[미국특허]
Shielded enclosure having tortuous path seal
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H05K-009/00
G06F-001/18
H01L-023/552
A61B-050/18
G06K-007/10
G06K-007/08
A61B-050/10
출원번호
US-0394788
(2016-12-29)
등록번호
US-10117365
(2018-10-30)
발명자
/ 주소
Elizondo, II, Paul M.
출원인 / 주소
MEPS Real-Time, Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Runk, Thomas A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
13
초록▼
A modular system of plastic walls having embedded and coextensive electrically conductive components configured to electrically connect with each other when the walls are mated. The walls have joining edges that form joint seams with other walls when joined together to create an enclosure. When enou
A modular system of plastic walls having embedded and coextensive electrically conductive components configured to electrically connect with each other when the walls are mated. The walls have joining edges that form joint seams with other walls when joined together to create an enclosure. When enough walls are used to surround a storage space, a Faraday cage is created. The walls additionally have portions of tortuous paths at each joining edge that mate with a complementary portion of a tortuous path of another wall when the walls are joined together. A torturous path seal is thereby created at each joint seam. The plastic walls can be configured in a multiplicity of combinations to create various enclosures necessary for RFID-enabled storage and tracking of medical articles. Containers, enclosures, cabinets, and drawers of differing heights and sizes can be made and they may be stacked or otherwise assembled.
대표청구항▼
1. A medical article storage container having an internal storage space, the storage container being shielded from leaking radio-frequency (“RF”) energy out of and into the storage space, the container formed with a plurality of interconnected walls, the container comprising: a first wall located at
1. A medical article storage container having an internal storage space, the storage container being shielded from leaking radio-frequency (“RF”) energy out of and into the storage space, the container formed with a plurality of interconnected walls, the container comprising: a first wall located at a side of the storage space, the first wall comprising a substrate formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the first wall having a joining edge configured to physically mate with another wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the first wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the first wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the first wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed to electrically connect with an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam, the first wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge, the channel portion being as wide as the joining edge and having a shape including a bend and configured to physically mate with a complementary portion of a channel of another wall that is joined with the first wall at the joint seam; anda second wall located at a side of the storage space, the second wall comprising a substrate that is formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the second wall having a joining edge that is physically mated with the joining edge of the first wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the second wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the second wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the second wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed, the electrically conductive component of the second wall being electrically connected to the electrically conductive component of the first wall at the joint seam, the second wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge of the second wall, the channel portion of the second wall being as wide as the joining edge of the second wall and having a complementary shape to the shape of the portion of the channel of the first wall including the bend, the second wall channel portion being physically mated with the channel portion of the first wall to form an electrical channel with a bend thereby providing a tortuous path seal at the joint seam to attenuate RF energy leaking out of and into the storage space;wherein the first and second walls have selectable sizes relative to each other wherein the first wall is used in a first storage container of a first size and the second wall is used in a second storage container of a second size that is different from the first storage container, wherein the first and second storage containers are modular containers that are connected together at joint seams of the first walls of the first storage container being connected to the second walls of the second storage container, whereby the electrical connections of the first and second walls form a part of a Faraday cage around the storage space and the tortuous path seal provides further shielding from RF leakage. 2. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive components of both the first and second walls are embedded into the substrate of their respective walls and are configured to extend beyond the joining edge of their respective walls and be exposed to electrically mate with an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam thereby shielding the storage space from leaking RF energy. 3. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive components of both the first and second walls are embedded into the substrate of their respective walls so that they form an outer surface of the wall which is configured to contact an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam thereby shielding the storage space from leaking RF energy. 4. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive components of both the first and second walls are disposed over an outer surface of the substrate of their respective walls and are configured to contact an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam thereby shielding the storage space from leaking RF energy. 5. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the channel forming a tortuous path seal by the first and second walls comprises a tortuous path having two bends thereby increasing attenuation of leaking RF energy. 6. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the bend of the tortuous path seal is an angle of ninety degrees. 7. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the electrically-conductive component of the first wall comprises an electrically conductive metallic mesh embedded in the first wall substrate, the mesh having openings of a size selected in accordance with the frequency of the RF energy operating in the storage space to provide a predetermined amount of attenuation of the RF energy at the operating frequency. 8. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein a joint seam at which two modular containers are connected together comprises a rib disposed over the joint seam, the rib comprising an RF energy channel having a bend thereby providing a tortuous path seal that attenuates RF energy leaking out of and into the storage space. 9. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the channel is configured with a size that attenuates RF energy used for operation in the storage space, the channel further comprising electrically conductive shielding foam located at the bend in the channel, the electrically conductive shielding foam configured to attenuate RF energy in the channel, thereby providing an electrical shield for the storage space. 10. The medical article storage container of claim 9 wherein the channel further comprises electrically conductive adhesive applied to the foam at a selected position in the channel, the electrically conductive adhesive holding the foam permanently in the selected position and contributing to the electrical shield of the storage space. 11. The medical article storage container of claim 1 wherein the channel is configured with a size that attenuates RF energy that is used for operation in the storage space, the channel further comprising metal wool shielding located within the channel, the metal wool configured to attenuate RF energy in the channel, thereby providing an electrical shield for the storage space. 12. A medical article storage container having an internal storage space, the storage container being shielded from leaking radio-frequency (“RF”) energy out of and into the storage space, the container formed with a plurality of interconnected walls, the container comprising: a first wall located at a side of the storage space, the first wall comprising a substrate formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the first wall having a joining edge configured to physically mate with another wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the first wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the first wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the first wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed to electrically connect with an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam, the first wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge, the channel portion being as wide as the joining edge and having a shape including a bend and configured to physically mate with a complementary portion of a channel of another wall that is joined with the first wall at the joint seam; anda second wall located at a side of the storage space, the second wall comprising a substrate that is formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the second wall having a joining edge that is physically mated with the joining edge of the first wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the second wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the second wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the second wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed, the electrically conductive component of the second wall being electrically connected to the electrically conductive component of the first wall at the joint seam, the second wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge of the second wall, the channel portion of the second wall being as wide as the joining edge of the second wall and having a complementary shape to the shape of the portion of the channel of the first wall including the bend, the second wall channel portion being physically mated with the channel portion of the first wall to form an electrical channel with a bend thereby providing a tortuous path seal at the joint seam to attenuate RF energy leaking out of and into the storage space;wherein the first wall comprises an opening providing access to the internal storage space, the medical article storage container also comprising a door located at an outer surface of the first wall and covering the opening at one position and uncovering the opening in a second position, the door comprising electrically conductive material on an inner surface coextensive with the size of the door to electrically mate with the electrical component of the first wall to provide an RF shield across the opening of the first wall as part of a Faraday cage, the first wall further comprising a first portion of a tortuous path seal located about the opening of the first wall, and the door comprising a second portion of a tortuous path of a complementary shape to that of the portion on the wall, the first portion of the tortuous path configured to accept the portion of the tortuous path of the door when the door is in the closed position such that the tortuous path is completed and the tortuous path seal is formed when the door is in the closed position, whereby both a portion of a Faraday cage is provided by the electrical contact of the door with the electrical component of the opening and a tortuous path seal is provided when the door is in the closed position. 13. The medical article storage container of claim 12 wherein the tortuous path seal has a size selected to attenuate energy at an operating frequency in the storage space, and the tortuous path seal comprises a bend in which is located electrical shield foam held in place with an electrically conductive adhesive. 14. The medical article storage container of claim 12 further comprising a drawer slidably located in the opening of the first wall and movable into and out of the storage space, the drawer having a front wall that is larger than the opening in the first wall of the container which comprises the door, the front wall of the drawer being movable to a closed position in relation to the medical article container at which the front wall of the drawer moves into contact with the first wall and covers the opening; wherein the drawer is formed of an electrically nonconductive material;wherein the drawer front wall includes an electrically conductive component coexistent with the front wall and configured so that when the drawer is in the closed position, the electrically conductive component of the front wall of the drawer is placed into physical and electrical contact with the electrically conductive component of the first wall in which the opening is formed to provide a portion of a Faraday cage around the storage space;wherein the front wall of the drawer further includes a portion of a tortuous path located about edges of the front wall;wherein the first wall of the medical article container includes a second portion of a tortuous path located about the opening in the first wall and having a shape that is complementary to the tortuous path portion disposed about edges of the front wall of the drawer configured so that when the drawer is closed, the two portions of the tortuous path mate and form a tortuous path seal thereby shielding the storage space from leakage of RF energy out of and into the storage space. 15. The medical article storage container of claim 12 wherein the tortuous path located about the front wall of the drawer has a bend configured to attenuate electrical energy. 16. A medical article storage container having an internal storage space, the storage container being shielded from leaking radio-frequency (“RF”) energy out of and into the storage space, the container formed with a plurality of interconnected walls, the container comprising: a first wall located at a side of the storage space, the first wall comprising a substrate formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the first wall having a joining edge configured to physically mate with another wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the first wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the first wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the first wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed to electrically connect with an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam, the first wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge, the channel portion being as wide as the joining edge and having a shape including a bend and configured to physically mate with a complementary portion of a channel of another wall that is joined with the first wall at the joint seam; anda second wall located at a side of the storage space, the second wall comprising a substrate that is formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the second wall having a joining edge that is physically mated with the joining edge of the first wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the second wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the second wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the second wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed, the electrically conductive component of the second wall being electrically connected to the electrically conductive component of the first wall at the joint seam, the second wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge of the second wall, the channel portion of the second wall being as wide as the joining edge of the second wall and having a complementary shape to the shape of the portion of the channel of the first wall including the bend, the second wall channel portion being physically mated with the channel portion of the first wall to form an electrical channel with a bend thereby providing a tortuous path seal at the joint seam to attenuate RF energy leaking out of and into the storage space;further comprising a first container module having a false bottom under which are located an RFID reader and an RFID probe and antenna, and comprising a second module containing the internal storage space coupled to the first module, the RFID reader and RFID probe and antenna configured to be usable with different sizes of second module attached to the first module of the container. 17. The medical article storage container of claim 16 wherein the second module is attached to the first module at a joint seam, the container further comprising an RFID shielding rib located over the joint seam and providing a Faraday cage shield and a tortuous path seal at the joint seam. 18. A method of shielding an internal storage space of a medical article storage container from RF energy leakage out of and into the internal storage space, comprising: surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls, a first wall of which is located at a side of the internal storage space, the first wall comprising a substrate formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the first wall having a joining edge configured to physically mate with another wall to form a joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the first wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the first wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the first wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed to electrically connect with an electrically conductive component of another wall at the joint seam, the first wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge, the channel portion being as wide as the joining edge and having a shape including a bend and configured to physically mate with a complementary portion of a channel of another wall that is joined with the first wall at the joint seam; and a second wall of which is located at a side of the internal storage space, the second wall comprising a substrate that is formed of an electrically non-conductive material, the second wall having a joining edge configured to be physically mated with the joining edge of the first wall to form the joint seam between the two walls, the joining edge having a width, the second wall also comprising an electrically conductive component that is configured to be coextensive with the second wall substrate and extend to the joining edge of the second wall substrate at which location the electrically conductive component is exposed, the electrically conductive component of the second wall being configured to be electrically connected to the electrically conductive component of the first wall at the joint seam, the second wall also comprising a portion of a channel extending outwardly at the joining edge of the second wall, the channel portion of the second wall being as wide as the joining edge of the second wall and having a complementary shape to the shape of the portion of the channel of the first wall including the bend, the channel portion of the second wall being configured to be physically mated with the channel portion of the first wall to form an electrical channel with a bend thereby providing a tortuous path seal at the joint seam to attenuate RF energy leaking out of and into the internal storage space;connecting together the coextensive electrically conductive components of the first and second walls at the joint seam, thereby providing electrically conducting walls located completely around the internal storage space operating as a Faraday cage to attenuate RF energy and shield the internal storage space from leakage of RF energy; andconnecting together the channel portions of the first and second walls to thereby form an RF tortuous path configured to attenuate RF energy;wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls further comprises surrounding the internal storage space with the first and second walls that have selectable sizes relative to each other wherein the first wall is used in a first storage container of a first size and the second wall is used in a second storage container of a second size that is different from the first storage container, wherein the first and second storage containers are modular containers that are connected together at joint seams of the first walls of the first storage container being connected to the second walls of the second storage container, whereby the electrical connections of the first and second walls form a part of a Faraday cage around the storage space and the tortuous path seal provides further shielding from RF leakage. 19. The method of shielding of claim 18 wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls comprising the first and second walls further comprise the coextensive electrically conductive components of the first and second walls being embedded into the substrates of the walls. 20. The method of shielding of claim 18 wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls comprising the first and second walls further comprises the coextensive electrically conductive components of the first and second walls forming an outer surface of each wall. 21. The method of shielding of claim 18 wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls comprising the first and second walls further comprises the portions of the channel of the first and second walls each having two bends, and wherein the step of connecting together the channel portions of the first and second walls forms an RF tortuous path having two bends, thereby increasing attenuation of leaking RF energy. 22. The method of shielding of claim 18 wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls comprising the first and second walls further comprises the coextensive electrically conductive components of the first and second walls having an electrically conductive metallic mesh embedded in the substrate of each wall, the mesh having openings of a size selected in accordance with the frequency of the RF energy operating in the storage space to provide a predetermined amount of attenuation of the RF energy at the operating frequency. 23. The method of shielding of claim 18 wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls comprising the first and second walls further comprises the portions of the channel of the first and second walls each being configured with a size that attenuates RF energy used for operation in the internal storage space, the portions of each channel further comprising electrically conductive shielding foam located at the bend in the channel portions, the electrically conductive shielding foam configured to attenuate RF energy in the channel. 24. The method of shielding of claim 18 wherein the step of surrounding the internal storage space with a plurality of walls comprising the first and second walls further comprises the portions of the channel of the first and second walls each being configured with a size that attenuates RF energy used for operation in the internal storage space, the portions of each channel further comprising metal wool shielding located at the bend in the channel portions, the metal wool configured to attenuate RF energy in the channel.
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