US20080308518A1 - Container having an automatic identification device for identifying the contents therein - Google Patents

Abstract

A container that has an automatic identification device for identifying the contents therein includes a bottom that has an outer periphery and a neck that defines an opening at a top portion thereof for receiving a product and a shoulder proximate a bottom portion thereof. The neck has a radially inwardly extending flange on an inner surface thereof. The flange is located at a predetermined distance away from the top portion of the neck. The container further includes a sidewall that extend generally upwardly from the periphery of the bottom to the shoulder of the neck. A cap is removably engageable to the neck and an automatic identification device is removably mountable on the flange of the neck.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/944,001, filed Jun. 14, 2007 and entitled “Automatic Identification Device Inserted into a Bottle,” the entire subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to the incorporation of an automatic identification device within a package or container for quickly and efficiently identifying the contents of the package or container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container enclosing an automatic identification device for identifying the contents therein.
• Pharmaceutical or medical containers for storing, transporting or selling pharmaceutical or medical products are generally well-known. Such containers, bottles or packages are preferably formed of a high strength, lightweight material and are sized and shaped to be easily transported either individually or in a larger container. Such containers typically include a removable cap. Generally, the caps are removed from the container by a twisting motion. Further, certain containers include child-resistant caps that require a specific twisting function to remove the cap from the top of the container.
• The process of preparing containers of medicaments for shipment to an end user typically includes steps of: (1) filling the container with a medicament, (2) sealing the end of the container with the cap, and (3) paper labeling the container with the contents of the container and other information related to the manufacturing history.
• These containers are typically included in a larger package to transport the containers and are then individually placed on a shelf in a retail store for selling the product. Although the containers can contain a plurality of different types of pharmaceutical or medical products, the general appearance of the containers is often similar. Due to such similarity, it may be difficult to identify the contents of the container without opening the container to find out what is inside.
• It is of the utmost importance that the information on the paper labeling of each container corresponds to the actual contents of the container and include such information that allows for traceability to the history of manufacture. Thus, information should ideally be associated with each filled container from near the moment that the container is filled.
• Presently, however, it is not possible to include with each container at the time of filling, all of the required information on container contents and manufacturing, since paper labeling applied to the container at the time of filling does not always survive the manufacturing and shipping process, and there is sometimes insufficient room on the label to include all of the required information. Further, the destination for each filled container is not known at the time the container is filled. Since the minimum information to be applied to a paper label is generally prescribed by law, and such laws vary from country to country, the paper labeling of containers can not be done until the destination of a particular lot of containers is determined. Such determination may not be made until after a specific lot of the containers has been shelved for a period of time. In order to establish traceability of the containers in a lot that has been shelved, back to the time that the containers were filled, samples from each lot must be taken from the shelved lot prior to paper labeling, and the contents of the samples determined analytically. Such a procedure is time consuming and expensive.
• A further problem associated with labeling of the containers is one of counterfeiting. Such counterfeiting may utilize packaging and paper labeling identical to the legitimate articles such that even an experienced end user pharmacist or medical practitioner can not distinguish the counterfeit article from the legitimate article.
• Automatic identification technology, which increases business efficiency, reduces data-entry errors and frees-up staff to perform other functions, is generally well-known. Automatic identification is a broad term given to a host of technologies that are used to help machines identify objects. These technologies include bar codes, smart cards, voice recognition, biometric technology, optical character recognition and radio frequency identification (RFID). Specifically, RFID technology uses radio waves to automatically identify objects. By storing product information on a microchip that is attached to an antenna, RFID tags allow a reader to easily and efficiently identify an object and allow for the addition or deletion of information at any time.
• Various prior art devices have incorporated RFID tags within pharmaceutical containers to avoid the problems described above. Previously, individuals have attempted to mold RFID tags within the containers. However, problem arises when a manufacturer, seller or user attempts to mold the RFID tag into the plastic container because the high temperatures achieved during the molding process often destroy the RFID tag.
• Therefore, it would be desirable to add an automatic identification device to pharmaceutical or medical packages or containers at or near the time of filling such that a user or manufacturer can quickly and efficiently identify the contents of a packaging or container without inspecting the contents of each package or container. Specifically, it would be desirable to include an RFID tag within a pharmaceutical or medical package or container without having to mold the RFID tag to the container such that a user could quickly scan the container and accurately identify the product within the container. This combination would allow for an accurate knowledge of the inventory level by eliminating the discrepancy between inventory record and physical inventory and also prevent destruction of the RFID tag. Further, the sources of error of recordation can be prevented or reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Briefly stated, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a container enclosing an automatic identification device for identifying the contents therein. The container includes a bottom having an outer periphery and a neck defining an opening at a top portion thereof for receiving a product and a shoulder proximate a bottom portion thereof. The neck has a radially inwardly extending flange on an inner surface thereof. The flange is located at a predetermined distance away from the top portion of the neck. The container further includes a sidewall extending generally upwardly from the periphery of the bottom to the shoulder of the neck. A cap is removably engageable to the neck and an automatic identification device is removably mountable on the flange of the neck.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
• The following detailed description of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
• In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an automatic identification device inserted into a bottle in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the bottle shown inFIG. 1;
• FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the automatic identification device inserted into a bottle shown inFIG. 2, taken along line A-A ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 3 is front perspective view of an automatic identification device capsule of the present invention;
• FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the capsule shown inFIG. 3;
• FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the automatic identification device capsule shown inFIG. 3 with a top portion of the automatic identification device capsule removed to show the top of an RFID tag; and
• FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the automatic identification device inserted into the bottle with a cap removed for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the bottle in accordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
• FIGS. 1-2A and5 depict a container, generally designated10, for storing, transporting or selling a product, such as a pharmaceutical or medical product. Thecontainer10 encloses anautomatic identification device62, such as an RFID tag or transponder. Thecontainer10 comprises acontainer bottom14 having anouter periphery16 and a container wall orsidewall18 extending generally upward from theperiphery16. It is preferred that the container bottom14 be generally planar, although the bottom14 may be concave (as shown inFIGS. 2A).
• Theperiphery16 of the container bottom14 may be slightly rounded to eliminate any sharpe edges from thecontainer10. Preferably, the container bottom14 and thecontainer wall18 define anouter container10 which is generally annular in cross-section, although theouter container10 may be of any shape, such as a generally rectangular in cross-section, as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand. Further, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the form and shape of thecontainer10 can be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, theouter container10 can be in the form of virtually any shape, such as a vial, vase or any other such packaging or container, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Theouter container10 is preferably formed of a polymeric material, but it is understood by those skilled in the art that theouter container10 may be formed of virtually any high-strength, lightweight material, such as a glass on metallic material, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.
• As shown inFIGS. 1-2A and5, thecontainer wall18 comprises aneck22 defining an opening for receiving the product. Preferably, the opening in theneck22 is generally circular in cross-section and has an inner diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of thecontainer wall18. Theneck22 includes a transition surface, orshoulder25, between theneck22 and thecontainer wall18. Theshoulder25 is preferably curved to eliminate any sharp edges and increase structural integrity.
• Theneck22 includesthreads32 on the outer surface for receiving acap40 and aflange56 extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of theneck22. Theflange56 is located at a predetermined distance away from or below a top or upper portion of theneck22. One skilled in the art would understand that other means besidesthreads32 may be used to accommodate thecap40, such as a friction fit or a child-proof fastener (not shown). Thecap40, which is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,216 (the '216 patent) and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, comprises anouter cap42 removably secured to aninner cap44. Theouter cap42 preferably includesgripping ridges42aon an exterior surface of theouter cap42 and may include instructions (FIG. 1) for how to remove thecap40 from the container. Theinner cap44 includes aliner46 to properly seal thecap40 to thecontainer10. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention does not require all of the particulars of thecap40 as described above. For example, it is within the spirit and scope of the invention that thecap40 can be constructed of one integral piece instead of the outer andinner caps42,44 and that thecap40 can be virtually any size and shape that can properly enclose theouter container10 and securely attach to theneck22 and at the same time provide safe storage for an RFID tag as described below.
• In reference toFIGS. 3-5, theautomatic identification device62, such as an RFID tag or transponder, is shown within acapsule60. RFID tags62 are generally well known in the art as a method of identification by storing and remotely retrieving data. In the preferred embodiment, theRFID tag60 contains a silicone chip (not shown) and an antenna (not shown). However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that any form of automatic identification can be used in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thecapsule60 is generally flat and disk-like and is made of a polymeric material. Thecapsule60 includes atop portion60aand abottom portion60bto securely enclose theRFID tag62. The top60ais preferably friction-fitted to thebottom portion60b, but it is understood by those skilled in the art that the top60aandbottom portions60bcan be secured by virtually any method, such as adhesive bonding or riveting, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As is understood by those skilled in art, thetop portion60amay be removably mounted to thebottom portion60bor permanently mounted tobottom portion60b. The inner portion of theneck22 at least proximate to theflange56 is preferably slightly larger than a diameter of thecapsule60. Further, a length of theflange56 measured radially from the inner portion of saidneck22 to an end of saidflange56 is approximately one millimeter. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the length of theflange56 can be modified without departing from the broad inventive concept of the present invention.
• In operation, a manufacturer, distributor or consumer places a desired amount of the product into theouter container10. An automatic identification device, such as theRFID tag capsule60, may then be placed onto theflange56 within theneck22 of thecontainer10. Next, thecap40 is removably attached to theneck22 of thecontainer10 to enclose the product and thecapsule60 within thecontainer10. When the manufacturer, distributor or consumer desires to know the contents of thecontainer10, a scanner (not shown) is placed within the general vicinity of thecontainer10 to read the information stored in theRFID tag62. TheRFID tag62 is generally well protected when securely located within thecontainer10 andcapsule60, as taught by the present invention. A user or manufacturer will also generally know the exact location of theRFID tag62 when attempting to identify the contents of theouter container10. Further, thecapsule60 may be removed by either the manufacturer, distributor or consumer before the product within thecontainer10 is used or inspected after thecap40 is removed from theneck22 of the container10 (FIG. 5).
• It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the drawings and specification.

Claims (7)

1. A container having an automatic identification device for identifying the contents therein, said container comprising:

a bottom having an outer periphery:

a neck defining an opening at a top portion thereof for receiving a product and a shoulder proximate a bottom portion thereof, said neck having a radially inwardly extending flange on an inner surface thereof; said flange being located at a predetermined distance away from said top portion of said neck;

a sidewall extending generally upwardly from said periphery of said bottom to said shoulder of said neck;

a cap removably engageable to said neck; and

an automatic identification device removably mountable on said flange of said neck.

2. The container according toclaim 1, wherein said automatic identification device includes a capsule and an RFID transponder enclosed within said capsule.

3. The container ofclaim 2, wherein said capsule includes a top portion and a bottom portion.

4. The container according toclaim 3, wherein said top and bottom portions of said capsule are removably engageable.

5. The container according toclaim 3, wherein said top and bottom portions of said capsule are permanently engaged.

6. The container according toclaim 1, wherein a diameter of said inner portion of said neck is slightly larger than a diameter of said capsule.

7. The container according toclaim 1, wherein a length of said flange measured radially from said inner portion of said neck to an end of said flange is approximately one millimeter.

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