Electronic Tag Rip Strip for Pharmaceutical Integrity Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the integrity of pharmaceutical and perishable products are not cost-effective, user-friendly, or compatible with existing packaging and distribution schemes, and lack the ability to verify product integrity without additional equipment or tools, making them susceptible to fraud and malpractice.
Innovation Solution
A retail package with an electronic tag that includes a control unit, sensor, display, and rip strip, allowing users to monitor and verify the integrity of products by detecting environmental exposure through a breakable electrical connection, displaying status data without additional equipment, and terminating monitoring upon product access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags are used for monitoring product integrity, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RFID monitoring capabilities with a simple visual display system into a single integrated tag. The control unit processes sensor data and controls both the display elements and RFID communication, merging multiple functions into one device that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag is designed to perform multiple functions: environmental sensing, data processing, visual display, and RFID communication. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate monitoring devices, reducing device complexity while providing comprehensive product integrity monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If visual display is added to RFID tag, then ease of operation is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display elements are activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The control unit controls the display elements to show information at specific times, such as when a product is scanned or when verification is needed, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining ease of operation when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag automatically displays information when triggered by RFID scanning or specific conditions, eliminating the need for manual activation. This self-service approach reduces energy consumption by keeping the display off until needed, while still providing easy verification when a product is being checked.
3Reliability
If rip strip with breakable connection is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tag is divided into a main body and a separate rip strip component. The rip strip contains the breakable electrical connection that can be separated from the main tag body, providing a simple mechanical fraud prevention mechanism that doesn't significantly increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rip strip is pre-configured with a breakable connection that must be deliberately broken to access or remove the tag. This preliminary security measure is built into the structure from the beginning, providing reliable fraud prevention through a simple design element rather than complex electronic security systems.
4Ease of operation
If monitoring starts after package opening, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tag is pre-configured with the rip strip connection during packaging, so that when the package is opened and the rip strip is broken, monitoring automatically starts. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for manual activation steps, providing both ease of operation and immediate time-stamping of the monitoring period.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically detects the breaking of the rip strip connection and initiates monitoring without human intervention. This self-service activation reduces both operational complexity and time loss, as the system automatically starts tracking integrity from the moment the package is opened.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~11
Figure 12~16
AI summary
The retail package for a perishable product comprises a box as an outer package; and an electronic tag for obtaining information relating to the integrity of the product as assessed from an exposure of said product to physical or environmental conditions during a time span. The tag comprises a main part comprising an electronics unit and a rip strip comprising a breakable electrical connection operationally connected to said electronics unit. The electronics unit comprises a control unit; a sensor unit comprising at least one sensor for monitoring said physical or environmental conditions; a display unit comprising a display for displaying data relating to said integrity referred to as status data; and a switch. The control unit is structured and configured for detecting a breaking of said electrical connection; for starting said monitoring in reaction to said detecting said breaking of said electrical connection; and for effecting that said display unit displays said status data in reaction to an operation of said switch.