Apparatus and method for providing product information.

(54) Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PRODUCT INFORMATION. (54) Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PRODUCT INFORMATION.

(57) Summary

A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprises electrical storage of a binary encoded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system arranged in electrical communication with at least one chip output terminal and adapted to change the electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is arranged in electrical communication with the chip output terminal (s) and the conductive polymer system.

(57) Abstract

A sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio-frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprising electrical storage of a binary coded word comprising at least one bit, and output you end. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system disposed in electrical communication with at least one output terminal of the chip and adapted to change electrical State in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is disposed in electrical communication with the output terminal (s) of the chip and the conductive polymeric system.

Institute Π

Mexican H for Property

Industrial 1_I

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PATENT TITLE NO. 337674

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SYCHROM I heard ICOMOMY

Owner (s): THE GILLETTE COMPANY

Address: One Gillette Park, Boston, Massachusetts, 02127, USA

Name: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PRODUCT INFORMATION.

Classification:

Inventors):

Number:

lnt.CI.8: G01K1 / 02; G06K19 / 07; G06K19 / 077.

GRANT EDWARD STRIEMER; MATHIAS AMAÑN; JONATHAN LIVINGSTON JOYCE; FAIZ FIESAL SHERMAN; JORDAN TODOROV BOURILKOR; MARK WAYNE MORROW; JOSE TADEO VERGARA DE CASTRO, STEPHAN JAMES ANDREAS MIESCHKAT; MICHAEL FRANKE

REQUEST

International filing date:

<td>MX / a / 2014/006916</td><td colspan="2">December 20, 2012 t</td>

<td></td><td>PRIORITY</td><td>n</td>

<td>Country:</td><td>Date:</td><td>&amp; Numbers</td>

<td>US</td><td>December 27, 2011</td><td> 61/580,379 1</td>

<td>US</td><td>December 14, 2012</td><td> 13/616,402 ?</td>

<td>Validity: Twenty years 1</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Expiration Date</td><td>i: December 20, 2032</td><td></td>

The reference patent is granted on the basis of toe articules 1®. 2nd section V, 6th section III, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

Industrial Propagation Law, this patent has a validity of twenty years imprf intactón of the international solisitbd and will be subject to the payment of the fee to maintain '(ace based on the provisions of artKSt | pj | »6 * fractions III and 7 ° bis 2 of I the Federation (DOF) 06/27/1991, reforÁáda'éf 08/02/1934.

Law of 05/01/1999, traction V

In accordance with article 23 from the date of pre |

-Rights. i

Who susenbe the present title the «Industrial Property (Official Dlaife d

26/91/2004, 16/06 / 2066,46 / 01/2006, subsection a), 4th and 12th sections I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/14/1999, reformed the 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, 07/28/2004 and 09/07/2007); Articles 1, 3, 4, 5, section V, Section a), 16 sections I and III and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF) 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007); 1, 3 and 5 Clause a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy Directors General, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Holders of the Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

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Issue Date: March 14, 2016

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS n ·

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

Sands Nc. 550. Floor i,

Santa María Tepepan town. i Xochimilco, CP 16020.

Mexico City

Tel (55) 53 34 07 00 www .impi pop, mx

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MXZ2016 / 21362 Cuito V

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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT DUCTS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems and methods for determining information about a product. The invention relates in particular to remote questioning of product information and subsequent use of acquired information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer products with a defined shelf life in terms of product consumption are known. The shelf life can be considered as one or more events associated with the consumption of at least a portion of the useful quantity of the products. Information associated with the product usage environment and / or the quantity of products used and remaining available may exist, but may also be generally inaccessible to the typical consumer of the products. What is needed is a system and method to extract relevant information from the product in a way that the information is easily accessible and usable by the consumer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a sensor system comprises a tag. The tag comprises at least one radio frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip can be an active chip or a passive chip. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprises electrical storage of a binary encoded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The label includes, moreover, such a conductive polymer system arranged in communication with the cori al^J minus a chip output terminal and adapted to change the electrical state in association with a predetermined change in a conductive polymeric system environment. The first antenna is arranged in a circuit that also includes the chip and the conductive polymer system.

In one aspect, a method of determining product information includes the steps of: providing a product comprising a tag, and an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with the tag data;

interrogate the status of the tag; interpret the status of the label; and providing an output associated with the interpreted status of the tag. The tag comprises a digital memory that stores the data associated with the product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other features and benefits of the present invention will be more readily apparent from consideration of the figures.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the invention.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions:

The following text presents a broad description of numerous and different modalities of the present invention. The description is only illustrative and does not describe every possible modality since that would not be practical, or perhaps it would be Impossible, and it is understood that each characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, stage or methodology described in the present description can be deleted. , combine or replace, in whole or in part, by any other characteristic, component, composition, ingredient, product, step or methodology described in the present description. Various alternative modalities could be implemented through the use of current technology or technology developed after the date of filing of this patent, which will also be within the scope of the claims.

It should further be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent with the phrase "As used herein, the term" is hereby defined to refer to ... "or a similar phrase, it is not intends to limit the meaning of that term, either explicitly or implicitly, beyond its literal and obvious meaning, and that term shall not be construed as limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the wording of the claims). No term is essential to the present Invention unless otherwise indicated. Insofar as any term cited in the claims included at the end of this patent is mentioned in this patent so that it is consistent with a single meaning, this is done only for clarity so as not to confuse the reader and it is not intended that the The term of that claim is limited, implies or in any other way has that single meaning. Finally, unless an element of the

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claims is defined by mention of the word “means / refers to^TO yTinálunciÓTrsirí 'the mention of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of cuaíqijiér'éTetnéTitüde ·' · the claims be interpreted in accordance with the application of Title 35 of the USC, Article 112, sixth paragraph.

In one aspect, a sensor system comprises a tag. The label can comprise one or more layers of conductive inks and non-conductive inks printed on a substrate. Illustrative substrate materials include: polymer films, paper, high permittivity dielectric materials and FR-4 material. Multilayer structures may comprise partial layers of non-conductive material that separates at least portions of the conductive layers. Illustrative conductive layers include copper and silver inks. The tag comprises at least one radio frequency chip, a first antenna arranged as a circuit on a card, coin or inlay. Illustrative chip / first antenna combinations include model numbers: RI-I03-112A-03 (13.56 MHz), and RI-INL-R9QM (134.2 kHz), or model TRF7970A, each available from Texas Instruments, Dallas, TX. The antenna may be in the physical form of a coil or dipole, or it may comprise a conductive component of a product or package in electrical communication with the rest of the label. The chip / first antenna combination can be integrated into a unit tag available from Kovio, San José, CA. The tag further comprises a conductive polymeric system in electrical communication with the chip and antenna.

The necessary power supply for the tag can be provided by the energy collected from the RFID circuit because the required current is in the microamp range. The collected energy can be stored with an element such as a capacitor to be used by the tag at a later time.

less, an incoherent system

The sensor system also includes the driver. The conductive polymer may comprise a reco such that the coating ceases to be conductive at the time or after it is exposed to a discharge or environmental change of a predetermined type. Illustrative environmental changes include: changes in humidity, exposure to humidity, exposure to particular chemicals or chemical properties such as pH, changes in environmental temperatures, etc. Alternatively, the polymeric system may comprise a polymeric coating that becomes conductive at or after environmental discharge. The conductive polymeric system can be used to form portions of the tag circuit that include input or output cables or the antenna or an antenna portion.

In one embodiment, the environmental change produces a change in the dimensions of the polymeric system by dilation or shrinkage due to the change in the environment.

The tag circuit configuration can be configured to provide positive or negative feedback in association with environmental discharge in accordance with the type of polymer system used and the physical configuration of the circuit elements.

In one embodiment, the circuit is configured with a gap in the circuit so that when an additional item is absent, the circuit will open and any effort to interrogate the label will not produce any output from the label. In this modality, the separation can be covered by a polymeric system that is conductive until the discharge, which produces a label that will change state from readable to not readable at the time or after the environmental discharge occurs (the label turns off, which is considered a negative feedback). Alternatively, the separation can be coated with a polymeric system that changes from non-conductive to conductive in response to environmental change (the rse label becomes readable, which is considered positive feedback for discharge).

In one embodiment, the tag can be configured with a polymeric system configured such that the download will alter the state of the tag from off to on through the use of the conductive to non-conductive polymer system, or from the on state to the off state through the use of the polymer system that goes from the on state to the off state at the moment or after the discharge occurs In this mode, The polymeric system can be arranged as a coating across two legs of the circuit and is effective in shortening those legs together and shortening the rest of the circuit. As an example, if the overlay is laid across two cables from the chip to the antenna, the conductive overlay will shorten the circuit so that after interrogation, the chip will not receive power and the interrogator will not receive output from the tag. At or after discharge, the coating will go from the on state to the off state and will eliminate the cut in the circuit and allow energy to pass from the antenna to the chip which will produce a readable label.

In a label that has a similarly arranged polymeric coating but uses the polymer that goes from non-conductive to conductive at or after discharge, the label will go from the on state, before discharge, to the off state, in at or after download.

Furthermore, it is possible to configure a more elaborate label comprising dual chips and dual antennas, or dual chips and a single antenna, where the first chip-antenna combination will go from the on state to the off state while the second chip-antenna combination will go from off state to on state at or after the label undergoes a single environmental discharge. To ease the burden associated with manufacturing this system

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tags, a pair of antenna chip may comprise a spacing mi''rifue which comprises a coating through the pair antenna cable. Err configuration, the same polymeric system can be arranged both in the gap and in the antenna wires to achieve a readable tag Dual-state regardless of the polymer selected.

Alternatively, the dual tag can comprise identical pairs of chip-antenna combinations, and the difference in the readable state can be achieved by coating a chip-antenna combination with a polymer that changes from the on state to the off state at or after discharge. , while the second chip-antenna combination is coated with a polymer that will change from the off state to the on state at the time or after the discharge occurs.

The polymeric system that transitions from the on state to the off state at the time or after discharge comprises a polymeric matrix and a conductive filler. At or after discharge, the polymer has the ability to expand to approximately 120% - 140%, or more, of its original volume. Expansion may not, and should not be, instantaneous for tag functionality to be useful. The discharge must be long enough for the polymeric system to react by absorbing the liquid or moisture from the discharge resulting in the change in conductivity.

The polymeric system may comprise a solution of water, Triton X100, polyvinyl alcohol, and silver coated copper flakes. The solution can be applied to the portions of the labels described above and placed in a desiccant chamber to dry the coating on the label.

The polymeric system can be configured to expand in the presence of water, moisture, or, alternatively, to remain stable in the presence of water while changing states in the presence of non-aqueous liquids in the environment.

In one aspect, the polymeric system may comprise a solution of trichlorethylene, polyethylene co-vinyl acetate, and silver coated copper flakes.

The solution is placed on the label as described above and dried.

The polymeric system can further be configured such that its status will change from non-conductive to conductive at or after discharge. Again, change may not and should not be instantaneous for it to be useful. In this regard, the polymeric system may comprise water, polyvinyl alcohol, and sodium chloride arranged as a coating. Although not initially conductive, after exposure to moisture or water, the electrolytes become soluble in the expanding polymer and produce a now conductive coating.

The tag can be read by using a radio frequency protocol such as the Near Field Communications (NFC) protocol. When the tag is interrogated or read, the tag's circuit is triggered. The tag memory is then read by an interrogator.

The label's relevant communications frequency range may be HF, UHF, or other appropriately selected frequency ranges as determined by the specific need for the label in terms of the intended environment and uses of the label.

The sensor system may further comprise an interrogator. The interrogator comprises a power source and a second antenna adapted to generate electromagnetic radiation comprising a resonant frequency of the first antenna, and a receiver adapted to detect electromagnetic radiation and demodulate the detected radiation that extracts the built-in radiation data. ^ -txeer - «» e *^{iWHassríSJ!,; a: 15}' ’ .......

detected. The Bluetooth ™ RFID reader, model number 223012, available from GAO ​​RFID, from Toronto Canada, illustrates one form of interrogator. The Model 223012 Interrogator has the ability to interrogate the radio frequency tag and determine the status of the tag's memory, and therefore extract information associated with the output of the tag's environment-related sensor or sensors. The 223012 further comprises a secondary network communications link that uses the Bluetooth ™ communications protocol to transmit the tagged Information to a secondary device or secondary interrogator, such as a Bluetooth ™ enabled computer or smartphone. The secondary questioner may further analyze the information related to the state of the label and / or the environment of the labels and provide an output associated with a particular label and / or state of environment of the label. The interrogator may further comprise a display element such as an LCD or LED display to display an output associated with the analyzed tag information. The interrogator may further comprise one or more sensors to determine information associated with the interrogator environment. Sensors may include: temperature, humidity, and acceleration sensors. The interrogator may further comprise one or more cameras that allow the capture of images associated with a product, the label or the environment. The interrogator may comprise a global positioning capability that allows the interrogator to determine and share information related to the geographic location of the interrogator.

In one aspect, the Smart phone can serve as the sole interrogator.

In this aspect the Smart phone can interrogate the label and, in this way, determine the information in the memory of the label. The interrogator can analyze or in any other way interpret the information and can create an output. The output may be provided to a user of the system through an audib output, visual haptic output, or combinations thereof. The interrogator may use the'S'eñtrádas ~ of sensors or smartphone systems, which include the information and analysis available from a network resource. Illustrative smartphones properly configured to function as an interrogation system include: the Acer ™ E320 Liquid Express, the Blackberry ™ Bold ™ 970, available from Research In Motion's; the Casio IT-800; Google Nexus 7 ™, available from Google, Inc. Mountain View Ca .; the HTC Desire C ™, available from HTC of; the LG Optimus Elite; the Motorola Droid ™ Razr ™, available from Motorola; the Nokia 700; the Panasonic BizPad ™; and the Samsung Galaxy S Advance ™.

In one aspect, the sensor system may include a product. The term "product (s)" is used in the broadest sense and refers to any product, group of products, services, communications, entertainment, environments, organizations, systems, tools, and the like. For example, an example of a group of products are products for personal and household use, such as those used by a person, family, or household. Examples of a representative and non-limiting list of product categories within the Personal and Home Use Product Group include antiperspirants, baby care products, colognes, commercial products (including consumer analogue consumer products from commercial, industrial and wholesale markets), cosmetics, deodorants, dish care products, feminine protection products, hair care products, hair color, health care products, household cleaning products, laundry products, oral care products, paper products, personal hygiene products, disposable absorbent articles, products for animal nutrition and health, prescription drugs, prestigious fragrances, products for the care of the

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skin, food, snacks and beverages, special fabric care products, shaving products and other hair growth management products, small appliances, devices and batteries, services such as haircuts, beauty treatments, hair treatments spa, medical, dental, and vision services, entertainment venues such as theaters, stadiums, as well as entertainment services such as movie theaters, or movie shows, plays and sports events. Various product forms can be included within each of these product categories.

Some illustrative product forms and brands are described on The Procter &amp; Gamble Company website, www.pq.com, and the linked pages found therein. It should be understood that the present invention furthermore contemplates consumer products that are part of product categories other than those listed above and that alternative product forms and brands other than those described on the aforementioned website are also covered herein. Invention.

Illustrative products in the laundry category include detergents (including powdered, liquid, tablet, and other forms), bleach, conditioner, softener, unsightly products, and garment renovators (including liquid garment renovators and softener wipes). for dryers). Illustrative examples in the oral care category include toothpastes, dental floss, toothbrushes (including hand brushes and electric brushes), mouthwashes, gum care products, teeth whitening products, and other products. for teeth care. Illustrative feminine protection products include cloths, tampons, interlining products, and protective wipes. Illustrative baby care products include

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diapers, protectors, bibs, protectors for changing the baby and for the bed and hand soap and foam for the bathroom.

Illustrative health care products include laxatives, fiber supplements, oral and topical pain relievers, products for gastrointestinal treatment, respiratory and cough / cold products, products for supplying heat, and products for water purification. Illustrative paper products include toilet paper, paper towel, and facial towels. Illustrative hair care products include shampoos, conditioners (including rinse and non-rinse forms), and styling aids. Illustrative home care products include sweeping products, floor cleaning products, wood floor cleaning products, antibacterial floor cleaning products, fabric and room flavorings, and laundry products. of cars. Skin care products include, but are not limited to, body cleansing, facial cleansers, hand lotion, moisturizers, conditioners, astringents, exfoliating products, microdermabrasion and peeling products, skin rejuvenating products, anti-aging products. , masks, UV protection products, and cotton for skin care, wipes, records, clothing, sheets, implements and devices (with or without skin care compositions).

Other product groups include, but are not limited to: sports, entertainment (books, movies, music, etc.), ophthalmology, and medical and first aid products for home consumption, among others.

The label can be attached to the product container, such as the primary container of a liquid product or a granulated product. The label can be dipped or floated on the surface of a packaged liquid or a granulated product. The label can be incorporated into the product, such as within an absorbent article

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INÍ'I disposable such as inside a diaper for the purpose of detecting a discharge in the absorbent core of the diaper. The label can be affixed to the Bretack of the product itself.

Adjusting the label antenna to the shape of the outer surface of the product is believed to produce a system where communication between the interrogator and the label can be omnidirectional and achievable at various angles between the interrogator and the label.

One of the problems associated with creating a communication device for various products occurs when the communication device is used in electromagnetically conductive bodies. The free space radio propagation principles do not apply near high conductivity bodies. Additionally, antenna performance is greatly degraded when antennas are placed near metals. Therefore, simply attaching an RFID tag to a battery or to an object with a conductive body may not achieve the desired effect, for example, power harvesting and / or data transfer. In particular, this problem is not limited to rechargeable / disposable batteries. For example, a can of shaving gel, foam, etc., or a container comprising a foil, could experience the same problems due to the conductivity of the container. Generally, an RFID tag next to a metal body decreases the signal coupling between the reader and the tag by 10x.

One way to avoid the effects of the metal's proximity to the antenna is to prevent the electromagnetic field from entering the metal. For example, separating the antenna and the metal surface by placing a material with electromagnetic properties and suitable dimensions between them can deflect the electromagnetic field around the metal / conductive body of the product. The properties of the diverter material depend on the exact metal being used and the RFID frequency. The

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IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA FRONEDAD magnetic derailleur effectively isolates the label from the can. An effective separation can also be achieved with an air-filled separation between the materials.

In one aspect, a method of determining Product Information comprises the steps of: providing a product comprising a label as described above. The tag comprises at least one radio frequency chip and a first antenna. The chip comprises a memory element, the memory element comprises electrical storage of a binary encoded word comprising at least one bit, and output terminals. The tag further comprises at least one conductive polymeric system arranged in electrical communication with at least one chip output terminal and adapted to change the electrical state in association with a predetermined change in an environment of the conductive polymeric system. The first antenna is arranged in a circuit that also includes the chip and the conductive polymeric system.

The method further includes providing an interrogator adapted to detect radiation associated with the tag data. The interrogator may be an RF or NFC protocol reader paired with a Bluetooth ™ capability as described above, or a Smartphone or other computing device comprising an RF or NFC protocol reader.

The interrogator can be used to determine the current status of the tag by using an RF communication protocol such as the NFC protocol. The interrogator can interpret the data received from the label by using a software application written for that purpose.

In one aspect, the interrogator may incorporate a secondary network communication module that generates in the device the ability to send and receive data through a cell phone or other networks that include a local area or wifI networks. In this regard, the

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Interrogator may transmit the data received from the tag and / or an analysis of the tag data. The interrogator software application can analyze the data ^ FTaetiguetsr to determine if replacement of the product associated with the label is needed or to project when replacement will be needed in light of the history of product use established through a series of label interrogations. In this aspect, the application can be used to complete the purchase of the additional product through the network. The application can also be used to offer the user related products to buy or offer other products that are not directly related to the product.

The system and methods can be used to provide event information associated with consumer products. The system can be incorporated into an absorbent product such as a diaper or feminine care product so that the polymeric system will interact with the absorbed fluids that alter the state of the label and allow the user of the method to detect the altered state Of the label. The system label can be configured as part of a container in contact with the packaged product so that the use and consumption of the product will eliminate the product in contact with the polymeric system, change the state of the label and allow the detection of this event and change of status.

In one embodiment, a circuit can be configured with two antenna elements that are separated by a separation. In the absence of a separating conductive filler, the antennas do not mate. The design of the antennas may be such that a first antenna connected to the rest of the tag is insufficient to properly drive the tag when interrogated. The combination of the two antennas and a gap coupling filler may be sufficient and will lead to a successful interrogation of the label indicating the presence of the gap filler of interest.

In one embodiment, a T + circuit gap can be partially bonded with a polymeric element adapted to expand in the presence of suitable environmental change. A polymer, such as poly (pyrrole), poly (acetylene), or poly (aniline) can be used to partially fill a circuit gap. After exposure of the exposed polymer to an environment comprising a solvent that has a solubility parameter similar to that of the label polymer, the label polymer will dilate, fill the gap and complete the circuit, thus the label will be operational due to environmental change.

Examples of coatings:

A high salt polyelectrolyte coating was developed as described below: A flask was filled with 10 ml of ultrafiltered deionized water. 1.1688 grams of sodium chloride was added to the flask and mixed with a magnetic stir bar at room temperature until the dissolved salt resulted in a 2 molar salt solution. When the system was clear, 0.3 grams of polyvinyl alcohol was added. The solution was heated to 90 ° C and the polymer was allowed to enter the solution. When the system was clear, it was ready to apply to the surface using lOmicroliter pipet tips and approximately 1-2 millimeters were removed from the tips. The pipette was set at 5 microliters and the hot polymer solution was applied to the area of ​​interest on the RFID tag. The system was then placed in a desiccant chamber and allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.

A chemical resistant polymeric coating was developed as described below. A bottle was filled with 9 ml of ultrafiltered deionized water. A separate bottle was used to add 0.1 grams of newt X100 to 10 milliliters of ultrafiltered deionized water&gt; · para to obtain a 1% by weight solution. 1 milliliter of the 1 wt% Triton X-100 solution was added to the 9 milliliters of the 0.1% wt deionized water to obtain a 0.1 wt% solution of Triton X-100. 0.3 grams of polyvinyl alcohol was added to the 0.1% by weight Triton X-100 solution, add (lower MW and higher% of hydrolysis make the system respond more quickly than higher MW and lower% of hydrolysis) . The solution was heated to 90 ° C and the polymer was allowed to enter the solution. When the system was clear, 0.1 grams of the silver-coated copper conductive filler (AgCU550), available from Ferro Electronic Materials Systems, of Mayfield Heights, OH was added. The solution was sonicated (degas mode, level 5) for 5 minutes. The system was applied to the surface using 10 microliter pipet tips and approximately 1-2 millimeters were removed from the tips. The pipette was set at 5 microliters and the hot polymer solution was applied to the area of ​​interest on the RFID tag. The system was then placed in a desiccant chamber and allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.

A second chemical resistant polymer coating was developed designed to respond not to water, but to other environmental chemicals as described below. A bottle was filled with 10 ml of trichlorethylene. Added

0.6 grams of [poly (ethylene vinyl acetate) to the bottle. The solution was mixed at room temperature until the polymer was incorporated into the solution. When the system had a clear appearance, 0.2 grams of the conductive copper filler was added silver coated (AgCU550) The system was applied to the surface using 10 microliter pipet tips and about 1-2 millimeters were removed from the tips. The pipette was set at 5 microliters and the hot polymer solution was applied to the area of ​​interest on the RFID tag. The system was then placed in a fume hood and allowed to dry at room temperature overnight.

A chemical resistant polymer system was developed designed to respond only to an environment that has a pH within the target range as described below: The method can use talc as the release agent and triethyl citrate as the plasticizer or PlasACRYL HTP20 as the release agent / plasticizer. In a 200 ml glass, 41.7 ml of Eudragit L30 D-55, available from Evonik Industries, Essen, Germany was added to 57 ml of deionized water, 14.6 ml of PlasACRYL HTP20, available from Evonik Industries, and 4.3 grams of conductive filler copper plated with silver (AgCU550). The solution was mixed with a magnetic stir bar for 10 minutes. The solution was used to coat the desired area of ​​the RF tags and cured in a drying oven circulating for 2 hours at 40 ° C. The RFID tag went off when the polymer was exposed to an environment that has pH values ​​greater than 5.5.

A mechanical stress sensitive polymer system was developed by substituting an elastic polymer for the environment sensitive polymer as described below:

8 grams of RTV silicone rubber was mixed with 8 grams of conductive filler in a bottle to obtain a 50/50 ratio of polymer. The mixture was extruded through a 20 ml plastic syringe. The strips were extruded to facilitate removal. Vulcanization was allowed to continue at room temperature for 24 hours. The stress sensitivity strip was removed and tested for dynamic conductivity and mechanical properties (Young's modulus, elastic region, yield point). The Instron was set to constant extension at 1mm / s until broken. The resistance was measured in parallel with a 2831E measurement (data logging multimeter) and small toothed hooks attached to the sample. Young's modulus was calculated with Instron software. A second test was performed without toothed hooks, where the final tension of 150% of extension tension where the break occurred in the middle of the tension sensor.

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As shown in Figure 1, a system 1000, comprises an absorbent article 300, and an interrogator 200. The absorbent article 300 contains a label 100. The label comprises a chip 130, a conductive polymer system 125 and an antenna 140. Interrogator 200 comprises a sensor 210, a power source 220, an antenna 230, an analysis element 240, a display element 250, and a network link 260. As shown in Figure 2, a portable power source 400 comprises a tag 100 and a protector 150. As shown in Figure 3, a container 500 comprises a tag 100.

The dimensions and values ​​described in the present description should not be understood as strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​mentioned. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each of those dimensions will refer to both the mentioned value and a functionally equivalent range comprising that value. For example, a dimension described as "40mm" refers to "approximately 40mm."

All documents mentioned in this description, including any cross-reference or related patent or application, are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, unless expressly excluded or limited in any other way. The mention of any document is not an admission that it constitutes a prior matter with respect to any invention described or claimed herein or that alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or describes said invention. Furthermore, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document contradicts any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

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Although particular embodiments of the present Invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those experienced in the Industry that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the Invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that are within the scope of this invention.