Richard J Sheehan

US Patent:

20010000480, Apr 26, 2001

Filed:

Dec 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/728697

Inventors:

Timothy Stagg - Woodbury MN, US
Richard Sheehan - Stillwater MN, US
Dean Miner - Prescott WI, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company

International Classification:

B65B011/00
B65B011/06
B65D033/00

US Classification:

428/043000, 053/461000, 383/089000, 206/326000, 206/497000, 383/084000, 383/205000, 426/106000, 426/123000, 426/127000, 426/410000, 426/415000

Abstract:

Plastic film packaging for containing an article. The packaging includes a continuous, tear-resistant film and a tearable tape strip. The film is formable to define an enclosed region for containing an article. The tearable tape strip is secured to the film. In this regard, the tearable tape strip is configured to controllably tear an opening through the film for accessing the enclosed region upon tearing of the tearable tape strip. By providing a continuous, tear-resistant film, the packaging is available to safely contain a wide variety of different articles, while withstanding the rigors of most shipping and handling environments. Further, the tearable tape strip allows an end user to easily open the packaging. In one preferred embodiment, a single tearable tape strip is provided and is formed as an internally tearable, reinforced strapping tape adhered to an inner surface of the film.

US Patent:

20020070862, Jun 13, 2002

Filed:

Dec 12, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/735243

Inventors:

Robert Francis - Maplewood MN, US
James McGee - Cedar MN, US
Robert Sainati - Bloomington MN, US
Richard Sheehan - Stillwater MN, US
Sai-Kit Tong - Roseville MN, US

International Classification:

G08B013/14

US Classification:

340/572100, 340/010100, 340/988000

Abstract:

An object tracking and management system and method using radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) tags is disclosed. Objects to be moved between locations are outfitted with RFID tags having information relating to the identities of the objects. The locations are also marked by RFID tags containing information on the locations. A transport vehicle for moving the objects is equipped with an RFID interrogator capable of detecting signals from the RFID tags. An onboard processor provides the operator of the vehicle with instructions on the movement of objects. The processor also determines the identities of the objects and locations from the detected signals and provides the operator with feedback as to the identity of an object being moved, the location of the vehicle and any error in carrying out the instructions. Numerous variations of the basic system and method using RFID tags are also described.