DE9417863U1 - Container with a transponder - Google Patents

Description

8 November 1994 Ba/ks

Goods container with a transponder

The innovation relates to a goods container with a transponder according to the preamble of claim 1.

The use of computer-controlled data processing systems is becoming increasingly important in order to save costs in warehousing, transport, etc. In practice, systems are widespread in which information carriers with optical information, for example a bar code, are stuck onto a goods container or a product or are printed directly on it and can be read using an optical reader so that the production of the corresponding goods, the storage of the goods and/or the further route of the read goods can be controlled appropriately.

A special feature of these optical information carriers is that once they are on the respective product or container, they can no longer be changed. Furthermore, if they are dirty or have superficial mechanical damage, there is a risk that the information can no longer be read.

In recent times, identification systems have also been used that work on a high frequency basis, so-called RF-ID systems (radio frequency identification systems). Such systems are described, for example, in the magazine Elektronik 9/93, pages 86 to 92. The basic structure of such systems includes a so-called transponder as an information carrier and a so-called base station, which can be connected to a computer system and has an antenna for communication with the transponder. The data exchange between the base station and the information carrier or transponder takes place via a magnetic or electromagnetic high frequency field. Frequencies around 125 kHz and a few MHz are common. The transponder works without an external battery and can be made accordingly small. The transponder includes an antenna, a logic and a memory. It is supplied with the necessary data via the high frequency field.

Gotthard Müller

94/07174 GM

The data is transmitted by modulation. EEPROM cells or laser-programmed ROMs are usually used as storage media in the transponder. Read-only systems are used with information carriers as E-PROMs and ROMs. Programmable read/write systems use EEPROM cells with relatively large storage capacities as storage. The distance between the transponder and the antenna of the base station can be up to several 10 cm, depending on the technology used and the available energy.

The practical use of identification systems that work with transponders has so far been limited to relatively complex and carefully handled goods, since the transponders are relatively expensive on the one hand and there is a risk of damage and thus the loss of the transponder value and errors in the identification system when used under rough conditions on the other.

The innovation is based on the task of making the advantages of identification systems that work with transponders, such as high operational reliability, flexibility, and the greatest possible freedom with regard to the assignment between the reading antenna and the transponder, accessible to other areas of application.

This task is solved with the features of the main claim. Goods containers of the most varied types are increasingly being used multiple times for the transport of goods, also for environmental reasons, i.e. they remain in use for a long time. In this way, costs that arise from the integration of such goods containers into a computer-protected identification and control system can be spread over many goods, so that more complex and flexible systems that work with transponders can be used compared to the optical identification systems described at the beginning. If the transponder is arranged in a recess in the goods container, it is protected and can circulate with the goods container as long as it remains in operation. This enables all the logistical advantages offered by modern identification systems.

The features of claim 2 provide a particularly secure accommodation of the

Gotthard Müller

94/07174 GM

Transponders achieved.

The features of claim 3 further increase operational reliability and mean that attaching the transponder to the goods container results in practically no additional costs in addition to those of the parts. The transponder integrated into the goods container can be programmed from the outside according to the goods held in the container when a programmable memory module is used.

The features of claim 4 open up the possibilities of modern transponder technology, in particular for the beverage industry, whereby the transponder can be subsequently installed in existing bottle crates and is safely housed in them to protect it from damage.

The features of claim 5, which are directed to the attachment of the transponder to modern, at least double-shelled reusable bottles, open up new possibilities for the logistics systems of the bottle industry.

The features of claim 6 advantageously further develop those of claim 5, since the concave bottom of the bottle is particularly safe from high mechanical stresses.

Claims 7 to 10 are directed to further developments of the innovation for its use on transport pallets.

The innovation is explained below using schematic drawings, for example, and with further details. They show:

Fig. 1 a side view of a bottle crate,
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bottle crate, cut in the plane Π-Π of Fig. 1,

Gotthard Müller "4 94/07174 GM

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 a sectional view of a bottle,

Fig. 5 a side view of a transport pallet with forklift,

Fig. 6 a top view of the transport pallet according to Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment modified from Fig. 5, 10

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the arrangement according to Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of a transport device

Palette and
15

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the arrangement according to Fig. 9.

Fig. 1 shows a bottle crate 2 which has recesses 4 in its side walls that serve as handles.

According to Fig. 2, which shows a top view of the bottle crate, cut in the plane Π-Π of Fig. 1, the bottle crate 2 has reinforcing ribs 10 in its long side walls 6 and 8, via which webs 12 dividing the interior of the bottle crate into individual fields are connected to the side walls 6 and 8. Bottles 14 can be accommodated in the individual fields. The connecting areas between the individual side surfaces are reinforced by means of reinforcing webs 16.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, a reinforcing rib 10 is formed in that the side wall 6 passes over symmetrically arranged web walls 18 into the web 12, so that a hollow channel 20 is formed within the reinforcing rib 10, which, in a manner known per se,

Gotthard MüUer "5 94/07174 GM

bottle crates is open at the bottom and closed at the top. A transponder 22 is installed in the hollow channel 20 adjacent to the long side wall 6, which is, for example, glued to the inside of the long side wall 6 or otherwise attached to it.

In this way, the transponder 22 is safely housed in the bottle crate 2, completely protected from external mechanical influences, and is available as an information carrier for the entire service life of the bottle crate 2. It goes without saying that the transponder 22 can also be arranged within the hollow channels formed on the edges of the bottle crate or, when the bottle crate made of thermoplastic is manufactured, it can be cast into one of its side walls immediately during its molding, so that the transponder is safely protected from mechanical influences.

The structure of the transponder 22 is known per se and forms part of an identification system, which is also known per se in its structure and use and is therefore not explained in more detail here. The innovative arrangement of the transponder 22 has the advantage that the transponder 22 can be read or programmed safely despite its protection against damage, since an antenna of a reading device or a base station that is connected to an associated data processing system is only separated from the transponder 22 by the side wall that is thin in the area of the reinforcing rib 10, and the alternating electromagnetic field only has to penetrate the thin side wall 6. The diameter of transponders used in practice is 20 to 30 mm. The transponder can be read or read safely by an antenna 20 cm away at a movement speed of 1 m/s.

Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of a bottle 14 equipped with a transponder 22. The bottle 14 is constructed with two shells and has an inner shell 24 made of glass, so that the bottle is suitable for holding any liquids, especially drinks. The inner shell 24 is connected to an outer shell made of plastic.

Gotthard Müller

94/07174 GM

26 is molded around or surrounded by it. In the area of the concave bottom 28 of the bottle 14, the transponder 22 is arranged between the inner shell 24 and the outer shell 26. The production is advantageously carried out in such a way that the transponder 22 is applied to the inner shell 24 before the outer shell 26 is produced, so that the transponder 22 is securely housed between the inner and outer shells, covered on the outside by the outer shell 26. The bottle according to the innovation can thus be used in a logistically advantageous manner within identification systems throughout its entire service life.

Fig. 5 shows a transport pallet 30, as used to transport a wide variety of goods, from the construction industry to the food industry. The transport pallet 30 is known in its structure and in the example shown has a floor made of floor boards 32, on which the goods to be transported are placed. The floor boards 32 are connected to one another with cross boards 34, so that an inherently stable floor is created. So that the transport pallet 30 or the floor can be grasped, wooden blocks 36 are attached to the connecting boards 34, which in turn are connected to one another via floor supports 38 designed as boards. Continuous channels are formed between the floor supports 38 and the connecting boards 34, into which fork arms 40 of a forklift truck 42 can be inserted.

In order to make the transport pallet 30 accessible to modern logistical identification systems, a transponder 22 is attached to one of the floor supports 38 in a way that prevents it from being damaged by being inserted into a recess between one of the floor supports 38 and one of the wooden blocks. It goes without saying that there are numerous options for attaching the transponder 22 to the transport pallet 30 in a protected manner; for example, one of the floor supports 38 can be provided with a recess into which the transponder 22 is inserted and which is then covered with a board.

To read and/or program the transponder 22, one of the fork arms 40 is positioned at a point that is close to the transponder 22 when the transport pallet is picked up.

Gotthard Müller *..* ₇ *..* »· ·" ··* ^: 94/07174 GM

is equipped with the antenna 44 of a reading and/or programming device of the identification system. The antenna 44 is connected to the associated devices via a line 46. The antenna 44 is expediently cast in a plastic block which is accommodated in a recess of the associated fork arm 40 in a way that prevents it from being damaged.

As can be seen from Fig. 6, the transponder 22 in the example shown is not directly below the antenna 44, which is attached to the side of the fork arm 40. It is understood that many variations of the arrangements are possible, the limits of which are the permissible distance and the relative alignment between the transponder 22 and the antenna 44.

Fig. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of pallet and forklift truck which differs from that of Fig. 5 and 6 in that the fork arms 40 of the forklift truck are long enough for two transport pallets to be picked up by the forklift truck.

Accordingly, the fork arms 40 of the forklift truck 42 are provided with two antennas 44.

Fig. 9 and 10 show the ability to integrate the transport pallets 30 provided with a transponder 22 according to the innovation into a conveyor system. A transport pallet 30 with a transponder 22 is shown, placed on a conveyor system. The conveyor system 48 has a conveyor belt or conveyor rollers and is equipped with the antenna 44 for reading and/or programming the transponder 22, which is connected to the associated data processing system via a line 46. By attaching the transponder 22 in the immediate vicinity of the underside of the transport pallet 30 located on the conveyor system 48, the antenna 44 can be arranged very close to the transponder, which increases the safety of the interaction of the data processing system with the transponder, since the alternating electromagnetic field for the energy supply, reading and/or programming of the transponder 22 only has to penetrate the conveyor belt (if present) and the floor support 38.

Gotthard Müller

94/07174 GM

The pallet transponders used in practice have a diameter of 90 mm and can be read at movement speeds of 1 m/s even at a distance of 1 m.

In summary, the innovation opens up the use of modern logistics data processing systems for systems that work with goods containers, especially goods containers that are used multiple times. The transponder arranged on the respective goods container can be permanently programmed according to the goods, only programmed when the goods container is loaded, reprogrammed when the inventory on or in the goods container changes, etc., so that all the advantages of modern logistics systems can be used. The transponder is securely attached to the goods container and is available for the entire service life of the goods container.

Claims (10)

Protection claims 1. Goods container with a transponder (22) as an information carrier, the information of which can be read and/or programmed by means of an electromagnetic high-frequency field, characterized in that the transponder (22) is arranged in a recess (20) of the goods container (2; 14; 30), 2. Goods container according to claim 1, characterized in that the transponder (22) is arranged in a cavity (20) of the goods container (2). 3. Goods container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transponder (22) is enclosed in the goods container (2; 14) during its manufacture. 4. Goods container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the goods container is a bottle crate (2) which has a reinforcing rib (10) enclosing a cavity (20) in a side wall (6, 8), and that the transponder (22) is arranged in the cavity (20) of the reinforcing rib (10). 5. Goods container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the goods container is a bottle (14) with an inner shell (24) and an outer shell (26) and that the transponder (22) is arranged between the inner and outer shell. 6. Goods container according to claim 5, characterized in that the transponder (22) is arranged in the region of the concave bottom (28) of the bottle. 7. Goods container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the goods container is a transport pallet (30). Gotthard Müller 94/07174 GM 8. Goods container according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport pallet (30) has a base (32, 34) for receiving goods to be transported and a base support (38), wherein a channel for receiving a fork arm (40) of a forklift truck (42) is formed between the base support and the base, and that the transponder (22) is accommodated in the base support (38) in an area adjacent to the channel. 9. Forklift truck for transporting a pallet according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that an antenna (44) belonging to a reading and/or programming device for the transponder (22) is integrated in a fork arm (40) of the forklift truck (42). 10. Conveyor device for transporting a pallet according to claim 8, characterized in that an antenna (44) belonging to a reading and/or programming device for the transponder (22) is arranged in the region of an upper side of the conveyor device receiving the transport pallet (30).