Pallet apparatus equipped with a radio frequency recognition module

• US 6,814,287 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
• Inventors: Huang, Chin-Lu, Tien, I-Shinn, Wang, Ming-Li, Hsu, Tun-Nien, Yuan, Chii-Yah, Chang, Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Seung H
• Application Number:
  US10/449,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20040238634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 235/451, 235/492, 340/572.7
• US Class Current: 235/451
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00029 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00064 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00298 skeleton type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00572 with separate auxiliary element, e.g. screws, nails, bayonets

Abstract

A pallet apparatus equipped with a radio frequency recognition module includes a radio recognition device in a conventional pallet to equip container carriers such as pallets with information recognition capability. The information is attached to the pallet container. The information may be captured quickly in the distribution process to enhance operation efficiency and management control in the transportation and distribution.

Claims

1. A pallet apparatus equipped with a radio frequency recognition module detectable and recognizable by a reader, comprising:

a pallet having a loading surface and a plurality of support legs connected to the loading surface for supporting the loading surface, wherein the pallet is a plastic pallet which has at least one cavity located on the loading surface;

a radio recognition device located in the pallet having an identification code detectable and recognizable by the reader; and

a clip for engaging with the cavity to house the radio recognition device;

wherein the clip includes a body member which extends downwards to form a carrier section for holding the radio recognition device, and two flexible latch sections extended outwards from the body member abutting two sides of the carrier section and being flexible inwards to engage with two opposing inner wall surfaces of the cavity.

2. The pallet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clip is engaged with the cavity which is corresponded to where the support legs are located.

3. The pallet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clip further has an adjustment section for adjusting relative positions of the two flexible latch sections.

4. The pallet apparatus of claim 3, wherein the clip has slots to adjust relative positions of the two flexible latch sections.

5. The pallet apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lower body member is extended downwards to form a carrier section for holding the radio recognition device.

6. The pallet apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lower body member is engaged with a nut for fastening the upper body member.

7. The pallet apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body member includes an upper body member and a lower body member.