Connected packaging
AssigneeQuantaEd, LLC
InventorMehran Mehregany
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining when a tablet has been removed from a container, such as a blister pack, are disclosed. The method includes measuring an electrical characteristic, such as electrical resistance or impedance, between at least two terminals that are in electrical communication with a lidding film included in the blister pack, wherein the removal of a tablet from the blister pack results in an opening in the lidding film, thereby giving rise to a finite change in the electrical characteristic.
Claims21
An apparatus for containing one or more product units, the apparatus comprising:
- a first layer;
- a plurality of terminals operatively coupled with the first layer, each terminal being in electrical communication with each other terminal of the plurality thereof through the first layer, wherein the plurality of terminals are arranged such that formation of an opening in the first layer at a first location gives rise to a first finite change in the magnitude of an electrical parameter measured between first and second terminals of the plurality thereof;
- and
- electronic circuitry that is operative for providing a first signal based on the first finite change in the magnitude of the electrical parameter.
An apparatus for containing one or more product units, the apparatus comprising:
- a first layer that is substantially continuous throughout a first region;
- a second layer including one or more cavities, wherein the first layer and second layer are joined such that each of the one or more cavities and the first layer collectively defines a reservoir that is operative for holding a product unit;
- a plurality of terminals that is arranged such that each terminal is in electrical communication with each other terminal of the plurality thereof through the first layer before and after formation of an opening in the first layer;
- and
- electronic circuitry that is operative for providing (1) a first signal based on a first finite change in the magnitude of an electrical parameter measured between first and second terminals of the plurality thereof and (2) a second signal based on the time at which the first finite change in the magnitude of the electrical parameter is detected.
A method for monitoring the state of a package, the method comprising:
- monitoring an electrical parameter between at least two terminals of a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals being arranged such that each terminal is in electrical communication with each other terminal of the plurality thereof through a first layer;
- and
- providing a first signal that indicates (1) the formation of a first opening in a first region of the first layer when a first finite change in the magnitude of the electrical parameter measured between first and second terminals of the plurality thereof is detected, and (2) a first time at which the first finite change in the magnitude of the electrical parameter is detected.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.