Identification device for multilayer tubular structures

• US 7,038,587 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2004
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc (Sonoco Products Company)
• Original Assignee: Sonoco Development Inc (Sonoco Products Company)
• Inventors: Lowry, James, Bellum, Cliff
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US10/818,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20050237200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.8, 340/572.7, 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/568.1, 340/571, 700/215, 700/225, 700/226, 700/227, 235/492, 235/488, 348/64, 348/106
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: B31C 3/00 Making tubes or pipes by feeding obliquely to the winding mandrel centre line
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 3/22 with double walls; with walls incorporating air-chambers; with walls made of laminated material for thermal insulating purposes B65D81/3818
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/672 on cores

Abstract

A multilayer tubular structure for products with an identification device being embedded or interposed between two of the multiple layers of the tubular structure. The identification device is responsive to radio frequencies and is able to store and transmit information about the multilayer tubular structure, the products, and processes that have been performed on same. A method is provided for manufacturing a multilayer tubular structure by embedding a radio frequency identification device between two of the multiple layers.

Claims

1. A multilayer tubular structure for storing products, comprising:

a tubular body formed from multiple layers of flexible material wrapped one upon another about an axis of the tubular body and adhered together, the tubular body having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends; and

a radio frequency identification device interposed between two of the multiple layers of the tubular body, the radio frequency identification device being spaced a predetermined distance from the opposed ends of the tubular body.

2. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein the identification device is laminated to at least one of the multiple layers of the tubular body.

3. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the multiple layers of the tubular body defines an opening sized to fit the identification device such that the identification device can substantially occupy the opening of the at least one of the multiple layers.

4. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein the identification device is capable of storing and transmitting data associated with at least one of the tubular structure and the products.

5. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein the identification device includes a coiled antenna and a capacitor.

6. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein the identification device includes a printed carbon-based antenna.

7. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the multiple layers are at least partially formed from paperboard.

8. A multilayer tubular structure for storing products, comprising:

a tubular body formed from multiple layers of flexible material wrapped one upon the other about an axis of the tubular body and adhered together, the tubular body having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends; and

a radio frequency identification device capable of storing and transmitting data associated with at least one of the multilayer tubular structure and the products, the identification device being comprised of a matrix of distinct metallic particles that are embedded within a least a portion of the tubular body, whereby the tubular body and the distinct particles are integrally bonded to one another.

9. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 8, whereby the particles are dispersed substantially throughout the tubular body.

10. A multilayer tubular structure according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of the multiple layers are at least partially formed of paperboard.

11. A method of manufacturing a multilayer tubular structure for storing products, the method comprising:

wrapping multiple layers of flexible material about a mandrel into a tubular body, the tubular body having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends; and

embedding a radio frequency identification device having an antenna and a capacitor in the tubular body during the wrapping of the flexible material about the mandrel such that the identification device is interposed between two of the multiple layers of the flexible material and between the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular body, and spaced away from the opposed ends thereof.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising laminating the identification device to at least one of the multiple layers of flexible material.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising storing information about at least one of the multilayer tubular structure and the products in the identification device.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising identifying the information about at least one of the multilayer tubular structure and the products stored in the identification device using a reading device.

15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising forming an opening in at least one of the multiple layers such that the identification device substantially occupies the opening during the wrapping step.

16. A method of manufacturing a multilayer tubular structure for storing products, the method comprising:

forming a plurality of fibers into elongate sheets of flexible material;

wrapping multiple plies of the flexible material about a mandrel into a tubular body, the tubular body having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends; and

embedding a radio frequency identification device in the tubular body by mixing the identification device with the fibers during the flexible material forming step.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the forming step includes forming a plurality of paper fibers into elongate sheets of flexible paperboard material.

18. A method according to claim 16, further comprising storing information about at least one of the multilayer tubular structure and the products in the identification device.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising identifying the information about at least one of the multilayer tubular structure and the products stored in the identification device using a reading device.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein the embedding step includes integrally bonding a matrix of metallic particles and the fibers.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein the embedding step includes dispersing a matrix of metallic particles substantially throughout the tubular body.

22. A method of manufacturing and using a multilayer tubular structure for supporting a product to be wrapped thereabout, the method comprising:

forming the tubular structure from a plurality of body layers that include an inner body layer and an outer body layer, the body layers having inner and outer surfaces and opposed ends;

embedding an identification device having an antenna and capacitor in the body layers such that the identification device is interposed between the inner and outer body layers, the identification device providing a unique identification for the tubular structure;

wrapping a product about the outer surface of the outer body layer;

storing information in the identification device about the product wrapped about the body layers; and

identifying the stored information about the product stored in the identification device using a reader.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising:

deleting the stored information about the product, such that the identification device and tubular structure can be re-used in conjunction with another product.

24. A method for making a multilayered tubular structure, thc method comprising the steps of:

affixing a radio frequency identification device to a surface of a first ply of flexible material;

winding the first ply having the radio frequency identification device about a mandrel;

providing a second ply of flexible material having an opening therethrough, the opening being sized to accommodate the radio frequency identification device; and

winding the second ply having the opening about the mantel in contact with the surface of the first ply in such a manner that the radio frequency identification device is positioned in the opening in the second ply, and adhering the first and second plies together to form a multilayered tubular structure.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the second ply is wound about the mandrel prior to the first ply being wound about the mandrel.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of winding an innermost ply about the mandrel prior to winding the first and second plies.

27. A multilayered tubular structure, comprising:

a first ply of flexible material having a radio frequency identification device affixed to a surface of the first ply, the first ply being wound about an axis; and

a second ply of flexible material having an opening therethrough, the second ply being wound about the axis and in contact with the surface of the first ply and adhered thereto by an adhesive to form said multilayered tubular structure, with the radio frequency identification device being positioned in the opening in the second ply.

28. The multilayered tubular structure of claim 27, further comprising a third ply wound about an axis against the second ply, on an opposite side of the second ply from the first ply, such that the third ply covers the opening in the second ply.