Container seal with radio frequency identification tag, and method of making same

Abstract

A container closure assembly includes a closure, an inner seal, and a radio frequency identification tag. The inner seal comprises a sealable film laminated to a metallic foil, and includes a first surface for sealing engagement with a container sealing surface, and a second, opposed surface for non-scaling engagement with a backing liner, a facing liner, or a glued-in closure liner. The radio frequency identification tag includes a microprocessor electrically coupleable with an antenna for receiving, storing, and transmitting digitized information. The inner seal minimizes migration of fluids between a container interior volume and an exterior of a container when the inner seal is sealingly engaged with a container sealing surface. The radio frequency identification tag is includable in the closure assembly without the closure assembly electromagnetically interfering with the receiving, storing, or transmitting of the digitized information.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A closure assembly for a container defining an interior volume, an opening into said interior volume, and a sealing surface bordering said opening, will with 
 a closure, including an end wall with an end wall inner surface, said closure being attachable over a container opening for closing thereof; 
 an inner seal comprising a sealable film laminated to a metallic foil, said inner seal including a first surface for sealing engagement with a container sealing surface, and a second, opposed surface for non-sealing engagement with one of a backing liner, a facing liner, and a glued-in closure liner; and 
 a radio frequency identification tag including a microprocessor electrically coupled with an antenna for receiving, storing, and transmitting selected digitized information; 
 wherein said inner seal minimizes migration of fluids between a container interior volume and an exterior of a container when said inner seal is sealingly engaged with a container sealing surface; and 
 an isolation device wherein said radio frequency identification tag is includable in said closure assembly without said closure assemblymicroprocessor is electromagnetically interfering withisolated from said metallic foil to minimize electromagnetic interference with said receiving, storing, or transmitting of said digitized information. 
 
     
     
       2. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said inner seal further isolation device includes a tab coextensively appended thereto to said inner seal. 
     
     
       3. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said tab extends radially therefrom. 
     
     
       4. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein a first surface of said tab is coextensive with said first surface of said inner seal, and a second surface of said tab is coextensive with said second surface of said inner seal. 
     
     
       5. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said tab is foldable along either said first surface or said second surface of said inner seal. 
     
     
       6. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said inner seal comprises an induction seal liner including an impermeable metallic foil. 
     
     
       7. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , and further comprising wherein said isolation device comprises an electromagnetically insulative liner disposed against either said first surface or said second surface to electromagnetically isolate said radio frequency identification tag microprocessor from said inner seal. 
     
     
       8. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said microprocessor is attached to said tab. 
     
     
       9. A closure assembly as set forth in  claims 8  wherein said tab and at least part of said inner seal comprise said antenna. 
     
     
       10. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said tab is longitudinally bifurcated into 2 parallel fingers for attachment of said microprocessor therebetween. 
     
     
       11. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , and further comprising an electromagnetically insulative liner disposed against either said first surface or said second surface to electromagnetically isolate said microprocessor from said inner seal. 
     
     
       12. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , and further including wherein said isolation device includes a pull-tab liner hingedly laminated to said metallic foil for facilitating removal of said inner seal from said sealing surface. 
     
     
       13. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein a portion of said pull-tab liner can be hingedly separated from a portion of said metallic foil. 
     
     
       14. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said portion of said pull-tab liner includes an upper surface and a lower surface, and said radio frequency identification tag is attachable to either said upper surface or said lower surface. 
     
     
       15. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 13 , and further including a radio frequency identification tag protection liner hingedly disposed against said pull-tab liner for emplacement of said radio-frequency identification tag therebetween. 
     
     
       16. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein a perimeter of said radio frequency identification tag protection liner can be fixedly attached along a perimeter of said pull-tab liner to seal said radio frequency identification tag therebetween. 
     
     
       17. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , and further comprising a hang tab attachable to said inner seal for suspending said radio frequency identification tag in said container interior volume. 
     
     
       18. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said hang tab is attachable to one of said inner seal first surface or said inner seal second surface. 
     
     
       19. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , and further comprising a backing liner disposed against said closure end wall inner surface wherein said radio frequency identification tag is attachable to said backing liner. 
     
     
       20. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein at least part of said inner seal comprises said antenna. 
     
     
       21. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said inner seal comprises a pair of metallic foils. 
     
     
       22. A closure assembly as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said radio frequency identification tag is interposed between said pair of metallic foils. 
     
     
       23. A container assembly comprising:
 a container having an interior volume and an opening into the interior volume defined by a rim having a sealing surface,   a reclosable protective closure covering the opening and configured for suitable registry with the sealing surface to facilitate sealing of the opening,   an exterior seal extending over the reclosable protective closure and at least an upper part of the container to minimize migration of content in the interior volume to an exterior of the container and contaminants from the exterior to content in the interior volume, and   a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag including a programmable microprocessor electromagnetically coupled with an antenna for receiving, storing, and transmitting digitized information,   wherein the RFID tag is mounted between the exterior seal and one of the container or the reclosable protective closure wherein the programmable microprocessor is electromagnetically isolated to minimize electromagnetic interference with the receiving, storing, and transmitting of the digitized information.   
     
     
       24. A container assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein the RFID tag is an inlay including the microprocessor and the antenna. 
     
     
       25. A container assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein the exterior seal is a shrink wrap. 
     
     
       26. A container assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein the RFID tag is attached to one of the closure, container, or exterior seal. 
     
     
       27. A container assembly as set forth in claim 23 further comprising an internal inlay incorporated into one of the closure or container that remains with the one of the closure or container if the exterior seal and RFID tag are removed.