# US 8,739,841 B2 · RFID vent tube apparatus, system and methods for vent tube intrusion detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,841 B2 - Document ID: US8739841B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/984,414 - Filed: 2011-01-04 - Published: 2011-07-07 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2010-01-04 - Assignees: Dorcia, LLC - Applicants: Grant Cook; Daniel Namie - Inventors: Grant Cook; Daniel Namie - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739841B2 ## CPC - F16L 9/14: Compound tubes, i.e. made of materials not wholly covered by any one of the preceding groups (F16L9/16 - F16L9/22 take precedence) - B65B 3/18: Controlling escape of air from containers or receptacles during filling - B65B 57/00: Automatic control, checking, warning, or safety devices (registering wrapping or container-forming material fed from rolls B65B41/18) - B67C 3/007: {Applications of control, warning or safety devices in filling machinery (flow-control B67C3/28)} - B67C 2003/2602: {Details of vent-tubes} - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B67C: CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS ## Abstract The present invention is directed to a vent tube apparatus, system and methods incorporating a traceable material such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for use in conjunction with a filling machine during container filling operations for a quicker and more accurate detection of the location of the vent tube after it has become detached from a filling machine during filling operations, and to increase the safety of the filling operation and reduce costs and time when a malfunction occurs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vent tube apparatus for use in filling a container in a filling machine in which the vent tube is attached to the filling machine, and is configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process, comprising: a vent tube body, said vent tube body being hollow and configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process; a vent tube head, said vent tube head attached to one end of said vent tube body; and a Radio Frequency Identification tag, said Radio Frequency Identification tag being housed in said vent tube head, such that if said vent tube detaches from said filling machine, said vent tube can be detected using a Radio Frequency Identification reader. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vent tube apparatus in claim 1, wherein said container is a glass bottle or an aluminum can. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vent tube apparatus in claim 1, wherein said during the filling process means as a product enters the container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vent tube apparatus in claim 1, wherein said housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vent tube apparatus in claim 1, wherein said housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vent tube apparatus in claim 1, further comprising a second indicator, said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vent tube apparatus in claim 6, wherein said second indicator is a magnet. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The vent tube apparatus in claim 6, wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The vent tube apparatus in claim 6, wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process. ### Claim 10 A container filling system for use in filling a container in which a vent tube is attached to a filling machine, and said vent tube is configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process, and the system is configured to determine when said vent tube malfunctions, comprising: a vent tube, said vent tube having a vent tube body, said vent tube body being hollow and configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process, a vent tube head, said vent tube head attached to one end of said vent tube body, said vent tube having a Radio Frequency Identification tag, said Radio Frequency Identification tag being housed in said vent tube head; and a Radio Frequency Identification reader, said Radio Frequency Identification reader configured to detect said Radio Frequency Identification tag, such that if said vent tube detaches from said filling machine, said vent tube can be detected using said Radio Frequency Identification reader. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vent tube apparatus in claim 10, wherein said container is a glass bottle or an aluminum can. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vent tube apparatus in claim 10, wherein said during the filling process means as a product enters the container. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The vent tube apparatus in claim 10, wherein said housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The vent tube apparatus in claim 10, wherein said housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The vent tube apparatus in claim 10, further comprising a second indicator, said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vent tube apparatus in claim 15, wherein said second indicator is a magnet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The vent tube apparatus in claim 15, wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The vent tube apparatus in claim 15, wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process.