Low cost long distance RFID reading

A package or envelope comprising:

• at least one wall having a surface area;
• a first area of conductive ink at least in part disposed on said wall and spaced from a second area of conductive ink, said first and second areas of conductive ink separated by a substantially electrically non-conductive material, portion of said package or envelope, said first and second areas of conductive ink comprising at least part of an RF antenna;
• an element having first and second faces, and having an RFID chip mounted therewith;
• said second face of said element having electrically conductive pressure sensitive adhesive over at least a portion thereof, capable of attaching said element to said wall;
• and
• electrically conductive material associated with said element second face and positioned to connect said first and second areas of conductive ink to said RFID chip when said element second face is placed in a position engaging said first and second areas of conductive ink and bridges said area of substantially non-conductive material, so that said package or envelope is detectable by an RF receiver.

A method of constructing an RF detectable package or envelope having at least one wall, and of substantially electrically non-conductive material, using an element having an RFID chip mounted thereon and an electrically conductive bridging portion, comprising:

• a) printing electrically conductive ink on the package or envelope, Including the at least one wall, to define first and second areas of electrically conductive ink, separated from each other by a portion of said package or envelope substantially devoid of electrically conductive ink;
• b) bringing the element into bridging contact between the first and second areas of electrically conductive ink to connect the first and second areas of conductive ink to the RFID chip by the element bridging portion operatively engaging the first and second areas of conductive ink, so that the package or envelope is detectable by an RF receiver;
• and
• c) fastening the element in the bridging position.