded therein during manufacture, molded thereon, or permanently attached, the RF ID tag being encoded with an identification;

an RF ID tag reader useable by a user to obtain the identification from the RF ID tag on the hose assembly and including a user input for at least one trackable event, and being at least one of connectable to a computer network or compatible for uploading the identification and the user input to a network access device; and

a network accessible hose database having hose related information, including at least one of manufacturing date, replacement date, batch number, lot number, material specifications, material lot number, certificates of compliance, size specifications, fitting specifications, description, drawings, customer data, batch process description, cleaning operations and customer application associated with the identification for the hose assembly, the network accessible hose database providing access to a user to obtain the hose related information based on the identification.

2. The hose tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface and a re-order database provided with the network accessible database which allows a user to re-order a new hose assembly based on the RF ID tag identification.

3. The hose tracking system of claim 1, wherein the hose database is configured to receive and store data related to the at least one trackable event.

4. The hose tracking system of claim 3, wherein the data related to the at least one trackable event is stored in a hose history database which is used to store data on a series of trackable events.

5. The hose tracking system of claim 4, further comprising an automatic notice generation system which interrogates at least one of the hose database and the hose history database regarding an expected replacement life of the hose assembly, and generates an electronic notice to the user prior to an expiration of the hose assembly expected replacement life.

6. The hose tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a user notice database having at least one of maintenance information and recall information for the hose assembly which is accessible based on the RF ID tag identification.

7. The hose tracking system of claim 1, wherein the network access device is a computer.

8. The hose tracking system of claim 1, wherein the hose assembly comprises:

a hose and fittings on the opposing ends of the hose, the RF ID tag being molded onto an exterior surface of the hose with a curable liquid injection molding compound.

9. The hose tracking system of claim 8, wherein user readable indicia is molded onto the exterior surface of the hose with the RF ID tag, and the cured liquid injection molding compound is generally clear.

10. The hose tracking system of claim 1, wherein the hose assembly includes a multilayer hose, and the RF ID tag is embedded into an outer one of the hose layers.

11. The hose tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a tape which connects the RF ID tag to the hose assembly.

12. The hose tracking system of claim 11, wherein the tape includes a silicone tape.

13. The hose tracking system of claim 1, further comprising an encapsulated RF ID strap which contains the RF ID tag, the strap including interlocking portions which connect the strap to the hose assembly.

14. The hose tracking system of claim 13, further comprising an adhesive which adheres the RF ID strap to the hose assembly.

15. A trackable hose assembly, comprising:

a hose having two ends;

a fitting located on each hose end; and

an RF ID tag programmed with at least one of a hose serial number, lot number, manufacturing date, replacement date and customer data encapsulated in a molded sleeve formed on an exterior surface of the hose.

16. The trackable hose assembly of claim 15, wherein the molded sleeve is a cured liquid injection molded sleeve formed from a clear molding compound.

17. The trackable hose assembly of claim 16, wherein the clear molding compound is a silicone rubber.

18. The trackable hose assembly of claim 16, further comprising user readable indicia encapsulated in the molded sleeve.

19. A method of tracking a hose assembly using a tracking system for obtaining hose data, comprising:

affixing an RF ID tag encoded with an identification on the hose assembly;

providing hose information relating to the hose assembly to a hose database correlated to the identification;

a user reading the RF ID tag with an RF ID tag reader;

the user inputting at least one trackable event regarding the hose assembly into the RF ID tag reader;

uploading data from the RF ID tag reader to a network accessible device or connecting the RF ID tag reader to a network;

accessing the hose database;

retrieving data relating to the hose assembly from the hose database using the identification; and

uploading data on the at least one trackable event to a hose history database to build the hose history database.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

a user using the internet and logging into a host web site to access the hose database; and

the uploading of the data relating to the at least one trackable event regarding the hose assembly includes uploading data on a series of trackable events.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the trackable event is a hose assembly wear related event.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

calculating an expected hose life based on at least one of the hose history database and customer reorder data.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one trackable event relates to at least one of:

hose cleaning, a number of batches of material processed or passed through hose, and an installation date of hose.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

determining a hose life expectancy based at least on the hose history database; and

interfacing with the hose history database and electronically notifying the user to reorder prior to an expiration of the determined hose life expectancy.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

interfacing with the hose database and electronically notifying the user to reorder prior to an expiration of a hose life expectancy.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

reordering a new hose assembly based on the hose database and the hose identification.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

automatically notifying the user regarding at least one of a maintenance and a recall.

28. A method of affixing an RF ID tag to a hose, comprising:

placing an RF ID tag programmed with an identification on one of an outer surface of a hose or inside a mold cavity of a mold adapted to be placed around the hose;

placing the mold around the hose, the mold including openings sized to allow the hose to pass therethrough and forming an annular chamber between an outer surface of the hose, and an inner surface of the mold;

injecting a liquid molding compound into the mold;

curing the liquid molding compound; and

removing the hose from the mold.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the mold is provided in two halves, and the method includes pre-heating the mold to a curing temperature of the molding compound.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the liquid molding compound is a clear liquid silicone rubber.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

placing a label with user readable indicia in proximity to the outer surface of the hose in an area of the mold cavity so that the user readable indicia is affixed to the hose with the RF ID tag.

32. A method of installing an RF ID tag onto a hose comprising:

providing a self-adhering tape,

wrapping the self-adhering tape around the hose with the RF ID tag disposed between at least a portion of the self-adhering tape and the hose.

33. The method of claim 33, wherein the providing of the self-adhering tape includes providing a silicone tape.