Tracking device enclosure

• US 10,737,827 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2018
• Issued: 08/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DoorDash, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Harnack, Tate T., Melby, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Gehman, Bryon P
• Application Number:
  US16/183,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20200140137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 206320, 2064591, 206775
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2401/00 Tamper-indicating means relating to aerosol containers B65D83/224
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/2057 Inter-engaging self-locking flaps B65D5/4254 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/22 held erect by extensions of one or more sides being doubled-over to enclose extensions of adjacent sides
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4204 Inspection openings or windows
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5021 Integral elements for containers formed by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/6664 combined with flaps or tabs provided at the side edges of the lid

Abstract

An apparatus for a tracking device enclosure is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes an enclosure that holds a motion tracking device to a shipping container. Further, the enclosure includes one or more first flaps that secure a first motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the first motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure. The one or more first flaps secure the first motion tracking device based on a shape of the first motion tracking device. Also, the enclosure includes one or more second flaps that secure a second motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the second motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure. The one or more second flaps secure the second motion tracking device based on a shape of the second motion tracking device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure that holds a motion tracking device to a shipping container, the enclosure comprising;

one or more first flaps that secure a first motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the first motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure, wherein the one or more first flaps secure the first motion tracking device based on a shape of the first motion tracking device; and

one or more second flaps that secure a second motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the second motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure, wherein the one or more second flaps secure the second motion tracking device based on a shape of the second motion tracking device

wherein the one or more first flaps comprise a first flap that folds over the first motion tracking device and one or more tabs that fold into openings in the enclosure; and

wherein the one or more second flaps comprise a second flap that folds back over the first flap, wherein when the second flap is secured over the first flap, the second flap encloses the second motion tracking device within the enclosure based on the shape of the motion tracking device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more attaching tabs extending from a bottom of the enclosure, wherein the one or more attaching tabs extend away from the enclosure and, wherein the one or more attaching tabs are attachable to a surface of the shipping container to secure the enclosure to the shipping container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more attaching tabs are perforated to remain connected to the shipping container when the enclosure is pulled away from the shipping container.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises one or more access flaps that provide access to activation features of the first motion tracking device, the second motion tracking device or both, wherein the activation features of the first motion tracking device are configured to allow a user to activate the first motion tracking device to begin tracking movement of the shipping container and wherein the activation features of the second motion tracking device are configured to allow a user to activate the second motion tracking device to begin tracking movement of the shipping container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises one or more activation slots to remove an activation tab of the second motion tracking device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of the one or more second flaps extends into a space for holding the first motion tracking device, wherein the second motion tracking device is secured within the space.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is made from a single sheet of pliable material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises one or more holes that secure one or more tabs in place, wherein the one or more tabs are located at ends of a portion of the one or more first flaps and a portion of the one or more second flaps.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is secured in a closed state with one or more tamper resistant seals.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises one or more openings for viewing or adding markings on the motion tracking devices.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second motion tracking device is smaller than the first motion tracking device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises one or more openings to expose one or more of the first motion tracking device and the second motion tracking device to an environment of the enclosure, wherein each motion tracking device senses characteristics of an environment of the container.

13. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure that holds a motion tracking device to a shipping container, the enclosure comprising a plurality of flaps that secures the motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure, wherein the plurality of flaps secures the motion tracking device based on a shape of the motion tracking device, the plurality of flaps comprising;

a first flap with tabs, the first flap folds over the motion tracking device and the tabs of the first flap fold into openings in the enclosure; and

a second flap that folds back over the first flap, wherein when the second flap is secured over the first flap, the second flap encloses the motion tracking device within the enclosure based on the shape of the motion tracking device; and

one or more attaching tabs extending from a bottom of the enclosure, wherein the one or more attaching tabs extend away from the enclosure and, wherein the one or more attaching tabs are attachable to a surface of the shipping container to secure the enclosure to the shipping container.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the motion tracking device comprises a first motion tracking device and wherein the plurality of flaps further comprises:

one or more third flaps that secure a second motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the second motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure, wherein the one or more third flaps secure the first motion tracking device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more attaching tabs are perforated to remain connected to the shipping container when the enclosure is pulled away from the shipping container.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the enclosure further comprises one or more access flaps that provide access to activation features of the motion tracking device, wherein the activation features are configured to allow a user to activate the motion tracking device to start tracking motion of the shipping container.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the enclosure is made from a single sheet of pliable material.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the enclosure comprises one or more openings for viewing or adding markings on the motion tracking device.

19. An apparatus comprising:

an enclosure that holds a motion tracking device, the enclosure comprising;

a plurality of first flaps that secures a first motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the first motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure, wherein the plurality of first flaps secures the first motion tracking device based on a shape of the first motion tracking device, wherein the plurality of first flaps comprises a third flap with tabs, wherein the third flap folds over the first motion tracking device and the tabs of the third flap fold into openings in the enclosure; and

a plurality of second flaps that secures a second motion tracking device within the enclosure such that the second motion tracking device does not move in relation to the enclosure, wherein the plurality of second flaps secures the second motion tracking device based on a shape of the second motion tracking device, wherein the plurality of second flaps comprises a fourth flap, wherein the fourth flap folds back over the third flap, wherein the fourth flap encloses the second motion tracking device; and

one or more attaching tabs extending from a bottom of the enclosure, wherein the one or more attaching tabs extend away from the enclosure and, wherein the one or more attaching tabs are attachable to a surface of a shipping container to secure the enclosure to the shipping container.