EMBEDDED RFID TAGS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS AND SYSTEMS

• US 20120187197A1
• Filed: 01/20/2011
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trovan Ltd
• Original Assignee: Trovan Ltd
• Inventors: Masin, Joseph V.
• Granted Patent: US 8,444,058 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• 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 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07771 the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]

Abstract

Embedded RFID (radio frequency identification) tags for objects or containers and related systems and methods are disclosed that overcome problems existing with previous RFID tags. The RFID tags are embedded within recesses within the outer surfaces of objects or containers, such as within a metal valve flange for a metal container. The RFID tags can also be shaped and configured to fit within recesses so that the top surfaces of the RFID tags match the outer surfaces of the objects or containers. The embedded RFID tags can also be painted or otherwise disguised so that they are more difficult to identify thereby reducing the likelihood that attempts to remove them will occur. In addition, the RFID tags are preferably tamper resistant so that removal of an RFID tag, after it is attached, will destroy and/or render inoperable the RFID transponder within the RFID tag. The RFID tags can also use PSK (phase shift key) modulation to improve communication with readers where metal protection rings are used to protect valves. The embedded RFID tags described herein are particularly useful for tracking of liquid propane gas (LPG) containers and/or other types of containers or objects for holding hazardous materials.

Claims

1. An assembly having an embedded RFID tag, comprising:

an object having an outer surface;

a recess formed within the outer surface of the object; and

an RFID tag positioned within the recess and adhered to a bottom surface of the recess.

2. An assembly of claim 1, wherein the object comprises:

a container having an opening and configured to hold a material; and

a valve flange coupled within the opening of the container;

wherein the recess is formed within an outer surface of the valve flange.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the recess and RFID tag are sized with respect to each other so that a top surface of the RFID tag is configured to match the outer surface of the valve flange.

4. The assembly of claim 3,

wherein the RFID tag comprises:

a housing having a bottom surface, the housing further comprising a cavity within the bottom surface and one or more structures protruding from an inner wall of the cavity;

an RFID transponder positioned within the cavity; and

a potting element within the cavity, the potting element engaging the RFID transponder and the one or more structures, the potting element comprising a material that is weaker than the housing; and

wherein an adhesive is positioned between the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the recess to adhere the housing and the potting element to the bottom surface of the recess, the adhesive comprising a material that bonds more strongly to the bottom surface of the recess than to the housing, bonds more strongly to the bottom surface of the recess than to the potting element, and bonds more strongly to the potting element than the housing so that the potting element will tend to break rendering the RFID transponder inoperable if the housing is pried off.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the bottom surface of the recess comprises a metal material and the housing comprises a plastic material.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a strength of adhesion for the adhesive to the metal bottom surface of the recess and to the potting element is 100 pounds per square inch or more greater than a strength of adhesion for the adhesive to the to the plastic housing.

7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the housing comprises a ceramic material.

8. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the recess comprises a recess formed by cutting out a shape within the outer surface of the valve flange.

9. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the recess comprises a recess within a molded form of the valve flange.

10. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the top surface of the RFID tag is painted.

11. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the container comprises a metal container configured to store liquid propane gas.

12. The assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one valve is coupled to the valve flange.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein two valves are coupled to the valve flange, the two valves being a primary valve and a pressure relief valve.

14. An assembly having an embedded RFID tag, comprising:

a container configured to hold a material and having an opening;

a valve flange coupled within the opening of the container;

at least one valve coupled to the valve flange;

a metal ring coupled to the top of the container to provide protection for the at least one valve; and

an RFID tag adhered to an external surface of the container or an external surface of the valve flange inside the metal ring, the RFID tag being configured to use phase shift key modulation when communicating information to an external reader.

15. The assembly of claim 14,

wherein the RFID tag comprises:

a housing having a bottom surface, the housing further comprising a cavity within the bottom surface and one or more structures protruding from an inner wall of the cavity;

an RFID transponder positioned within the cavity; and

a potting element within the cavity, the potting element engaging the RFID transponder and the one or more structures, the potting element comprising a material that is weaker than the housing; and

wherein an adhesive is positioned between the bottom surface of the housing and the external surface to adhere the housing and the potting element to the external surface, the adhesive comprising a material that bonds more strongly to the external surface than to the housing, bonds more strongly to the external surface than to the potting element, and bonds more strongly to the potting element than the housing so that the potting element will tend to break rendering the RFID transponder inoperable if the housing is pried off.

16. The assembly of claim 15, further comprising a recess formed within the valve flange, and wherein the RFID tag is adhered to a bottom external surface of the recess.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the recess and RFID tag are sized with respect to each other so that a top surface of the RFID tag is configured to match an outer surface of the valve flange.

18. A method for forming an assembly having an embedded RFID tag, comprising:

providing an object having an outer surface and having a recess formed within the outer surface of the object; and

adhering an RFID tag to a bottom surface of the recess.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the providing step comprises:

providing a container having an opening and configured to hold a material; and

providing a valve flange configured to be coupled within the opening for the container, the valve flange having the recess formed within its outer surface.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the recess and RFID tag are sized with respect to each other so that a top surface of the RFID tag is configured to match the outer surface of the valve flange.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising coupling the valve flange to the container.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

providing an RFID tag, comprising;

a housing having a bottom surface, the housing further comprising a cavity within the bottom surface and one or more structures protruding from an inner wall of the cavity;

an RFID transponder positioned within the cavity;

a potting element within the cavity, the potting element engaging the RFID transponder and the one or more structures, the potting element comprising a material that is weaker than the housing; and

wherein the adhering step comprises adhering the RFID tag using an adhesive positioned between the bottom surface of the housing and the bottom surface of the recess to adhere the housing and the potting element to the bottom surface of the recess, the adhesive comprising a material that bonds more strongly to the bottom surface of the recess than to the housing, bonds more strongly to the bottom surface of the recess than to the potting element, and bonds more strongly to the potting element than the housing so that the potting element will tend to break rendering the RFID transponder inoperable if the housing is pried off.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the bottom surface of the recess comprises a metal material and the housing comprises a plastic material.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising using an adhesive having a strength of adhesion for the adhesive to the metal bottom surface of the recess and to the potting element that is 100 pounds per square inch or more greater than a strength of adhesion for the adhesive to the to the plastic housing.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the housing comprises a ceramic material.

26. The method of claim 20, further comprising forming the recess by cutting out a shape within the outer surface of the valve flange.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein the recess comprises a recess within a molded form of the valve flange.

28. The method of claim 20, further comprising painting the top surface of the RFID tag.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the object comprises a metal container configured to store liquid propane gas.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising coupling the valve flange to the container and coupling at least one valve to the valve flange.