TAMPER-EVIDENT LIFE VEST PACKAGE

• US 20070232164A1
• Filed: 03/30/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Swan, Michael D., Fronek, Daniel R.
• Application Number:
  US11/694,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232164A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 441/108
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/20 characterised by signalling means, e.g. lights arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships or other waterborne vessels B63B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0629 the storage means being specially adapted for emergency equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0631 for life vests
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 5/60 Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07798 part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers electronic seals G09F3/03

Abstract

In general, the invention is directed to methods and articles for inspecting aircraft life vests using radio frequency identification technology (RFID). In one embodiment, a tamper evident, RFID-enabled package is described, the package containing a life vest. Methods of manufacturing the package are also described.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a sealed package made of a membrane;

a personal floatation device disposed within the sealed package;

an opening mechanism for opening the package along a pre-defined area of the membrane;

an RFID device comprising a flexible substrate having an antenna and an integrated circuit disposed thereon;

wherein the RFID device is affixed to the membrane of the sealed package to span an area of the package along the pre-defined area of the membrane so that opening the sealed package will mechanically compromise a portion of the flexible substrate.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the personal floatation device is a life vest.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism is a means for opening the package along a pre-defined area of the membrane.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the mechanically compromised portion of the flexible substrate includes the antenna.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the mechanically compromised portion of the flexible substrate includes a circuit that is not the antenna.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism is a notch in the membrane.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism is a tear strip affixed to the membrane.

8. The article of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit substrate is configured with tear propagation points.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the tear propagation points are holes.

10. The article of claim 9, wherein the holes are substantially rectangular in shape with a length and a width, and wherein the length is at least twice the width.

11. The article of claim 8, wherein the tear propagation points are slits.

15. The article of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism is stitching.

12. A method of manufacturing a tamper-evident package made of a membrane comprising:

placing a life vest inside of the package;

determining the package'"'"'s tear path; and

affixing an RFID device comprising a flexible substrate having an antenna and an integrated circuit disposed thereon to the membrane such that part of the flexible substrate is on both sides of the tear path so that when the package is opened along the tear path the flexible substrate is mechanically compromised.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tear path is defined by a notch in the package.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the tear path is defined by a rip cord affixed to the membrane.