Electrostatic discharge safe under conveyor antenna
First Claim
1. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, the system comprising:
- a frame,a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon,an antenna disposed on the frame so that the conveyor is movable along the path of travel relative to the antenna, the antenna having a front edge and a rear edge that are transverse to the path of travel so that the antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass, wherein the antenna comprises,a ground plane,a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane,at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate,a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, anda front static conductive strip disposed along a front edge of the cover such that the front static conductive strip is transverse to the path of travel of the conveyor,wherein the front static conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the front static conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An antenna for use in a conveyor system in which items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed are moved on a conveyor along a path of travel, includes a ground plane, a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a front static conductive strip disposed along a front edge of the cover. The antenna is disposed beneath the conveyor and a front edge of the antenna is transverse to the path of travel. The front static conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the front static conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, the system comprising:
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a frame, a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, an antenna disposed on the frame so that the conveyor is movable along the path of travel relative to the antenna, the antenna having a front edge and a rear edge that are transverse to the path of travel so that the antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass, wherein the antenna comprises, a ground plane, a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a front static conductive strip disposed along a front edge of the cover such that the front static conductive strip is transverse to the path of travel of the conveyor, wherein the front static conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the front static conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, the system comprising:
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a frame having a generally planar top surface, a generally planar belt that is disposed movably on the frame above the generally planar top surface of the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, at least one antenna disposed on the frame so that the belt is movable along the path of travel relative to the antenna and so that the at least one antenna is generally coplanar with the generally planar top surface beneath the belt, the at least one antenna having a front edge and a rear edge that are transverse to the path of travel and oriented with respect to the belt so that the at least one antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area that is proximate the belt and through which the items pass, the at least one antenna comprising, a substrate, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a first static dissipative strip disposed along a top surface of the cover, wherein the static dissipative strip is connected to an electrical ground such that electrostatic charges are dissipated to the electrical ground. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An antenna for use in a conveyor system in which items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed are moved on a conveyor along a path of travel, the antenna comprising:
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a ground plane, a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and a front static conductive strip disposed along a front edge of the cover such that the front static conductive strip is transverse to the path of travel of the conveyor, wherein the antenna is disposed beneath the conveyor so that the conveyor is movable along the path of travel relative to the antenna and a front edge of the antenna is transverse to the path of travel, wherein the front static conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the front static conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A conveyor system for processing items on which radio frequency identification tags are disposed, the system comprising:
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a frame, a conveyor that is disposed movably on the frame and that conveys items through a path of travel from a first position to a second position, each item having at least one respective radio frequency identification tag disposed thereon, an antenna disposed on the frame between the first position and the second position so that the conveyor is movable along the path of travel relative to the antenna, the antenna having a front edge and a rear edge that are transverse to the path of travel so that the antenna radiates radio frequency signals into a first area through which the items pass, wherein the antenna comprises, a ground plane, a substrate having a bottom surface received adjacent the ground plane, at least one patch element disposed on a top surface of the substrate, a cover received adjacent the top surface of the substrate, and an electrically conductive strip disposed on a top surface of the cover between the first position and the front edge of the antenna, wherein the electrically conductive strip is electrically connected to the ground plane such that an electrostatic discharge event adjacent the electrically conductive strip is discharged to the ground plane. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification