Electronic label for the identification of containers, and container and nozzle top comprising one such label

• US 7,423,531 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flavio Oliveira Goncalves
• Original Assignee: MBBS Holding SA
• Inventors: Bui, Ngoc Chau, Maillard, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeff
• Assistant Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US10/549,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20060187039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,860 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2034/002 Accessories
• 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

Abstract

An electronic label (1) is used to mark a container (2, 6). The label includes a radio identification element (RFID, Radio Frequency Identification Device) (10, 11) and which is intended to be placed inside the container (2, 6). The electronic label (1) is specifically adapted to the position thereof inside the container (2, 6). Using the present arrangement, the electronic label (1) is inaccessible and, thus, difficult to destroy or change. In this way, the container (2, 6) is marked in a reliable, even permanent, manner, thereby enabling the information contained on the label (1) to be used effectively to combat theft, forgery or counterfeiting and to manage a deposit system.

Claims

1. Electronic label (1) comprising a radio identification element (RFID, Radio Frequency Identification Device) (10, 11) for labeling a container (2, 6), the radio identification element having a cylindrical shape that allows the radio identification element to be attached on a dispenser (3, 7) and within the container (2, 6) to be labeled.

2. Electronic label (1) according to claim 1, wherein, the radio identification element is shaped to be attached on said dispenser (3, 7) and in the opening of said container (2, 6).

3. Electronic label (1) according to claim 2, the cylindrical shape allowing the radio identification element to be attached on said dispenser (3, 7) and in the neck of a bottle (2).

4. Electronic label (1) according to claim 1, the cylindrical shape allowing the radio identification element to be attached on said dispenser (3, 7) and having an opening that allows passage of the contents of said container (2, 6).

5. Electronic label (1) according to claim 1, the cylindrical shape allowing the radio identification element to be attached on said dispenser (3, 7) and to be combined in a watertight capsule (4).

6. Electronic label (1) according to claim 1, said radio identification element is attached on said dispenser (3, 7) and comprising an electronic circuit (10) and an antenna (11), said antenna (11) consisting of a cylindrical coil.

7. Electronic label (1) according to claim 6, the radio identification element is attached on said dispenser (3, 7) and the contents of said container (2, 6) being able to pass in the center of said coil (11).

21. Electronic label (1) according to claim 1, wherein, the radio identification element is modulated at 125 kHz, and is operative within a liquid.

22. Electronic label (1) according to claim 1, wherein, the radio identification element is operative within a liquid.

8. Container (2, 6) in combination with a dispenser comprising an opening, a section of said opening being smaller than a maximum section of said container (2, 6) and comprising an electronic label (1) containing a radio identification element (RFID, Radio Frequency Identification Device) (10, 11), wherein said electronic label (1) is located on said dispenser within said container (2, 6).

9. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 8, said electronic label (1) being placed on said dispenser in said opening.

10. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 8, closed by a top (3, 7), said electronic label (1) being placed on said dispenser under or in said top (3, 7).

11. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 10, said top being a dispenser top (3), said electronic label (1) being placed around the stem (31) of said dispenser top (3).

12. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 10, said electronic label (1) and the body (30) of said dispenser top (3) being combined in a watertight capsule (4).

13. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 10, said electronic label (1) being molded in the body (30, 70) of said dispenser top (3, 7).

14. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 9, said electronic label (1) comprising fins (15), said fins preventing the electronic label (1) from exiting the container (2, 6) when the dispenser top (33) is removed.

15. Container (2, 6) and dispenser according to claim 9, said dispenser top (7) comprising a valve, and said electronic label (1) being placed in the valve.

16. Dispenser top (3, 7) for closing the opening of a container (2, 6), the section of said opening being smaller than the maximum section of said container (2, 6) wherein the dispenser top comprises an electronic label (1) containing a radio identification element (RFID, Radio Frequency Identification Device) (10, 11), the transponder mounted on the dispenser top.

17. Dispenser top (3, 7) according to claim 16, said electronic label (1) being placed around the stem of said dispenser top (3, 7).

18. Dispenser top (3, 7) according to claim 16, said electronic label (1) being integrally connected to the body (30, 70) of the dispenser top (3).

19. Dispenser top (3, 7) according to claim 16, said electronic label (1) being molded in the body (30, 70) of said dispenser top (3, 7).

20. Dispenser top according to claim 16, comprising a valve, said electronic label (1) being placed in the valve.