IP Library Granted Patent US 10,811,590
Granted Patent B1
US 10,811,590 · App. 15/631,388 · Granted Oct 20, 2020

Containers with sensing and/or communication features

Inventors: Marc A. Pedmo (Litchfield, MI); Kevin Darrah (Medina, OH)
Assignee: Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
H01L41/0825H01L41/083H01L41/1132H04R17/005B65D2203/12H01L41/27H04Q2209/47H04R17/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,811,590
App. No.
15/631,388
Granted
Oct 20, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A plastic container with a sensing or communication feature includes a sensor. In an embodiment, the sensor may include a piezo electric disc. The sensor may be connected to a surface of the plastic container or may be at least partially embedded within a wall of the plastic container.

Claims (18)

1. A plastic container with a sensing or communication feature comprising:

a plastic sidewall;

a sensor;

wherein the plastic container comprises a plastic bottle; the sensor is at least partially embedded within the sidewall of the plastic bottle; and the sensor is configured to provide information pertaining to container contents without direct contact with such contents.

2. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a piezo electric disc.

3. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is fully embedded within a wall of the plastic container.

4. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein plastic material is molded or formed around all or a portion of the sensor.

5. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to observe or measure a liquid held within the plastic container.

6. The plastic container of claim 5 , wherein the sensor is configured to observe or measure a change in a reflected wave of the liquid.

7. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to provide information signifying that a liquid content of the plastic container is below the sensor.

8. The plastic container of claim 1 , including a device to measure impedance associated with a reflected waveform.

9. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the plastic container is comprised of HDPE.

10. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure knocks associated with a reflected wave of a liquid held within the plastic container; and the sensor is configured to activate at least one electrical component after the measuring of said knocks.

11. The plastic container of claim 1 , including an amplifier configured to “gain up” a signal received by the sensor.

12. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to observe or recognize a sound or characteristic associated with opening the plastic container.

13. The plastic container of claim 1 , wherein the plastic container is configured to attempt to make wireless contact with or interact with another device via a transmitter.

14. The plastic container of claim 13 , wherein another device comprises a smart phone or computer network.

15. The plastic container of claim 1 , including a circuit board; wherein the circuit board is connected to the sensor and a transmitter; and the sensor, the transmitter, and the circuit board are molded within a side-wall of the plastic container.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2025
From: PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 074028/0732 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 29, 2017
From: PEDMO, MARC A.; DARRAH, KEVIN
To: PLASTIPAK PACKAGING INC.
Reel/Frame 044504/0326 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2017
From: PLASTIPAK PACKAGING, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 044204/0547 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62376574 · Aug 18, 2016
Provisional Application 62353694 · Jun 23, 2016
Cited By (1)
US 12,623,789