U.S. patent application number 11/884471 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for reusable container with radio frequency identification seal.
Invention is credited to Peter Samuel Atherton.
Application Number | 20080245791 11/884471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36916120 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080245791 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Atherton; Peter Samuel |
October 9, 2008 |
Reusable Container with Radio Frequency Identification Seal
Abstract
A container enclosing an interior and having at least one door
that can be displaced from a closed position preventing access to
the interior, and an open position providing access to the
interior; the container including: a first recess, the recess being
in the door; an insert projecting into the recess so as to extend
outwardly therefrom to provide an insert portion outside the slot;
a second recess, the second recess being in a part of the container
other than the door; a second insert, the second insert projecting
inwardly of the second recess so as to extend outwardly therefrom
to provide an insert portion outside the second recess; and wherein
when the door is in the closed position the portions are adjacently
located so that when secured together movement of the door toward
the open position is inhibited.
Inventors: |
Atherton; Peter Samuel;
(Leesburg, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUCHANAN, INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
36916120 |
Appl. No.: |
11/884471 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
February 17, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU06/00213 |
371 Date: |
March 27, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60653496 |
Feb 17, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/200 ;
340/572.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2401/05 20200501;
B65D 2203/10 20130101; Y02W 30/807 20150501; Y02W 30/80 20150501;
B65D 2211/00 20130101; B65D 55/06 20130101; B65D 5/4233
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/200 ;
340/572.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/00 20060101
B65D043/00 |
Claims
1. A container enclosing an interior and having at least one door
that can be displaced from a closed position preventing access to
said interior, and an open position providing access to said
interior; the container including: a first recess, said recess
being in said door; an insert projecting into said recess so as to
extend outwardly therefrom to provide an insert portion outside the
slot; a second recess, said second recess being in a part of said
container other than said door; a second insert, said second insert
projecting inwardly of said second recess so as to extend outwardly
therefrom to provide an insert portion outside said second recess;
and wherein when said door is in said closed position the portions
are adjacently located so that when secured together movement of
the door toward the open position is inhibited.
2. The container of claim 1 further including a seal secured to
said portions thereby inhibiting movement of the door toward the
open position without causing alteration of the seal.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein said inserts are sufficiently
rigid to inhibit deformation of the inserts permitting withdrawal
of the inserts from the recesses without alteration of the
seal.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein said container has a hollow
body surrounding said interior, with said door being pivotally
attached to said body so as to be moved angularly between the open
and closed positions.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein said container includes a
hollow body surrounding said interior, with said door is removably
attached to said body so as to be displaceable relative to the body
between the open and closed positions.
6. The container of claim 1, further including a second door, said
second door being located adjacent the first door and including
said second recess, said second door also being movable between an
open position and a closed position with respect to said
interior.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein one of the doors must be
displaced toward the open position thereof before the other door
can be displaced toward the open position.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein said second door is pivotally
attached to the body so as to be angularly movable between the open
and closed positions.
9. The container of claim 7, wherein the second door is removably
attached to the body so as to be displaceable between the open and
closed positions.
10. The container of claim 2, wherein said seal is an RFID
label.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein said RFID label is altered
in a detectable manner if tampered with by movement of the/each
door to the open position.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein said RFID label has an RFID
function, said function being disabled if the label is tampered
with by any movement of the or each door towards the open position
thereof.
13. The container of claim 1, further including an RFID tag that is
to receive or store a code identifying the container.
14. The container of claim 13, further including a seal secured to
said portions thereby inhibiting movement of the door toward the
open position without causing alteration of the seal, wherein said
tag contains information identifying said label.
15. The container of claim 1, further including a sensor to provide
a signal containing information in respect of the container, and a
storage means operatively associated with the sensor to receive
said signal to store said information.
16. The container of claim 1, further including a detector to
generate a signal indicative in respect of whether the container
has been penetrated, and a storage means to receive the signal from
the detector to store said information.
17. The container of claim 16, further including a transmitter to
transmit information from the or each storage means.
18. The container of claim 2, wherein the container includes at
least one RFID reader to read said RFID label, said reader being
adapted to store information in respect of said RFID label.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein said reader is also adapted
to transmit information stored in the reader.
20. The container of claim 1 wherein each insert is slidably
located in its respective recess.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to containers to receive a
seal to indicate whether the container has been opened or tampered
with, and more particularly but not exclusively to a reusable
container with radio frequency identification seal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A radio frequency identification (RFID) label or tag (the
terms label and tag are used interchangeably in this document) is a
label or tag that includes electronics enabling the label or tag to
store information that can be read by a remote reading device using
radio frequency (RF) communications means. A pressure sensitive
(i.e. self-adhesive) RFID label or tag is attached to a surface by
means of pressure sensitive adhesive on the RFID label or tag.
[0003] A pressure sensitive RFID label or tag can incorporate
tamper indication, such that its RFID function is modified if the
RFID label or tag is applied to a surface and subsequently tampered
by being partially or completely removed from the surface. In this
way the tamper status of the RFID label can be monitored remotely
and automatically by using an RFID reading device.
[0004] A tamper indicating RFID label can be used to seal a
container. The integrity of the container can then be monitored
remotely and automatically by using an RFID reading device to
monitor the tamper status of the tamper indicating RFID label.
[0005] Reusable containers are commonly used to store and transport
commercial goods (such as pharmaceutical products) or sensitive
items (such as classified documents or secure electronic
equipment). Using a pressure sensitive tamper indicating RFID label
to seal such a reusable container provides a fast and easy way to
determine whether the container has been opened. The RFID label may
include a writable electronic memory and so may store information
regarding the contents of the container. The tamper indicating RFID
label will be removed and will usually be discarded when the
container is opened.
[0006] A disadvantage of using a pressure sensitive tamper
indicating RFID label to seal a reusable container is that after
removal the RFID label leaves an adhesive residue that may also
include portions of the label electronics. In order for a new
tamper indicating RFID label applied to the container to provide
reliable RFID function it is necessary to clean off the residue
left by the previous RFID label. This is time consuming and
inconvenient. If the residue is not removed, residual electronic
portions of the previous RFID label (commonly residual portions of
the RF antenna) may interfere with the RFID performance of a new
RFID label applied over the residue.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is the object of the present invention to overcome or
substantially ameliorate at least one of the above
disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] There is disclosed herein a container enclosing an interior
and having at least one door that can be displaced from a closed
position preventing access to said interior, and an open position
providing access to said interior; the container including:
[0009] a first recess, said recess being in said door;
[0010] an insert projecting into said recess so as to extend
outwardly therefrom to provide an insert portion outside the
slot;
[0011] a second recess, said second recess being in a part of said
container other than said door;
[0012] a second insert, said second insert projecting inwardly of
said second recess so as to extend outwardly therefrom to provide
an insert portion outside said second recess; and wherein
[0013] when said door is in said closed position the portions are
adjacently located so that when secured together movement of the
door toward the open position is inhibited.
[0014] Preferably, the container includes a seal secured to said
portions thereby inhibiting movement, of the door toward the open
position, without causing alteration of the seal.
[0015] Preferably, said inserts are sufficiently rigid to inhibit
deformation of the inserts permitting withdrawal of the inserts
from the recesses without alteration of the seal.
[0016] Preferably, said container has a hollow body surrounding
said interior, with said door being pivotally attached to said body
so as to be moved angularly between the open and closed
positions.
[0017] Preferably, said container includes a hollow body
surrounding said interior, with said door is removably attached to
said body so as to be displaceable relative to the body between the
open and closed positions.
[0018] Preferably, the container includes a second door, said
second door being located adjacent the first door and including
said second recess, said second door also being movable between an
open position and a closed position with respect to said
interior.
[0019] Preferably, one of the doors must be displaced toward the
open position thereof before the other door can be displaced toward
the open position.
[0020] Preferably, said second door is pivotally attached to the
body so as to be angularly movable between the open and closed
positions.
[0021] Preferably, the second door is removably attached to the
body so as to be displaceable between the open and closed
positions.
[0022] Preferably, said seal is an RFID label.
[0023] Preferably, said RFID label is altered in a detectable
manner if tampered with by movement of the/each door toward the
open position.
[0024] Preferably, said RFID label has an RFID function, said
function being disabled if the label is tampered with by any
movement of the or each door towards the open position thereof.
[0025] Preferably, the container further includes an RFID tag that
is to receive or store a code identifying the container.
[0026] Preferably, said tag contains information identifying said
label.
[0027] Preferably, the container further includes a sensor to
provide a signal containing information in respect of the
container, and a storage means operatively associated with the
sensor to receive said signal to store said information.
[0028] Preferably, the container further includes a detector to
generate a signal indicative in respect of whether the container
has been penetrated, and a storage means to receive the signal from
the detector to store said information.
[0029] Preferably, the container further includes a transmitter to
transmit information from the or each storage means.
[0030] Preferably, the container includes at least one RFID reader
to read said RFID label, said reader being adapted to store
information in respect of said RFID label.
[0031] Preferably, said reader is also adapted to transmit
information stored in the reader.
[0032] Preferably, each insert is slidably located in its
respective recess.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be
described by way of example with reference to the accompanying
drawings wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a container;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view
of the container of FIG. 1 with the container doors partly
open;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view
of the container of FIG. 1 with the container doors closed;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of one of the doors of
the container of FIG. 1, and an insert that is inserted into a
recess in the door;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the top of the
container of FIG. 1 after the container doors are closed and
sealed, showing how the door inserts and tamper indicating RFID
label are applied;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view
of a portion of the doors of the container of FIG. 1 after the
doors have been closed and the container sealed using a tamper
indicating RFID label;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a cross sectional view
of the container of FIG. 1 with the container doors closed and
sealed as illustrated schematically in FIG. 6, showing additional
components that may be included with the container to enhance the
functionality of the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0041] The present invention will be described in a preferred form
in relation to a rectangular container 100 that is illustrated
schematically in FIG. 1. The container 100 has two doors 101 and
102 that open outwards (and in some designs may be removable) to
allow access to the inside of the container 100. It should be
appreciated that the principles described herein could be applied
to containers of other shapes and containers that have a single
door or more than two doors 101 and 102. The container 100 includes
a hollow body 110 surrounding the interior 111 of the container
100. Preferably the door 101 and 102 and pivotally attached to the
side walls 112 and 113 of the body 110.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the container 100
in end cross sectional view, with the sectioning plane being a
vertical plane defined by the line A-A of FIG. 1. In the
illustration of FIG. 2 the container is shown with the doors 101
and 102 partly open. The container doors 101 and 102 pivot around
hinges 201 and 202 and close as indicated by the arrows 203 and
204. The doors 101 and 102 may in some embodiments be designed to
interlock as they close. The designs of the doors 101 and 102 and
the hinges 201 and 202 may allow the doors 101 and 102 to be
removed from the container 100 when they are open. In the present
embodiment the door 102 has a flange 205 that is part of the door
102 and extends under the door 101 when the two doors 101 and 102
are closed. Consequently in the embodiment of FIG. 2 the door 102
must be closed before the door 101, and the door 101 must be opened
before the door 102. If an attempt is made to open the door 102
first, the flange 205 of the door 102 will force the door 101 to
open further than the door 102 while they are in contact.
[0043] In the present preferred embodiment an insert 206 is
inserted into a recess (or pocket) in the door 101 as indicated by
the arrow 207, and similarly an insert 208 is inserted into a
recess (or pocket) in the door 102 as indicated by the arrow
209.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration corresponding to the
illustration of FIG. 2 but with the doors 101 and 102 closed. After
the doors 101 and 102 are closed the inserts 206 and 208 cannot be
removed without opening at least one of the doors 101 and 102.
After the doors 101 and 102 are closed at least part of each insert
206 and 208 is exposed on the outside of the container 100, as
described below.
[0045] Preferably, but not necessarily, the flange 205 may extend
most or all of the way under the door 101 to the hinge 201, thereby
making it as difficult as possible to open the doors 101 and 102
without moving the inserts 206 and 208 apart from each other. In
some embodiments the flange 205 may engage with the hinge 201 in
such a manner as to prevent the door 102 from being opened at all
until the door 101 has been substantially or fully opened. In some
embodiments the design of the door 102 may be such that the flange
205 can be retracted into the door 102 so as to minimize the size
of the door 102 when the door 102 is open. In some embodiments the
flange 205 may not be continuous along the length of the door 102
but instead may comprise one or more discrete extensions to the
door 102.
[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the door 101 before
the insert 206 is inserted into the recess 401 in the door 101. The
recess 401 of FIG. 4 is in the form of a rectangular slot, the
inner perimeter of which is indicated in FIG. 4 by the dotted line
402, and the insert 206 is inserted into the recess 401 by sliding
it into the slot as indicated by the arrow 403. In the embodiment
of FIG. 4 part of the insert 206 is exposed after the insert 206
has been inserted into the recess 401. The insert 206 can only be
removed from the recess 401 by sliding it out of the recess 401,
which is not possible when both of the doors 101 and 102 are closed
(see the illustration of FIG. 3). FIG. 4A is a sectional end view,
through the section B-B, of the door 101 and insert 206. The insert
208 fits into a recess in the door 102 in a similar manner.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the container 100 with the doors
101 and 102 closed, showing the inserts 206 and 208 in place in the
doors 101 and 102. As in the illustration of FIG. 4, the dashed
line 501 shows the outline of the insert 206 within the recess in
the door 101, while the dashed line 502 shows the outline of the
insert 208 within the recess in the door 102. As illustrated in
FIG. 5, a portion of each of the inserts 206 and 208 is exposed on
the outside of the container 100 after the container is closed.
Furthermore, the inserts 206 and 208 are adjacent to each other
after the doors 101 and 102 are closed, and neither insert can be
removed from the container without opening either or both of the
doors 101 and 102 and thereby moving one of the inserts 206 and 208
relative to the other.
[0048] A pressure sensitive (i.e. self-adhesive) tamper indicating
RFID label 503 is applied to the exposed portions of the inserts
206 and 208 such that part of the label 503 is applied to each
insert. In this embodiment no portion the label 503 is applied to
the container 100 or to either of the doors 101 and 102.
[0049] Optionally, but not necessarily, additional latching or
locking mechanisms 504 may be used to secure the doors 101 and 102
closed.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional
view, taken through the section C-C shown in FIG. 5, of a portion
of the doors 101 and 102 in the region of the inserts 206 and 208.
In FIG. 6 it can be seen that the insert 206 slides into a recessed
groove in the door 101 and the insert 208 slides into a recessed
groove in the door 102. The recessed grooves in the doors 101 and
102 extend around three sides of each of the inserts 206 and 208,
as illustrated by the dashed lines 501 and 502 in FIG. 5, so that
the inserts 206 and 208 cannot be removed from the doors 101 and
102 when the doors 101 and 102 are closed. The pressure sensitive
tamper indicating RFID label 503 is applied across both inserts 206
and 208, but preferably does not contact the container 100 or
either door 101 or 102.
[0051] Preferably the inserts 206 and 208 will be made from a
material (such as a plastic) that does not interfere with the RF
performance of the RFID label 503.
[0052] Preferably the pressure sensitive RFID label 503 will be
configured to indicate tampering, such that its RFID function will
be modified if it is partially or completely removed from either
the insert 206 or the insert 208.
[0053] In one preferred embodiment the RFID label 503 may include a
disable-on-removal feature, such that its RFID function is disabled
if it is tampered by being partially or completely removed from
either the insert 206 or the insert 208. This disable-on-removal
feature may result from (i) using a strong adhesive to attach the
RFID label 503 to the inserts 206 and 208, so that the RFID label
503 is damaged when removed; or (ii) including in the design of the
RFID label 503 certain weak points that are intended to break or
separate or fail in some way if the RFID label 503 is removed from
the insert 206 or the insert 208; or (iii) other deliberately
introduced design element(s) that result in modification to the
RFID performance of the RFID label 503 if it is partially or
completely removed from the insert 206 or the insert 208.
[0054] One technique for providing a disable-on-removal feature in
the RFID label 503 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,888,509. In that
application, a tamper indicating label is described. The label may
include RFID components and an electrically conductive tamper
portion coupled to the RFID components. In some embodiments the
tamper portion may constitute all or part of the RF antenna of the
RFID label. The tamper portion should be constructed from a
destructible electrically conducting material such as electrically
conductive ink. The tamper portion can be formed such that it is
damaged when the label is tampered by being removed from a surface
to which it has been applied, thereby modifying or disabling the
RFID function of the RFID label. In one embodiment, adhesion
characteristics of the tamper portion are adapted to break apart or
otherwise damage the tamper portion when the RFID label is
tampered, for example, by partial or complete removal from a
surface to which it has been applied. In this way the RFID
capability of the RFID label may be disabled when the tamper
portion is damaged, indicating tampering. In one embodiment the
RFID label may be attached to a surface by means of an adhesive
layer, with the tamper portion positioned between the RFID label
substrate (that includes the RFID components) and the adhesive
layer. One or more layers of adhesion modifying formulation may be
applied in a specified pattern between the RFID label substrate and
the layer of adhesive, with the layers of adhesion modifying
material modifying (by selectively increasing or decreasing) the
adhesion of the layers that they separate, and thereby promoting
damage to the tamper portion if the RFID label is tampered or
removed from a surface to which it has been applied. Since the
tamper portion is electrically connected to the other RFID
components in the RFID label, and may form part of the RFID
components of the label, the RFID function of the label may be
modified or disabled completely if the RFID label is applied to a
surface and subsequently tampered by being partially or completely
removed from the surface.
[0055] The container 100 may be used to store or transport goods
that interfere with the RF performance of the RFID tag 503. To
ensure consistent performance of the RFID tag 503 an RF ground
plane--typically an electrically conductive layer such as a layer
of metal--may be included directly underneath the location of the
RFID label 503. In FIG. 6 a ground plane 601 is illustrated on the
inside of the flange 205 directly underneath the RFID label 503. In
those embodiments where one or more ground planes are included, the
design of the RFID label 503 may be adjusted to provide optimum
RFID performance of the label 503 talking into account the
proximity of the ground plane(s). It should be appreciated that the
inclusion of a ground plane, such as the ground plane 601, is not a
requirement and in some embodiments a ground plane will not be
provided.
[0056] From the descriptions of FIGS. 1 to 6 it can be seen that
once the container 100 is closed and the tamper indicating RFID
label 503 is applied to the inserts 206 and 208, it will be
impossible to open the container doors 101 or 102 without tampering
the RFID label 503 and thereby modifying its RFID performance
characteristics, which modification can be detected by an RFID
reading device. Conversely, if the RFID label 503 reads normally
this can be regarded as an indication that the container doors 101
and 102 have not been opened since the RFID label 503 was
applied.
[0057] The tamper indicating RFID label 503 may include a read-only
or a read-write data storage memory. Typically the RFID label 503
will store a unique identification code, which may be permanently
encoded in the label 503, and may also be recorded with information
relating to the contents of the container 100.
[0058] In some embodiments the container 100 may include a
permanently affixed RFID tag (the container tag) containing a code
(the container ID) that identifies the container 100. FIG. 7 is a
schematic illustration of the container 100 with a container tag
701 applied to the inside of the container wall. In some
embodiments the container tag 701 may be embedded within the
material of the container 100. In some embodiments the container ID
may be recorded into the memory of the RFID label 503 in order to
match the RFID label 503 to the container 100. In some embodiments
the unique ID code of the RFID label 503 (stored in the memory of
the RFID label 503) may be recorded into the memory of the
container tag 701 in order to match the RFID label 503 to the
container 100.
[0059] A typical scenario for use of the container 100 could be as
follows. The container 100 may be used to securely transport
items--for example, pharmaceutical goods or classified
documents--from one location to the other. At the point of origin
the container 100 may be packed with items. The inserts 206 and 208
may be placed in the container doors 101 and 102, the container
doors 101 and 102 closed, and the tamper indicating RFID label 503
applied to the inserts 206 and 208. In some embodiments the ID code
stored in the RFID label 503 may be recorded in the container tag
701 (if present) or the container ID (stored in the container tag
701, if present) may be recorded in the RFID label 503, or both.
Information regarding the container contents may be recorded in the
RFID label 503 or in the container tag 701. The container 100 may
then be transported to a destination location. At the destination
the RFID label 503 may be read (using an RFID reader) to determine
whether or not it has been tampered. If the result of reading the
RFID label indicates that the label 503 has been tampered, the
intended recipient of the container 100 may take appropriate action
or refuse delivery of the container. If the result of reading the
RFID label 503 indicates that the label 503 is untampered, the
information stored in its memory may be read and processed. If a
container tag 701 is used, information in the container tag 701 may
be read and processed, which may include cross-referencing this
information with information stored in the RFID label 503, as
described above. When the container 100 is to be opened the RFID
label 503 will be removed and discarded, the doors 101 and 102 will
be opened, and the inserts 206 and 208 will be removed and
discarded. Since the adhesive RFID label 503 was only applied to
the inserts 206 and 208, there is no adhesive residue to clean off
the container 100 or the doors 101 and 102. Another shipping
operation can then be undertaken with new inserts 206 and 208, and
a new tamper indicating RFID label 503.
[0060] In addition to the advantage of there being no adhesive
clean-up after removal of the RFID label 503, a further advantage
of the present invention is that the material used to make the
inserts 206 and 208 can be matched to the adhesive of the RFID
label 503 to provide optimum tamper indicating performance of the
RFID label 503 over the required environmental operating
conditions. This can be done without having to compromise the
properties of the material used to make the container 100.
Variations on the Preferred Embodiments
[0061] It should be appreciated that many variations are possible
on the above described preferred embodiments, while still falling
within the general scope of the present invention. Several
non-limiting examples of such variations will now be described.
[0062] In one variation on the above described embodiments more
than one pair of inserts 206 and 208 may be used when closing a
container--for example, it there are two or more openings to the
container.
[0063] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
inserts 206 and 208 may be held in the doors 101 and 102 by means
of a "click-in" or "snap-in" mechanism that does not prevent the
inserts being removed but does prevent them falling out.
[0064] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
container 100 may have a single door opening (rather than a pair of
doors), and one of the inserts 206 or 208 may be inserted into a
recess in the single door, with the other insert being inserted
into an adjacent recess in the body of the container 100.
[0065] In another variation on the above described embodiments one
of the inserts 206 or 208 may have the RFID label 503 pre-applied
to it or integrated into it, so that after closing of the doors 101
and 102 the unapplied portion of the RFID label 503 is then applied
to the other insert.
[0066] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
tamper indicating RFID label 503 may be a passive RFID label that
does not carry an on-board power source and so will respond to a
query from an RFID reader, but will not actively and independently
generate an RF signal.
[0067] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
tamper indicating RFID label 503 may be an active label that
includes an internal power source (such as a battery) and is
thereby capable of initiating an RF signal to be read by an
external RFID reader. In some embodiments an active tamper
indicating RFID label 503 may be configured to generate an RF
signal or internally store indicative data when a tampering even
occurs to the label 503. A disadvantage of this variation is that
active RFID labels are usually significantly more expensive than
passive RFID labels, and the RFID label 503 is a consumable item
that must be replaced each time the container 100 is sealed. Hence
it is generally advantageous to use a lower-cost passive RFID label
for the tamper indicating RFID label 503.
[0068] In another variation on the above described embodiments an
RFID reader 702 (see the illustration of FIG. 7) may be housed
within or on the container 100 in such a manner that the reader 702
is able to read the tamper indicating RFID label 503. The RFID
reader 702 may in turn be connected to a device 703 within or on
the container 100 that includes a communications capability, such
as a wireless communications capability, and provides the ability
to: [0069] accept data from the RFID reader 702 and communicate the
reader data to a remote external device; or [0070] receive data
from a remote external device and query the RFID reader 702
according to the data so received.
[0071] In this way it will be possible to determine remotely
whether the tamper indicating RFID label 503 has been tampered and
therefore whether the container 100 has been opened. The device 703
may preferably be powered by an internal power source (such as a
battery). In one embodiment the device 703 may store the container
ID instead of the container ID being stored in a separate RFID tag
701 attached to or embedded in the container. The device 703 may
include additional capabilities, including but not limited to:
[0072] a clock; or [0073] a means to determine position, such as a
global positioning system means; or [0074] sensors to detect
specified chemicals; or [0075] sensors to detect light or other
radiation; or [0076] sensors to detect sound; or [0077] sensors to
detect motion or orientation; or [0078] other sensors.
[0079] Data derived from such additional capabilities may be
communicated via the communications capability of the device 703 to
a remote external device, along with data derived from the RFID
reader 702. The RFID reader 702 and device 703 may be contained
within a single housing. The RFID reader 702, or the antenna of the
RFID reader 702, may be mounted on the inside of the door 101 or
the door 102 in order to be in close proximity to the tamper
indicating RFID label 503.
[0080] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
container may be equipped with a means to detect penetration of any
of the container walls or of either of the doors 101 or 102. This
may be important in order to detect when surreptitious access has
been gained to the container interior by making a hole in a
container wall or door, or by separating the container walls along
an edge. In one embodiment of the present variation the walls of
the container 100 and each of the container doors 101 and 102 may
incorporate an electrical penetration-detection grid, the
electrical properties of which may be modified if a hole of greater
than specified dimensions is made in the grid. The device 703 may
include a means to monitor, either using wired or wireless methods,
the electrical properties of each of the penetration-detection
grids in the container 100 and container doors 101 and 102, thereby
providing a means to determine whether the container 100 or
container doors 101 and 102 have been penetrated. The device 703
may further provide a means to store or communicate to a remote
external device information indicating whether or not the container
100 or container doors 101 and 102 have been penetrated.
[0081] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
container 100 may be a collapsible container.
[0082] In another variation on the above described embodiments
ridges or other raised areas may be provided on the outside of the
container doors 101 and 102 in the vicinity of the tamper
indicating RFID label 503 in order to provide protection against
the label 503 being damaged due to impact.
[0083] In another variation on the above described embodiments the
inserts 206 and 208 may be made somewhat smaller than the recesses
that house the inserts, in order to allow the inserts to move a
small amount within the recesses, thereby minimizing the
possibility that any physical distortion of the container 100 or
container doors 101 and 102 (that may occur, for example, in
transit) will be transferred to the inserts 206 and 208, and to the
RFID label 503, and thereby lead to a "false tamper" of the RFID
label 503 (i.e. a tamper of the RFID label 503 that is not the
result of someone trying to open the container 100).
[0084] It should be appreciated that the devices and methods
described herein may be used to seal any type of container,
including a housing or casing for an item of electrical or
electronic equipment. In this case it may be important for warranty
or maintenance purposes to know whether the item of equipment has
been accessed in an unauthorized manner.
[0085] In respect of the abovementioned inserts 206 and 208, it
should be appreciated the inserts 206 and 208 are sufficiently
rigid to inhibit their removal without damaging the RFID label 503.
For example the inserts 206 and 208 may be made of generally rigid
plastics material. The inserts 206 and 208 are slidably located in
their respective recesses 401.
[0086] Each of the inserts 206 and 208 projects inwardly of the
respective recess 401 so that each insert 206 and 208 has an
enclosed portion 114 located in the associated recess 401, and an
exposed portion 115 located outside the associated recess 401, with
the exposed portions 115 being located adjacent each other when the
doors 101 and 102 are in the closed position, thus permitting the
application of the RFID label 503 thereto.
* * * * *