U.S. patent application number 13/068943 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-22 for pallet with wireless transceiver for communicating pallet manifest, condition and location information.
Invention is credited to Scott A.W. Muirhead.
Application Number | 20110227725 13/068943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39463089 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110227725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muirhead; Scott A.W. |
September 22, 2011 |
Pallet with wireless transceiver for communicating pallet manifest,
condition and location information
Abstract
The inventions involve material handling apparatus including
pallets developed to operate in radio frequency rich environments.
Apparatus are provided having at least one large compartment
capable of enclosing at least one electronic device or a package
populated with a plurality of devices. Articles with attached RFID
item tags are loaded onto the apparatus. The apparatus includes an
RFID reader/writer interrogator for communicating with the RFID
item tags to maintain a pallet manifest. The apparatus includes
RFID pallet tags that communicate with the device, the RFID item
tags and RFID beacon tags positioned within distributed RFID
networks. The RFID pallet tags include sensors to monitor pallet
conditions to which a pallet management system is responsive. The
apparatus includes wireless transceivers for communicating
indicative information through LAN, WLAN and Cellular
communications networks. The apparatus includes a power resource in
order to facilitate long term autonomous operation.
Inventors: |
Muirhead; Scott A.W.;
(Surrey, CA) |
Family ID: |
39463089 |
Appl. No.: |
13/068943 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11704612 |
Feb 8, 2007 |
7948371 |
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13068943 |
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11152628 |
Jun 14, 2005 |
7342496 |
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11704612 |
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09770097 |
Jan 24, 2001 |
6943678 |
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11152628 |
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60177382 |
Jan 24, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/539.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 88/06 20130101;
G06Q 50/28 20130101; B65D 19/38 20130101; B65D 2519/00139 20130101;
B65D 2519/00437 20130101; B65D 2519/00273 20130101; H01Q 21/24
20130101; H04W 4/02 20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101; G06K
19/07758 20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115; G06K 19/07792 20130101;
H01Q 1/2225 20130101; B65D 2519/00358 20130101; Y02W 30/80
20150501; G08B 13/2474 20130101; B65D 2519/00293 20130101; B65D
2519/00069 20130101; B65D 2519/00303 20130101; B65D 19/0016
20130101; B65D 2203/10 20130101; H01Q 21/28 20130101; B65D
2519/00323 20130101; B65D 2519/00567 20130101; B65D 2519/00562
20130101; B65D 2519/00442 20130101; G06Q 10/0631 20130101; B65D
2519/00333 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/539.13 |
International
Class: |
G08B 1/08 20060101
G08B001/08 |
Claims
1. A pallet tracking system comprising: a cellular network; a
network host having means for communicating with said cellular
network; a pallet tracking device having a circuit board with a
communications module for communicating with said network host
through said cellular network, a reader/writer for communicating
with an RF tag, and a power supply providing power to said
communication module and said reader/writer, and; said network host
communicating with said pallet tracking device to read an RF tag
using said reader/writer and to transmit information associated
with the RF tag from said communications module to said network
host.
2. The pallet tracking system according to claim 1, further
comprising: said pallet tracking device comprises at least one of a
RFID pallet tag and a LAN communications module for acquiring the
information concerning a situation where it is placed, in which the
information acquired and the RF tag information are transmitted to
said network host by the cellular network.
3. The pallet tracking system according to claim 2, further
comprising: a charging section for charging a pallet user for
access to said pallet tracking device.
4. A pallet used for transporting an article, said pallet
comprising: a base adapted to load an article thereon;
reader/writer means for conducting non-contact communications with
an RFID tag put on the article; and portable power supply means for
supplying electric power to the reader/writer means, wherein a
transmission direction of said reader/writer means is directed
inward above the base, so that a communication area of said
reader/writer means is set to allow reliable communication only
with the RFID tag of an article loaded on said base.
5. The pallet as in claim 4 wherein the communication distance of
said reader/writer means is limited to such an extent that said
reader/writer means would be able to communicate with an RFID tag
within the loading range in which articles can be loaded above the
base.
6. The pallet as in claim 4 comprising a fork insertion section for
allowing a fork of a forklift to insert from a side, wherein said
reader/writer means are disposed circumventing the fork insertion
section.
7. The pallet as in claim 4 comprising an electromagnetic shield
for blocking a radio frequency signal so as not to communicate with
an RFID tag outside the area above the base.
8. The pallet as in claim 4 comprising wireless communications
means for communicating with an external pallet management entity
through a wireless network beyond the range of the reader/writer
means and a control means for controlling execution of
communications with the RFID tag in accordance with an execution
command signal received from the pallet management entity and
transmission of acquired information to said entity.
9. The pallet as in claim 8 wherein the wireless communications
means is disposed inside the pallet.
10. The pallet as in claim 4 wherein the whole shape of the pallet
is composed of plastic and the plastic forms a top surface for
supporting a load thereon.
11. The pallet as in claim 4 wherein the whole shape of the pallet
is formed to accommodate four side walls like a box container.
12. The pallet of claim 4 further comprising at least one of a RFID
pallet tag, a reader/writer means further adapted to establish
contact with RFID tags outside said loading range, and said
wireless communications means for acquiring information concerning
where the pallet is placed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/704,612, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,948,371, which
is a Division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/152,628, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,342,496, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/770,097 filed on Jan. 24, 2001,
which claims the benefit, of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/177,382, filed Jan. 24, 2000. This application further claims
the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/798,932 filed
Mar. 11, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/803,681 filed on Mar. 12, 2001, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/196,127 filed on Apr.
11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,888. The disclosures of the above
applications are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to plastic pallets and in particular
to plastic pallets developed to operate within radio frequency rich
environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Pallets are used to move products through supply chains and
to store products between movements. Wood has been the preferred
material of pallet construction. A number of standard pallet sizes,
such as the Grocery Manufacturers Association ("GMA") style
48.times.40 inch pallet, have been used to facilitate the wide
spread use of wooden pallets across differing distribution networks
with some success. Such pallets are utilized in great numbers in
what is known in industry as "pallet exchange". It is estimated
that there are 2.2 billion wood pallets in North America.
[0004] Wooden pallets have problems. In particular, wooden pallets
deteriorate with use and cause problems that add user costs.
Fortune 500 companies that utilize large numbers of wooden pallets
seek to overcome problems associated with deteriorating pallets by
hiring wooden pallets from pallet rental companies. Pallet rental
companies maintain large pools of wooden pallets and repair damaged
wooden pallets before they are re-used. Large users of wooden
pallets have therefore been able to manage their costs by
transferring the burdens associated with wooden pallet
deterioration and pallet exchange to other supply chain service
companies.
[0005] Although the business model used by pallet rental companies
has enjoyed some success, there have been problems. For example, it
is difficult to keep track of wooden pallets after they are let for
hire. Chep International, the largest pallet pooling company,
reportedly lost 14 million wooden pallets, and booked a $238
million adjustment in its financial reporting. These pallet
tracking and other inherent wooden pallet problems have increased
the need to modify business models relating to the use of pallets
for rental purposes.
[0006] For example, there are several business conditions and
economic factors combined with a convergence of technologies that
have led to the creation of track and trace technologies
exemplified by the term RFID (radio frequency identification). RFID
holds the promise of providing real time supply chain visibility so
that in the first instance pallet rental companies would be able to
track their rental assets and in the second instance so that pallet
users could trace their product through the supply chain.
[0007] Implementation of RFID, in one respect, involves the
attachment of a tag, which contains a unique identification code,
onto a pallet and a distributed network of tag readers. The tag
readers associate a tag with a known location to determine the
status or progress of the pallet within the supply chain. In this
manner, the pallet can be tracked and traced with some accuracy,
and the status of the pallet can be queried and displayed according
to well understood principles by industry.
[0008] Implementation of any RFID system is problematic with regard
to wooden pallets. For instance, in U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/701,745, which is assigned to Chep International, it is
suggested that a tag can be positioned exteriorly upon a nine block
GMA style 48.times.40 inch wooden pallet. Thus, as each tag is read
its location would be known. There are however several problems
with such an arrangement. In the first instance, it is known that
wood absorbs liquid and liquids interfere with radio frequency
signals. Therefore, the reliability of communication between the
reader and the tag could be compromised by the wooden materials
utilized in the construction of the pallet. In a second instance, a
tag that is exteriorly positioned upon a surface of a wooden pallet
would be subject to a high level of the wear and tear. The impact
of a fork tine against an exteriorly positioned tag could result in
the destruction of the tag and the loss of the data stored in the
memory of the tag. In the final analysis, wood is not a suitable
material for constructing pallets that must work within radio
frequency rich environments.
[0009] As a result of some of the aforementioned circumstances and
problems industry has attempted to utilize plastic materials in the
construction of pallets. The replacement of wood with plastic has
had some success but there have been problems associated with the
use of plastic pallets that are to be used in association with
track and trace technologies including RFID.
[0010] An early example of a plastic pallet that employees a data
collection device (i.e. a tag) to provide a track and trace
capability is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,592 to Kralj et al.
In this cited reference the data collection devices are contained
in cavities located on each side of the four corners of the pallet.
The apparent need for a tag in each corner is due to the short
interrogation range of the readers of the day. In this arrangement
a plurality of tags are required which would be more costly than an
arrangement in which only one tag is required.
[0011] Similarly, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,488 to Favaron et al., a
plastic pallet with two RFID cards (i.e. tags) is shown and
described. The cards are positioned at angles and in the opposite
corners so that at least one card is in communication range with a
detector (i.e. a reader) from a side position (i.e. from a portal
column or fork lift mounted reader). Although the Favaron et al.
arrangement utilizes fewer tags than the Kralj et al. arrangement,
Favaron et al. nevertheless utilizes more than one tag which is
less economical than the use of one tag. A similar arrangement,
requiring two or more tags, is disclosed in more thorough detail in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,089, which was filed Nov. 12, 2001, and is
assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company.
[0012] Presumably, the arrangements suggested by Kralj et al. would
be more reliable than the arrangement of application '745 because
the devices of Kralj et al. are enclosed within the structures
forming the pallet and therefore are less susceptible than
exteriorly mounted tags to damage from fork impacts, wear and tear
and the like. Furthermore, Kralj et al. would be more reliable than
Favaron et al. because although Favaron et al. contemplates the
containment of the tag within the body of the pallet, the Favaron
et al. arrangement could allow liquids and other debris to
penetrate into and accumulate within a socket wherein the tag of
Favaron et al. is located. Liquids and debris within the socket
could damage the tag or result in unreliable communication between
the tag and the reader.
[0013] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,483,434, which is assigned to IFCO
Systems, another pallet rental company, it is suggested that the
delicate components of a transponder (i.e. a tag) can be
protectively housed inside a plastic casing. The casing containing
the delicate transponder could be subsequently positioned inside an
injection mold and incorporated safely into an injection molded
component forming part of a plastic pallet. This arrangement would
protect the tags and overcome the problem associated with Favaron
et al, wherein the tags are indirectly exposed to wear and
tear.
[0014] Although the arrangements encasing the RFID tags within the
plastic pallet embodiments cited above offer levels of protection
superior to the method of application '745, such arrangements
nevertheless have additional problems. In particular, in order to
remove, replace or repair the tags of the prior art references, the
plastic pallets themselves would have to be deconstructed or
destroyed to provide access to the tags. Accordingly, the prior art
does not contemplate an efficient means to either replace defective
or damaged tags or to upgrade long lasting plastic pallets with new
tags incorporating enhanced capabilities as these become available.
It should be noted that a plastic pallet can have a life span of
+/-ten years, which length of time may easily exceed the lifecycle
of a deployed RFID technology.
[0015] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,287 to Chang et al. a pallet
apparatus equipped with a radio frequency recognition module is
described. In a first wooden pallet embodiment the module comprises
a molded cup forming a compartment that receives a tag. The cup is
covered by a cap to enclose the tag inside the compartment. The
module is inserted into a cavity formed in a block or stringer of
the wooden pallet. In a second plastic pallet embodiment, the
module comprises a removable clip for holding a tag and the clip
attaches to the exterior of the plastic pallet. Both embodiments
provide an efficient means for accessing a tag without
deconstructing or destructing the pallet itself. However, in both
cases the module could become detached from the associated pallet
resulting in the loss of data and possibly the pallet.
[0016] In the above cited references two or more tags are suggested
so that information can be obtained from at least one tag. However,
in order to write information into the two or more tags, the tags
would have to be synchronized with one another. This adds
complexity to the implementation of RFID methods and systems. When
only a single tag is attached to one side of a pallet, the pallet
itself could become an obstacle. In this case the pallet would need
to be rotated so that the pallet side with the tag faces the
reader. Rotating the pallet is time consuming.
[0017] Accordingly, it has been suggested that a tag can be
positioned substantially in the center region of the pallet. For
example, publication document Netherlands 9401836 proposes locating
a tag in the center of a pallet and mounting readers on the tines
of a fork lift to enable the reader to communicate with the tag.
This arrangement is not amenable to reading the tag from the side
through a portal mounted reader. For example, the metal tines could
block signals intended for the tag. In U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/962,574, a preferred embodiment involves forming a through
hole penetrating from one to the other side of the pallet, and
positioning a tag inside the through hole in the vicinity of the
middle of the pallet. The through hole is characterized as a
transmission pathway for radio frequencies traveling between the
tag and the reader. One problem with application Ser. No.
10/962,574 is that the through hole could collect debris that could
impair the operability of the tag.
[0018] As discussed above, the life cycle of a plastic pallet may
exceed the useful life cycle of a tag technology. Therefore, it
would be advantageous in the adaptation of the plastic pallet to
anticipate replacement of earlier tags with technologically
up-dated tags. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,857, assigned to Linpac
Moulding, it has been suggested that a recess, provided with a
cover, could be developed to enable the removal and exchange of a
circuit (i.e. tag IC) to program the circuit with current data or
to exchange the circuit in the case of damage or malfunction or to
update tag technology. Although the arrangement does not
contemplate the destruction of the plastic pallet to access the tag
IC, the recess of U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,857 is not developed to
accommodate more than one tag IC at a time. This is a problem
because there is a need to provide pallets with a plurality of tags
so that the pallet can function across non-interoperable RFID
systems existing within the supply chain.
[0019] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,076, assigned to Allibert Equipment,
the advantage of providing a plastic pallet with a tag holder (i.e.
a recess) is offered. The tag holder is an open design and provides
an easy way to change a tag. The carrier (i.e. pallet) disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,816,076 also contemplates the use of first and
second tags involving a relay relationship, in which the antenna of
the second tag is operable to increase the read range of the first
tag. Such an arrangement is impractical because the first tag
incorporated into the plastic pallet that contains the unique
pallet ID becomes redundant once the unique ID of the first tag is
associated with the unique ID of the second tag.
[0020] What is needed is a plastic pallet that is adapted to
operate in a radio frequency rich environment. In particular, the
pallet must be able to protect RF devices from wear and tear. Where
practical, only one tag indicative of a first characteristic should
be required, not two tags as is known in the art. The pallet must
also provide access to the devices for any number of purposes as
would be anticipated in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0021] In accordance with the present invention a pallet is
provided that is amenable to operating in an RF-rich environment.
Towards this end the materials utilized to construct the pallet
comprise materials that are substantially transparent to RF signals
so that RF signals may pass through the materials utilized to
construct the pallet.
[0022] It is another object to provide a pallet product with
multiple unique identification codes so that a plurality of
components each with individual IDs can be combined to form a
single product having its own unique product ID. This aspect allows
a variety of parties to enjoy multiple levels of product
identification.
[0023] It is another object to provide the pallet with at least one
compartment to accommodate identification devices therein.
According to this aspect, in one embodiment, the compartment is
created as part of the pallet structure and is located in a
position that enables the compartment to occupy a large space to
accommodate at least one large identification device.
[0024] It is another object to provide an identification device
that takes advantage of the large size of the compartment of the
pallet. Toward this end the identification device is formed to
reside in three planes within the compartment to communicate with
external RF apparatus positioned adjacent said pallet. In another
aspect the multi-planar device is also multi-modal such that the
device operates electromagnetically and electrostatically. In
another aspect the multi-planar device is multi-band such that the
device operates at different frequency bands used within the supply
chain.
[0025] It is another object to provide a pallet that accommodates
identification apparatus that omits a distributed network of reader
devices to facilitate communication between a pallet ID device and
a remote host. Toward this end a pallet includes an apparatus
populated with at least one of a cellular communications module, a
GPS communications module, a Bluetooth communications module, a LAN
communications module, a PCS communications module, an
interrogation module or any other wireless communications means
module as may be anticipated looking forward into the future
wherein apparatus is provided to enable close range (up to 10
yards), intermediate range (up to 300 yards) and long range (to
several miles) air interface communications without relying upon
cable or wire connections. In still further connection with this
aspect, a pallet is provided that couples said wireless
communication devices, including RFID tags and the like, with
sensors to monitor conditions indicative of at least one particular
external environmental factor.
[0026] It is another object to provide a pallet that includes an
RFID reader/writer interrogator for reading and writing to external
RFID beacon tags, internal RFID pallet tags and RFID item tags
carried by the pallet. The RFID reader/writer interrogator is
integrated with one or more communications modules for
communicating out of RFID range with pallet management entities.
The RFID reader/writer interrogator includes an antenna arrangement
having a signal pattern directed to a transporting and storage area
for containing the articles with attached RFID item tags to
maintain a real-time manifest of pallet inventory. The pallet's
RFID reader/writer interrogator is configured to be responsive to
the addition and removal of articles with attached RFID item tags
upon the load-bearing surface of the pallet. The RFID reader/writer
interrogator is additionally communicatively coupled to RFID pallet
tags for the purpose of obtaining RFID pallet tag data to which the
system is responsive. The RFID reader/writer interrogator includes
further antenna arrays for communicative coupling with RFID beacon
tags positioned along the distribution path of the pallet. RFID
beacon tag data obtained by the pallet's RFID reader/writer
interrogator is aggregated with the data obtained from the RFID
item tags and RFID pallet tags and packaged for communication via
the one or more communications modules to the pallet management
entities.
[0027] It is another object to provide the pallet with a power
resource for autonomous operation. Towards this end a power supply
is used to provide power to the components of the pallet apparatus.
The power supply can include a battery, a rechargeable battery, and
a renewable power supply that optionally rectifies voltage
generated by antenna coils into stored energy or an
electro-mechanical device that develops storable energy when the
pallet is agitated by movement. The power supply is a power
resource for active RFID pallet tags, the RFID reader/writer
interrogator and the communications modules of the pallet
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0028] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a GMA style 48.times.40 inch
pallet including a compartment in the deck structure;
[0030] FIGS. 2 3 and 4 represent an exploded sectional view of deck
structure of the pallet indicated at the position 20 of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the deck structure of the
pallet showing the three sheets of a preferred embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the underside of the deck
structure and a side elevation view showing the deck structure from
the 48-inch side of a pallet;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a side elevation section of the deck taken from
the center region of the pallet;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a side elevation section of the base of the pallet
of FIG. 1 taken from the center region of the pallet;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a plan view of one embodiment of an RFID tag
comprising three sections and showing within each section a
plurality of antenna structures;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the prior art of a basic
RFID system;
[0037] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the complexity of
overlapping non-interoperable basic RFID systems;
[0038] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the invention wherein a
cellular network is used to provide a communication link between a
pallet ID device and a supply chain host;
[0039] FIG. 13 is a side elevation section showing the combination
of the deck and the base of FIGS. 7 and 8 respectively wherein the
ID devices and communications modules of the invention are
protectively housed within the compartments of the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 14 is a side view of a section of a fuel tank for
moving vehicles showing an electronic device with a RFID device, a
wireless communications module, a sensor module, a sensor assembly,
an actuator and a power supply.
[0041] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic
equipment inside the upper compartment of the pallet shown in FIG.
13.
[0042] FIG. 16 is a schematic showing the RFID pallet tag, RFID
reader/writer interrogator and communications modules receiving
power from the battery and power resource.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] The present embodiments of pallet structures are merely
representative of the principles of the invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the invention or application and
uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be
bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding
technical filed, background, or brief summary of the following
detailed description. For example, the pallet structures can be
made of any plastic, wood, metal, cellulose material or combination
thereof. The pallet structures may be injection molded, blow
molded, compression molded, differential pressure formed, stamped,
die-cut, fabricated and assembled, welded, and bonded together. The
pallets can take the form of GMA style 48.times.40 inch pallets,
nine-legged nestable pallets, shipping trays, returnable dunnage
and the like. Other products falling within the scope of the
invention include IBCs, RPCs, ULDs, fuel tanks and the like.
[0044] One preferred embodiment involves exemplary pallet structure
2 comprising a combination of plastic forming techniques as will be
described below. Further, the present exemplary pallet structure is
in the form of a GMA style 48.times.40 inch pallet. By way of
description the GMA style pallet has the specifications listed
below: [0045] 1. Exact 48-inch.times.40-inch dimensions. Square in
each direction. [0046] 2. True four-way entry. Capable of
accommodating existing pallet jacks from all four sides (as opposed
to current style with cutouts and stringers). [0047] 3.
Minimum-width pallet jack openings of 12 inches and minimum height
of 33/4 inch clearance when under load. Width of each center
support must be less than six inches to accommodate pallet jacks.
[0048] 4. Smooth, non-skid, top-bearing surface should have at
least 85% coverage. However, 100% is preferred. Non-skid surface
should be flat, or have no indentations or protrusions that could
cause product damage. [0049] 5. Bottom-bearing surface of no less
than 60% coverage with properly placed cut-outs (12-inches square)
for pallet jack wheels from four sides. Surface should be flat or
have no indentations or protrusions that could cause product
damage. [0050] 6. All bottom entry edges should be chamfered to
1/4-inch for easy entry and exit. [0051] 7. Overall height of
platform should not exceed six inches. [0052] 8. Rackable from both
the 48-inch and 40-inch dimensions. Allowable deflection in
drive-in and drive through racks no more than 1/2 inch. [0053] 9.
Compatible with pallet conveyors, pallet dispensers, skate-wheel
pallet-flow racks, and automatic storage and retrieval systems.
[0054] 10. No protruding fasteners. [0055] 11. Must be made of
material that does not contaminate the product it carries. [0056]
12. Must meet or exceed current pallet resistance to fire. [0057]
13. Must be recyclable. Preferably made of recycled material.
[0058] 14. Desired weight under 50 pounds. [0059] 15. Load
capacities of 2,800 pounds. Capable of bearing 2,800-pound loads
safely in stacks five loads high. [0060] 16. Repairs should be
economically feasible. [0061] 17. Weather resistant. [0062] 18.
Moisture resistant. [0063] 19. Capable of safely moving product,
damage free, through the entire distribution channel with multiple
cycles (from manufacturer through distributor to retail).
[0064] The exemplary pallet structure of the invention comprises
two parts including a deck 4 and a base 6. Together the deck and
the base form the GMA style pallet 8. The pallet structure 2
contains at least one identification device 10, for example a radio
frequency identification device (RFID) 12 or a surface acoustic
wave (SAW) device 14, although the one identification device may be
any one of a tag, a capsule, a label, a printed circuit board
(PCB), and the like that communicates wirelessly without limitation
by employing antennas instead of cables. Preferably a first device
16 identifies the deck and a second device 18 identifies the base.
Preferably each part (i.e. the deck and base) is given a unique
identification, and this ID record is indicated by the two
respective identification devices 16 and 18. The parts are combined
to create one product 8. The one product is also given a unique
identification distinct from the IDs of the associated parts.
Therefore, the pallet 2 has a plurality of IDs, and in the present
case three: a first ID for the deck, a second ID for the base and a
third ID for the combination product.
[0065] The IDs of the exemplary pallet are characterized as first
level IDs, second level IDs, third level IDs and so on. In the
present case the two part IDs are level one IDs, and the one
combination product ID is a level two ID. By way of example, a
pallet, with ID number 1006, is associated with the combination of
deck, with ID number 101, and base, with ID number 203. Unique
pallet ID number 1006 expires when the association of ID numbers
101 and 203 ends. The association ends for example when the deck is
reconfigured with a new base, providing a new (up-graded or
customized) product. A new unique second level ID is given to the
new combination product when the new association is made.
[0066] Preferably, both the first and second level IDs are evident
in each identification device utilized in each part. In other
words, each identification device contains code space for at least
two IDs. However, when a product involves only one part the device
can have a non-volatile memory or record, therefore getting by with
only one unique ID. Such a case is only exemplary.
[0067] A pallet may also require a unique third level ID as
discussed below. In one scenario the pallet is made by a first
company and sold to a second company. The second company utilizes
the pallet for internal use i.e. closed-loop purposes. The first
company (i.e. the manufacturer) will have a permanent record of a
production date, performance specification and material content in
the unique first and second level IDs of the parts and product,
respectively, sold to the second company. The second company (i.e.
the end user) will know at least the second level ID for warranty
purposes and the like should the second company return the pallet
to the first company for recycling and the like. The second company
will also have a dynamic record of the status associated with at
least the second level ID or another third level ID if the second
level ID is not interoperable within the end user's operating
environment (in other words the end user may place another ID
device inside the pallet, the second device operating in another
mode or frequency band than the first). Therefore, the second
company may use a third level ID to associate the pallet within its
deployed track and trace system. In a second scenario the
manufacturer sells the known parts and product to a second party
that leases the product to third parties. A third party may require
a unique third or fourth level ID to indicate a customized
characteristic indicative of the product. For example, a third
party may monitor external temperature to know the shipping status
of a unit load. The information indicative of temperature is
associated with a unique third or fourth level ID that is distinct
from the first and second level IDs associated with the parts and
pallet product. Hence, a pallet product may have a plurality of
unique IDs.
[0068] Therefore, one now appreciates that a pallet must be
configured to comply with the GMA performance specifications while
at the same time interoperating within a variety of RF-rich
environments.
[0069] For this purpose the exemplary pallet of FIG. 1 is
suggested. Pallet 2 is known as a GMA style 48.times.40 inch pallet
8 and complies with all 19 GMA performance specifications listed
above. Pallet 2 comprises a deck part 4 and a base part 6. The deck
and base snap together to provide a single pallet product 8.
[0070] Although the deck and base can be constructed utilizing any
combination of materials and formed using any forming technique,
the preferred structure is primarily based upon differential
pressure forming, which is some times known as thermoforming or
vacuum forming. In the present case, the deck and base are
thermoformed according to the triple sheet method, but twin sheet
forming can be used with satisfaction. Both thermoforming arts are
known in the patent record.
[0071] Triple sheet is preferred over twin sheet for several
reasons, which would be known by referring to co-owned U.S. Pat.
Nos. 6,749,418 and 6,718,888. Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, a
section 20 of deck is seen comprising three sheets of molded
plastic. A top sheet 22 provides a flat surface 24 to provide up to
100 percent surface coverage for supporting unit loads thereon (not
shown). A middle sheet 26 and a bottom sheet 28 together provide a
load bearing platform 30 and a plurality of double walled leg
pockets 32 that support the platform above the base, to allow for
the introduction of fork tines, pallet jacks and the like, which
are used to move the pallet. The leg pockets 32 may be rectangular,
square, round or oval in shape. The structure of a triple sheet
configuration results in a hybrid honeycomb arrangement that yields
a stronger strength to weight ratio than a twin sheet structure
using an equivalent measure of plastic material. Furthermore, the
method is preferred because sheet 22 provides a flat load support
surface 34 while the two other sheets 26 and 28 form a rigid
platform 30 and double walled leg pockets 32 (a twin sheet
structure would have less than 100 percent surface coverage if the
top sheet was deformed to provide double walled legs and therefore
could not comply with specifications 4 and 15 simultaneously).
Double walled legs support a higher static load than a single
walled leg using the same measure of plastic. A higher strength to
weight ratio is preferred for familiar economic reasons.
[0072] The present embodiment of triple sheet deck is preferred
because the added strength of the structure allows the
thermoforming practitioner to utilize an all plastic material
combination rather than two sheets of plastic plus captive
cross-members that would be required to add strength to comply with
specification 8 for rack strength. All plastic is preferred because
some materials used to construct the cross members may block or
interfere with the transmission of RF signals. The cross members
also add cost and complexity to the making, maintenance and
recycling of the pallet structure.
[0073] In the present exemplary case the middle sheet incorporates
a series of angles 36 arranged in the 48 inch direction of the
48.times.40 inch deck, although the angles can be arranged in the
40 inch direction with satisfaction. The angles extend between and
fuse to the top sheet and the bottom sheet in a repeating manner
between the opposed sides 38a and 38b that are 40 inches apart, and
thus maintain the top sheet and the bottom sheet a fixed distance
apart (+/-1.5 inches). There may be as many as 80 angles or as few
as 20 angles extending from side to side in a 48.times.40 inch
pallet foot print. The angles are interrupted in nine locations 40
designated for leg pockets, although any number of leg pockets or
parallel runners falls within the scope of the invention. The
bottom sheet incorporates a series of rigidifying blocks 42 that
are positioned in line 44 to restrict the angles from bending, like
an accordion, when the structure is loaded. The blocks may be short
or tall, extending less than or the full height of the angles. The
blocks are further aligned as suggested in FIG. 6, so that the
blocks create an in-line ribbed structure 46 adding additional
reinforcement substantially perpendicular to the stronger 48 inch
direction (i.e. in the 40 inch direction).
[0074] Although angles 36 are preferred, any rigidifying
methodology may be used with satisfaction. The angles are preferred
because they are shown to provide the best strength
characteristics, as would be known by referring to an article
entitled "Plate-Stiffening" written by K. Lowenfeld, published in
Der Maschinenmarkt (Wurzburg, Germany), which is incorporated
hereunder by such reference.
[0075] The base is also constructed according to the triple sheet
method, although twin sheet can be used satisfactorily. The base is
joined to the deck at a leg interface 48 by a snap fit arrangement
50. The base includes 4 square cutouts 52 that are intended to
accommodate the wheels of a pallet jack or the like, which move the
pallet.
[0076] As indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8 the deck and base of the
exemplary GMA style pallet is adapted for operation in an RF-rich
environment. In particular, the deck and base incorporate
compartments 54 and 56 respectively, and the compartments are
adapted to receive and enclosed electronic devices as will be
described later.
[0077] With respect to compartments 54 and 56, it will be
appreciated that the compartments are situated in the location of
the center region 58 of the pallet structures, although one or more
compartments may be formed in another location 60 corresponding to
any one of the nine legs (i.e. in any deep structures) of the
exemplary pallet. Additionally, compartments may be formed in
locations between the leg pockets, depending upon the preferences
of the practitioner. For example, if the pallet embodiment is a
nesting style pallet in which case the legs inter-nest for
consolidated shipment and storage, the compartment can be
incorporated on a top or bottom surface of such a pallet
embodiment.
[0078] It will also be understood by those familiar with the art of
thermoforming that the threaded aspects 62 of the compartments can
only be provided through novel intervention as will be described in
reference to an exemplary triple sheet molding methodology. With
respect to the deck, it should be known that the preferred
thermoforming arrangement is one in which the bottom sheet 28 is
first formed over a first mold (and the second mold is used as a
plug-assist to help form the exterior leg structure 64 of the deep
leg pocket having an approximate +/-4:1 draw ratio). Next the
middle sheet 26 is formed over a second mold having deep leg pocket
portions (not shown) in order to allow the cantenary effect of the
heated sheet 26 to benefit the forming thereof. After the first and
second sheets are thermoformed they are brought together in a twin
sheet phase and compressed together by opposed platens between the
first and second molds to make a twin sheet sub-assembly (not
shown). The twin sheet sub assembly is extracted from the sheet
line when a lower platen carrying the first mold is lowered to make
way for the third sheet that is thermoformed over a third mold
suspended from a top platen in a position parallel and vertically
aligned with the first platen. When the twin sheet sub assembly is
in the extracted position a shuttle apparatus known in the art
delivers an injection molded insert 66 to a selected location 68
and deposits the insert onto the middle sheet, where formed details
70 of the middle sheet retain the insert in a fixed location upon
the twin sheet sub-assembly. (The insert is not limited in size in
the 48 or 40 inch directions.) After the third sheet is
thermoformed over the third mold the first platen extends upward
into the sheet line where after the twin sheet sub-assembly is
compressed against the third sheet between the first and third
molds to form an instant triple sheet assembly 72. During the
"triple sheet" phase the heated third sheet and heated second sheet
are caused to fuse to the exterior surfaces 74 of the insert. The
insert is thereby incorporated into the triple sheet assembly.
After the triple sheet assembly is extracted from the thermoforming
machine a trimming router or the like removes a section 76 of
material of the third sheet to provide a compartment opening 78,
thereby exposing threads 80 formed in the insert, which threads are
adapted to receive a cover 82 as will be described later.
[0079] It should be noted that the exemplary insert can be
incorporated into a triple sheet, twin sheet or single sheet
article. Furthermore, the exemplary insert can be incorporated
interiorly (as shown) or exteriorly, depending upon the preference
of the practitioner. The insert can involve threads positioned
annularly on an inside (as shown) or outside surface, and the
threads can be substituted with any structure that will receive and
retain with security a removable cover in place to enclose the
compartment.
[0080] In the present exemplary pallet the compartment is formed in
the center region of the pallet so that identification and other
electronic devices situated within a respective compartment thereof
are substantially equidistant from a device reader positioned
adjacent the pallet, for example a hand held, portal or fork lift
mounted reader Furthermore, the compartment is formed in the center
region of the exemplary pallet because the deep leg pocket
structure of the pallet affords more space for the compartment than
would be the case if the compartment where located in a position
between the leg pockets. GMA specifications call for a deck 4
thickness of 1.5 inches, a base thickness of 0.75 inches and an
overall pallet height of 6 inches. This provides a fork lift
opening 84 between the deck and base of 3.75 inches, allowing a
maximum 0.250 inch for deflection to remain within GMA tolerance.
Therefore, the deck and base structures of a GMA type pallet do not
have the thickness to allow for a deep compartment. By developing a
compartment in the legs of a pallet the compartment can be
considerably larger allowing for the use of larger identification
devices and even a plurality of devices, as will be described
later.
[0081] Therefore the leg pockets are utilized to increase the size
capacity of the compartment. In the present embodiment, the depth
of the compartments 54 and 56 of the deck and base are 4 inches and
1.5 inches, respectively. A compartment formed otherwise in the
platform section of the deck would be +/-1.25 inches in depth, and
a compartment formed in the base would be +/-0.5 inches, while
allowing for the thickness of the pallet material.
[0082] It is advantageous to provide a large compartment because
there is a need to accommodate at least one large ID device plus
other devices and sensors as will be described below.
[0083] Tags communicate with a reader through an antenna. Tags
exist in all forms, shapes and sizes. A number of factors
determines the form, shape and size of the antenna, whether it is a
small (postage stamp) planar antenna, a small capsule or
cylindrical antenna, a label antenna of any type, a printed circuit
board, a formed (helical, notched) aerial antenna and the like, as
well as passive, active or active/passive antenna. Any combination
and variety of antenna, whether deposited on a carrier or formed
from a conductor can be accommodated within the compartment. The
antennas can also be orientated vertically, horizontally, or
diagonally with respect to the reader's signal pattern, broadly
interpreted.
[0084] Therefore, the compartment should be as large as possible to
accommodate a wide range of antenna in a number of different
orientations suitable for tag to reader data exchange.
[0085] For example, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) (e.g., 915 MHz, 2.45
GHz) electromagnetic tags are preferred in association with pallets
because of their relatively long range abilities. Lower frequency
(e.g., 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz) electrostatic tags are preferred for
close range inventory or shelving applications requiring good
signal carrier reflection. However, all frequency bands and modes
of operation (i.e. electromagnetic, electrostatic, acoustic) are
intended to be used by any possible identification device that may
be located in the compartment in order to monitor the pallet and
its unit load through all stages of the disparate supply chain.
[0086] Lower frequency antennas are comparably large in relation to
UHF antennas. Low frequency tags are characterized by label style
structures in which a low conductivity ink may be applied to a
lower cost substrate to provide a planar antenna that is
non-resonant. Such a tag antenna may, by way of example only, be
2.times.2 inches in size and less than 1/32 inches in cross
section. Furthermore, when the low frequency tag antenna is
increased in size the range typically increases. Therefore, the
larger the compartment, the larger the antenna that can be
protectively accommodated inside the pallet, and therefore the
greater the tag read range. Increased read range is regarded as
beneficial in most cases.
[0087] Furthermore, it is known that when the conventional antennas
of the reader and the tag are perpendicular to the direction of the
signal that there is more effective communication there between the
two. Therefore, the tag antenna structures may preferably occupy
designated space inside the compartment to facilitate a preferred
reader to tag orientation. In association with this requirement,
one low frequency tag may contain three antennas in three
orientations, as will be discussed below.
[0088] Readers 86 may be fixed, mounted or hand held. In a first
setting there may be a portal arrangement in which the reader
comprises a reader antenna array 88a situated on vertical column. A
preferred tag antenna orientation 92 for this setting would be
vertical. In a second setting the reader antenna array 88b may be
situated above or below the path traveled by the tag, and the
favored tag antenna orientation 94 would be horizontal. In a third
setting the reader antenna array 88c is mounted on a fork lift, and
the preferred vertical tag antenna orientation 98 may be
perpendicular to vertical orientation 92. In order to facilitate
the full range of preferred tag orientations 92 94 and 98 it may be
necessary to rotate the pallet 90.degree. in order to provide
proper orientation in any of the three settings suggested.
Alternatively it may be helpful to provide a tag that is best
orientated parallel to the direction of the signals, as is known in
the art in connection with RFID systems for books, file folders and
the like. As this extra work or correction would be inconvenient
and slow the pace of the pallet's movement through the supply chain
an antenna 100 can be segmented into three sections 102, 104 and
106 such that the tag substrate is folded as indicated at 108,
along creases 110. Additionally, the tag may be structured so that
on each of the three surfaces there is, by way of example only, a
multi-frequency antenna array 112a, 112b and 112c, comprising a low
frequency antenna 114 and high frequency antennas 116 and 118. The
three antenna arrays 112 are connected to a tag module indicated
120 including at least an IC to provide a unique ID and circuitry
for coupling the antenna arrays 112 with a wide range of readers
and reader positions as the pallet moves throughout the supply
chain. Therefore to insure the pallet is able to move through
different settings it would be important that the compartment
facilitate a number of larger rather than a smaller antenna and
orientations (i.e. "X", "Y" and "Z" planes) of the present
invention.
[0089] By way of further explanation, the antenna arrays 112 can be
sub-divided further into discreet antenna structures such that the
antenna structures on each surface can communicate within different
frequency bands, such as with a dipole antenna wherein one pole 116
resonating at 915 MHz communicates with a first reader and a second
pole 118 resonating at 2.45 GHz communicates with a second reader.
In this fashion the tag can be developed to communicate with a
plurality of readers distributed throughout the supply chain.
[0090] The identification device of FIG. 9, indicates a top view of
a label style RFID device 122 comprising at least one of a
substrate layer 124, a dielectric layer 126, a conductive layer
128, and adhesive layer 130 and a printed layer 132 to provide semi
rigid carrier 134 onto which an tag module (IC) 120 is attached.
Other circuitry may also be included in the module or associated
with the module on the carrier to switch from one antenna frequency
band to another or to communicate over more than one frequency
simultaneously. There are three sections 102, 104 and 106 made
evident when the tag 122 is formed (for example steel rule die).
The three sections are made along crease lines 110 that permit the
carrier to be orientated parallel with the reader antenna arrays in
three planes. The carrier fold is retained in place by male and
female tabs 138 and 140 or any other means forming three antenna
bearing planes. Such an arrangement enjoys superior communication
with a multitude of reader positions.
[0091] It may also be recognized that the first identification
device may coexist with a second communication device. Hence the
need for capacity in the size of the compartment. For example,
futurists project a 10 percent improvement in world wide GDP as a
consequence of the deployment of wireless communications involving
RFID, sensors and actuators.
[0092] Therefore, whether the identification device uses band width
in the 830 megahertz (cellular), 13.56 megahertz (RF), 1.6
gigahertz (GPS), 1.7-1.9 gigahertz (PCS), 2.4 gigahertz
(Bluetooth), 5.8 gigahertz (IEEE802.1 standard for LAN) or surface
acoustic wave (SAW), the antenna(s) thereof can be accommodated
inside the compartment.
[0093] The prior art of RFID is indicated in FIG. 10 in which a
distributed network of readers 142 is deployed to convey data to
and from a host 144 and a plurality of tags 146. Today's ID devices
including FRID tags are adapted to flourish in the "ideal" reader
distributed network 142, where middleware can diagnose and use the
data for operational purpose, broadly defined, captured by the
system. In the real world however, the RF environment is really
indicated by FIG. 11, in which there are a multitude of
competitive, proprietary and legacy non-interoperating systems
including overlapping distributed reader networks 148, a plurality
of non-interactive hosts 150 and a multitude of incompatible tags
152, plus transnational jurisdictional constraints. Together these
elements have withheld consensus on a universal agreement on
protocol standards.
[0094] Accordingly, "next" generation systems of the inventions
hereof are indicated, by way of example, in FIG. 12, in which a
pallet communicates directly through a cellular network 154 to a
network host 156, without using the distributed network of readers.
(Several cellular systems exist to encourage competition of
service.) There may be local area interrogators associating the
pallet within the a local area supply chain to identify the unit
load (i.e. items having associated optical, acoustic or RF
identification devices), but the cellular equipment on board the
pallet obviates the need to establish distributed networks of
readers and is more efficient as the cellular networks already
exist.
[0095] The association of sensors with local and far range
communicators is also contemplated in the present invention. For
example, a second identification device 160 could be provided on a
id circuit board 162, also comprising RF tags for conventional
track and trace functionality, for far range wireless communication
capability. In one setting a customized pallet is utilized in the
storage and transportation of a hazardous material in a multi
warehouse supply chain. Each customized pallet is adapted to comply
with standards within the jurisdiction that relate to the
safekeeping of the hazardous material, such that external
environmental conditions, including high temperature exposure,
although any external condition or indicator could be monitored,
are recorded in real time, such that upon the occurrence of a
catastrophic high heat event the second communication device 160
could send out a 911 emergency call to effect the implementation of
an emergency protocol. Therefore, in one embodiment the pallet may
include a thermo graphic sensor 164 in the base 6 to monitor
temperature and upon detection of indications of high or low
temperature outside a proscribed range, actuates a LAN communicator
166 in said base to transmit a signal to a LAN receiver 168 in the
deck 2, wherein circuitry actuates a cellular communicator 170 to
dispatch a 911 signal in association with a unique identification
code to identify the pallet and its unit load along with external
temperature conditions. Such a capability would improve the
productivity of emergency responders and reduce the consequences of
environmental damage and distress on a community in the event of
hazardous material accidents.
[0096] In the present case the second communication device 160 is
not developed to communicate with a host over the 2.4 GHz or the
5.8 GHz bands because of the intermediate read ranges of these
frequencies (although in other embodiments of pallets more than one
band may be utilized for local use, such as by fire and emergency
respondents, who within range of 100 yards would be able to read
"emergency instruction" signals emanating from the pallet over a
Bluetooth hand held or on-board LAN vehicle communication system.)
For Example, the pallet may be on the move from one plant to
another and there would be a need to communicate instantaneously
hundreds of miles in the event of an accident. To achieve this
purpose the second identification device includes at least a second
antenna, such an 830 megahertz helical coil antenna 172 operating
in a cellular frequency band that can send a signal generated by
the 911 protocol contained in the IC. The cellular communications
components could exist within a separate module added to an
identification device or could populate the circuit board along
with other devices and modules of the identification device.
[0097] The cellular module 170 would be low cost. One must remember
that there are 2.2 billion pallets in use in North America. The
demand world wide for cellular enabled pallets could be in range of
hundreds of millions, providing sufficiently large economies in
scale to reduce the cost of simple cellular devices considerably.
The embodied cellular module excludes at least one of a touch pad,
a screen, a mouthpiece, a speaker, a camera, a vibrator, and a
plastic housing which all add costs, and only includes a circuit
board and at least one of a transmitting/receiving antenna (i.e.
172), a digital signal processor, a memory chip, a identification
reader card, circuitry, and one of an internal or an external power
supply. In deed, the cellular module would be disposable to extent
that the value added benefits of remote data transfer would be
captured by the cellular network host through the sale of used band
width or the like over a period of use, as is the routine with
cellular telephony. One would assume the cellular module would be
given away to lock up the income stream that will result from a
service contract involving the use of digital bandwidth.
[0098] Other devices that may populate the circuit board(s) in the
respective compartments of a pallet are suggested in FIG. 13 in
which at least one of the following components are contemplated:
power supplies 174 (including conventional batteries, mechanical
renewable power supply devices, solar batteries and RF energy
harvesting apparatus); antenna arrays 176; Bluetooth communications
modules 178; LAN communications modules 180; PCS communications
modules 182; cellular communications modules 184; GPS
communications modules 186; an interrogation module 188; RFID
communications modules or tags 190; sensor modules 192; sensor
probe assemblies 194; integrated circuitry and memory devices
196.
[0099] Referring now to FIG. 14 there is seen a fuel tank 198, such
as a fuel tank for an automobile, containing an ID device 200
selected from a group of at one of a passive tag, a battery-powered
semi-passive tag or an active tag. In addition, the fuel tank
contains at least one of wireless communications device 202
selected from a group comprising a Bluetooth communications module,
a LAN communications module, a PCS communications module, a
cellular communications module, a GPS communications module, and an
interrogation module. Furthermore, the fuel tank includes at least
one sensor module 204, a sensor probe assemblies 206, and actuator
208, integrated circuitry and memory devices 210, and a power
supply 212.
[0100] Referring now to FIG. 15 a view of the circuit board
assembly contained in the compartment of the deck is shown and
described.
[0101] FIG. 15 shows the rigid circuit board assembly 162 shown the
top compartment 54 of the deck of the pallet in FIG. 13. The pallet
apparatus may include a second or more rigid circuit board
assemblies, such as the one illustrated in the bottom compartment
56 of the base of the pallet in FIG. 13. At least one circuit board
includes an RFID reader/writer interrogator configured to identify
a plurality or sub-set of the RFID item tags associated with
articles supported upon the pallet, in order to conduct an
inventory check to maintain an accurate pallet manifest and
record.
[0102] As indicated in FIG. 1, the top surface of the pallet is
adapted to support a load of articles. The RFID reader/writer
interrogator is positioned on the pallet and configured to direct a
radio frequency query signal to the load of articles in order to
establish a communications link with the RFID item tags affixed to
the articles of a dynamic pallet load. As seen in FIG. 13, RFID
reader/writer interrogator 188 is located on the circuit board
positioned in the compartment adjacent to the load surface.
[0103] The one or more RFID reader/writer interrogators are also
optionally in communication with RFID pallet tags. A plurality of
RFID pallet tags may be positioned on one pallet. FIG. 14 shows a
circuit board with five RFID pallet tags. For example, one such tag
may be dedicated to manufacturing, material and recycle information
storage. One tag may be specifically adapted for pallet tracking
within the distribution system. The pallet may also host a third
RFID device specified by third parties for specialized inventory
tracking activities within closed-loop or associated distribution
networks. A fourth tag may be developed to consolidate the data
arrays of several tags attached to items transported upon the
pallet for more efficient data compression and transfer. A fifth
tag may be adapted for interfacing with the RFID system deployed by
the trucking industry. FIG. 15 shows a schematic of a power supply
arrangement for the RFID pallet tags.
[0104] The one or more RFID reader/writer interrogators are also
optionally in communication the RFID beacon tags positioned in RFID
networks distributed along the pathways take by the pallet. The
RFID reader/writer interrogator communicates with external RFID
tags directly, and obtains data indicative of the RFID beacon tags
from the RFID pallet tags. A pallet position determination can be
made when the RFID reader/writer interrogator obtains a radio
frequency signal from an RFID beacon tag or the RFID pallet tag
obtains a radio frequency signal from an external RFID
reader/writer interrogator, such as a door way portal.
[0105] As seen in FIG. 14, the circuit board assembly 162 includes
an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield 141. The EMI shield is
positioned below the support surface and the RFID reader/writer
interrogator is positioned between the EMI shield and the support
surface. The EMI shield is beneficially positioned to reflect the
query signals from the RFID reader/writer interrogator toward the
intended articles or sub-set of articles in the pallet load. The
EMI shield also is provided to prevent tag reading interference.
The RFID reader/writer interrogator may also utilize a directional
antenna in order to ensure the RFID reader/writer interrogator can
reliably conduct a real-time inventory of the goods on the
pallet.
[0106] The RFID reader/writer interrogator may utilize an array of
antennas in order to communicate with a plurality of RFID tags
indicative of the pallet load, condition and location. The
integrated communication modules for connecting the RFID
reader/writer interrogator to the LAN, WLAN and cellular networks
each contain additional antenna, so that the pallet apparatus can
have a dozen antennas if each of the five RFID pallet tags shown in
FIG. 14 have a separate antenna. The RFID reader/writer
interrogator can have an antenna array operating on several radio
frequencies and the LAN, WLAN and cellular modules can have more
than one antenna for multiple communications purposes.
[0107] Any combination of devices could be assembled to provide a
pallet with a plurality of IDs and functional properties. A
combination of devices can be situated in a plurality of
compartments. From time to time the cover can be removed to access
devices within a compartment so that the devices can be changed to
customize a pallet for an intended application. In other cases the
compartment is populated with plurality of devices that operate in
multiple operating environments prevalent throughout the supply
chain.
[0108] The inventions contemplate using the Internet for the
sharing of data obtained from the devices. The Internet is also
used to deliver data processed by a host to the devices. The
Internet connection can be made remotely through an interrogator
with a direct or indirect connection to the Internet or internally
by one or more of communications devices located in the pallet.
[0109] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application
publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign
patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this
specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0110] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *