Radio frequency alignment object, carriage and associated method of storing a product associated therewith
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a body including a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag, or marker for directing inclusion of an RF transponder tag, at a designated location on the body;
a fastener configured to affix the body to a product including a container for holding a volume of fluid, the fastener being configured to affix the body to the product such that the apparatus projects out from the container;
a first positioning feature for supporting the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product relative to a support structure located proximate an RF antenna, the first positioning feature being shaped, sized or positioned such that, in an instance in which the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product are supported relative to the support structure, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a first predetermined spatial relationship with the RF antenna; and
a second positioning feature comprising a projection that projects out from the body, the second positioning feature being shaped, sized or positioned such that, in an instance in which the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product are supported relative to the support structure proximate another RF transponder tag, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a second predetermined spatial relationship with the other RF transponder tag.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A carrier apparatus is provided that includes a body and a fastener configured to affix the body to a product. The body includes a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag, or marker for directing inclusion of an RF transponder tag, at a designated location on the body. The apparatus of this aspect further includes a positioning feature configured to position the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product relative to an RF antenna separate from the RF transponder tag. This positioning feature may be configured to position the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product in a manner ensuring approximately at least a predetermined spatial relationship between the RF transponder tag and the antenna or one or more other RF transponder tags located proximate the RF transponder tag. A carriage apparatus and method of storing a product are also provided.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a body including a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag, or marker for directing inclusion of an RF transponder tag, at a designated location on the body; a fastener configured to affix the body to a product including a container for holding a volume of fluid, the fastener being configured to affix the body to the product such that the apparatus projects out from the container; a first positioning feature for supporting the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product relative to a support structure located proximate an RF antenna, the first positioning feature being shaped, sized or positioned such that, in an instance in which the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product are supported relative to the support structure, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a first predetermined spatial relationship with the RF antenna; and a second positioning feature comprising a projection that projects out from the body, the second positioning feature being shaped, sized or positioned such that, in an instance in which the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product are supported relative to the support structure proximate another RF transponder tag, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a second predetermined spatial relationship with the other RF transponder tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a support structure configured to support a carrier having a product affixed to the carrier, the product including a container for holding a volume of fluid, the carrier having the product affixed to the carrier such that the carrier projects out from the container, the support structure comprising a hanging structure, the carrier defining an opening for suspending the carrier from the hanging structure, the carrier having a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag; an RF antenna separate from the RF transponder tag; and a mount to which the support structure and antenna are affixed, wherein the support structure is further configured such that, in an instance in which the carrier, RF transponder tag and affixed product are suspended from the hanging structure, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a predetermined spatial relationship with the RF antenna, and wherein the carrier further includes a projection that is shaped, sized or positioned such that, in an instance in which another carrier including another RF transponder tag and affixed product is suspended from the hanging structure, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a second predetermined spatial relationship with the other RF transponder tag. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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affixing a carrier to a product including a container for holding a volume of fluid, the carrier being affixed to the product such that the carrier projects out from the container, wherein the carrier comprises; a body including a radio frequency (RF) transponder tag at a designated location on the body; a fastener for affixing the body to the product; a positioning feature for supporting the body, RF transponder tag and affixed product relative to a support structure located proximate an RF antenna; and a projection that projects out from the body; and supporting the carrier and affixed product relative to a support structure of a carriage configured to support the carrier, RF transponder tag and affixed product, the carriage including an RF antenna separate from the RF transponder tag, wherein the carrier and affixed product are supported relative to the support structure by the positioning feature, the positioning feature being shaped, sized or positioned such that, as the carrier and affixed product are supported relative to the support structure, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a first predetermined spatial relationship with the RF antenna, and wherein the projection is shaped, sized or positioned such that, in an instance in which another carrier including another RF transponder tag and affixed product is supported relative to the support structure, the RF transponder tag has approximately at least a second predetermined spatial relationship with the other RF transponder tag. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification