Abstract:
A device, system and method for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an item is disposed includes a reusable environment monitoring tag operably connected to a return postcard that can be disposed adjacent an item to be monitored, the tag equipped to sense and store surrounding environmental conditions thereof and an electronic reader electronic reader which upon receipt of the a return postcard having the tag therein in a predetermined range receives environmental data sensed and stored by the tag and analyze the data. The method includes mailing the return postcard to a receiving site for reading.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present device relates to reusable environment monitoring tags. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention relates to environment monitoring device disposed with and to sense the internal environment of an article contained in a package including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position and atmosphere. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior devices for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an article is contained exist. For example, such devices typically monitor, record and download the temperature history of package content in transit. Recorded data is currently downloaded with the aid of the party receiving the device shipped with the article. This creates a burden on the recipient and shipper to follow up on these tracking devices which in the case of pharmaceuticals, for example, have strict government regulations requiring temperature monitoring. Currently, computer based devices are required to be deployed at the recipient&#39;s location where the tags can be inserted into a reader and data transmitted to the shipper. 
     The current method and system for monitoring such conditions is lacking. There is a need to improve the system, device and method for monitoring conditions of an article contained in an environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object to improve monitoring of conditions of an article contained in an environment. 
     It is a further object to provide an improved device and method for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an article is disposed. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a device for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an article is disposed. The device includes a reusable environment monitoring tag operably connected to a return postcard that can be disposed adjacent a product, package, article or container to sense internal environment of the same including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position and atmosphere. The tag can preferably be operably disposed within two card substrates, wherein an outer surface of one substrate includes printed address indicia to enable the recipient to simply drop the device into the mail for purposes of the same to be delivered to a tag information retrieval center. 
     The invention is also directed to a system which includes a reusable environment monitoring tag operably connected to a return postcard that can be disposed adjacent a product, package, article or container to sense internal environment of the same including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position and an electronic reader which upon receipt of the a return postcard having the tag therein is equipped to receive environmental data sensed by the tag and analyze the data. 
     The invention also is directed to a method for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an article is disposed. The method includes the steps of providing a reusable environment monitoring tag operably connected to a return postcard that can be disposed adjacent a product, package, article or container to sense internal environment of the same including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position, disposing the tag and postcard adjacent a product, package, article or container in a manner to sense internal environment; providing the tag and postcard and product, package, article or container to a recipient; removing the tag and postcard; and forwarding the tag and postcard to an electronic reader which upon receipt of the a return postcard having the tag therein is equipped to receive environmental data sensed by the tag and analyze the data. 
     The proposed invention also permits the use of such postcard tag device in food grade and pharmaceutical grade environments by enclosing the same in a continuous waterproof barrier of food grade plastic or other material separating the electronics and other components of the tag from the environment. The barrier can be a separate or an integral part of the postcard. 
     The present invention will be described in greater detail herein and with reference to the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a device of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows in a tag used in the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a back view of a device of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a system and method of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view through  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a reusable environment monitoring tag  8  is operably connected to a return postcard  9  which together form the device  10 . Preferably, the tag  8  can be operably disposed between a pair of substrates  12 A and  12 B which can be a paper substrate or other printable substrate. The device  10  can be disposed adjacent a product, package, article or container  14  to sense internal environment of the same including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position. An electronic reader computer based device  16  can be provided to aid in receiving the data which is stored on the device  10  upon receipt of the a return postcard  9  having the tag  8  thus permitting the environmental data sensed by the tag  8  to be analyzed. The substrates  12 A and  12 B can preferably be such to permit printed indicia thereon and can also include a protective coating to aid in protecting the tag  8 . 
     The environment monitoring tag  8  includes electronic components mounted on a substrate  18  which can preferably be covered by a layer of protective foam  20  over which is located an ESD layer  22  to reduce static buildup. The sandwich comprising tag  8 , foam  20  and ESD layer  22  is inserted in between substrates  12 A and  12 B which can form an envelope. The substrates  12 A and  12 B can include food or pharmaceutical grade heat sealable flexible plastic and be sealed together by heat and pressure applied to a perimeter of the sandwich sealing the elements into a waterproof unit. The proposed invention also permits the use of such postcard tag device  10  in food grade and pharmaceutical grade environments by enclosing the same in a continuous waterproof barrier of food grade plastic or other material separating the electronics and other components of the tag  8  from the environment. The barrier can be a separate or an integral part of the postcard. The tag  8  is of a size that allows for integration into a postcard  9  as seen in the drawings. Preferably, the device can be manufactured in a manner to provide for its reuse. In this regard, the device  10  can include a rechargeable or renewable source or a power source with a long life so that multiple uses can be made with a single device  10 . 
     The device  10  can then be inserted into a package  14  which can contain food or medication, for example, without concern for contamination and can monitor the environment within the package  14  in the manner known in the prior art. The tag  8  is formed with components known in art to perform the monitoring of conditions. The present invention contemplates providing tag  8  with a start/stop button  11  and status indicator  13  in predetermined fixed positions on tag  8 . The start/stop button  11  starts and stops monitoring by the tag  8  and the status button  11  can be an LED which blinks to indicate operation, for example, a red light indicating the device has been stopped. 
     Postcard  9  is provided with cutout portions  17  and  19  as seen in  FIG. 5 . The tag  8  can be adhesively connected for example to a predetermined area  21  of an inside surface of substrates  12 A and  12 B as represented by dashed line. In this way, the start/stop button  11  and status indicator  13  can be positionably maintained within respective cutout portions  17  and  19  for aiding in carrying out the invention. 
     When polled by an RF field generated by an interested party, such as a party located at the device  10  return site  30 , the environmental data are transmitted through the postcard  9  to RF reader  32  to be utilized in assessing the history of the environment within package  14 . The invention provides a system which includes reusable environment monitoring tag  8  operably connected to a return postcard  9  that can be disposed adjacent a product, package, article or container  14  to sense internal environment of the same including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position and an electronic reader  32  associated with computer  16  which upon receipt of the a return postcard  9  having the tag  8  therein is equipped to receive environmental data sensed by the tag and analyzes the data. 
     A method for monitoring conditions within an environment in which an article is disposed is provided. The method includes the steps of providing the reusable environment monitoring tag  8  operably connected to a return postcard  9  that can be disposed adjacent a product, package, article or container  14  to sense internal environment of the same including but not limited to temperature, vibration, pressure, radiation, shock, light, position, disposing the tag and postcard adjacent a product, package, article or container  14  in a manner to actively sense internal environment; providing the tag and postcard  10  and product, package, article or container  14  to a recipient; removing the tag and postcard  10 ; turning off the sensor of the tag  8 ; and forwarding the tag and postcard  10  to an electronic reader  32  which upon receipt of the a return postcard  9  having the tag  8  therein is equipped to receive environmental data sensed by the tag  8  and analyze the data for purposes of determining compliance of a predetermined condition. To aid in this regard the postcard  9  is preprinted with indicia  26  which can include steps of instructing the receiver to use a pen or pencil tip to press the stop button  11  (step  1 ), then check the status indicator  13  to if a red light is blinking (step  2 ) and finally placing the device  10  in a mailbox (step  3 ). 
     Return postcard  9  seen in  FIG. 3  adheres to US mail standards wherein a U.S. postcard and accordingly has size with in a maximum and minimum size provided by the United States Postal Service and a maximum and minimum thickness provided by the United States Postal Service as wet forth below. The following table gives the specifications in both inches and millimetres (cm dimensions can be calculated by dividing mm by 10). 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Length × height 
                 Length × height 
                 Thickness  
                 Thickness 
               
               
                 Size 
                 (in) 
                 (mm) 
                 (in) 
                 (mm) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 maximum 
                 6 × 4.25 
                 152.4 × 107.9 
                 0.016 
                 0.406 
               
               
                 minimum 
                 5 × 3.5  
                 127.0 × 88.9  
                 0.007 
                 0.178 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The thickness specifications for the US postcard equates to a basis weight of 39lb to 105lb bond stock, 55lb to 145lb cover stock (card stock) or 145 gsm to 390 gsm. 
     The above described embodiments are set forth by way of example and are not for the purpose of limiting the present invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that obvious modifications, derivations and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto should be read in their full scope including any such modifications, derivations and variations.