Abstract: An apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax or duty has been paid for the contents of that container. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is placed on the container which includes information indicative of whether the tax has been paid. The RFID tag includes a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit mounted upon the substrate and connected to an antenna having a fixed length that is also mounted upon the substrate, and, preferably, a protrusion affixed to or a slot in the substrate. Preferably, the RFID tag is placed within the container's cap, such that, when mounted on the container, the cap mates with a ratchet wheel connected to the container that engages the protrusion or slot such that removing the cap from the container will cause the substrate to fracture and thereby cause the RFID tag to become permanently disabled.

Abstract: An RFID tag system which communicates with a base station at a predetermined frequency for a container having a metal closure comprising an insulator mounted to an exterior surface of the metal closure and a radio transceiver system coupled to the insulator. The radio transceiver system further comprises an antenna tuned to the predetermined frequency mounted to an exterior surface of the metal closure and an RFID IC chip coupled to the antenna and coupled to the metal closure. In a first embodiment, the RFID IC chip is mounted outside the metal closure. In a second embodiment, the RFID IC chip is mounted within the metal closure and connected to the antenna outside the metal closure through an electrical feedthrough connection in the metal closure.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the authenticity of a container sealed with a cap (or other closure) which automatically disables itself when the cap is first removed. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit mounted upon the substrate and connected to an antenna having a fixed length that is also mounted upon the substrate, and a protrusion affixed to or a slot in the substrate. A cap for a container includes the RFID tag mounted on an inner surface adjacent to the closed end. When mounted on the container, the cap mates with a ratchet wheel connected to the container that engages the protrusion or slot such that removing the cap from the container will cause the substrate to fracture and thereby cause the RFID tag to become permanently disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax or duty has been paid for the contents of that container. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is placed on the container which includes information indicative of whether the tax has been paid. The RFID tag includes a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit mounted upon the substrate and connected to an antenna having a fixed length that is also mounted upon the substrate, and, preferably, a protrusion affixed to or a slot in the substrate. Preferably, the RFID tag is placed within the container's cap, such that, when mounted on the container, the cap mates with a ratchet wheel connected to the container that engages the protrusion or slot such that removing the cap from the container will cause the substrate to fracture and thereby cause the RFID tag to become permanently disabled.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting tampering with a container sealed with a cap. The apparatus includes a radio frequency transceiver for transmitting a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and an antenna attached thereto. In a first embodiment, the radio frequency transceiver and the antenna are mounted on a substrate attached to the container and the cap. The radio frequency transceiver is disabled when the antenna is separated into two portions upon breaking the seal between the container and the cap. In a second embodiment, the apparatus is mounted within a cap and includes a logic circuit and a probe that detects changes in the level of contents within the container. The probe produces an output relative to the level of contents in the container. The logic circuit then either prevents the radio frequency transceiver form communicating or causes it to transmit an alternative signal.