RFID-Integrated Packing Material for Impact-Absorbing Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional RFID devices attached to shipping containers are prone to damage from environmental factors and often use non-recyclable plastic for waterproofing, posing environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
Integrating an RFID device with recyclable packing materials, such as paper, within shipping containers, where the RFID device is processed to form an impact-absorbing configuration, often through folding, crumpling, or slitting, and is associated with a conductive antenna to maintain functionality while providing protection to the article inside.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID device is attached to outside of shipping container, then RFID functionality is maintained, but device is subject to environmental damage and requires non-recyclable plastic protection
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID device is integrated directly into the packing material structure, merging the tracking function with the protective packaging function. This eliminates the need for separate waterproof housing and reduces plastic waste while maintaining reliability through the inherent protective properties of the packing material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite packing materials that combine RFID components with protective packaging materials. The RFID device is embedded within or attached to the packing material, creating a composite structure that provides both protection and tracking functionality without requiring additional plastic housing.
2Strength
If packing material is processed through folding, crumpling, or slitting to provide impact absorption, then impact protection is improved, but RFID device functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID device is divided into separate components (antenna, chip, protective layer) that can be independently positioned within the packing material. This segmentation allows the packing material to be processed for impact absorption while the RFID components remain protected in strategic locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing material is designed with different local properties - areas with embedded RFID components have enhanced protection characteristics, while other areas are optimized for impact absorption through folding, crumpling, or slitting. This local differentiation maintains RFID functionality while providing overall impact protection.
Data Source
AI summary
RFID-integrated packages are disclosed combining a container, an article positioned within the container, and a packing material positioned within the container between at least a portion of the article and an inner surface of the container. The packing material is manufactured by at least partially associating it with an RFID device. The packing material may be formed of a recyclable material, such as paper. The packing material together with the RFID device is processed to provide it with an impact-absorbing configuration. Processing methods may include folding, crushing, and cutting or slitting, with the RFID device continuing to perform well after it and the packing material have been processed into the impact-absorbing configuration for use within the container. The entire RFID device may be associated to the packing material or only a portion or component of RFID device may be associated to the packing material, with another portion or component associated to the container or article.