US6943678B2 — Thermoformed apparatus having a communications de…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 74 words

A system comprising: a manufacturing machine; a receiver; an electrical control system connected to the receiver and the machine; a product having multiple sheets and a data storage device located between the sheets, the product being manufactured by the machine; the receiver operably interfacing with the data storage device to ascertain data previously stored on the device, the control system changing manufacturing characteristics of the machine based on a data received from the device.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 74 words

A system comprising: a manufacturing machine; a receiver; an electrical control system connected to the receiver and the machine; a product having multiple sheets and a data storage device located between the sheets, the product being manufactured by the machine; the receiver operably interfacing with the data storage device to ascertain data previously stored on the device, the control system changing manufacturing characteristics of the machine based on a data received from the device.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the data is ascertained by the receiver from the device prior to manufacturing of the product containing the device by the machine.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the machine includes a mold operable to three-dimensionally shape the product.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the machine includes a heater operable to heat the product to ease in forming.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the machine includes a sheet extruder for making the product prior to attachment of the data storage device.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the data storage device is a radio frequency identification tag.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 6 wherein the receiver is an interrogator operable communicating with the radio frequency identification tag.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the machine three-dimensionally shapes the product which subsequently becomes a pallet.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 1 wherein the data storage device includes an antenna located entirely inside of the product when in its final manufactured condition.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 58 words

A method of manufacturing a product with machinery, and method comprising: (a) electrically communicating between the product and the machinery in a wireless manner; (b) changing an operational characteristic of the machinery prior to processing the product in the machinery, based on the communication of step (a); and (c) shaping the product with the machinery after step (b).

Claim 12

Independent Claim 58 words

A method of manufacturing a product with machinery, and method comprising: (a) electrically communicating between the product and the machinery in a wireless manner; (b) changing an operational characteristic of the machinery prior to processing the product in the machinery, based on the communication of step (a); and (c) shaping the product with the machinery after step (b).

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 10 wherein the product is a multiple sheet pallet, wherein the sheets are made of a polymeric material.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 10 further comprising communicating between the product and the machinery by transmitting radio frequencies to identify preprogrammed characteristics of the desired end product to be manufactured.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 42 words

An apparatus comprising: a pallet having a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag, said first RFID tag including externally readable data indicative of a first characteristic, and said second RFID tag including externally readable data indicative of a second characteristic.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 42 words

An apparatus comprising: a pallet having a first RFID tag and a second RFID tag, said first RFID tag including externally readable data indicative of a first characteristic, and said second RFID tag including externally readable data indicative of a second characteristic.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said first RFID tag externally readable data includes non-erasable data.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 49 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 in which: said non-erasable data is indicative of a characteristic that is selected from the group consisting of manufacture date, serial number, load bearing strength specification, operating temperature, material composition, repair instruction, expiration date, recycling instructions, pallet ownership, and ISO certificate.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 24 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said first RFID tag externally readable data is permanently stored in non-volatile tag memory.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 17 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which: said first RFID tag includes a passive tag.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 26 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said second RFID tag externally readable data includes data indicative of the location of the pallet.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 18 which: said data indicative of the location of the pallet includes data that is selected from the group consisting of an electronic manifest, a time record, a shipping address, and a bill accounting for the use of said pallet.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 27 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said second RFID tag externally readable data includes data indicative of the external environment of the pallet.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said second RFID tag externally readable data includes data indicative of a characteristic of a part transported by the pallet.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 18 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said second RFID tag includes a passive tag.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 18 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said second RFID tag includes an active tag.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 26 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which: said pallet includes a third RFID tag including externally readable data indicative of a third characteristic.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 24 in which: said pallet includes a fourth RFID tag including externally readable data indicative of a fourth characteristic.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 56 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which includes: said first RFID tag being operable in a first RF environment, said second RFID tag being operable in a second RF environment, and wherein said first RF environment is incompatible with said second RF environment so that said pallet is interoperable between two incompatible RF environments.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 40 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which includes: said first RFID tag operates on a first RF frequency, said second RFID tag operates on a second RF frequency, and wherein said pallet is interoperable between two RF frequencies.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 59 words

An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 which includes: said first RFID tag operating in a first proprietary operating environment, said second RFID tag operating in a second proprietary operating environment, and wherein said first proprietary operating environment is incompatible with said second proprietary operating environment so that said pallet is interoperable between two incompatible proprietary operating environments.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 70 words

A material handling device comprising: a first polymeric member, a second polymeric member attached to said first polymeric member, a first externally readable RFID tag positioned between said first member and said second member, said first tag including information indicative of a first characteristic, a second externally readable RFID tag positioned between said first member and said second member, and said second tag including information indicative of a second characteristic.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 70 words

A material handling device comprising: a first polymeric member, a second polymeric member attached to said first polymeric member, a first externally readable RFID tag positioned between said first member and said second member, said first tag including information indicative of a first characteristic, a second externally readable RFID tag positioned between said first member and said second member, and said second tag including information indicative of a second characteristic.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 56 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 which includes: said first RFID tag being operable in a first RF environment, said second RFID tag being operable in a second RF environment, said first RF environment being incompatible with said second RF environment, said material handling device being interoperable between two incompatible RF environments.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 33 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 in which: said first RFID tag operates at a first RF frequency, and said second RFID tag operates at a second RF frequency.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 35 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 in which: said first RFID tag operates in a first proprietary operating environment, and aid second RFID tag operates in a second proprietary operating environment.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 37 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 32 which includes: said first proprietary operating environment being incompatible with said second proprietary operating environment so that the material handling device is interoperable between two operating environments.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 25 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 which: said first RFID tag information includes non-erasable information indicative of the material handling device.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 47 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 34 in which: said first RFID tag information includes information that is selected from the group consisting of manufacturing date, serial number, part number, material handling device specifications, material handling device material composition, ownership records, and ISO certificates.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 20 words

A material handling device as set froth in claim 29 in which: said first RFID tag includes a passive tag.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 28 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 in which: said second RFID tag information includes information indicative of the location of the material handling device.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 49 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 37 in which: said second RFID tag information includes information that is selected from the group consisting of an electronic manifest, a time record, a shipping address, and a bill for accounting for the use of the material handling device.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 28 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 in which: said second RFID tag includes information indicative of the external environment of the material handling device.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 38 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 29 which includes: a third externally readable RFID tag positioned between said first member and said second member, and said third tag including information indicative of a third characteristic.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 38 words

A material handling device as set forth in claim 40 which includes: a fourth externally readable RFID tag positioned between said first member and said second member, and said fourth tag including information indicative of a fourth characteristic.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 48 words

A material handling apparatus comprising: a first externally readable RFID tag, a second externally readable RFID tag, said first RFID tag includes non-erasable information pertaining to the material handling apparatus, and said second RFID tag includes rewritable information pertaining to events associated with the use of the apparatus.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 48 words

A material handling apparatus comprising: a first externally readable RFID tag, a second externally readable RFID tag, said first RFID tag includes non-erasable information pertaining to the material handling apparatus, and said second RFID tag includes rewritable information pertaining to events associated with the use of the apparatus.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 45 words

A material handling apparatus as set forth in claim 42 in which: said first RFID tag information includes information intended for use by a material handling apparatus manufacturer, and said second RFID tag information includes information intended for use by a material handling apparatus user.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 33 words

A material handling apparatus as set forth in claim 43 which includes: said first RFID tag information being information that is permanently stored in memory before the apparatus enters a material handling workplace.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 51 words

A material handling apparatus as set forth in claim 42 which includes: a third externally readable RFID tag including information, a fourth externally readable RFID tag including information, and said third RFID tag information and said fourth RFID tag information being indicative of characteristics useful to addition material handling apparatus users.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 22 words

A material handling apparatus as set forth in claim 42 which includes: said second RFID tag information being stored in volatile memory.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 74 words

A method for using a material handling apparatus having an RFID tag comprising the steps of: (a) moving the material handling apparatus into an interrogation field by means of a carrier, (b) reading information stored in a memory component of the RFID tag after the moving step, and (c) activating an indicator after the reading step to instruct an operator of the carrier to move the material handling apparatus out of the interrogation field.

Claim 53

Independent Claim 74 words

A method for using a material handling apparatus having an RFID tag comprising the steps of: (a) moving the material handling apparatus into an interrogation field by means of a carrier, (b) reading information stored in a memory component of the RFID tag after the moving step, and (c) activating an indicator after the reading step to instruct an operator of the carrier to move the material handling apparatus out of the interrogation field.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as set forth in claim 47 which includes: visually locating the indicator adjacent to the interrogation field, and using visible light to activate the indicator.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as set forth in claim 48 which includes: providing an indicator having a light that is visible to the carrier operator.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 19 words

A method as set forth in claim 47 which includes: providing an indicator that is located on the carrier.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as set forth in claim 50 which includes: positioning the indicator on the carrier so that the indicator is visible to the operator of the carrier.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 57 words

A method as set forth in claim 47 in which the RFID tag includes information which includes: providing the RFID tag with information stored in a memory component and at least part of the information including instructions for the carrier operator where to position the material handling apparatus within a distribution network after exiting the interrogation field.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 32 words

A method as set forth in claim 52 which includes: positioning the indicator on the carrier so that the indicator provides the position within a warehouse to move the material handling apparatus.

Claim 60

Independent Claim 234 words

A method for using a material handling apparatus comprising the steps of: (a) affixing an RFID tag to the apparatus so that the RFID tag transmits information pertaining to the apparatus, (b) providing a plurality of interrogators capable of receiving information from the RFID tag within a plurality of interrogation fields located within a distribution network, (c) providing a plurality of local area computers so that each computer is located within an interrogation field and is connected to a host computer, (d) providing a plurality of visual message delivery devices within the interrogation fields so that each visual message delivery device is connected to at least one of the local area computers and to the host computer, (e) providing a carrier to move the apparatus within the distribution network, (f) providing an operator to maneuver the carrier within the distribution network and to observe the devices, (g) using the carrier to move the apparatus into one off the interrogation fields to allow one of the interrogators to convey the information pertaining to the apparatus contained on the RFID tag to at least one of the local area computers and the host computer, and (h) therafter one of the local area computers and the host computer activates the device in the interrogation field observed by the operator to instruct the operator to maneuver the carrier and the apparatus out of one of the interrogation fields.

Claim 61

Independent Claim 234 words

A method for using a material handling apparatus comprising the steps of: (a) affixing an RFID tag to the apparatus so that the RFID tag transmits information pertaining to the apparatus, (b) providing a plurality of interrogators capable of receiving information from the RFID tag within a plurality of interrogation fields located within a distribution network, (c) providing a plurality of local area computers so that each computer is located within an interrogation field and is connected to a host computer, (d) providing a plurality of visual message delivery devices within the interrogation fields so that each visual message delivery device is connected to at least one of the local area computers and to the host computer, (e) providing a carrier to move the apparatus within the distribution network, (f) providing an operator to maneuver the carrier within the distribution network and to observe the devices, (g) using the carrier to move the apparatus into one off the interrogation fields to allow one of the interrogators to convey the information pertaining to the apparatus contained on the RFID tag to at least one of the local area computers and the host computer, and (h) therafter one of the local area computers and the host computer activates the device in the interrogation field observed by the operator to instruct the operator to maneuver the carrier and the apparatus out of one of the interrogation fields.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as set forth in claim 54 which includes: providing one of the visual message delivery devices with a light that is visible to the operator.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as set forth in claim 54 which includes: positioning one of the devices within the interrogation field adjacent to at least one of the interrogators.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 46 words

A method as set forth in claim 54 which includes: providing one of the visual message delivery devices having the ability to instruct the operator to remain within the interrogation field allowing at least one of the interrogators to receive complete information pertaining to the apparatus.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method as set forth in claim 54 which includes: providing an interrogation field having a triggering device that senses the carrier, activating a local area computer to activate the device to instruct the operator to stop the carrier within the interrogation field.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 78 words

A method as set forth in claim 54 which includes: providing an interrogation field having a triggering device that senses the carrier, activating one of the local area computers and the host computer to activate the device to instruct the operator to stop the carrier within the interrogation field, and activating one of the local area computers and the host computer to activate the device to instruct the operator to resume maneuvering the carrier through the interrogation field.

Claim 67

Independent Claim 228 words

A method of using a material handling apparatus comprising: (a) affixing an RFID tag upon the apparatus for transmitting information pertaining to the apparatus, (b) providing a plurality of interrogators capable of receiving information from the RFID tag with each of the interrogators being located in one of a plurality of interrogation fields located within a distribution network, (c) providing a local area computer connected to each one of the interrogators within each interrogation field with the local area computers being connected to a host computer, (d) providing a carrier to move the apparatus within the distribution network with the carrier including a visual message delivery device being wirelessly connected to at least one of the local area computers and the host computer, (e) providing an operator to maneuver the carrier within the distribution network to observe the device, (f) using the carrier to move the apparatus into one of the interrogation fields thereby allowing one of the interrogators to convey the information pertaining to the apparatus contained on the RFID tag to at least one of the local area computers and the host computer, and (g) thereafter at least one of the local area computers and the host computer activating the device on the carrier observed by the operator to instruct the operator to maneuver the carrier and the apparatus out of one of the interrogation fields.

Claim 68

Independent Claim 228 words

A method of using a material handling apparatus comprising: (a) affixing an RFID tag upon the apparatus for transmitting information pertaining to the apparatus, (b) providing a plurality of interrogators capable of receiving information from the RFID tag with each of the interrogators being located in one of a plurality of interrogation fields located within a distribution network, (c) providing a local area computer connected to each one of the interrogators within each interrogation field with the local area computers being connected to a host computer, (d) providing a carrier to move the apparatus within the distribution network with the carrier including a visual message delivery device being wirelessly connected to at least one of the local area computers and the host computer, (e) providing an operator to maneuver the carrier within the distribution network to observe the device, (f) using the carrier to move the apparatus into one of the interrogation fields thereby allowing one of the interrogators to convey the information pertaining to the apparatus contained on the RFID tag to at least one of the local area computers and the host computer, and (g) thereafter at least one of the local area computers and the host computer activating the device on the carrier observed by the operator to instruct the operator to maneuver the carrier and the apparatus out of one of the interrogation fields.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 40 words

A method as set forth in claim 60 which includes: positioning an LED light on the console of the carrier so that the LED light is operable to instruct the operator to stop within and proceed through the interrogation field.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as set forth in claim 60 which includes: displaying where the operator is to store the apparatus within a warehouse.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as set forth in claim 60 which includes: providing the interrogation field with a triggering device that senses the carrier.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 36 words

A method as set forth in claim 60 which includes: providing the interrogation field having a triggering device that detects the carrier, and thereafter informing the local area computer that the triggering device detected the carrier.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as set forth in claim 64 which includes: activating the device to instruct the operator to stop or proceed through the interrogation field after the local area computer is informed that the triggering device detected the carrier.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as set forth in claim 64 which includes: activating the interrogator to receive information pertaining to the apparatus transmitted by the RFID tag after the local area computer is informed that the triggering device detected the carrier.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-09-12	2009-03-14	2009-09-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-09-12	2013-03-14	2013-09-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-09-12	2017-03-14	2017-09-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Thermoformed apparatus having a communications device

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