APPLICATION OF RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION

• US 20090237215A1
• Filed: 05/27/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plastipak Packaging Incorporated (Plastipak Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Plastipak Packaging Incorporated (Plastipak Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dunlap, Richard L., Slat, William A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,164,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/14852 incorporating articles with a data carrier, e.g. chips memory cards, chip cards B29L2017/006
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2412 outside the article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/24308 comprising electronic elements or detection means, e.g. chips, RFIDs or barcodes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2468 using magnetic force
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2049/2472 using vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2791/001 Shaping in several steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/072 having variable wall thickness
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0722 at neck portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0724 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/073 having variable diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0733 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0773 Threads
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/22 at neck portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/24 at flange portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/26 at body portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/28 at bottom portion
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. injection moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C45/1671 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/0017 combined with blow-moulding or thermoforming
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/0023 combined with printing or marking
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/09 : Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/15 : incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 : Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/071 : Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/12 : Stretching rods
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/20 : of articles having inserts or reinforcements ; Handling of inserts or reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/24 : Lining or labelling
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 : Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/14 : of tags , labels, cards, coupons, decorations or the like B65D23/008 takes precedence
• 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: G06Q 20/203 : Inventory monitoring

Abstract

A method for making a container including a radio frequency identification label is provide. In an embodiment the method includes placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) label into a mold; positioning the RFID label so that an outer portion of the label is substantially flush with the mold surface; and molding a container such that the outer portion of the RFID label is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall of the container. An article, which may be formed using the foregoing method, is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for making a container including a radio frequency identification label, the method comprising:

placing a radio frequency identification label into a mold;

positioning the radio frequency identification label so that an outer portion of the radio frequency identification label is substantially flush with the mold surface; and

molding a container such that the outer portion of the radio frequency identification label is substantially flush with the outer surface of the side wall of the container.

2. The method of claim 1, including covering a portion of the outside surface of the container with a product label that at least partially covers the radio frequency identification label.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding comprises injection molding or blow molding.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the molded container includes a neck portion configured to receive a closure and a base portion.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification label is delivered to the mold and held in a desired location using a magnet.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification label is delivered to the mold with an air delivery means.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the radio frequency identification label is held in a desired location using a magnet.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the radio frequency identification label is held in a desired location using a vacuum.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency identification label is fed into the mold using a web that is indexed to the mold.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the molding includes providing a preform or parison and blow molding the preform or parison to form the container.

11. A plastic bottle comprising:

a wall portion having an outside surface;

a radio frequency identification chip integrally connected to said wall portion and configured to be flush with the outside surface of the wall portion, the radio frequency identification chip including memory for storage of data and being configured to generate electrical signals or pulses that are readable by a reader; and

a product label affixed to a portion of the outside surface of the bottle, wherein the label at least partially covers the radio frequency identification chip.

12. The bottle of claim 11, including an antenna and contact means connecting the antenna to the radio frequency chip.

13. The bottle of claim 12, wherein said identification chip and antenna are provided on an in-mold substrate.

14. The bottle of claim 13, wherein the in-mold substrate comprises a plastic film.

15. The bottle of claim 11, wherein the radio frequency identification chip at least in part includes a conductive material.

16. The bottle of claim 11, wherein the identification chip includes integral power means.

17. The bottle of claim 11, wherein the product label includes graphics configured to be altered by activation of the chip.

18. The bottle of claim 17, wherein the graphics are activated by the chip when a product is approaching its expiration time or has exceeded temperature limits.

19. The bottle of claim 17, wherein the graphics are activated for a special sales promotion or for a price change.

20. A plastic bottle comprising:

a wall portion having an outside surface;

a radio frequency identification chip integrally connected to said wall portion and configured to be flush with the outside surface of the wall portion, the radio frequency identification chip including memory for storage of data and being configured to generate electrical signals or pulses that are readable by a reader;

an antenna and contact means configured to operatively connect the antenna to the radio frequency chip; and

a product label affixed to a portion of the outside surface of the bottle, wherein the label at least partially covers the radio frequency identification chip;

wherein the product label includes graphics configured to be altered by activation of the chip.