US20060145870A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20060145870A1
Application number: US11/252,573
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Coveley; Srdjan Milutinovic; Yuping Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-19
Filing date: 2005-10-19
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: US20080266109A1; US8063779B2; CA2523832C; CA2523832A1

Abstract

A radio frequency identification seal comprises an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion and an RFID tag coupled and tuned to the antenna. The RFID tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tamper-resistant packaging and in particular to a container including a tamper-resistant seal and to a radio frequency identification seal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tamper-resistant packaging is well known in the art. In the pharmaceutical industry, containers holding medicines are designed so that when the contents of the containers are accessed, clear visual indications signifying container access are provided.

In other environments, providing such visual tamper-resistance on containers is difficult. As a result, manual inspection of containers in many environments is required. For example, at border crossings and other inspection points, large containers carried by trucks and ships are typically manually inspected. Containers of this nature generally provide no visual indication signifying if the containers have been opened. This of course slows the inspection process as all containers must be inspected.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,558 to Thorne et al. discloses a device for sealing and tracking a container. The device includes a bolt which extends through openings in a latch mechanism on the container. The bolt also passes through spaced coils of the device. The device uses one coil to generate a magnetic field, while monitoring the corresponding magnetic field induced in the other coil. Tampering with the bolt affects the magnetic field, which in turn permits the device to detect the tampering. The device periodically transmits wireless signals which can be remotely received for purposes of tracking the container and monitoring the integrity of the device.

Although the Thorne et al. device allows tampering to be detected, it is complicated and costly to manufacture. As will be appreciated, there exists a need for an improved mechanism that allows secure uncompromised containers to be differentiated from compromised containers.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container including a tamper-resistant seal and to a radio frequency identification seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect there is provided a container comprising:

a container body; and

a seal on at least a portion of said container body, said seal including an antenna and a tag tuned to said antenna, said tag becoming detuned when said antenna is compromised during opening of said container.

In one embodiment, the tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna. In particular, the tag resonates in response to the scanning signal when tuned to the antenna and outputs a code unique to the tag. The scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency.

The antenna includes a main antenna portion and at least one breakaway portion coupled to the main antenna portion. The at least one breakaway portion separates from the main antenna portion when the container is compromised resulting in the tag becoming detuned from the antenna. The at least one breakaway portion is coupled to the main antenna portion by one-time contacts.

In one embodiment, the main antenna portion is provided on a door of the container and wherein the at least one breakaway portion is provided on a doorjamb of the container.

In another embodiment, the tag and antenna are disposed on a substrate adhered to the container.

According to another aspect there is provided a radio frequency identification seal comprising:

an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one breakaway portion; and

an RFID tag coupled and tuned to said antenna, said RFID tag outputting a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to said antenna.

The radio frequency identification seal provides advantages in that a determination can be made as to whether a container has been compromised simply by scanning the tag with a scanning signal of the appropriate frequency. If the container has not been compromised, the tag outputs a unique code in response to the scanning signal. If the container has been compromised resulting in one or more breakaway portions being separated from the main antenna portion, the tag will not output the unique code in response to the scanning signal thereby clearly to identify the container as being compromised.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a radio-frequency identification seal used to secure a container;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the radio-frequency identification seal ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3ais an end view of a container showing its door in an open position during installation of the radio-frequency identification seal ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3bis a side view of a portion of the container ofFIG. 3awith the door in a closed position;

FIGS. 4aand4bshow alternative embodiments of radio-frequency identification seals used to secure containers;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container including another embodiment of a radio-frequency identification seal;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the container ofFIG. 5 showing the radio-frequency identification seal in a broken state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container including yet another embodiment of a radio-frequency identification seal;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container including a plurality of radio-frequency identification seals;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a transport truck hauling a trailer having a plurality of containers, each container including a radio-frequency identification seal;

FIG. 10 shows other vehicles having storage capabilities on which radio-frequency identification seals can be mounted;

FIG. 11 shows a station for reading RFID seals mounted on trucks and/or other vehicles;

FIG. 12ais a perspective view of a box including a radio-frequency identification seal;

FIG. 12bis a schematic diagram of the radio-frequency identification seal shown inFIG. 12a;

FIG. 13 shows other containers including radio-frequency identification seals; and

FIGS. 14aand14bshow packing material for use in containers of the type shown inFIGS. 12 and 13 including RFID seal antennae.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A container comprising a container body and a seal on at least a portion of the container body is provided. The seal includes an antenna and a tag tuned to the antenna. The tag becomes detuned when the antenna is compromised during opening of container. The seal is mounted internally of the container making its existence difficult to determine. The seal is typically mounted adjacent the container door or access point and is compromised upon opening of the container thereby to allow entry into the container to be determined. Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to FIGS.1 to14b.

Turning now toFIGS. 1 and 2, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) seal used to secure a container is shown and is generally identified byreference numeral10. As can be seen, in this embodiment theRFID seal10 is generally rectangular and is sandwiched between a pair ofcover sheets14. The outer surfaces of thecover sheets14 are covered by one time peal-off labels16. Removal of thelabels16 exposes high-tack adhesive allowing theRFID seal10 to be secured to the container.

As can be seen inFIG. 2, theRFID seal10 includes an inner printedelectronic layer20 formed of Kapton-Polymide film. The innerelectronic layer20 is sandwiched betweenintermediate layers22 formed of radiolucent conductive spliced polyester/fluoropolymer film. Surrounding theintermediate layers22 are outer vinyl gel-foam layers24. The intermediate and

outer layers

22 and24 encapsulate theinner layer20

The printedelectronic layer20 includes anRFID tag26 and anantenna28 formed generally in the shape of a triangle. Theantenna28 is formed using fine German silver wire and comprises a main shieldedantenna portion30 and a break-awayportion32 coupled to themain antenna portion30 by one-time, break-awaycontacts34.

TheRFID tag26 is tuned to theantenna28 so that when theRFID tag26 is scanned by a signal at a predetermined frequency and theantenna28 is intact, theRFID tag26 resonates causing theRFID tag26 to output a code unique to theRFID tag26.

During installation of theRFID seal10 on acontainer36, one of thelabels16 is removed from theRFID seal10 and the RFID seal is adhered to the inner leading edge of thecontainer door38 as shown inFIG. 3a. Once thecontainer36 is full, theother label16 is removed from theRFID seal10 and thecontainer door38 is closed and pushed tight until the door touches the doorjamb40 as shown inFIG. 3b. In this manner, theRFID seal10 becomes adhered to both thecontainer door38 and the container body. The outer gel-foam layers24 help to take up any variances between thedoor38 and the doorjamb40, when thedoor38 is closed.

When thedoor38 is opened, the one-time contacts34 break, thereby, isolating the break-away antenna portion32 from themain antenna portion30. In this case, if theRFID tag26 is scanned by a signal at the predetermined frequency, the RFID tag does not resonate as the tuning between theantenna28 and theRFID tag26 is lost. Hence theRFID tag26 does not output the unique code. As will be appreciated, theRFID seal10 allows an inspector to determine very quickly whether thecontainer36 has been compromised. If thecontainer36 is packed and sealed at a secure location, scanning thecontainer36 to determine if theRFID tag26 outputs the unique code at border crossings and/or other inspection points allows an inspector to determine quickly whether thecontainer10 requires inspection.

Although theRFID seal10 is described above as having anantenna28 that is generally triangular in shape, other antenna configurations are possible.FIGS. 4aand4bshow two alternative electronic layer designs including different shapedantennas28 and different break-away contact34 locations. Also, theRFID seal10 need not be rectangular in shape. TheRFID seal10 may take on any convenient geometric shape such as square, circular, triangular etc.

Turning now toFIGS. 5 and 6, acontainer50 including an alternative embodiment of an RFID seal is shown. As can be seen,container50 in this embodiment includes a generallyrectangular container body52 having adoor54 at one end. Thedoor54 is hinged to thecontainer body52 allowing the door to swing between open and closed positions. A lock56 is provided on thedoor54 to allow the door to be locked in the closed position.

When thedoor54 is opened, the one-time contacts70 break, thereby, isolating the break-away antenna portion68 from themain antenna portion66. Thus, if theRFID tag62 is scanned by a signal at the predetermined frequency, the RFID tag does not resonate as the tuning between theantenna64 and theRFID tag62 is lost. Hence theRFID tag62 does not output the unique code.

During installation of theRFID seal60, theRFID tag62 is tuned to theantenna64 with the break-away antenna portion68 free of the container doorjamb and coupled to themain antenna portion66. Once theRFID tag62 has been tuned, the break-away antenna portion68 is removed from themain antenna portion66 and is adhered to the doorjamb of thecontainer body52. Thecontainer50 is then loaded with goods to be transported. Once thecontainer50 has been loaded, thedoor54 is closed and locked. The one-time contacts70 are then formed between themain antenna portion66 and the break-away antenna portion68 to complete theantenna64. TheRFID tag62 is then scanned to confirm that the RFID tag outputs the unique code signifying that the RFID tag remains tuned to theantenna64.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of acontainer110 including anRFID seal120 comprising anRFID tag122 and an antenna124. In this embodiment, the antenna124 includes, a main antenna portion124, a break-away antenna portion128aon the doorjamb of the container body112 as well as a break-away antenna portion128badjacent the lock116. The break-away antenna portions128aand128bare coupled to the main antenna portion124 by one-time, break-awaycontacts130. When the door114 is opened, one or both break-away antenna portions128aand128bseparate from the main antenna portion126 via the one-time contacts130. As a result, theRFID tag122 becomes detuned and hence does not output the unique code when scanned.

FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of acontainer210 including a container body212, adoor214 and a plurality of RFID seals220 similar to theRFID seal20 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen, in addition to thedoor214, the top, sides and bottom of the container body212 include RFID seals220.

Although the above-embodiments show the RFID seals used to secure containers, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the RFID seals may be used to secure other containment devices. For example,FIG. 9 shows atransport truck300 hauling atrailer302 havingcontainers310. Eachcontainer310 has adoor314 including anRFID seal320 of the type shown inFIGS. 5 and 6.FIG. 10 shows other vehicles having storage capabilities on which radio-frequency identification seals can be mounted.

In situations where the RFID seals are used on trucks and/or other vehicles, stations such as that shown inFIG. 11 may be used to check the integrity of the RFID seals. In this caseRFID reader antennae350 are mounted on aframe structure352 through which trucks and vehicles pass allowing RFID seals carried by the trucks and vehicles to be read. The results of the RFID seal reads can be transmitted by awireless transmitter354 to acentral location356 for verification.

FIGS. 12aand12bshow still yet another embodiment of a container410 including anRFID seal420. In this embodiment, the container410 is in the form of a rectangular or square box having aseam412 separating the twoflaps414 defining the top of the box. TheRFID seal420 in this case includes asubstrate421 that is adhered to the top of the box410 and spans theseam412. AnRFID tag422 and anantenna424 are also adhered to thesubstrate421. TheRFID tag422 is pre-tuned to theantenna424. Theantenna424 includes amain antenna portion426 and a plurality of break-

away antenna portions

428a,428band428cat spaced locations along the length of theantenna424. The break-

away antenna portions

428a,428band428care coupled to themain antenna portion426 by one-time contacts430. Two of the break-away antenna portions428aand428bspan theseam412. In this manner, when the box410 is opened along theseam412 and theRFID seal420 is torn, one or more of the break-

away antenna portions

428a,428band428cseparate from themain antenna portion426 via the one-time contacts430. As a result, theRFID tag422 becomes detuned and thus, provides no output when scanned at the predetermined frequency.

Although the above-embodiment shows the RFID seal being used to secure a square box by engaging the flaps of the box, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the RFID seal may be used to secure other container configurations. For example,FIG. 13 shows other containers incorporating RFID seals. In the embodiments ofFIGS. 12 and 13, the break-away antenna portions of the RFID seal antennae need not engage the containers. Rather, the break-away antenna portions can be incorporated into packing material placed into the containers as shown inFIGS. 14aand14b. In these cases, the break-away antenna portions are coupled to the main antenna portions on the containers so that when the containers are opened, the break-away antenna portions separate from the RFID seals and the RFID seals become de-tuned.

As will be appreciated, in the above-described embodiments the RFID seals allow containers to be inspected to determine if a container has been compromised quickly and easily simply by scanning the RFID seal with a signal at the appropriate frequency. Containers whose RFID tags do not output a unique code in response to the scanning signal are immediately recognized as having been tampered with. Decisions to inspect containers can thus be made quickly and accurately increasing the efficiency of inspection points such as border crossings.

While specific examples of containers are shown, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the containers make and shape take virtually any form. Also, while specific reference is made to RFID tags, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of tags that can be tuned to an antenna and are responsive to scanning signals can of course be used. When RFID tags are used, the RFID tags may be of the passive or active type.

Although embodiments have been described, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a container body; and

2. A container according toclaim 1 wherein said tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to said antenna.

3. A container according toclaim 2 wherein said tag resonates in response to said scanning signal when tuned to said antenna and outputs a code unique to said tag.

4. A container according toclaim 3 wherein said scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency.

5. A container according toclaim 2 wherein said antenna includes a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion coupled to said main antenna portion, said at least one break-away portion separating from said main antenna portion when said container is compromised resulting in said tag becoming detuned from said antenna.

6. A container according toclaim 5 wherein said at least one break-away portion is coupled to said main antenna portion by one-time contacts.

7. A container according toclaim 6 wherein said main antenna portion is provided on a door of said container and wherein said at least one break-away portion is provided on a doorjamb of said container.

8. A container according toclaim 6 comprising a plurality of break-away portions at spaced locations along said antenna.

9. A container according toclaim 6 wherein said main antenna portion is provided on a door of said container and wherein at least one of said break-away portions is provided on a doorjamb of said container.

10. A container according toclaim 6 wherein another of said break-away portions is provided adjacent a lock on said door.

11. A container according toclaim 6 wherein said tag and antenna are disposed on a substrate secured to said container.

12. A container according toclaim 11 wherein said substrate is adhered to said container.

13. A radio frequency identification seal comprising:

an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion; and

14. A radio frequency identification seal according toclaim 13 wherein said RFID tag outputs a unique code in response to said scanning signal.

15. A radio frequency identification seal according toclaim 12 wherein said at least one break-away portion is coupled to said main antenna portion by one-time contacts.

16. A radio frequency identification seal according toclaim 15 comprising a plurality of break-away portions.