Container including a tamper-resistant seal and to a radio frequency identification seal

Abstract

A radio frequency identification seal comprises an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion and an RFID tag coupled and tuned to the antenna. The RFID tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to the antenna.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a container body; and    a seal on at least a portion of said container body, said seal including an antenna and a tag tuned to said antenna, said tag becoming detuned when said antenna is compromised during opening of said container.    
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein said tag outputs a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to said antenna.  
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 2  wherein said tag resonates in response to said scanning signal when tuned to said antenna and outputs a code unique to said tag.  
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 3  wherein said scanning signal is of a predetermined frequency.  
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 2  wherein said antenna includes a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion coupled to said main antenna portion, said at least one break-away portion separating from said main antenna portion when said container is compromised resulting in said tag becoming detuned from said antenna.  
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one break-away portion is coupled to said main antenna portion by one-time contacts.  
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein said main antenna portion is provided on a door of said container and wherein said at least one break-away portion is provided on a doorjamb of said container.  
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 6  comprising a plurality of break-away portions at spaced locations along said antenna.  
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein said main antenna portion is provided on a door of said container and wherein at least one of said break-away portions is provided on a doorjamb of said container.  
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein another of said break-away portions is provided adjacent a lock on said door.  
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein said tag and antenna are disposed on a substrate secured to said container.  
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 11  wherein said substrate is adhered to said container.  
   
   
       13 . A radio frequency identification seal comprising: 
 an antenna including a main antenna portion and at least one break-away portion; and    an RFID tag coupled and tuned to said antenna, said RFID tag outputting a signature in response to a scanning signal when tuned to said antenna.    
   
   
       14 . A radio frequency identification seal according to  claim 13  wherein said RFID tag outputs a unique code in response to said scanning signal.  
   
   
       15 . A radio frequency identification seal according to  claim 12  wherein said at least one break-away portion is coupled to said main antenna portion by one-time contacts.  
   
   
       16 . A radio frequency identification seal according to  claim 15  comprising a plurality of break-away portions.