Apparatus for dispensing activated monitoring devices

• US 20050283272A1
• Filed: 06/16/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cryovac Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: Cryovac Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: Roberts, William Peyton
• Granted Patent: US 7,606,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/231
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/007 Data loggers attached to transport containers for perishable products, e.g. food or medicines

Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for dispensing an activated electronic monitoring device (EM device), such as a data logger. The invention can activate an EM device and verify activation before dispensing the EM device. The invention comprises a receptacle for storing a plurality of unactivated EM devices, a separator for separating an indivdual EM device, a reader for activating and verifying activation of the EM device, and a sorter for dispensing activated EM devices into an accept container that is readily accessible. EM devices that fail to activate can be dispensed into a reject container. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a controller that typically comprises a microprocessor having stored instructions. The controller can typically communicate with the EM device via the reader to activate the EM device and verify activation. The controller may also be used to program or write instructions to the EM device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing and activating electronic monitoring devices comprising:

a) a receptacle capable of storing a supply of unactivated electronic monitoring devices;

b) a separator cooperating with said receptacle for removing respective individual monitoring devices from the receptacle;

c) an activator cooperating with said separator and configured to communicate an activation signal to an individual monitoring device removed from the receptacle by the separator;

d) a verifier configured to communicate with the individual monitoring device subsequent to the activation signal to obtain a verification signal confirming that the individual monitoring device has been activated; and

e) a dispenser cooperating with said verifier and operable for dispensing the individual monitoring device after receipt of a verification signal confirming that the individual monitoring device has been activated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said dispenser includes a first container for receiving monitoring devices that have been confirmed as activated, a second container for receiving monitoring devices that have not been confirmed as activated, and a sorter capable of directing confirmed activated monitoring devices into said first container based upon receipt of a verification signal from the verifier and directing monitoring devices not confirmed as activated into said second container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further including a housing containing said first and second container, the housing having an opening providing access to the activated monitoring devices deposited in the first container, and the second container being located within the housing and normally inaccessible.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic monitoring devices comprise data loggers equipped for wireless communication with a reader, and the system includes a reader configured for wirelessly communicating with an individual monitoring device upon removal from the receptacle by the separator to send and receive the activation and verification signals.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the electronic monitoring devices include an RFID communication interface, and wherein the reader is also configured for receiving a unique identification code from the monitoring device.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller that is operatively connected and in communication with said activator, verifier, dispenser, and separator.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said controller includes programming and instructions thereon for sending an activation signal to an electronic monitoring device via said activator.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said controller is adapted to write instructions to an electronic monitoring device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a data entry device that is operatively connected and in communication with said apparatus.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said data entry device is a bar code scanner or RFID scanner.

11. The apparatus according to claim 4, including a computer connected to said reader and a stored set of instructions thereon, said instructions including an activation module for communicating the activation signal to the monitoring device via the reader and a verification module for communicating a verification query to the monitoring device via the reader and for receiving a verification signal from the monitoring device via the reader.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic monitoring devices are in the form of individual cards arranged in a stack, said receptacle comprises a hopper configured to receive a stack of individual cards, and said separator comprises a carriage assembly cooperating with the hopper for removing a card from a bottom of the stack.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic monitoring devices comprise a plurality of individual cards disposed on a continuous roll, said separator comprising a dividing mechanism and carriage assembly that cooperate to remove an individual card from the roll.

14. A data logger dispenser comprising:

a) a receptacle capable of storing a supply of unactivated data loggers;

b) a plurality of unactivated data loggers disposed in said receptacle;

c) a reader capable of communicating with a data logger;

d) a carriage assembly adapted for separating a data logger from said receptacle, said carriage adapted to move a separated data logger from a first position to a second position, said second position enabling said reader to communicate with said data logger and thereby activate said data logger; and

e) a sorter for dispensing data loggers that are activated into a first container, and data loggers that fail to activate into a second container.

15. A data logger dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said receptacle comprises a hopper for stackably receiving a plurality of data loggers, and said data logger are disposed on a surface within said hopper, said hopper having at least two walls defining a passageway through which the bottommost one of said data loggers can travel.

16. A data logger dispenser according to claim 15, wherein said carriage includes a pusher adapted to push said bottommost data logger through said passageway and move said data logger into communication with said reader, whereby said reader can activate said data logger.

17. A data logger dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of data loggers are disposed on a continuous roll.

18. A data logger dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said data logger comprises a data storage medium and an antenna for communicating with a reader.

19. A data logger dispenser according to claim 18, wherein said reader is adapted for communication with an RFID tag.

20. A data logger dispenser according to claim 14, further comprising a controller adapted for sending an activation signal to said data logger via said reader.

21. A data logger dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said controller includes a stored set of instructions thereon, said instructions including an activation module for communicating the activation signal to the monitoring device via the reader and a verification module for communicating a verification query to the data logger via the reader and for receiving a verification signal from the data logger via the reader.

22. A data logger dispenser according to claim 20, further comprising a database capable of storing and retrieving product code information, said database in communication with said controller.

23. A data logger dispenser according to claim 22, further comprising a data entry device that is in communication with said database, whereby said data entry device is capable of communicating a product code to said database.

24. A data logger dispenser according to claim 22, wherein said product code information comprises monitoring device instructions.

25. A data logger dispenser according to claim 20, wherein said controller is adapted for writing instructions to said data logger via said reader.

26. A data logger dispenser according to claim 14, wherein said data loggers are adapted to record temperature readings.

27. A method for automated dispensing and activation of electronic monitoring devices comprising:

a) storing a supply of unactivated electronic monitoring devices;

b) removing an individual monitoring device from the supply;

c) communicating an activation signal to the individual monitoring device removed from the supply;

d) communicating with the individual monitoring device subsequent to sending the activation signal to obtain a verification signal confirming that it has been activated; and

e) dispensing the individual monitoring device after receipt of a verification signal confirming that it has been activated.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the dispensing step comprises depositing monitoring devices that have been confirmed as activated into a first container, and depositing monitoring devices that have not been confirmed as activated into a second container.

29. A method according to claim 27, wherein the electronic monitoring devices are data loggers equipped for wireless communication, and the method includes wirelessly communicating with the individual monitoring device upon removal from the receptacle to send and receive the activation and verification signals.

30. A method according to claim 27, wherein said storing step comprises storing the supply of unactivated monitoring devices in the form of a continuous roll, and said removing step includes separating an individual monitoring device from the roll.

31. A method according to claim 28, wherein said storing step comprises storing the supply of unactivated monitoring devices in the form of a stack of individual cards, and said removing step includes removing an individual monitoring device from the stack.

32. A method according to claim 27, wherein said activating step includes writing instructions to said monitoring device.

33. A method according to claim 27, wherein said monitoring device is programmed to record temperature readings.

34. A method according to claim 27, further comprising the step of

f) scanning a product code disposed on an item that is to be monitored.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the step of scanning a product code initiates the step of removing an individual monitoring device from the supply.

36. A method according to claim 34, further comprising the steps of:

g) retrieving stored product information from a database; and

h) writing said product information to said monitoring device.