Method and article for deterring theft of returnable containers

Abstract

A reusable plastic container for delivery products, such as a dairy crate, a bakery tray, a beverage crate or a produce tray, is formed of a composition including a plastic resin and an electrically conductive or magnetic material distributed substantially uniformly throughout the plastic resin. The electrically conductive or magnetic material can be carbonyl iron powder in an amount between about 0.25% and about 2.0% of the composition by weight. The powder is distributed throughout the container and is detectable by an electromagnetic detection apparatus for screening plastic materials for regrinding. The container has a notice affixed to it, which indicates that the container includes the electrically conductive or magnetic material and that discourages regrinding of the container.

1 . A reusable plastic container for delivery products, the container comprising:
 a container adapted for holding a delivery product, wherein the container comprises a frame formed of a composition comprising a plastic resin and particles of an electrically conductive or magnetic material distributed substantially uniformly throughout the plastic resin.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material are greater than about 0.25% of the composition by weight. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material are between about 0.25% and about 2.0% of the composition by weight. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material are in an amount sufficient to trigger a metal detector alarm. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a dairy crate. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a bakery tray. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a beverage crate. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container comprises a produce tray. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a notice affixed to the container, wherein the notice indicates that the container includes the electrically conductive or magnetic material. 
   
   
       10 . A method for manufacturing a reusable plastic container for delivery products, the method comprising:
 providing a thermoplastic resin;   mixing an electrically conductive or magnetic material with the thermoplastic resin;   heating the thermoplastic resin to plasticize the thermoplastic resin for molding;   molding the heated thermoplastic resin and the electrically conductive or magnetic material into a container suitable for transporting a delivery product.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the electrically conductive or magnetic material is mixed with the thermoplastic resin before heating the thermoplastic resin. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein:
 mixing the electrically conductive or magnetic material with the thermoplastic resin comprises adding the electrically conductive or magnetic material to a coloring agent to produce a coloring mixture; and   mixing the coloring mixture with the thermoplastic resin.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the electrically conductive or magnetic material comprises a powder. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the powder comprises a carbonyl iron powder. 
   
   
       15 . A method for providing a delivery product in a reusable container, the method comprising:
 delivering the delivery product in a container formed of a composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and an electrically conductive or magnetic material.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the electrically conductive or magnetic material comprises a powder. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the powder comprises a carbonyl iron powder. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the electrically conductive or magnetic material is in an amount sufficient to trigger a metal detector alarm. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the electrically conductive or magnetic material is greater than about 0.25% of the composition by weight. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the electrically conductive or magnetic material is between about 0.25% and about 2.0% of the composition by weight. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the container comprises a dairy crate. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the container comprises a bakery tray. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the container comprises a beverage crate. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the container comprises a produce tray. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising affixing to the container a notice that the container includes the electrically conductive or magnetic material. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising affixing to the container a notice discouraging regrinding of the container. 
   
   
       27 . A method of producing a returnable plastic container for delivery products, the method comprising:
 providing an organic plastic for molding;   providing particles of an electrically conductive or magnetic material;   mixing the particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material with the organic plastic;   heating the mixture of organic plastic and particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material; and   molding the heated mixture of organic plastic and particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material to produce a container for delivery products having the particles of electrically conductive or magnetic material distributed and proportioned such that the container will be detected by a metal detector for scanning plastic articles before regrinding.   
   
   
       28 . A method of providing a returnable plastic container for delivery products, the method comprising:
 providing an container comprising an organic plastic and particles that are detectable by an electromagnetic detection apparatus for screening plastic materials for regrinding, wherein the particles are positioned and proportioned such that the container may easily be detected by the electromagnetic detection apparatus.