Methods and systems for in-line RFID transponder assembly

• US 20060290511A1
• Filed: 06/22/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Incorporated (Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Incorporated (Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation)
• Inventors: Shanton, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US11/158,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20060290511A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07718 the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07752 using an interposer

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for manufacturing corrugated paperboard are provided. The apparatus includes a linerboard feed device configured to supply a quantity of linerboard including a plurality of antennae coupled to a first planar surface of the linerboard, an optical sensor configured to locate a connection area of the plurality of antennae, and an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the connection area.

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing corrugated paperboard, said apparatus comprising:

a linerboard feed device configured to supply a quantity of linerboard including a plurality of antennae coupled to a first planar surface of the linerboard;

an optical sensor configured to locate a connection area of the plurality of antennae; and

an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the connection area.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a corrugator configured to corrugate a quantity of corrugating material stock into a corrugated medium; and

a double facer configured to join the corrugated medium to the linerboard on a side of the linerboard opposite the first planar surface to form a corrugated structure.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a printing press configured to couple the plurality of antennae to the linerboard using at least one of a lithographic process, a flexographic process, a rotogravure process, a rotary screen print process, a drop-on-demand ink jet process, a continuous ink jet process, a spray process, a pad printing process, a pressure release substrate process, and a thermal transfer process.

4. A corrugate machine for manufacturing radio frequency identification enabled corrugated paperboard comprising:

a press configured to couple a plurality of antennae to a first planar surface of supply of linerboard;

a corrugator configured to corrugate a quantity of corrugating material stock into a corrugated medium;

a double facer configured to join the corrugated medium to the linerboard on a side of the linerboard opposite the first planar surface to form a corrugated structure;

an optical sensor configured to locate a connection area of the plurality of antennae; and

an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the connection area.

5. A corrugate machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein the press is configured to print the plurality of antennae using at least one of a lithographic process, a flexographic process, a rotogravure process, a rotary screen print process, a drop-on-demand ink jet process, a continuous ink jet process, a spray process, a pad printing process, a pressure release substrate process, and a thermal transfer process;

6. A corrugate machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein the press is configured to print the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink comprising at least one of copper, aluminum, silver, and organic conducting polymers.

7. A corrugate machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein the press is configured to print the plurality of antennae using at least one of a plurality of layers of conductive ink, and a plurality of conductive ink layers and dielectric layers.

8. A corrugate machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein the attach mechanism is located downstream from the double facer.

9. A method of forming a corrugated panel comprising:

providing a plurality of antennae on a quantity of linerboard, the antennae printed using a conductive ink;

optically locating an antenna connection area; and

coupling a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna connection area such that radio frequency energy received by the antenna is transmitted to the radio frequency identification circuit.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein providing a plurality of antennae comprises printing the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein printing the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink comprises printing the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink that includes at least one of copper, aluminum, silver, and organic conducting polymers.

12. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein printing the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink comprises printing the plurality of antennae using at least one of a lithographic process, a flexographic process, a rotogravure process, a rotary screen print process, a drop-on-demand ink jet process, a continuous ink jet process, a spray process, a pad printing process, a pressure release substrate process, and a thermal transfer process.

13. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein printing the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink comprises printing the plurality of antennae using a plurality of layers of conductive ink.

14. A method in accordance with claim 10 wherein printing the plurality of antennae using a conductive ink comprises printing the plurality of antennae using a plurality of dielectric layers.

15. A method in accordance with claim 10 further comprising curing the conductive ink in a drying section of a corrugator.

16. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein providing a plurality of antennae comprises pre-printing the plurality of antennae on the linerboard using an off-line print process.

17. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein providing a plurality of antennae comprises providing the plurality of antennae upstream of a corrugator.

18. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein providing a plurality of antennae comprises applying a heat resistant overprint varnish (OPV) over at least a portion of the antenna such that the connection area is not covered by the OPV.

19. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein providing a plurality of antennae on a quantity of linerboard comprises providing a plurality of antennae on a side of the linerboard that is an external surface of the corrugated panel.

20. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein coupling a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna connection area comprises coupling a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna connection area downstream from a double facer.

21. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein coupling a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna connection area comprises coupling the radio frequency identification circuit directly to a respective antenna connection area.

22. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein coupling a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna connection area comprises coupling the radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna connection area using a strap.