RFID vent tube apparatus, system and methods for vent tube intrusion detection
The present invention is directed to a vent tube apparatus, system and methods incorporating a traceable material such as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for use in conjunction with a filling machine during container filling operations for a quicker and more accurate detection of the location of the vent tube after it has become detached from a filling machine during filling operations, and to increase the safety of the filling operation and reduce costs and time when a malfunction occurs.
1. A vent tube apparatus for use in filling a container in a filling machine in which the vent tube is attached to the filling machine, and is configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process, comprising:
a vent tube body, said vent tube body being hollow and configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process;
a vent tube head, said vent tube head attached to one end of said vent tube body; and
a Radio Frequency Identification tag, said Radio Frequency Identification tag being housed in said vent tube head, such that if said vent tube detaches from said filling machine, said vent tube can be detected using a Radio Frequency Identification reader.
2. The vent tube apparatus in claim 1 , wherein said container is a glass bottle or an aluminum can.
3. The vent tube apparatus in claim 1 , wherein said during the filling process means as a product enters the container.
4. The vent tube apparatus in claim 1 , wherein said housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process.
5. The vent tube apparatus in claim 1 , wherein said housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process.
6. The vent tube apparatus in claim 1 , further comprising a second indicator, said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head.
7. The vent tube apparatus in claim 6 , wherein said second indicator is a magnet.
8. The vent tube apparatus in claim 6 , wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process.
9. The vent tube apparatus in claim 6 , wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process.
10. A container filling system for use in filling a container in which a vent tube is attached to a filling machine, and said vent tube is configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process, and the system is configured to determine when said vent tube malfunctions, comprising:
a vent tube, said vent tube having a vent tube body, said vent tube body being hollow and configured to vent a gas from the container during the filling process, a vent tube head, said vent tube head attached to one end of said vent tube body, said vent tube having a Radio Frequency Identification tag, said Radio Frequency Identification tag being housed in said vent tube head; and
a Radio Frequency Identification reader, said Radio Frequency Identification reader configured to detect said Radio Frequency Identification tag, such that if said vent tube detaches from said filling machine, said vent tube can be detected using said Radio Frequency Identification reader.
11. The vent tube apparatus in claim 10 , wherein said container is a glass bottle or an aluminum can.
12. The vent tube apparatus in claim 10 , wherein said during the filling process means as a product enters the container.
13. The vent tube apparatus in claim 10 , wherein said housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process.
14. The vent tube apparatus in claim 10 , wherein said housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process.
15. The vent tube apparatus in claim 10 , further comprising a second indicator, said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head.
16. The vent tube apparatus in claim 15 , wherein said second indicator is a magnet.
17. The vent tube apparatus in claim 15 , wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means enclosed during an injection molded process.
18. The vent tube apparatus in claim 15 , wherein said second indicator being housed in said vent tube head means attached during a machining process.