Patent Publication Number: US-2022227535-A1

Title: Reusable Smart Container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/139,870 filed Jan. 21, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     In many industries, such as foodservice, hospitality, e-commerce, etc., disposable containers are commonly used to store and transport goods. Disposable containers are generally intended for a one-time use before being disposed of in waste or recycling streams. The value of a disposable container is no greater than its cost, and the value may even be diminished further at a higher rate of disposal which corresponds to increased costs. 
     Reusable containers or packaging provide an alternative to disposable containers. Although manufacturing and acquisition costs of reusable containers are generally greater than those of disposable containers, reusable containers are valued at a competitive cost per use. These containers are typically viable when the total value/cost per use is greater than that of a disposable alternative. Reusable containers may also provide added value with features and benefits that are economically feasible in a reusable model but not in a single-use model. 
     Current containers include electronic components used to carry data related to the container and global positioning system (GPS) location logging to reduce loss or damage to the goods contained therein. The GPS logging function permits detecting a deviation from a planned transit route. Production, installation and maintenance of a GPS unit for placement on each individual container can be highly costly. Other forms of loss include in-transit damage or unexpected variation in temperature. Containers that cannot adequately protect and/or prevent spoilage of the goods in which they are transporting may add significant costs to the users of the container, such as the shipping company. 
     Accordingly, further developments in the art of reusable containers would be desirable to improve the value of the containers by reducing shipping costs and improving container functionality. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, a reusable container may be used for the storage and transportation of goods, e.g., in the foodservice or hospitality industries, or other similar applications. The reusable container may reduce waste and recycling handling costs along with having improved environmental benefits due to the reduced environmental footprint. The reusable container may include enhanced durability and information technology features, including 2-way communication capability. The reusable container may include any or all of the features described in detail below, some of which may be customizable to optimize cost and value for specific end-user scenarios. For example, certain features may be included or omitted (when omitting features would reduce the cost of the device without negatively impacting value). 
     The reusable container may sense, measure and record information about the details of the state of the container while in transit. For example, the container may record an internal temperature, humidity, shock/vibration, or pressure, among other things. The container may display the information to a user directly on the container, and may also provide the information remotely by communicating with a wireless receiver through a wireless radio included in the container. The wireless radio may ping various wireless receivers in transit to identify the location of the container at a given time. By making use of wireless receivers already incorporated in the supply chain (e.g., computers, smartphones, etc.) the containers may improve the cost of shipping by tracking location with low-cost means and providing a user with important information to deliver a product while reducing the likelihood and frequency of damage to the product. 
     In certain embodiments, a reusable container may include a container portion and a microcontroller device. The microcontroller device may include a microcontroller and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be configured for wireless communication with a local area network including at least a first radio receiver or the first radio receiver and a first computer. The local area network may be external to the reusable container. The local area network may determine location data corresponding to a location of the container based on at least a location of the radio receiver or the first computer. The microcontroller may be configured to store the location data. 
     The wireless communication device may be a Bluetooth® low energy wireless radio. The radio receiver may be part of a local area network including a first computer. The microcontroller may include firmware programmed onto the microcontroller and may be configured to be updated wirelessly upon the microcontroller device receiving update signals corresponding to firmware update instructions from the local area network. The firmware update instructions may correspond to custom updates provided by an external user as desired by the user. 
     The container portion may include a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel and a sixth panel. The first panel may have a substantially rectangular shape defining first, second, third, and fourth edges. The second panel may be hingedly coupled to the first edge of the first panel. The third panel may be hingedly coupled to the second edge of the first panel, the third panel being perpendicular to the second panel in the upright configuration. The fourth panel may be hingedly coupled to the third edge of the first panel, the fourth panel being opposite and parallel to the third panel in the upright configuration. The fifth panel may be hingedly coupled to the fourth edge of the first panel, the fifth panel being opposite and parallel to the second panel in the upright configuration. The sixth panel may be hingedly coupled to the fifth panel, the sixth panel being opposite and parallel to the first panel in an upright closed configuration defining an enclosed space bounded by each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth panels. 
     The reusable container may be included in a container monitoring system which may further include the radio receiver and the first computer. The first computer may be a smartphone. The smartphone may include a customer container monitoring application configured for providing instructions to the microcontroller device of the sensor and control assembly. 
     The reusable container may be configurable between upright and collapsible configurations. The reusable container may include a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel and a sixth panel. The first panel may have a substantially rectangular shape defining first, second, third, and fourth edges. The second panel may be hingedly coupled to the first edge of the first panel. The third panel may be hingedly coupled to the second edge of the first panel, the third panel being perpendicular to the second panel in the upright configuration. The fourth panel may be hingedly coupled to the third edge of the first panel, the fourth panel being opposite and parallel to the third panel in the upright configuration. The fifth panel may be hingedly coupled to the fourth edge of the first panel, the fifth panel being opposite and parallel to the second panel in the upright configuration. The sixth panel may be hingedly coupled to the fifth panel, the sixth panel being opposite and parallel to the first panel in an upright closed configuration defining an enclosed space bounded by each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth panels. 
     The reusable container may include a power source configured to electrically power the microcontroller device. The reusable container may include a sensor in electrical or optical communication with the microcontroller configured for transmitting sensor signals corresponding to sensor data to the microcontroller. The sensor data may correspond to operational or environmental information. The sensor data may be stored by the microcontroller. The microcontroller may be configured for transmitting controller sensor data corresponding to the sensor data to the local area network. The reusable container may include a display in electrical or optical communication with the microcontroller. The display may be configured for displaying display data corresponding to display signals received from the microcontroller. The display data may be based on the sensor data. The sensor may be selected from the group consisting of a thermometer, a humidity sensor, a contact switch, an accelerometer, a barometer, and a pressure transducer. The sensor may be a contact switch configured to detect a closed configuration of the container portion or an open configuration of the container portion, the detected closed or open configuration being the sensor data. The wireless communication device may be configured to wirelessly connect to the radio receiver upon the microcontroller device receiving the sensor data to identify the location of the container. 
     In certain alternative embodiments, a reusable container configurable between upright and collapsible configurations may include a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel and a sixth panel. The first panel may have a substantially rectangular shape defining first, second, third, and fourth edge. The second panel may be hingedly coupled to the first edge of the first panel. The third panel may be hingedly coupled to the second edge of the first panel, the third panel being perpendicular to the second panel in upright configuration. The fourth panel may be hingedly coupled to the third edge of the first panel, the fourth panel being opposite and parallel to the third panel in the upright configuration. The fifth panel may be hingedly coupled to the fourth edge of the first panel, the fifth panel being opposite and parallel to the second panel in the upright configuration. The sixth panel may be hingedly coupled to the fifth panel, the sixth panel being opposite and parallel to the first panel in an upright closed configuration defining an enclosed space bounded by each of the first, the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and the sixth panels; and electronic componentry received inside the second panel. 
     The first panel may include a recess. The sixth panel may include a protrusion positioned such that the protrusion of the reusable container is configured to correspond and mate with the recess of an additional reusable container when in a stacked configuration with the reusable container. The second, third, fourth and fifth panels may be configured to fold approximately ninety degrees and thereby lie in a plane parallel to the first panel. The electronic componentry may include a microcontroller device and a sensor in electrical or optical communication with the microcontroller. The microcontroller device and sensor may be configured to be removed from the second panel, modified, and returned inside the second panel to change the functionality of the container. The microcontroller device may include a microcontroller and a wireless radio receiver in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The microcontroller may be configured to be programmed wirelessly from a wireless radio transmitter. The container may include a display in electrical or optical communication with the microcontroller. The display may be an electrophoretic display. The microcontroller may be configured to control a timing of detection of operational or environmental information associated with the container by the sensors. 
     A method of use of a reusable container may include receiving, via a microcontroller device of the reusable container, sensor signals provided by a sensor and corresponding to operational or environmental data identifying detection of a change in operational or environmental parameters associated with the reusable container; receiving, via a wireless radio of the microcontroller device, location signals corresponding to a location of a first external device of the reusable container upon receipt of the sensor signals; recording, on a memory storage device of or associated with a microcontroller of the microcontroller device, sensor data corresponding to the sensor signals and location data corresponding to the location signals; and transmitting the information from the Bluetooth wireless radio of the microcontroller to a Bluetooth receiver external to the reusable container. 
     The method of using a reusable container may include transporting the reusable container through the supply chain. The method may include displaying on a display of the reusable container information corresponding to either one or both of the sensor data and the location data. The method may include transmitting from the wireless radio of the microcontroller device recorded data signals corresponding to the sensor data. The method may include receiving the recorded data signals at the first external device or at a second external device. The method may include programming the microcontroller wirelessly via the wireless radio of the microcontroller device. The Bluetooth receiver may be configured to transmit the information to an inventory management system to provide system-wide supply chain visibility of the reusable container. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a reusable container in an upright closed configuration according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the reusable container of  FIG. 1  in an upright open configuration. 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  are perspective views of the reusable container of  FIG. 1  in various stages of the reusable container transitioning between the upright configuration and a collapsed configuration. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic cross-sectional views of the reusable container of  FIG. 1  in an upright and a collapsed configuration, respectively. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the relationships among electrical components of the reusable container of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the terms “about,” “generally,” “approximately,” and “substantially” are intended to mean that slight deviations from absolute are included within the scope of the term so modified. However, unless otherwise indicated, the lack of any such terms should not be understood to mean than such slight deviations from absolute are not included within the scope of the term so modified. It should be understood that directional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “front,” and “rear” may be used to refer to relative locations for ease of description, but these terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     A reusable container, as described herein, may include physical components and electrical components. It is contemplated that all or any combination of less than all of the components described below may be part of the reusable container. Thus, certain components may be omitted from the reusable container, depending on the functionality and cost-to-benefit ratio desired by or acceptable to an end user. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , reusable container  100  is configurable into an upright closed configuration forming a box shape. Reusable container  100  includes an upper panel  102 , a lower panel  104 , a front panel  106 , and a first side panel  110 . Shown more clearly in  FIG. 2 , reusable container  100  also includes a second side panel  112  opposite first side panel  110  and a rear panel  108  opposite front panel  106 . Reusable container  100  further includes a hinge  109  coupled to upper panel  102  and rear panel  108 , which is shown and described below in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B . In the upright closed configuration, the edges of each panel are generally adjacent an edge of an adjacent panel such that reusable container  100  forms a box defining an enclosed space inside the panels. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , upper panel  102  further includes protrusions  114 . In the illustrated embodiment, protrusions  114  extend longitudinally along upper panel  102  in a direction parallel to side panels  110 ,  112 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , lower panel  104  includes recesses  116 . In the illustrated embodiment, recesses  116  extend longitudinally along lower panel  104  parallel to side panels  110 ,  112  and are sized and shaped to receive the protrusions of the upper panel of a second reusable container. It is contemplated that containers may include any combination of at least one protrusion on a panel of a first container and at least one corresponding recess on a panel of a second container such that the protrusion is adapted to mate with the recess. The protrusion and recess may have any appropriate size, shape and location on their respective panels. It is contemplated that a protrusion may be included on the lower panel and a recess may be included on the upper panel. In some examples, a similar protrusion and recess combination may also be included on the front and rear panels or the first and second side panels. The mating of the protrusions of a first container with the recesses of a second reusable container facilitates ease and stability for stacking a plurality of containers. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , in the open configuration, lower panel  104 , front panel  106 , and side panels  110 ,  112  remain substantially in the same position and orientation as in the closed upright configuration. In the upright open configuration, upper panel  102  may fold open and separate from front panel  106  and side panels  110 ,  112 . That is, upper panel  102  and hinge  109  may rotate with respect to rear upper edge  120  of rear panel  108 . Further, rear panel  108  may rotate with respect to lower panel  104  at rear lower edge  122  (shown in  FIGS. 3A-B ) where rear panel  108  couples to lower panel  104 . In the upright open configuration, reusable container  100  may define an enclosed space with the exception of upper panel  102 . Alternatively, reusable container  100  may define an enclosed space with the exception of upper panel  102  and rear panel  108 . In an alternate embodiment, the upper panel and rear panel of the container may rotate about a hinge defining an upper edge of the rear panel and a rear edge of the upper panel. 
     The reusable container may be constructed with any dimensions suitable for the goods contained therein. The weight and volume of the reusable container may be selected based on what is appropriate for safe and ergonomic handling in consideration of the goods contained therein. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , reusable container  100  has a length measuring about 19.875 inches, a width measuring about 14.3125 inches, and a height measuring about 4.75 inches. Reusable container  100 , in this example, is filled with fresh beef patties  130 , each patty  130  having a net weight of approximately 1.6 ounces, arranged in layers of 12 patties in a 4×3 configuration stacked five layers high. 
     The reusable container may be constructed of materials that promote durability, shock-absorbing properties, insulating properties, and high strength-to-weight ratio. For example, the panels may be composed of expanded polypropylene (EPP) material with reinforcements at corners and high contact spots. Further, edges and corners and high-contact spots such as the protrusions and recesses may be reinforced or covered with more compressible materials, e.g., or with more rigid materials, e.g., a layer of polycarbonate and/or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), relative to the rest of the panels. It is also contemplated that edges, corners and high-contact spots may consist completely of polycarbonate and/or ABS. The durability of the container may reduce physical damage to goods (including when stacked), and insulation may reduce damage to goods due to temperature and other environmental abuse. 
     Reusable container  100  may be configured to transition from an upright configuration to a collapsed configuration. The steps for such a transition of the illustrated embodiment are shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . In  FIG. 3A , rear panel  108  is folded along rear lower edge  122  away from side panels  110 ,  112  such that rear panel  108  and lower panel  104  are substantially coplanar. Further, first side panel  110  may be folded inward toward the center of reusable container  100  along a first side lower edge  124  and second side panel  112  may be folded inward toward center of reusable container  100  along second side lower edge  126 . First and second side panels  110 ,  112  may be folded such that they are adjacent to lower panel  104  and lie in a plane parallel to that of lower panel  104 , as shown in  FIG. 3B . Further, upper panel  102  may be folded at hinge  109  over folded side panels  110 ,  112 , and front panel  106  may be folded along a front lower edge  128 , such that both upper panel  102  and front panel  106  lay flat on top of folded side panels  110 ,  112  as shown in  FIG. 3C , which illustrates the reusable container  100  in a collapsed configuration. The hinge and edges on which the panels fold allow for a transition between the upright configuration and the efficient collapsed configuration with ease and allows for stacking of reusable containers  100  in both the upright and collapsed configurations by mating grooves of a first container with recesses of a second container. It is also contemplated that a reusable container in an upright configuration may mate and stack effectively with a reusable container in a collapsed configuration. In further examples, the container may include front, rear, upper and side panels of varying sizes for alternative forms of collapsed configurations. For instance, the front, rear and upper panels may be sized such that front panel folds down and upper panel folds over rear panel and lies on top of it. Side panels may be sized such that one side panel may fold down and the opposing side panel may fold over the first side panel and lie on top of it. 
       FIGS. 4A-B  illustrate how the dimensions of reusable container  100  change as container  100  transitions from an upright configuration (shown in  FIG. 4A ) to a collapsed configuration (shown in  FIG. 4B ). Lower panel  104  defines a length L 1 . The length L 1  may also be the length of the interior of space of container  100 . Upper panel  102  defines a length L 2 . The difference between length L 1  and length L 2  is the thickness of hinge  109 . Container  100  defines a height H 1 . Rear panel  108  defines a height H 2 . Front panel  106  defines a height H 3 . Front panel  106  defines a thickness T 1 . Rear panel  108  defines a thickness T 2 . Lower panel  104  defines a thickness T 3 . Upper panel  102  and hinge  109  both define a thickness T 4 . In the illustrated embodiment, hinge  109  defines a square cross section, however other shaped cross-sections are contemplated, such as a rectangle. Height H 1  is equal to the sum of height H 3  and thickness T 3 , which is also equal to the sum of height H 2  and thicknesses T 3  and T 4 . 
     In some examples, length L 1  measures about 18.375 inches, length L 2  measures about 17.875 inches, height H 1  measures about 4.75 inches, height H 2  measures about 3.75 inches, height H 3  measures about 4.25 inches, thickness T 1  measures about 1 inch and thicknesses T 2 - 4  measure about 0.5 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the increased thickness of front panel  106  relative to the other panels allows for container  100  to form a flat surface in the collapsed configuration between upper panel  102  and front panel  106  when upper panel  102  and front panel  106  are folded over side panels  110 ,  112 . Further, the increased thickness of front panel  106  may provide a housing for embedded or otherwise inserted electrical components and may provide improved support for a latching mechanism, both of which are described below. It is contemplated that the dimension and shape of container may be modified to meet optimal size and weight requirements suitable for the contents contained therein. In examples of the container having dimension varying from those described above, the total height of the container (i.e., height H 1 ) may measure less than half of the total length (i.e., the sum of length L 1 , thickness T 1  and thickness T 2 ), thus allowing the capability of container to transition from an upright configuration to a collapsed configuration as described above. 
     The reusable container may be secured closed with spring-loaded latches. In some examples, the container may include two latches which may lock the container while in a resting position, and may be unlocked by simultaneously applying a force to each of the two latches in a direction away from each other (e.g., toward the outside of the container), to transition the latches into an unlocked condition and enable the upper panel to be opened. 
     The reusable container may include at least one of the electrical components further described below. As described above, certain components may be omitted from the reusable container depending on the functionality and cost-to-benefit ratio desired by the end user. The electrical components may be embedded or otherwise inserted in front panel  106  of container  100 . Electrical components may be programmable wirelessly. In some examples, container  100  may be modular such that electrical components may be accessed physically to allow easy installation, modification and customization of electrical components in container  100 . For example, any sensors further described below may be included or omitted based on a user&#39;s preferences. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , in one example, reusable container  100  includes microcontroller  150  (which may also be referred to as system on a chip, or SoC), sensors  160 , display  170 , and battery (or power source)  180 . Microcontroller device  150  may send and/or receive electrical or optical signals providing data corresponding to information or instructions to/from control sensors  160 , display  170 , and/or battery  180  as will be discussed below in greater detail. Microcontroller device  150  may include a wireless radio, flash memory, random-access memory (RAM), an embedded antenna, and/or interfaces to sensor inputs and display outputs. In some arrangements, microcontroller  150  may include one megabyte of flash memory. In some arrangements, microcontroller  150  may include 64K of RAM. The flash memory and RAM may support running firmware, which may be programmed to facilitate operations of the electrical components. 
     The firmware may be used to aid in the rotation of inventory of containers and products disposed inside of containers. In other words, information such as present time/date, time/date of production of goods, time/date of initial filling of container  100  may be programmed into the firmware such that the firmware may inform a user of production and filling dates, thereby assisting the user in determining an order in which a designated container among surrounding containers within a point-of-use (e.g., a restaurant storage area) should be used. Such information (e.g., date of production, date of filling, product code information, etc.) may be communicated to the container  100  via a wireless receiver  190  (e.g., Bluetooth receiver), as will be described below in greater detail. The firmware may also detect and alert a user of food that may have expired based on specified dates. Such a system may reduce waste due to improved inventory precision and planning, reduced improper inventory rotation, and reduced unexplained inventory losses. The firmware may be configured to facilitate user interaction with reusable container  100 . The firmware may be customizable via custom programming to address the needs of a user. In still further examples, the firmware may be configured to record and communicate information, including information about a wireless receiver  190  adapted to connect to microcontroller device  150  via the wireless radio of the microcontroller device. It is contemplated that changes and updates to firmware may be enacted wirelessly when container  100  is in wireless contact with receiver  190 , e.g., a Bluetooth receiver. 
     The sensor inputs  160  in reusable container  100  may include a thermometer  162 , a humidity sensor  164 , a contact switch  166 , and any other suitable sensors  168  desired by a user and known to those skilled in the art. Sensors  160  are configured to be controlled by microcontroller device  150 , which may act as a switch and activator in controlling the timing of the detection, e.g., sampling rate frequency, of operational, environmental, or other parameters associated with reusable container  100  by sensors  160 . Thermometer  162  may sense and measure the temperature of an internal space of reusable container  100  when the container is in an upright configuration, e.g., a closed upright configuration. Thermometer  162  may also sense the temperature of any product contained within reusable container  100 , such as beef patties  130  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Thermometer  162  may measure temperature by any suitable means, such as an infrared thermometer, a mercury thermometer, a thermocouple, etc. Thermometer  162  may send the measured information to microcontroller device  150  for storage via a connection between the thermometer and the microcontroller device. In one example, a temperature threshold setting may be established on the firmware of microcontroller device  150 , and any surpassing of that threshold as recorded by thermometer  162  may result in an output alerting the user of the temperature variation. 
     Similarly, humidity sensor  164  may sense humidity levels within the internal space of reusable container  100  when container  100  is in an upright configuration, e.g., a closed upright configuration. The humidity level detected by humidity sensor  164  may be relayed to microcontroller device  150  for storage via a connection between the humidity sensor and the microcontroller device. 
     Contact switch  166  may detect the open or closed orientation of reusable container  100 . For example, when reusable container  100  is in a closed upright configuration and upper panel  102  contacts front panel  106  and/or side panels  110 ,  112 , contact switch  166  may detect the configuration of the upper panel  102  and provide a first output to the microcontroller device indicating the closed configuration of reusable container  100 . Alternatively, when reusable container  100  is in an open upright configuration and upper panel  102  does not contact front panel  106  and/or side panels  110 ,  112 , contact switch  166  may detect the configuration of upper panel  102  and provide a second output to the microcontroller device indicating the open configuration of reusable container  100 . Contact switch  166  may be coupled to microcontroller device  150  to send the output information to the microcontroller device for storage. In some examples, microcontroller device  150  may receive the information from contact switch  166  indicating that container  100  has transitioned from a closed configuration to an open configuration and search for and/or connect to the nearest receiver (e.g., Bluetooth receiver) to identify an approximate location in which container  100  has been opened. Some examples of other sensors  168  which may be included on reusable container  100  are a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, one or more accelerometers for shock or other vibratory indications, one or more barometers, one or more pressure transducers to detect weight, etc. 
     Display  170  may be one or more electrophoretic displays. Display  170  may be positioned on any panel of reusable container  100 . Display  170  may serve a purpose similar to a label or printed content, and may further function as an informational panel. In addition to display  170 , reusable container  100  may include additional signage, such as a brushed aluminum plaque or other durable signage, to communicate fixed-state item information that need not be changed dynamically. In some examples, a container may include between one and four electrophoretic displays  170  and between zero and four fixed signs. In some examples, electrophoretic display  170  may measure approximately three inches in a first direction (e.g., length) and five inches in a second direction (e.g., width). In some examples, electrophoretic display  170  or a fixed-state sign may be included on the front panel, but any location on the container is contemplated. Electrophoretic display  170  may require a higher cost than a fixed-state sign, and thus, a user may customize a reusable container  100  to include an appropriate number of each of electrophoretic displays  170  and fixed-state signage to optimize the cost and utility of container  100 . 
     The information displayed by display  170  is configured to be modified by microcontroller device  150 . In the example described above with reference to a temperature variation detected by the thermometer inside container  100 , the user may be alerted via display  170 , e.g., a message on the display reciting: “WARNING: Possible temperature abuse, do not use.” In other examples, display  170  may display information to the user to optimize the order and rotation in which the goods of multiple containers are used. For example, among a group of containers to be used in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) model, display  170  may inform or prompt the user of an order in which to use the goods container therein. That is, in a group of twelve containers, a message on display  170  may recite, e.g., “USE IN SEQUENCE: THIS IS #1 of 12.” It is contemplated that electrophoretic display  170  may operate similarly to a fixed image in that the display may not require power while displaying an image in a fixed state but may only require power, such as from a battery or an external power source including such a source known to those skilled in the art providing power wirelessly, to change the display. 
     In this regard, reusable container  100  may include battery  180  coupled to microcontroller device  150 . Battery  180  may comprise at least one single use battery, such as a 1.5 volt alkaline AA battery or a button cell or coin-shaped battery. Alternatively, battery  180  may comprise a rechargeable battery such as a lithium-ion battery. Remaining battery life may be measured and recorded by microcontroller device  150  via a voltage signal inbound from battery  180 . Remaining battery life may be determined by microcontroller device  150  based on a threshold battery life expectancy stored in the microcontroller device and displayed on display  170 . In some examples, microcontroller device  150  may be configured to deliver a message or warning to a user when the battery level drops below a designated threshold to indicate that the container should be set aside for battery replacement. It is contemplated that reusable container  100  may include parallel cell configurations to extend battery life by decreasing the frequency in which a battery must be replaced. 
     The wireless radio included in microcontroller device  150  may be a Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) radio. A BLE wireless radio may be used to locate container  100 , e.g., when used in conjunction with a local area network such as receiver  190  (e.g., a Bluetooth receiver) or a receiver in combination with a computer. A computer may be a personal computer, smartphone, data server, etc., and combinations and collections thereof. Receiver  190  may operate or be operated to identify a signal from the BLE wireless radio disposed on container  100 . The location of receiver  190  may be used by microcontroller device  150  as an approximate location of container  100  or, as appropriate or desired, may be used by the microcontroller device to determine a location of the container by applying data associated with the location of the receiver to an algorithm stored in the microcontroller device. Further, data received and recorded by microcontroller device  150  may be transmitted via the wireless BLE connection to receiver  190 . Receiver  190  may subsequently transmit said information to central servers via a connection to the Internet or other communication network. The central servers may feed data input to an inventory management system to provide system-wide supply chain visibility of the containers across the supply chain. 
     In some examples, information may be communicated wirelessly to the container via the receiver (e.g., Bluetooth receiver) in the production facility. A BLE wireless radio may be suitable in a foodservice environment where locating the reusable container within the supply chain may be achieved via Bluetooth receivers at various nodes, such as a point of shipping from a supplier/manufacturer, transportation carriers, distribution center docks (receiving and shipping), and restaurant inventory locations. The container may communicate with Bluetooth receivers at any or all these nodes and record its location (including other data from sensor inputs received by, and as appropriate, recorded by the microcontroller device) via methods such as dedicated Bluetooth receivers or custom applications on smartphones. The location information gathered when the container connects to a Bluetooth receiver serves to identify where the container is located in the supply chain and provide a key input used in the logic managed by the microcontroller to provide appropriate updates to the microcontroller and to provide appropriate information to the Bluetooth receivers the container may encounter on its journey in the supply chain. 
     In other examples, a GPS receiver may be included to track the location of container  100 . In still further examples, the wireless radio may be Wi-Fi and the container may communicate with Wi-Fi receivers to pinpoint an approximate location of the container and transmit data. It should be understood that transmitting data via BLE may substantially reduce the cost of the container as well as the cost of use relative to other described methods. That is, a BLE wireless radio may cost less than GPS, Wi-Fi, or 5G, and the ubiquity of Bluetooth receivers already in place in a chain of supply may be utilized, thus eliminating the immense cost of installing and operating a GPS receiver or cellular radio in each individual unit. 
     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.