Coupler with radio frequency identification tag

• US 7,394,375 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Issued: 07/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Colder Products Company (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Johnson, Robert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg; George A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mehmood; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/233,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20060076419A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 3405681-5729, 340/592, 340603-626, 3408531-8564, 174/47, 137 1-802, 156/25
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2101/30 Inspecting, measuring or testing
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/60 Identification or marking
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 33/30 comprising parts inside the hoses only F16L33/24 takes precedence

Abstract

A coupler can include a main body including a first end and a second end, and a flow passage between the first and second ends to allow fluid flow therethrough. The coupler can also include a frame member, and a radio frequency identification tag coupled to the frame member. The frame member is configured to be molded into the main body so that the radio frequency identification tag is incorporated into the main body.

Claims

1. A coupler, comprising:

a main body including a first end and a second end, and defining a flow passage between the first and second ends to allow fluid flow therethrough;

a frame member; and

a radio frequency identification tag coupled to the frame member;

wherein the frame member including the radio frequency identification tag are molded into the main body, wherein the main body is formed using injection molding, and wherein the radio frequency identification tag is encapsulated in the main body during the injection molding.

2. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the frame member includes one or more clip members configured to couple the radio frequency identification tag to the frame member.

3. The coupler of claim 1, wherein the frame member is configured to be molded into a flange of the main body of the coupler.

4. The coupler of claim 3, wherein a portion of an outer diameter surface of the frame member forms a portion of an outer diameter surface of the flange of the main body.

5. A coupler, comprising:

a main body including a first end, a second end, and a flange therebetween, the main body defining a flow passage between the first and second ends to allow fluid flow therethrough;

a frame member including a first side, a second side, and a clip member; and

a radio frequency identification tag coupled to the first side of the frame member by the clip member;

wherein the frame member including the radio frequency identification tag are molded into the flange of the main body so that the radio frequency identification tag is encapsulated in the main body; and

wherein the frame member includes a plurality of members extending from the second side of the frame member, wherein the plurality of members are configured to axially locate the frame member and the attached radio frequency identification tag during molding of the coupler.

6. The coupler of claim 5, wherein an outer diameter surface of the frame member forms a portion of an outer diameter surface of the flange of the main body.

7. The coupler of claim 5, wherein the radio frequency identification tag is encapsulated in the flange of the main body.

8. The coupler of claim 5, wherein the frame member and the radio frequency identification tag both define openings allowing the flow passage of the main body to extend therethrough.

9. A method for forming a fluid coupler, comprising:

coupling a radio frequency identification tag to a frame member;

locating the frame member and the radio frequency identification tag in a mold; and

injection molding the coupler so that the coupler includes the frame member and encapsulates the radio frequency identification tag.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein coupling further comprises pressing the radio frequency identification tag into the frame member so that clip members of the frame member hold the radio frequency identification tag.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein locating further comprises allowing an outer circumference of the frame member to contact the mold to radially locate the frame member and the radio frequency identification tag with respect to the mold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein locating further comprises allowing members of the frame member to contact the mold to axially locate the frame member and the radio frequency identification tag with respect to the mold.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein injection molding further comprises encapsulating the radio frequency identification tag in a flange of the coupler.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein injection molding further comprises allowing an outer diameter surface of the frame member to form an outer diameter surface of the flange.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising forming openings in the frame member and the radio frequency identification tag to allow a flow passage of the coupler to extend therethrough.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming the frame member and the radio frequency identification tag to be circular.