Embedded RFID device for tracking a reusable material handling device

• US 9,317,823 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2012
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nextreme LLC
• Original Assignee: Nextreme LLC
• Inventors: Muirhead, Scott A. W.
• Primary Examiner(s): POPE, DARYL C
• Application Number:
  US13/506,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20120280046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 340/506, 340/517, 340/521, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0016 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• 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 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00303 Cell type, e.g. honeycomb
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00358 Cell type, e.g. honeycomb
• 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 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00567 mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07792 the antenna adapted for extending in three dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 : Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 : used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 : Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 : Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 : Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A method of embedding RF equipment in a reusable material handing apparatus for the purposes of managing the apparatus with the device is described. In one embodiment, the RF equipment includes a low cost RFID tag, label, placard or like, which is incorporated into the apparatus. Each RFID device responds to a management radio frequency signal with a unique reply to wirelessly identify the individual apparatus. RFID tags, labels, placards and the like typically comprise a first substrate layer to support the components of the RFID device and a second laminate layer to cover the RFID device and provide a printable surface for a serial number, trade name, bar code, manufacture date, country of origin and the like. The methods involve embedding RFID devices into the apparatus during the original manufacture or assembly and disassembly of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of embedding an RFID device in a reusable object including the steps of:

embedding an RFID device in a multi-layer structure between two adjacent layers thereof, the multi-layer structure including at least top and bottom layers having respective exposed surfaces and having no adhesive layer on the exposed surface of either of said top and bottom layers;

inserting the multi-layer structure having said RFID device embedded therein into a cavity of an interior of a pallet having a support base and a top surface forming said cavity; and

non-removably securing said top surface to said support base to embed the multi-layer structure within the pallet cavity.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

said support base defines a plurality of support feet for the pallet and said cavity is defined within an interior of at least one of said support feet.

3. A method of as set forth in claim 2 which includes,

extending said cavity from an opening in an exterior surface of said pallet to an interior of said pallet, and

inserting said multi-layer structure into said cavity through said opening.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

said support base defines a plurality of support feet for the reusable object and said cavity includes an interior of at least one of said support feet.

5. A pallet structure comprising:

a multi-layer laminate structure including at least a top layer and a bottom layer having respective exposed surfaces, and having no adhesive layer on the exposed surface of either of said top and bottom layers;

an RFID device embedded in the multi-layer laminate structure between adjacent layers thereof and including an integrated circuit coupled to an antenna; and

a pallet including a top member and a bottom member forming an interior cavity as an integral portion of said pallet for receiving said multi-layer laminate structure therein; and

said multi-layer laminate structure being non-removably sealed within said cavity.

6. A method of embedding an RFID device in a reusable object including the steps of:

embedding an RFID device in a multi-layer structure between two adjacent layers thereof, the multi-layer structure including at least top and bottom layers having respective exposed surfaces and having no adhesive layer on the exposed surface of either of said top and bottom layers;

providing a reusable object having a cavity extending into an interior of the reusable object;

inserting the multi-layer structure having said RFID device embedded therein into a cavity of an interior of reusable object having a support base and a top surface forming said cavity; and

non-removably securing said top surface to said support base to embed the multi-layer structure within the reusable object cavity.

7. A reusable pallet, comprising:

a multi-layer laminate structure including at least a top layer and a bottom layer having respective exposed surfaces and having no adhesive layer on the exposed surface of either of said top and bottom layers;

an RFID device embedded in the multi-layer laminate structure between adjacent layers thereof and including an integrated circuit coupled to an antenna; and

said reusable pallet including a top member and a bottom member forming an interior cavity as an integral portion of said reusable pallet for receiving said multi-layer laminate structure therein; and

said multi-layer laminate structure being non-removably sealed with said cavity.

8. A reusable pallet as set forth in claim 7 which includes,

a first molded plastic pallet component defining a load support platform and a second molded plastic component defining a platform reinforcement base with a plurality of feet to suspend the platform off the ground, and

said first and second molded plastic components being permanently secured together.

9. A reusable pallet as set forth in claim 8 wherein,

said interior cavity is formed in at least one of said feet.

10. A reusable pallet as set forth in claim 7 wherein,

the multi-layer laminate structure is inserted into the interior cavity before said top member and said bottom member are permanently secured together.

11. A reusable pallet as set forth in claim 7 in which,

an exterior cavity is formed in one of the top member and the bottom member.

12. A reusable pallet as set forth in claim 11 which includes,

a sealing device for closing the exterior cavity to seal an electronic device within the exterior cavity.

13. A reusable pallet as set forth in claim 12 wherein,

the sealing device is removable to provide access to the exterior cavity.