Reusable and / or recyclable smart packaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to a networked packaging (100) having a wall enclosing an interior space, the wall housing an electronic device (160). For reuse or recycling, the networked packaging also has at least one detachable portion (136, 191) formed through all or a portion of the thickness of the wall of the networked packaging, and a device (180, 190) for detecting a change in the bond between the detachable portion and the remainder of the networked packaging, the device being configured to switch the mode of the electronic device upon detecting a change in the bond.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The field of the invention is that of network-connected objects.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to reusable and / or recyclable networked packaging.

[0003] In particular, the present invention finds application in logistics for tracking packaging materials or associated orders to reuse and / or recycle packaging materials. [Background technology]

[0004] Techniques for tracking objects such as parcels are known from the prior art.

[0005] Generally, such tracking technologies are based on the identification of the parcel through a label bearing an identifier in the form of a barcode or a code of the QR type (acronym of the English term "Quick Response"), or through tags of the NFC type (acronym of the English term "Near-Field Communication") or RFID type (acronym of the English term "Radio Frequency Identification"), which may also be formed by network-connected tags that communicate through cellular telecommunication networks of the 3G, 4G or 5G type, or through networks of the Low Power Wide Area Telecommunication type (LPWAN, acronym of the English term "Low Power Wide Area Network").

[0006] In either case, packages bearing such labels are tracked by scanning the labels at regular intervals or by processing signals emitted by network-connected labels.

[0007] The main drawbacks of these prior art techniques are, on the one hand, that they concern the addition of labels to the parcels, which may become hidden or removed during handling, and, on the other hand, that they are limited to ordinary tracking of the parcels from their preparation until their delivery to the recipient.

[0008] After a package is delivered, the package's packaging is generally discarded or disposed of for recycling and is not tracked.

[0009] So there's a need to improve packaging so that it can be tracked all the way through, or to ensure that it has actually been recycled, or even reused if it's still in good condition.

[0010] To this end, new technologies are envisaged, for example packaging made of durable materials so that it can be reused several times. Such packaging includes an electronic device that allows tracking the packaging and determining its geolocation via a chip of the GPS type (acronym for the English "Global Positioning System"). Such packaging may include an electronic ink type screen for applying an easily changeable label and may include wireless communication means, for example of the 4G type, for exchanging data between the packaging and a remote server.

[0011] However, the main drawback of these new technologies is that they are still expensive and more complicated to recycle due to the integration of many different electronic components. Furthermore, these new packaging technologies incorporate batteries that need to be recharged from time to time and the battery status needs to be monitored regularly to avoid the package becoming unusable during its journey between the sender and the recipient.

[0012] No current system can simultaneously address all these demands: none can offer connected packaging technology that is easily recyclable with great autonomy even during the long-term storage phase. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] The present invention aims to overcome all or some of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To that end, the present invention relates to a networked packaging having walls enclosing an interior space, the walls housing an electronic device.

[0015] The packaging may be of any type and shape, for example it may consist of a rectangular package intended for transporting at least one object, or a generally flat package such as an envelope.

[0016] The packaging may be of the flexible or rigid type, made for example from cardboard or plastic.

[0017] For example, the packaging may be of a foldable type, stored flat to reduce bulk and reformed by a folding action for use.

[0018] According to the invention, the network-connected packaging also has at least one detachable portion formed across all or part of a wall thickness of the network-connected packaging, and a device for detecting a change in the bond between the detachable portion and the remainder of the network-connected packaging, the detection device being configured to switch the mode of the electronic device upon detecting a change in said bond.

[0019] Thus, tracking of networked packaging may be improved by coordinating operation of an electronic device with one or more detachable parts attached / detached.

[0020] The detachable portion may be configured across the thickness of the wall to form an opening or access to an interior space.

[0021] The detachable portion may span a portion of the thickness of the wall to maintain the continuity of the wall, for example allowing one label to be peeled away to reveal another.

[0022] The connection between the detachable portion and the remainder of the network-connected packaging material may initially be of the rigid type, with the detachable portion being made generally of the same material as the network-connected packaging material, for example cardboard, and the dotted line being the boundary between the detachable portion and the remainder of the network-connected packaging material.

[0023] The connection between the detachable portion and the remainder of the networked packaging may be of the adhesive or magnetic type, and the detachable portion may be made of a different material than the remainder of the networked packaging.

[0024] The change in bond that is detected corresponds to an attachment or detachment of the detachable portion from the remainder of the networked packaging.

[0025] For example, the modes of an electronic device may be the following modes: -off; - Standby or Sleep; - actuation; - Deactivation; - Waiting for delivery; - Awaiting return; -Unpacking; -Unpacking It may be any one of the following.

[0026] It should be noted that modes other than "off" or "standby" modes can be combined.

[0027] Switching modes of an electronic device may also be referred to as switching states. It should be noted that switching may result in a change in the operation of the electronic device, for example a change in the type, content or frequency of the signal transmitted. It should be noted that an electronic device that simply transmits measurements that vary over time does not switch modes within the meaning of the present invention.

[0028] It is therefore possible to precisely track the evolution of the networked packaging, for example during an order, by detecting the changes and enabling a change of mode of the electronic device. The networked packaging is generally initially stored flat and then folded to contain the object. The networked packaging is then closed for dispatch. During the transport process, the networked packaging passes through various warehouses and means of transport before arriving at a delivery point where it is unpacked. The networked packaging can then be returned to be reused or recycled. Each step may be distinguished by a separate mode that configures the electronic device to transmit or not transmit signals at predetermined intervals to at least one terminal of a type suitable for a telecommunications network, for example 3G, 4G, 5G or preferably Internet of Things (English "Internet of Things" or IoT) type of application.

[0029] Typically, a communication network has a number of terminals, generally called base stations, which form a mesh suitable for the range of the signals, which in the case of communication networks for Internet of Things (IoT) type applications can reach tens of kilometers, longer than the range of signals typically used in telecommunication technologies according to standard 3G, 4G or 5G.

[0030] It should be noted that signals emitted by an electronic device are generally received by several terminals in the vicinity of the electronic device, in particular to allow a good geolocation of the electronic device.

[0031] In certain embodiments of the invention, the sensing device includes a conductive ink loop spanning at least one edge of the detachable portion, the conductive ink loop being connected to the detachable portion and the remainder of the networked packaging material.

[0032] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the sensing device includes a fusible wire that spans at least one edge of the detachable portion.

[0033] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the networked packaging also includes a battery for powering the electronic device.

[0034] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the detachable part comprises an electronic device and optionally a battery.

[0035] This facilitates recycling of networked packaging materials.

[0036] In certain embodiments of the invention, a detachable portion is configured along one side of the networked packaging to enable the side to be divided into at least two portions to open the networked packaging.

[0037] In certain embodiments of the invention, the detachable portion is initially blended into the remainder of the networked packaging.

[0038] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the networked packaging is formed from multiple layers of cardboard, and the sensing device is partially embedded between two outer layers of the cardboard.

[0039] Preferably, the conductive ink loop is largely or completely embedded between the two outer layers of cardboard.

[0040] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the sensing device includes means for measuring variations in impedance.

[0041] In a particular embodiment of the invention, an electronic device includes an antenna and a signal emitter that is emitted by the antenna after switching a mode of the electronic device, the signal including an identifier of the network-connected packaging material.

[0042] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the networked packaging device also has a housing or receptacle configured on a surface of the networked packaging material, the housing configured to cooperate with a sensing device of the detachable portion.

[0043] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the electronic device comprises a state machine that operates in response to the receipt of a signal emitted from an external network or in response to the value of at least one sensor.

[0044] The present invention also provides a method for tracking network-connected packaging material according to any one of the previous embodiments, comprising: - detecting a change in the connection between the detachable portion and the remainder of the networked packaging; -Switching the mode of the networked packaging electronics upon detection of a change in the connection The present invention also relates to a method, comprising:

[0045] In certain embodiments of the present invention, switching modes of an electronic device results in: - transmitting, by an electronic device of the networked packaging, a signal including an identifier of said networked packaging to a terminal of a telecommunications network in the vicinity of the networked packaging; and / or - Activating the networked packaging-side state machine and / or the network-side state machine.

[0046] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the tracking method also includes detecting and tracking said network-connected packaging in an environment such as a sorting center.

[0047] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the tracking method also includes a step in which the detected change in bond occurs due to removal of a detachable portion of the networked packaging after a first use phase of the networked packaging, which detachable portion of the networked packaging is then used in a second phase of returning it to the sender or tracking it to a recycling center, and the electronic device changes modes between the two uses of the networked packaging.

[0048] In certain embodiments of the invention, the detachable portion is inserted into the interior space of the networked packaging for a second use stage of the networked packaging.

[0049] In certain embodiments of the invention, a button on an electronic device is actuated to mark the start of a new phase of use.

[0050] In certain embodiments of the invention, the tracking method also includes reusing the detachable portion of the network-connected packaging with another packaging having a housing or receptacle configured to cooperate with a sensing device of the detachable portion.

[0051] Other specific advantages, objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description of at least one specific embodiment of the apparatus and method of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0052] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a networked packaging according to the present invention in a so-called storage configuration. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the network-connected packaging of FIG. 1 in an unpacked and ready-to-use configuration; FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2 in a closed position. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a networked packaging including a housing configured to receive a detachable portion of the networked packaging shown in FIGS. 1-3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating the networked packaging shown in FIGS. 1-3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0053] The present description is given by way of non-limiting example, and each feature of one embodiment can be advantageously combined with the features of any other embodiment.

[0054] Please note that the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0055] Example of a Particular Embodiment 1, 2 and 3 are diagrams of one non-limiting embodiment of a networked package 100 according to the present invention in a storage configuration, an open-use configuration and a closed-use configuration, respectively.

[0056] The networked packaging 100, in this non-limiting embodiment of the invention, is formed with four faces 110, four flaps 120 intended to form a bottom 125 of the networked packaging 100, and four flaps 130 intended to form a top 135 of the networked packaging 100. The side walls 110 and the flaps 120 and 130, which correspond to the walls of the networked packaging 100, are formed from a single piece of cardboard and are articulated about folds 140 formed through the thickness of the cardboard.

[0057] In the storage configuration, the networked packaging 100 is generally flat to reduce volume, with the flaps 120 and 130 collinear with their corresponding side walls 110. The networked packaging 100 is then folded by articulating the side walls 110 about the folds 140 to form a rectangular parallelepiped interior space 101. The interior space is closed at the bottom by articulating the flaps 120 to form a bottom 125. Meanwhile, the top surface 135 of the networked packaging 100, which closes the interior space 101, is formed by articulating the flaps 130.

[0058] To strengthen the base 125, the flaps 120 are held together by an adhesive means such as glue or adhesive tape.

[0059] Likewise, the flaps 130 are also held together, for example by adhesive means, to prevent unintentional opening of the top surface 135 , especially during handling and transportation stages of the networked package 100 .

[0060] 3, the networked package 100 can be opened by pulling a detachable portion, such as a tab 136 configured along a flap 1301 that closes the top surface 135. The tab 136, which extends from one edge to the opposite edge, is accessible from the outside of the networked package 100 so that it can be easily torn apart by a person wishing to open the networked package 100.

[0061] In order to be able to identify the usage state of the networked packaging 100, which is initially stored in the storage configuration shown in FIG. 1, the networked packaging 100 herein is configured to have a fold 140 between two side walls 1101. A In this case, the detected change is the change in the orientation of the two side walls 110, which in this example switch from a collinear position in the storage configuration to a 90° angle position in the use configuration. A is the change in angle between

[0062] Alternatively, the two side walls 110 around the crease to be detected are overlapped.

[0063] For this purpose, the sensing device 150 includes, for example, a conductive ink loop 155 spanning the fold 1401, whose impedance is modified by the angle of the fold 1401. In fact, the conductive ink loop 155 may break when folding the side wall 110, causing a change in impedance, which can be easily detected, since it switches from a certain value to an infinite value.

[0064] Alternatively, the conductive ink loop 155 may elastically deform when the sidewalls are folded, thereby changing the impedance value of the loop 155 .

[0065] Thus, the conductive ink loop 155 may be supported on a flexible or rigid substrate, glued to the surface of a cardboard, or embedded within multiple layers of cardboard.

[0066] The sensing device 150 may be equipped with a means to measure the impedance variations, such as an impedance analyzer, or may use an RLC bridge to measure the various components of the impedance. Note that for direct current, impedance corresponds to resistance, which can be measured with an ohmmeter.

[0067] Alternatively, the sensing device 150 may comprise an electronic device, such as a transistor, that changes state due to a change in the impedance of the conductive ink loop 155 .

[0068] The sensing device 150 is configured to switch modes of the electronic device 160 included in the networked packaging 100 when a change is detected in a monitored joint, here the fold 1401. It should be noted that this mode switching is advantageously performed without any additional action other than folding the networked packaging 100.

[0069] Switching between modes of electronic device 160 (herein powered by battery 165 also included in networked packaging 100) generally corresponds to operation of electronic device 100. "Operation of electrical device" refers to the following actions: - changing the on or off state of the electronic device 100; - changing the "sleep" or "standby" state of the electronic device 100 to the "working" state. The "sleep" or "standby" state corresponds to the lowest consumption of the electronic device 100 and only when the device 150 is powered by the battery 165; - connecting the electronic device 160 to the battery 165; - connecting the electronic device 160 to the electronic board included in the networked packaging 100; - binding the electronic device 160 to a computer service, typically running on a remote server, via an identifier bound to the electronic device 160; - triggering an immediate or delayed action of the electronic device 160, such as transmitting a signal by the antenna of the electronic device 160 to a cellular network suitable for "Internet of Things" (loT) type applications, or turning on a state machine. It should be understood that the present invention is at least one of the following:

[0070] However, switching modes may also correspond to changing the configuration of a signal emitted by an electronic device, for example the frequency or type of data transmitted by the signal.

[0071] It should be noted that the battery 165, which is a device for storing electrical energy, may not be included in the networked packaging 100. In this case, it is powered by an element external to the networked packaging 100, such as an inductive loop, or via a reader that can provide electrical energy to test the sensing loop 150 and measure, for example, its impedance, to determine the state of the sensing loop 150.

[0072] As a supplement, the signals sent are as follows: -Motion sensors such as accelerometers or gyroscopes; -Temperature sensor; -Magnetic field sensor The adjustment may be performed using the value of at least one sensor selected from the following:

[0073] For example, when the electronic device 160 is in operation, the measurements of the at least one sensor can be used to adjust the emission, thereby making it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the electronic device 160 in particular. Indeed, the emission of a signal may be performed, for example, when movement of the network-connected packaging material 100 is detected, when the network-connected packaging material 100 arrives in a warehouse with a different temperature, or when the network-connected packaging material 100 crosses a magnetic barrier used to distinguish handling areas in a warehouse.

[0074] For example, the temperature difference may be measured when the temperature in the warehouse differs from the outside temperature or from the temperature measured during transport.

[0075] Activation of the electronic device 160 is accomplished, in this non-limiting example of the present invention, by folding the networked packaging 100 for use.

[0076] This operation may be limited over time, for example within a predetermined period of time, until the network-connected packaging material 100 is closed or until a command is received via a signal transmitted to the network-connected packaging material 100.

[0077] The closure of the networked package 100 may be detected by a second detection device 170, also referred to herein as a second inspection device, which detects two portions 175 on two separate flaps 1302. A , 175 B The sensing loop 175 includes a conductive ink loop 175 formed in the two flaps 1302. The loop 175 is formed when the networked package 100 is closed by either overlapping the two flaps 1302 or by creating a continuity between the two flaps 130 as shown in FIG. 2. The two portions 175 of the sensing loop 175 A, 175 B To ensure a reliable connection, it may be advantageous to have foolproof features (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0078] As shown in FIG. 3, when the network-connected package 100 is closed and delivered to a recipient, opening of the network-connected package 100 may also be detected by a third detection device 180, which also includes herein a conductive ink loop 185 spanning at least one edge of the tab 136.

[0079] To allow for tracking of the return of the networked packaging 100 or to ensure recycling, the networked packaging 100 may also include a device 190 for detecting a change associated with the removal of a detachable portion 191 distinct from the tab 136 that allows the networked packaging 100 to be opened. The detachable portion 191 may be labeled with a label for the recipient of the networked packaging 100 to reveal a separate label 192 for returning the networked packaging 100. A change in impedance of a conductive ink loop 195 across at least one edge of the detachable portion 191, detected by the detection device 190, triggers a switch of the electronic device 160 to a so-called "return" state. More specifically, as referred to herein, when the detachable portion 191 is removed, the loop 195 splits into two portions 195. A and 195 B and exhibits an infinite impedance that reflects the change in coupling between the severable portion 191 and the remainder of the networked packaging 100.

[0080] Alternatively, or in addition, a button 161 on the electronic device 160 may be manually actuated to determine that a second stage of use, such as return or shipping by the customer, has begun.

[0081] In this manner, various modes that configure the operation of the networked packaging 100 may be established.

[0082] It should be noted that this non-limiting example of the present invention can be adapted depending on the needs of the use of networked packaging 100. For example, one may choose to activate electronic device 160 when networked packaging 100 is closed or only activate electronic device 160 when networked packaging 100 is opened.

[0083] Additionally, the number and location of the sensing devices are provided herein for reference only, and some sensing devices may be eliminated or shared. The configuration of the sensing devices and the configuration of the conductive ink loop may be substantially the same.

[0084] In some variations of this embodiment, at least one sensing device includes a fusible wire in place of, or as a supplement to, the conductive ink loop of the sensing device.

[0085] It should be noted that redundant sensing may be provided for each sensing device, for example by combining two conductive ink loops or one conductive ink loop with one fusible wire.

[0086] In order to optimize the separation for recycling of the various types of materials that compose the networked packaging 100, the electronic device 160 and the optional battery 165 are advantageously embedded in one of the detachable parts 136 or 191 of this non-limiting example of the invention. Thus, the electronic device 160 and the optional battery 165 can be recycled separately from the rest of the networked packaging 100, which here consists essentially of cardboard. Parts of the sensing devices 150, 170, 180 and 190 may be retained in one of the detachable parts, especially if the optional electronic components are embedded in the sensing devices 150, 170, 180 and 190.

[0087] Once detached, the detachable portions 136, 191 may be inserted into the interior space 101, for example, to return the networked packaging 100 to the sender or to a sorting center. Advantageously, a return address may be written on the label 192.

[0088] In other words, the detachable portions 136, 191 are detached from the networked packaging 100 so that they can be inserted into the networked packaging 100 or reused in another package.

[0089] 4 is a schematic diagram of a packaging material 300 having a housing 310 intended to receive the detachable portion 191 of the networked packaging material 100. The housing 310 may be a receptacle configured on a surface of the networked packaging material 100, and when the detachable portion 191 is inserted into the housing 310, the portion 195 of the remaining loop 195 is inserted into the housing 310. A may be configured to form a conductive ink loop by combining with a piece 320 of a conductive ink loop embedded in the packaging material 300. Advantageously, foolproof features may be provided to properly orient the detachable portion 191.

[0090] It should be noted that if the detachable portion 191 contains the electronic device 160, the packaging 300 will be of the networked variety. A The conductive ink loop thus formed by the bonding of the strip 320 and the electronic device 330 may include a sensing device 340 that is tied to the conductive ink loop thus formed by the bonding of the strip 320 and the electronic device 330 that is connected to ... conductive ink loop.

[0091] FIG. 5 illustrates in block diagram form an embodiment of a method 400 for tracking network-connected packaging material 100 .

[0092] The tracking method 400 includes a first step 410 of detecting a change in the bond between the detachable portion 136 or 191 and the remainder of the network-connected packaging 100 via one of the sensing devices 180, 190 of the network-connected packaging 100. The change in bond detected in this step corresponds to the attachment or detachment of the tab 136, or detachable portion 191, which is labeled herein.

[0093] Sensing a change in coupling may result in a mode switch of electronic device 160 at step 420. For example, the mode of electronic device 160 may be switched from a "ship" mode to a "return" mode.

[0094] After the mode switch or simultaneously with the mode switch, the method 400 includes step 430 of transmitting, using the electronic device 160, a signal including an identifier of the network-connected packaging material 100 (such as a MAC address or a unique identifier stored in a memory of the electronic device 160) to a station 210 of the telecommunications network, and / or step 440 of activating a state machine on the network side and / or on the network-connected packaging material side.

[0095] Note that the sending of a signal or the activation of a state machine occurs upon mode switching without any supplementary action, ie, immediately upon detecting a change in coupling.

[0096] Furthermore, the operation of the state machine on the network-connected packaging side may be triggered by sending a signal from the network terminal to the electronic device 160 of the network-connected packaging 100, either by a message transmitted by the signal or by the power of the received signal (RSSI).

[0097] The operation of the state machine on the networked package may be triggered by a sensor embedded in the networked package 100 responding to an external action. For example, the sensor may be a button that applies pressure, an optical sensor that detects a change in light, a magnetic sensor that detects the passage of an object through a magnetic field, etc.

[0098] The state machine operating on the networked packaging material side may be included in the electronic device 160 and is executed by, for example, a computer processor included in the electronic device 160. The state machine of the networked packaging material 100 is configured to transmit configuration parameters to the electronic device 160. In particular, the configuration parameters may vary depending on the mode of the electronic device 160 and may define, for example, the transmission frequency of the signal, the type of message the signal transmits, etc.

[0099] For example, the network-side state machine may operate on a remote server operating a computer service. The operation of the network-side state machine may be coordinated by data in messages sent from the networked packaging material and / or metadata created by the network (e.g., a logical identifier associated with the networked packaging material, etc.) and / or operation of a mode of the networked packaging material. In particular, the logical identifier may be an order number, an invoice number, etc.

[0100] Thus, the network-side state machine may, for example, assign one or more subscriptions to one or more services to the network-connected packaging material 100 depending on the current state of the network-connected packaging material (opened, closed, shipped, returned, etc.), and / or depending on data transferred by the network, and / or depending on metadata related to the network.

[0101] For example, the service -Wi-Fi type wireless communication services; - geolocation services based on communication networks by analyzing signals received by the base stations of the network and / or the network-connected packaging materials 100 through the power of the received signals (RSSI, the English acronym for "Received Signal Strength Indicator") and the known locations of the base stations; -Satellite geolocation service of the GPS type (acronym of the English term "Global Positioning System"); - so-called "data integrity" services, which allow you to verify the consistency, completeness and accuracy of the transferred data; -Data fragmentation services; -Data encryption and / or obfuscation services It may be.

[0102] For example, the metadata corresponds to known data on the network side, such as the identity of the base station receiving the signal, the frequency of the received signal, the time of reception at various stations, the power of the received signal, etc. In particular, the metadata may make it possible to estimate the location of the network-connected packaging material 100 within a particular environment.

[0103] For example, the data may correspond to data transferred in the payload (usually referred to as the English term "payload"), but also to data available in the network or service, which may enrich the payload. For example, an activation message following the opening or closing of a network-connected package 100 may carry a physical identifier of the object.

[0104] The tracking method 400 may also include a step 450 of estimating the location of the network-connected packaging material 100 depending on the timestamp of the signal emitted by the electronic device 160 and received by the terminal 210 of the telecommunications network, the location of the terminal 210, or the power of the received signal.

[0105] The tracking method 400 may also include a step 460 of tracking the network-connected packaging material 100 in an environment such as a sorting center for handling in a shipping or ordering situation, or a sorting center for recycling the network-connected packaging material 100, or more generally within the coverage area of ​​an LPWAN type telecommunications network.

[0106] Indeed, it should be noted that the electronic device 160 of the networked packaging 100 may be advantageously easily removable from the networked packaging 100 in order to separate the packaging itself, which here is formed from cardboard, from the electronic portion, which is recycled in a separate stream. Thus, the electronic device 160 may be located in a detachable portion 136, 191 of the networked packaging.

[0107] Thus, in order to return the networked package 100 to a sorting center for recycling, it can be envisioned that the electronic device 160 and possibly the battery 165 are held by the opening tab 136 of the networked package 100, and the tab 136 is inserted inside the networked package 100, at step 470. Note that in this case, the still-operating electronic device 160 will change modes upon the breaking of the tab 136 due to the presence of the detection device 180.

[0108] Returning the networked packaging 100 represents a second stage of use for the tab 136 .

[0109] Alternatively, the return may be from the networked packaging 100 back to the sender, such as when a customer returns or ships the networked packaging 100 to an alternate recipient.

[0110] In addition to, or as an alternative to, detecting a change in coupling, a button 161 on the electronic device 160 may be actuated in step 480 to mark the start of a new phase of use.

[0111] The detachable portion 191 or tab 136 may be reused in the second packaging 300 at step 490.

Claims

1. 1. A networked packaging material (100) having a wall enclosing an interior space (101), the wall housing an electronic device (160), the networked packaging material also having at least one detachable portion (136, 191) formed across all or a portion of a thickness of the wall of the networked packaging material, and a detection device (180, 190) for detecting a change in a connection between the detachable portion and a remainder of the networked packaging material, the detection device being configured to switch a mode of the electronic device upon detecting the change in the connection.

2. The networked packaging of claim 1 , wherein the sensing device comprises a conductive ink loop spanning at least one edge of the detachable portion.

3. 3. The networked packaging of claim 2, wherein the sensing device includes a fusible wire spanning at least one edge of the detachable portion, and the conductive ink loop is connected to the detachable portion and to the remainder of the networked packaging.

4. The networked packaging of any one of claims 1 to 3, also comprising a battery (165) for powering the electronic device.

5. The networked packaging of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detachable part comprises the electronic device and an optional battery.

6. 6. The networked packaging of claim 1, wherein the detachable portion is configured along one side of the networked packaging, allowing the side to be divided into at least two parts to open the networked packaging.

7. The networked packaging of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the detachable portion is initially integrated with the remainder of the networked packaging.

8. 8. The networked packaging of any one of claims 1 to 7, formed from multiple layers of cardboard, the sensing device being partially embedded between two outer layers of the cardboard.

9. The networked packaging of any preceding claim, wherein the sensing device comprises means for measuring impedance variations.

10. The network-connected packaging material of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electronic device includes an antenna and an emitter of a signal emitted by the antenna after switching a mode of the electronic device, the signal including an identifier of the network-connected packaging material.

11. 11. The networked packaging of any one of claims 1 to 10, also comprising a housing configured on a surface of the networked packaging, the housing configured to cooperate with the detection device of the detachable part.

12. 12. The networked packaging material of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electronic device comprises a state machine that operates in response to the reception of a signal emitted from an external network or in response to the value of at least one sensor.

13. A method (400) for tracking network-connected packaging materials according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: - detecting (410) a change in the bond between the detachable part and the remainder of the network-connected packaging; - switching the mode of the electronic device (420) upon detecting a change in the coupling; A method comprising:

14. As a result of switching the mode of the electronic device, - transmitting (430) by said electronic device a signal including an identifier of said network-connected packaging to a terminal of a telecommunications network in the vicinity of said network-connected packaging; and / or - activating (440) said network-connected packaging-side state machine and / or network-side state machine, The tracking method according to claim 13.

15. The method also includes the step of: the detected change in coupling is caused by removing the detachable portion of the networked packaging after a first use of the networked packaging, the detachable portion of the networked packaging being subsequently used in a second use of the networked packaging, such as returning the detachable portion to a sender or tracking to a recycling center, and the electronic device changing modes between the two uses of the networked packaging. The tracking method according to claim 14.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the detachable portion is inserted into an interior space of the networked packaging for the second stage of the networked packaging.

17. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising activating the electronic device to mark the start of a new phase of use.

18. 18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising the step of reusing the detachable portion of the network-connected packaging in another packaging having a housing or receiver configured to cooperate with the sensing device of the detachable portion.

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