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Communication system incorporated in a container

  • US 9,198,608 B2
  • Filed: 11/23/2011
  • Issued: 12/01/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for communication comprising:

  • a container defining an opening and configured to contain a food, wherein the container includes a lid to secure the opening of the container and the food is an electrically conductive liquid; and

    an event indicator configured to transmit a signal, wherein the event indicator comprises;

    a support structure including a control module; and

    a partial power source comprising;

    a first material physically associated with the support structure; and

    a second material physically associated with the support structure at a location different from the location of the first material, such that the first material and second material are electrically isolated from each other and are configured to produce a voltage potential, wherein the control module is configured to control conductance between the first material and the second material when the partial power source is completed by the introduction of the electrically conductive liquid between the first material and the second material to complete the partial power source, and wherein the event indicator is secured to the container near the opening;

    wherein the event indicator comprises a wireless transmitter configured to produce and transmit the signal when the lid is removed, the signal comprising information associated with a removal of the lid;

    wherein at least one of the first material and second material is zinc, the voltage potential also being produced when the zinc reacts with air to produce the voltage potential to activate the event indicator as the lid is removed, wherein the event indicator produces and transmits the signal upon such activation; and

    an ingestible indicator located in the electrically conductive liquid and configured to transmit a second signal, wherein the ingestible indicator includes a coating to prevent interaction of the ingestible indicator with the electrically conductive liquid.

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