Thermoformed platform having a communications device

• US 7,789,024 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nextreme LLC
• Original Assignee: Nextreme LLC
• Inventors: Muirhead, Scott A. W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, JOSE V
• Application Number:
  US11/102,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241548A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,978 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.11, 108/57.25, 108/56.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/505, 340/10.1, 340/825.36, 340/539.13, 340/568.1
• US Class Current: 108/51.11
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/24308 comprising electronic elements or detection means, e.g. chips, RFIDs or barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/001 Shaping in several steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/15 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/157 Coating linked inserts, e.g. chains
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/02 Combined thermoforming and manufacture of the preform
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/12 of articles having inserts or reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/162 of deep containers or boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/267 Two sheets being thermoformed in separate mould parts and joined together while still in the mould B29C49/0691 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 51/46 Measuring, controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/18 using heated tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/433 Casing-in, i.e. enclosing an element between two sheets by an outlined seam for bookbinding B42C11/06; for packaging B65B; by laminating B32B37/00; enclosing tubular articles between substantially flat elements B29C66/53261
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/543 joining more than two hollow-preforms to form said hollow articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/545 one hollow-preform being placed inside the other
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83411 Roller, cylinder or drum types B29C66/83431 takes precedence; rollers, cylinders or drums moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined B29C66/8362
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/96 characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9672 involving special data inputs, e.g. involving barcodes, RFID tags
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 : PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 : Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2017/00 : Carriers for sound or information
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7126 : large, e.g. for bulk storage
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7172 : Fuel tanks, jerry cans
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7178 : Pallets
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0018 : and each contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 : Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 : Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 : Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00139 : Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00268 : made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 : made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 : made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 : made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00338 : contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00407 : on the load supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00412 : on the base surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00437 : on the load supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00442 : on the base surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 : without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 : chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0094 : nestable
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 : having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 : Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/244 : Tag manufacturing, e.g. continuous manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 : Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/901 : Synthetic plastic industrial platform, e.g. pallet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1049 : Folding only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1051 : by folding
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1062 : Prior to assembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/109 : Embedding of laminae within face of additional laminae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1734 : Means bringing articles into association with web

Abstract

An apparatus has a communications device associated therewith. In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container, having a communications device, are also provided.

Claims

1. A trackable pallet having a RFID pallet transponder to manage the pallet for distribution comprising:

a pallet body,

a removable housing assembly,

said pallet body having a horizontally rigid top surface for supporting articles with attached RFID article transponders, a spaced apart support structure for supporting said top surface, and a bottom surface,

said pallet body having at least one side wall positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface to form a chamber,

said chamber having a shallow recess and a deep recess with said shallow recess circumventing said deep recess and said deep recess forming an open receptacle,

said removable housing assembly having a base, a top structure defining a housing assembly space for enclosing a communications device for autonomously monitoring and reporting the condition of the addition and removal of the articles with attached RFID article transponders from said pallet body top surface, an opening for accessing said housing assembly space, and a removable cover to close said opening,

said removable cover having a flange portion that fits within said shallow recess, and

said removable housing assembly positively engaging said open receptacle and said removable cover so that said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening and said flange portion closes said chamber to place the pallet in a condition for operable transporting and storage use when said removable cover connects to said housing assembly.

2. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

a plurality of sheets for forming said top surface, said support structure, said bottom surface, and said chamber.

3. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 2 which includes:

said pallet body support structure being integral with said side wall, and

said chamber being positioned within said pallet body support structure.

4. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 3 which includes:

said pallet body top surface being adjacent to said pallet body support structure so that said chamber is adjacent to said pallet body top surface.

5. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

said pallet body bottom surface being adjacent to said pallet body support structure so that said chamber is adjacent to said pallet body bottom surface.

6. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 2 which includes:

means for sealing said housing assembly opening.

7. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 in which:

said removable cover includes a first assembly portion that closes said housing assembly opening with said first assembly portion having a smaller cross-section than said removable cover flange portion.

8. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 7 in which:

said removable cover includes a flange that fits within said shallow recess to cover the chamber and to selectively increase the effective support area for said pallet body top surface.

9. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 7 which includes:

a replaceable battery for powering said communications device contained within said housing assembly space, and

said first assembly portion having means for supporting said replaceable battery positioned within said housing assembly space when said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening.

10. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

said communications device inserting into said housing assembly space through said housing assembly opening when said housing assembly engages said receptacle.

11. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

said communications device being positioned within said housing assembly space before said housing assembly positively engages said receptacle.

12. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

said pallet body having an interior space positioned between said pallet body top surface and said spaced apart support structure, and

said RFID pallet transponder being contained within said interior space.

13. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 1 which includes:

said chamber being accessible through said top surface and said bottom surface.

14. A trackable pallet having a RFID pallet transponder to manage the pallet for distribution comprising:

a pallet body,

a removable housing assembly,

said pallet body having a horizontally rigid top surface for supporting articles with attached RFID article transponders, a bottom surface, and a side wall positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface to form a chamber,

said chamber having a shallow recess and a deep recess with said shallow recess circumventing said deep recess and said deep recess forming an open receptacle,

said removable housing assembly having a base, a top structure defining a housing assembly space for enclosing a communications device for autonomously monitoring and reporting the condition of the addition and removal of the articles with attached RFID article transponders from said pallet body top surface, an opening for accessing said housing assembly space, and a removable cover to close said opening,

said removable cover having a flange portion that fits within said shallow recess, and

said removable housing assembly positively engaging said open receptacle and said removable cover so that said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening and said flange portion closes said chamber to place the pallet in a condition for operable transporting and storage use when said removable cover connects to said housing assembly.

15. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

a plurality of sheets for forming said top surface, said bottom surface, and said chamber.

16. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 15 which includes:

means for sealing said housing assembly opening.

17. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 in which:

said removable cover includes a first assembly portion that closes said housing assembly opening with said first assembly portion having a smaller cross-section than said removable cover flange portion.

18. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 17 in which:

said removable cover includes a flange that fits within said shallow recess to cover the chamber and to selectively increase the effective support area for said pallet body top surface.

19. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 18 which includes:

a replaceable battery for powering said communications device contained within said housing assembly space, and

said first assembly portion having means for supporting said replaceable battery positioned within said housing assembly space when said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening.

20. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

said communications device inserting into said housing assembly space through said housing assembly opening when said housing assembly engages said receptacle.

21. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

said communications device being positioned within said housing assembly space before said housing assembly positively engages said receptacle.

22. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

said pallet body having an interior space positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface, and

said RFID pallet transponder being contained within said interior space.

23. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

said chamber being accessible through said top surface and said bottom surface.

24. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

said chamber being adjacent to said pallet body top surface.

25. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 14 which includes:

said chamber being adjacent to said pallet body bottom surface.

26. A trackable pallet having a RFID pallet transponder to manage the pallet for distribution comprising:

a pallet body,

a removable housing assembly,

said pallet body having a first sheet with a horizontally rigid top surface for supporting articles with attached RFID article transponders, a second sheet with a bottom surface, and a side wall positioned between said first sheet and said second sheet to form a chamber,

said chamber having a shallow recess and a deep recess with said shallow recess circumventing said deep recess and said deep recess forming an open receptacle,

said removable housing assembly having a base, a top structure defining a housing assembly space for enclosing a communications device for autonomously monitoring and reporting the condition of the addition and removal of the articles with attached RFID article transponders from said pallet body top surface, an opening for accessing said housing assembly space, and a removable cover to close said opening,

said removable cover having a flange portion that fits within said shallow recess, and

said removable housing assembly positively engaging said open receptacle and said cover so that said cover closes said housing assembly opening and said flange portion closes said chamber to place the pallet in a condition for operable transporting and storage use when said removable cover connects to said housing assembly.

27. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 26 which includes:

means for sealing said housing assembly opening.

28. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 26 in which:

said removable cover includes a first assembly portion that closes said housing assembly opening with said first assembly portion having a smaller cross-section than said housing assembly space flange portion.

29. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 28 in which:

said removable cover includes a flange that fits within said shallow recess to cover the chamber and to selectively increase the effective support area for said pallet body top surface.

30. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 29 which includes:

a replaceable battery for powering said communications device contained within said housing assembly space, and

said first assembly portion having means for supporting said replaceable battery positioned within said housing assembly space when said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening.

31. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 26 which includes:

said communications device inserting into said housing assembly space through said housing assembly opening when said housing assembly engages said receptacle.

32. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 26 which includes:

said communications device being positioned within said housing assembly space before said housing assembly positively engages said receptacle.

33. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 26 which includes:

said pallet body having an interior space positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface, and

said RFID pallet transponder being contained within said interior space.

34. A trackable pallet comprising:

a pallet body,

a removable housing assembly,

said pallet body having a horizontally rigid top surface for supporting articles, a bottom surface, and a side wall positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface to form a chamber,

said chamber having a shallow recess and a deep recess with said shallow recess circumventing said deep recess and said deep recess forming an open receptacle,

said removable housing assembly having a base, a top structure defining a housing assembly space for enclosing a communications device for autonomously monitoring and reporting the condition of the addition and removal of the articles from said pallet body top surface, an opening for accessing said housing assembly space, and a removable cover to close said opening,

said removable cover having a flange portion that fits within said shallow recess, and

said removable housing assembly positively engaging said open receptacle and said cover so that said cover closes said housing assembly opening and said flange portion closes said chamber to place the pallet in a condition for operable transporting and storage use when said removable cover connects to said housing assembly.

35. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 34 which includes:

means for sealing said housing assembly opening.

36. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 35 in which:

said removable cover includes a first assembly portion that closes said housing assembly opening with said first assembly portion having a smaller cross-section than said removable cover flange portion.

37. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 36 in which:

said removable cover includes a flange that fits within said shallow recess to cover the chamber and to selectively increase the effective support area for said pallet body top surface.

38. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 37 which includes:

a replaceable battery for powering said communications device contained within said housing assembly space, and

said first assembly portion having means for supporting said replaceable battery positioned within said housing assembly space when said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening.

39. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 34 which includes:

said communications device inserting into said housing assembly space through said housing assembly opening when said housing assembly engages said receptacle.

40. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 34 which includes:

said communications device being positioned within said housing assembly space before said housing assembly positively engages said receptacle.

41. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 34 in which:

said pallet body includes a support structure, and

said support structure includes said horizontally rigid top surface, said bottom surface, and said side wall positioned between said top surface and said bottom surface to form said chamber.

42. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 41 which includes:

a plurality of sheets for forming said support structure.

43. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 34 which includes:

said chamber being accessible through said top surface and said bottom surface.

44. A trackable pallet having a RFID pallet transponder to manage the pallet for distribution comprising:

a pallet body,

a removable housing assembly,

said pallet body having means for supporting articles with at least one attached RFID article transponder and having a chamber therein,

said chamber having a shallow recess and a deep recess with said shallow recess circumventing said deep recess and said deep recess forming an open receptacle,

said removable housing assembly having means for enclosing a communications device for autonomously monitoring and reporting the condition of the addition and removal of the articles with at least one attached RFID article transponder from means for supporting articles with attached RFID article transponder, an opening for accessing said housing assembly space, and a removable cover to close said opening,

said removable cover having a flange portion that fits within said shallow recess, and

said removable housing assembly positively engaging said open receptacle and said cover so that said removable cover closes said housing assembly opening and said flange portion closes said chamber to place the pallet in a condition for operable transporting and storage use when said removable cover connects to said housing assembly.

45. A trackable pallet as set forth in claim 44 which includes:

means for sealing said housing assembly opening.