Device for associating a container and a computerized device monitoring its contents

• US 6,285,285 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Biolog Societe Anonyme
• Original Assignee: T-Log S.A.
• Inventors: Mongrenier, Jean-Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/647,921
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/825.37, 340/10.1, 340/5.61, 340/541, 340/5.81, 340/5.86, 340/5.82, 235/492, 235/435
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/10 Bag-type containers
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/12 with means for holding samples of contents
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/30 Printed labels
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 2205/60 using magnetic or electronic identifications, e.g. chips, RFID, electronic tags
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0329 having electronic sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0335 using RFID tags
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0341 having label sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0394 with violation indication by generating a random number random number generators G06F7/58, G07C15/00

Abstract

Assembly including a container and a device provided for computerized monitoring of a contents of the container. The device has a flexible support and one of an electronic chip and a memory card affixed to the flexible support. The flexible support comprises a printed circuit and an antenna capable of communicating with a computerized system. The antenna is one of integrated with the flexible support and attached to the flexible support. A protective compartment is provided containing a sample of the contents of the container. The flexible support is coupled to the sample. The protective compartment is removably attached to the container so as to be recouped for the purpose of one of examination or filing.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a container;

a device for computerized monitoring of a contents of the container;

the device having a flexible support and one of an electronic chip and a memory card affixed to the flexible support;

the flexible support comprising a printed circuit and an antenna capable of communicating with a computerized system;

the antenna being one of integrated with the flexible support and attached to the flexible support;

a protective compartment containing a sample of the contents of the container; and

the flexible support being coupled to the sample,

wherein the protective compartment is removably attached to the container so as to be recouped for the purpose of one of examination or filing.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective compartment is sealed and wherein the flexible support is disposed within the protective compartment.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the protective compartment is integrally formed with the container and wherein the container is formed from first and second films.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein one wall of the protective compartment comprises one of the first and second films of the container.

5. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a precut for facilitating a separation of the protective compartment from the container.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective compartment comprises an adhesive flexible leaf attached to a wall, the flexible support being disposed between the adhesive flexible leaf and the wall, and wherein the protective compartment further comprises an opening adapted to receive the sample.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flexible bag formed from plastic films.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible bag comprises a surface having an adhesive, the surface having the adhesive releasably connecting the flexible bag to the container.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible bag is attached to the protective compartment.

10. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible bag is attached to the container, the flexible bag being attached to one of a middle portion of a wall of the container and a perimeter edge portion of the container.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective compartment comprises a sheath which encloses the flexible support, the sheath being welded to the container.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the sheath comprises separating precuts and wherein the sheath comprises two edges which are attached to two corresponding edges of the container.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising the memory card having a hole,

wherein the protective compartment comprises a hole which is aligned with the hole of the memory card.

14. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a fixing device disposed in the holes and connecting the memory card and the protective compartment.

15. The assembly of claim 13, further comprising a sheath for removably covering the memory card.

16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising the memory card having a hole,

wherein the protective compartment comprises a flexible two walled structure having a hole in each wall which is aligned with the hole of the memory card, and

further comprising a fixing device disposed in the holes and connecting the memory card and the walls of the protective compartment.

17. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one pipe for delivering the contents into the container.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the protective compartment is connected to the pipe via a connecting sheath.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the connecting sheath is adapted to be hot pressed to the at least one pipe.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the protective compartment comprises a flexible bag which is connected to the at least one pipe.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the flexible bag is connected to the at least one pipe by one of welding and adhesive.

22. An assembly comprising:

a container containing a blood sample;

a protective compartment removably attached to the container;

a device for computerized monitoring of a contents of the container disposed in the protective compartment;

the device having a flexible support and one of an electronic chip and a memory card affixed to the flexible support;

the flexible support comprising a printed circuit and an antenna capable of communicating with a computerized system; and

the antenna being one of integrated with the flexible support and attached to the flexible support.