Pilf resistant packaging system

• US 9,227,764 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2014
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marc G. Martino
• Original Assignee: Marc G. Martino
• Inventors: Martino, Marc G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Jack K
• Application Number:
  US14/214,817
• Publication Number:
  US 20140262901A1
• Time in Patent Office: 661 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/539.1, 340/572.1, 340/541, 340/572.8, 206/459.1, 426/129
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/00 Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 73/0014 by means of separate fixing elements, e.g. clips, clamps, bands
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7457 with wallboards attached to the outer faces of the posts, parallel to the partition E04B2/7459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7466 using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7483 Details of furniture, e.g. tables or shelves, associated with the partitions
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7487 Partitions with slotted profiles
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 13/083 Hooking means on the back side of the covering elements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/20 Actuation by change of fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/346 in which the movable contact is formed or directly supported by the diaphragm

Abstract

A theft-proof packaging system includes a product package having a compartment configured to encapsulate a product, wherein the compartment is pneumatically pressurized above a surrounding environment. A pressure sensor assembly is located within the compartment. The pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor, a power source electrically connected to the pressure sensor and a transmitter electrically connected to the power source. The transmitter is configured to send a signal. A receiving unit is located outside the compartment of the product package and disposed remote from the product package. The receiving unit includes a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter and an alarm electrically coupled to the receiver. The pressure sensor assembly is configured to detect a change in pressure inside the compartment and then send the signal to the receiving unit activating the alarm.

Claims

1. A theft-proof packaging system, comprising:

a product package including a compartment configured to encapsulate a product, wherein the compartment is pneumatically pressurized above a surrounding environment, and wherein the compartment is a clear plastic compartment showing the product encapsulated therein;

a pressure sensor assembly located within the compartment, the pressure sensor assembly comprising;

a pressure sensor;

a power source electrically connected to the pressure sensor wherein the power source is a battery; and

a transmitter electrically connected to the power source, wherein the

transmitter is configured to send a signal;

a receiving unit located outside the compartment of the product package and disposed remote from the product package, the receiving unit comprising;

a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter;

an alarm electrically coupled to the receiver;

wherein the pressure sensor assembly is configured to detect a change in pressure inside the compartment and then send the signal to the receiving unit activating the alarm; and

a passive RFID tag located within the compartment, the passive RFID tag configured to be detected when it passes through a walk-through scanner and activating a second alarm associated with the walk-through scanner.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm comprises a light.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm comprises a speaker configured to produce an audible sound.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the alarm sends an alarm signal to an operator, the alarm signal comprising a text message, an email, a phone message, or a paging message.

5. The system of claim 1, including an air pressure valve disposed within a surface of the compartment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a pressure sensing bias, the bias configured to be overcome by the pneumatic pressure in the compartment and configured to not be overcome by a pressure of the surrounding environment.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the pressure sensor assembly is in fluid communication with the inside of the compartment and an opposite portion of the pressure sensor assembly is in fluid communication with the surrounding environment.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a switch, where the switch is open in the presence of the pneumatic pressure inside the compartment and the switch is closed when the pneumatic pressure inside the compartment is released.

9. A theft-proof packaging system, comprising:

a product package including a clear plastic compartment configured to encapsulate and show a product therein, wherein the compartment is pneumatically pressurized above a surrounding environment;

a pressure sensor assembly in pneumatic communication with the compartment, the pressure sensor assembly comprising;

a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a switch, where the switch is in one state in the presence of the pneumatic pressure inside the compartment and the switch is in a second state when the pneumatic pressure inside the compartment is released;

a battery electrically connected to the pressure sensor; and

a transmitter electrically connected to the power source, wherein the transmitter is configured to send a signal;

a receiving unit located outside the compartment of the product package and disposed remote from the product package, the receiving unit comprising;

a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter;

an alarm electrically coupled to the receiver;

a passive RFID tag in pneumatic communication with the compartment;

wherein the pressure sensor assembly is configured to detect a change in pressure inside the compartment and then send the signal to the receiving unit activating the alarm; and

wherein the passive RFID tag is configured to be detected when it passes through a walk-through scanner thereby activating a second alarm, the second alarm associated with the walk-through scanner.

10. A theft-proof packaging system, comprising:

a product package including a clear plastic compartment configured to show and encapsulate a product therein, wherein the compartment is pneumatically pressurized above a surrounding environment;

a pressure sensor assembly in pneumatic communication with the compartment, the pressure sensor assembly comprising;

a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor comprises a switch, where the switch is open in the presence of the pneumatic pressure inside the compartment and the switch is closed when the pneumatic pressure inside the compartment is released;

a battery electrically connected to the pressure sensor; and

a transmitter electrically connected to the power source, wherein the transmitter is configured to send a signal;

a receiving unit located outside the compartment of the product package and disposed remote from the product package, the receiving unit comprising;

a receiver configured to receive the signal from the transmitter;

an alarm electrically coupled to the receiver;

a passive RFID tag in pneumatic communication with the compartment;

wherein the pressure sensor assembly is configured to detect a change in pressure inside the compartment and then send the signal to the receiving unit activating the alarm; and

wherein the passive RFID tag is configured to be detected when it passes through a walk-through scanner thereby activating a second alarm associated with the walk-through scanner.