Abstract: A point-of-purchase (“POP”) display employing RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology for inventory control is provided. The POP is preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard material, and incorporates one or more shelves and/or cover layers. An RF antenna structure is applied to the surfaces of, or built into, the one or more shelves and/or cover layers. Suitable RF transmitter/receiver circuitry may also be built into the POP, or the POP may simply have suitable connections built in, to permit such transceiver apparatus to be plugged into the POP. The transceiver circuitry is connected in any suitable manner to an inventory control computer, such as the retail store's computer. Each article that is to be displayed in the POP is provided with an RFID tag.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled corrugated paperboard are provided. The apparatus includes a corrugated paperboard feed device configured to supply a quantity of corrugated paperboard, an antenna attach device configured to couple an antenna to the corrugated paperboard, a curing device configured to provide curing energy to the antenna to at least one of dry the antenna and facilitate optimizing an electrical conductivity of the antenna, and an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing the health of each of a plurality of RFID transponders is provided. The apparatus includes an antenna support assembly including an antenna support body and an antenna coupled to a surface of the antenna support body, the antenna including at least a receiver portion and a connection portion. The apparatus also includes a holder coupled to the antenna support body configured to retain the antenna support proximate a path of a plurality of transponders.

Abstract: A method of making a texture-coated and/or insulation coated container from a flat paperboard blank in which a heat-hardenable liquid polymeric binder texturizing and/or insulating agent coating mixture is applied to one surface of the blank in a pattern of covered and open areas. This coating mixture is subjected to heat to cure the polymeric binder and expand the texturizing and/or insulating agent, optionally treated with moisture, and optionally heated to form the blank into the shape of a container, and the container produced by this method. The containers such as cups, plates, etc., are useful in food service. These containers have a coefficient of static friction which is about 0.2 to 2.0 and over and a kinetic coefficient of friction which is about 0.22 to 1.5.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing the health of each of a plurality of RFID transponders is provided. The apparatus includes an antenna support assembly including an antenna support body and an antenna coupled to a surface of the antenna support body, the antenna including at least a receiver portion and a connection portion. The apparatus also includes a holder coupled to the antenna support body configured to retain the antenna support proximate a path of a plurality of transponders.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing corrugated paperboard are provided. The apparatus includes a linerboard feed device configured to supply a quantity of linerboard including a plurality of antennae coupled to a first planar surface of the linerboard, an optical sensor configured to locate a connection area of the plurality of antennae, and an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the connection area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fabricating radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponders are provided. The apparatus radio-frequency identification (RFID) transponder includes a container substrate, an interposer that includes an interposer substrate, at least one electrically conductive lead coupled to the interposer substrate, and a radio frequency identification circuit electrically coupled to the at least one interposer lead; and a printed antenna communicatively coupled to the at least one interposer lead, the printed antenna including electrically conductive ink, at least a portion of the printed antenna coupled to the container substrate, the antenna configured to receive radio frequency energy from an RFID reader and radiate radio frequency energy received from the radio frequency identification circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled corrugated paperboard are provided. The apparatus includes a corrugated paperboard feed device configured to supply a quantity of corrugated paperboard, an antenna attach device configured to couple an antenna to the corrugated paperboard, a curing device configured to provide curing energy to the antenna to at least one of dry the antenna and facilitate optimizing an electrical conductivity of the antenna, and an attach mechanism configured to couple a radio frequency identification circuit to the antenna.

Abstract: An improved paperboard has been bulk enhanced by retaining a substantial portion microspheres in a suitable distribution within the paperboard. As in one embodiment, the high retention of the bulk enhancing additives is believed to result from the incorporation of suitable retention aids. The paperboard is able to be formed into suitable paperboard containers without loss of integrity. The resulting containers have increased hold times when they contain hot or cold food or drink.

Abstract: A method of making a texture-coated and/or insulation coated container from a flat paperboard blank in which a heat-hardenable liquid polymeric binder texturizing and/or insulating agent coating mixture is applied to one surface of the blank in a pattern of covered and open areas. This coating mixture is subjected to heat to cure the polymeric binder and expand the texturizing and/or insulating agent, optionally treated with moisture, and optionally heated to form the blank into the shape of a container, and the container produced by this method. The containers such as cups, plates, etc., are useful in food service. These containers have a coefficient of static friction which is about 0.2 to 2.0 and over and a kinetic coefficient of friction which is about 0.22 to 1.5.

Abstract: A point-of-purchase (“POP”) display employing RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology for inventory control is provided. The POP is preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard material, and incorporates one or more shelves and/or cover layers. An RF antenna structure is applied to the surfaces of, or built into, the one or more shelves and/or cover layers. Suitable RF transmitter/receiver circuitry may also be built into the POP, or the POP may simply have suitable connections built in, to permit such transceiver apparatus to be plugged into the POP. The transceiver circuitry is connected in any suitable manner to an inventory control computer, such as the retail store's computer. Each article that is to be displayed in the POP is provided with an RFID tag.