METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING CULINARY PRODUCTS

• US 20080150729A1
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Appalucci, Lawrence, Strauser, Seth, Piccoli, Anthony, West, George
• Granted Patent: US 7,692,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2581/3486 Dielectric characteristics of microwave reactive packaging
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3453 Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

A microwave-resistant and waterproof security tag for use with food products, especially meat products. The security tag includes a pair of single, open loop conductive traces in between which is disposed a similarly-shaped dielectric layer. This combination is encapsulated within plastic membranes or covers that are sealed at their common edges. The preferred embodiment includes rectangularly-shaped single, open loop conductive traces with rounded corners and with one end of each trace forming a capacitor plate. The width of each trace is at least 1/10 of the length of the security tag.

Claims

1. A method for providing a security tag associated with meat or fish product packaging having a soaker pad therein, said method comprises the steps of:

providing a security tag that is encapsulated to be waterproof and wherein said security tag includes a pair of single open loop conductive traces that are separated from each other by a dielectric layer and wherein said first and second conductive layers are electrically coupled at a location through said dielectric layer; and

disposing said security tag within the soaker pad.

2. A method for providing a security tag associated with meat or fish product packaging having a label thereon, said method comprises the steps of:

providing a security tag that is encapsulated to be waterproof and wherein said security tag includes a pair of single open loop conductive traces that are separated from each other by a dielectric layer and wherein said first and second conductive layers are electrically coupled at a location through said dielectric layer;

applying an adhesive to one side of said security tag; and

securing said security tag on the label.