Abstract: A system for monitoring an environmental condition associated with an item of inventory along a distribution chain having a plurality of locations comprises at least one item of inventory, an RF transponder associated with the item of inventory, and at least one environmental condition sensor in communication with the RF transponder. The system includes a power source for powering the RF transponder and the environmental condition sensor to record an environmental condition. The system also includes a log of location data, a log of environmental condition data, and a reporting infrastructure for processing the location data and the environmental condition data. A method for tracking an environmental condition along a distribution chain is also included.

Abstract: A corrugated structure has a first and a second linerboard, with a corrugated medium sandwiched between the first and second linerboards. An RF processor is coupled between one of the linerboards and the corrugated medium. The processor may be positioned on an inlet or label, which may also include an antenna. A method of forming a corrugated structure having an embedded RFID processor includes providing a linerboard and a corrugated medium, positioning an RF processor between the linerboard and the corrugated medium, and affixing the linerboard and corrugated medium together with the RF processor positioned therebetween. An assembly line for forming a corrugated structure includes a supply of a first linerboard, a second linerboard, a corrugating material stock, and inlets that have an RF processor and antenna coupled to the inlets. The assembly line also includes a corrugator, a single facer, a double facer, an inlet applicator, and a cutter.

Abstract: A tamper evident package and system where the package has a radio frequency identification tag affixed to or imprinted onto the covering. An interrogator emits an electromagnetic signal to the identification tag which responds with a predetermined signal if the covering of the package is intact and has not been breached or the identification tag may be powered and emit the predetermined signal intermittently or continuously by itself. An attempt to enter the package disables the identification tag and will cause the identification tag, thereafter interrogated, to fail to send a signal or will send a signal that is different from the predetermined signal. The interrogator recognizes the lack of or the different signal as an indication that the integrity of the package has been breached.