Container with removable data storage mechanism

• US 8,049,627 B1
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Walgreen Co. (Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Walgreen Co. (Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated)
• Inventors: Addante, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang; Sigmund
• Application Number:
  US12/205,528
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 3405721-5728, 215/40
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/205 Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence

Abstract

A container may be formed with a pocket to securely receive a tag, such as a radio-frequency identification tag. The tag is secured within the pocket such that it remains within the pocket during ordinary use and handling of the container, but it is substantially completely removable from the pocket without tools or solvents.

Claims

1. A device for storing prescriptions, the device comprising:

a container including a curved sidewall and an end wall closing one end of the container, the sidewall and the end wall defining a recess on one side of the end wall and a container volume on the opposite side of the end wall;

a platform disposed within the recess abutting the end wall and defining a tab to be grasped by a user to remove the platform from the recess;

a frangible connection between the platform and the container, the frangible connection securing the platform in the recess until removed by the user;

an RFID chip carried by the platform and storing readable information associated with the container.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible connection comprises friction generated between the platform and the container.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the frangible connection comprises an adhesive disposed between the platform and the container.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the tab portion comprises a raised portion, the raised portion being displaced away from the container.

5. A prescription medicament container comprising:

A curved side wall;

an end wall closing one end of the container;

a recess defined on one side of the end wall and a container volume defined on an opposite side of the end wall;

a tag assembly disposed in the recess abutting the end wall and carrying patient information associated with the prescription medicament container, wherein the tag assembly includes an RFID chip and a tab for grasping by a user; and

a frangible connection between one of the sidewall and the curved end wall and the tag assembly, the frangible connection securing the tag assembly including the patient information to the container until a user removes the tag assembly from the recess.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the frangible connection comprises friction generated between the platform and the curved side wall.

7. The container of claim 5, further comprising an adhesive layer disposed between the platform and the end wall to define the frangible connection.

8. The container of claim 5, wherein the platform defines a tab portion to be grasped by a user to break the frangible connection and remove the tag assembly from the recess.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the tab portion comprises a raised portion, the raised portion being displaced away from the curved end wall of the container.

10. A method of manufacturing a prescription storage container including a removable data storage mechanism, the method comprising:

forming the storage container to include a curved side wall and an end wall defining a recess on one side of the end wall and a container volume on the opposite side of the end wall;

forming a platform to fit within the recess of the storage container and to abut the end wall, and defining a tab to be grasped by a user to remove the platform from the recess;

connecting an RFID chip with a data storage mechanism to the platform;

storing prescription information on the data storage mechanism;

disposing the platform in the recess of the storage container to establish a frangible connection between the platform and the container.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein disposing the platform in the recess comprises at least one of (a) friction fitting the platform into the recess, (b) adhering the platform into the recess, and (c) mechanically fixing the platform into the recess.