Apparatus and method for detecting tampering with containers and preventing counterfeiting thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting tampering with a container sealed with a cap. The apparatus includes a radio frequency transceiver for transmitting a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and an antenna attached thereto. In a first embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver and the antenna are mounted on a substrate attached to the container and the cap. The radio frequency transceiver is disabled when the antenna is separated into two portions upon breaking the seal between the container and the cap. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is mounted within a cap and includes a logic circuit and a probe that detects changes in the level of contents within the container. The probe produces an output relative to the level of contents in the container. The logic circuit then either prevents the radio frequency transceiver form communicating or causes it to transmit an alternative signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.