METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING

• US 20080028729A1
• Filed: 04/09/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Slingshot Communications Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Slingshot Communications Incorporated
• Inventors: Vindici, David, Thornby, Dale
• Application Number:
  US11/733,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20080028729A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/427
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 17/02 Joining articles, e.g. cans, directly to each other for convenience of storage, transport, or handling
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 31/00 Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 61/20 for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents adding unpacking elements B65B61/18
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/0007 the articles being attached to the plane surface of a single card B65D75/30 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for packaging include a backing, a film, an item, and an activation card. The film may be coupled to the backing such that the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing. The item may be disposed between the film and the backing. In addition, the item may he deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database. The activation card may be coupled to the hacking. Further, the activation card may comprise a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

Claims

1. A packaging apparatus, comprising:

a backing;

a film coupled to the backing, wherein the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing;

an item disposed between the film and the hacking, wherein the item is deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database; and

an activation card coupled to the backing, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

2. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the item comprises a network access software program embedded in a storage medium; and

the verification signal is transmitted in response to entry of information into the database according to the set of instructions.

3. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set of instructions are embedded within an information tag.

4. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second item, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

5. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second activation card, wherein the second activation card comprises a second set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

6. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the backing and film comprise a collocated notch defining a hole configured to receive a hanger and support the combined weight of the backing, the film, the item, and the activation card.

7. A packaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the film comprises a substantially transparent resin comprised of ethylene acid copolymers; and

the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with at least one of zinc and sodium ions.

8. A packaging method, comprising:

forming a backing;

disposing an item about a face of the backing, wherein the item is deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a database;

placing a film across the backing, wherein the item is disposed between the backing and the film;

evacuating material along the interface between the film and the backing; and

coupling an activation card to the backing, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

9. A packaging method according to claim 8, wherein:

the item comprises a network access software program embedded in a storage medium; and

the verification signal is transmitted in response to entry of information into the database according to the set of instructions.

10. A packaging method according to claim 8, wherein the set of instructions are embedded within an information tag.

11. A packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising disposing a second item about the face of the backing, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal

12. A packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising coupling a second activation card to the backing, wherein the second activation card comprises a second set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

13. A packaging method according to claim 8, further comprising forming within the film and backing a collocated notch defining a hole configured to receive a hanger and support the combined weight of the backing, the film, the item, and the activation card.

14. A packaging method according to claim 8, wherein:

the film comprises a substantially transparent resin comprised of ethylene acid copolymers, and

the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with at least one of zinc and sodium ions.

15. A packaging apparatus, comprising:

a backing;

a film coupled to the backing, wherein the couple between the film and the backing is formed by evacuation of material along the interface between the film and the backing;

a storage medium disposed between the film and the backing, wherein;

a network access software program is embedded in the storage medium, and

the network access software program is deactivated except in response to a verification signal from a remote database; and

an activation card coupled to the backing, wherein;

the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal, and

the verification signal is transmitted in response to entry of information into the remote database according to the set of instructions.

16. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the set of instructions are embedded within an information tag.

17. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a second item, wherein the activation card comprises a set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

18. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a second activation card, wherein the second activation card comprises a second set of instructions for transmission of the verification signal.

19. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the backing and film comprise a collocated notch defining a hole configured to receive a hanger and support the combined weight of the backing, the film, the item, and the activation card.

20. A packaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein:

the film comprises a substantially transparent resin comprised of ethylene acid copolymers, and

the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with at least one of zinc and sodium ions.