US 7,606,632 B2Granted

Apparatus for dispensing activated monitoring devices

AssigneeCryovac, Inc.

InventorWilliam Peyton Roberts

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Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for dispensing an activated electronic monitoring device (EM device), such as a data logger. The invention can activate an EM device and verify activation before dispensing the EM device. The invention comprises a receptacle for storing a plurality of unactivated EM devices, a separator for separating an indivdual EM device, a reader for activating and verifying activation of the EM device, and a sorter for dispensing activated EM devices into an accept container that is readily accessible. EM devices that fail to activate can be dispensed into a reject container. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a controller that typically comprises a microprocessor having stored instructions. The controller can typically communicate with the EM device via the reader to activate the EM device and verify activation. The controller may also be used to program or write instructions to the EM device.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for dispensing and activating electronic monitoring devices comprising:

a) a receptacle capable of storing a supply of unactivated electronic monitoring devices, wherein the electronic monitoring devices comprise a plurality of individual cards disposed on a continuous roll;
b) a separator cooperating with said receptacle for removing respective individual monitoring devices from the receptacle, said separator comprising a cutting mechanism and a moveable carriage assembly that cooperate to remove an individual card from the roll;
c) an activator cooperating with said separator and configured to communicate an activation signal to an individual monitoring device removed from the receptacle by the separator;
d) a verifier configured to communicate with the individual monitoring device subsequent to the activation signal to obtain a verification signal confirming that the individual monitoring device has been activated;
and
e) a dispenser cooperating with said verifier and operable for dispensing the individual monitoring device after receipt of a verification signal confirming that the individual monitoring device has been activated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.