GB2422934A

GB2422934A - A wirelessly read/writable memory device secured between the neck portion of a container and its corresponding cap

Info

Publication number: GB2422934A
Application number: GB0502101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Marks
Original assignee: BREAK Ltd E
Current assignee: E-BREAK LIMITED
Priority date: 2005-02-02
Filing date: 2005-02-02
Publication date: 2006-08-09
Also published as: GB0502101D0

Abstract

A wirelessly read/writable memory device is attached to, for example, a food container. The memory device can contain a modifiable history associated with that container. The memory device is attached to the container in an area which prevents its accidental or intentional removal or separation from the container. In an embodiment of the invention the memory device (4) is placed within a depression (3) within the neck portion of a container (2). The container is subsequently fitted with an outer cap (5) which seals the open portion of the container (2) and protects the read/write device from damage and accidental or intentional removal. The device (4) can be read by placing the container in a circular collar (7) which has an attached loop induction aerial (8).

Description

t:cC RTh1L0 In most known containers intended for the containment of food

material, being either particulate or liquid it is desirable or necessary to have attached to it information about the container, its contents and other relevant or necessary information There exist labels or other markings to display the said information about the material inside the said container. The information may be, date of manufacture, production batch numbers or any other information. In addition to printed labels bar codes have been incorporated to enable the same information and or additional information to be read by electronic scanning devices In addition electronic wireless read only devices can be attached to the container or it packaging which will enable the same information and or any additional information to be read by a compatible wireless reading device.

During the life of the container it may pass from manufacturer to retailer and to the general public. It would be advantageous to record new events on the container. By way of example, to record the fact that the container has been sold to the general public or subsequently, for any reason returned to a warehouse. The information recorded on the container being written, barcode or electronic read only devices is of a fixed nature and may only be read. With these media types it is not possible to add new information or events to the said container other than by complete replacement of the existing method of displaying information or adding additional information utilising one of the media types described.

This invention relates to the attachment to a container of a wireless read and write device. By the attachment of a read write device to the container it is possible to add or change the information stored in the memory of the read write device when desirable or necessary. In this way it is possible to build up a modifiable history file within the electronic memory of the device on which it is possible to record any new information or change the existing information stored in the electronic memory of the read write device attached to the container. Because the device may be read by a non contact wireless proximity reader the device may be attached to the container in an area which will prevent its accidental or intentional removal or separation from the container to which it is attached.

By placing the container within the range of a compatible transmitter or reading device, normally utilising an induction loop aerial, existing information stored in the memory of the read write device may be read, new information may be added to the memory of the read write device or the existing information in the memory of the device may be changed or erased.

In this embodiment of the invention as detailed in the attached drawing marked fig I there is shown a container (1) used for the containment of dry powder food particulates. In the narrow neck portion of the container (2) there is a depression (3) into which is placed the read write device (4) Thereafter the container is fitted with an outer cap (5) which seals the open portion of the container (6) and protects the read write device from damage and accidental or intentional removal from the container. The container is placed in a circular collar (7). Attached to the collar is a loop induction aerial (8) which is capable of reading information from the read write device or transmitting new information to the read write device.

In this application every effort has been made to draw attention to the particular features of the invention, however the application is for any uses or benefits which may arise by the attachment of an electronic wirelesses read write device to a container. The application relates to any wireless read write electronic device attached to any container in which the said device contains electronic memory storing information of which the aforementioned information stored can be added to, erased, rewritten or amended.

Claims

Claims 1. The attachment to a container of a device with an electronic

read, write memory capability.
2. The information stored in the electronic memory of the said device may be added to, changed or deleted by the transmission of new or additional information to the device only by a wireless method
3. The device to be attached to or incorporated in the container by such a method as to prevent its unintended separation.