Tamper-evident life vest package

Abstract

In general, the invention is directed to methods and articles for inspecting aircraft life vests using radio frequency identification technology (RFID). In one embodiment, a tamper evident, RFID-enabled package is described, the package containing a life vest. Methods of manufacturing the package are also described.

1 . An article comprising:
 a sealed package made of a membrane;   a personal floatation device disposed within the sealed package;   an opening mechanism for opening the package along a pre-defined area of the membrane;   an RFID device comprising a flexible substrate having an antenna and an integrated circuit disposed thereon;   wherein the RFID device is affixed to the membrane of the sealed package to span an area of the package along the pre-defined area of the membrane so that opening the sealed package will mechanically compromise a portion of the flexible substrate.   
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the personal floatation device is a life vest. 
   
   
       3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the opening mechanism is a means for opening the package along a pre-defined area of the membrane. 
   
   
       4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanically compromised portion of the flexible substrate includes the antenna. 
   
   
       5 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanically compromised portion of the flexible substrate includes a circuit that is not the antenna. 
   
   
       6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the opening mechanism is a notch in the membrane. 
   
   
       7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the opening mechanism is a tear strip affixed to the membrane. 
   
   
       8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit substrate is configured with tear propagation points. 
   
   
       9 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the tear propagation points are holes. 
   
   
       10 . The article of  claim 9 , wherein the holes are substantially rectangular in shape with a length and a width, and wherein the length is at least twice the width. 
   
   
       11 . The article of  claim 8 , wherein the tear propagation points are slits. 
   
   
       12 . A method of manufacturing a tamper-evident package made of a membrane comprising:
 placing a life vest inside of the package;   determining the package's tear path; and   affixing an RFID device comprising a flexible substrate having an antenna and an integrated circuit disposed thereon to the membrane such that part of the flexible substrate is on both sides of the tear path so that when the package is opened along the tear path the flexible substrate is mechanically compromised.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tear path is defined by a notch in the package. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the tear path is defined by a rip cord affixed to the membrane. 
   
   
       15 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the opening mechanism is stitching.