Domino ISG, HIDE-Pack Provide RFID-enabled Systems

HIDE-Pack, a packaging solutions group based in Montreal and Global Systems Integrator Domino Integrated Solutions Group has announced the availability of RFID-enabled Smart Boxes through the HIDE-Pack system.

It is a patent pending technology that eliminates the need for a paper label by incorporating the RFID inlay within the packaging medium.

HIDE-Pack allows suppliers to scale RFID compliance across multiple SKU's and improve supply chain visibility.

HIDE-Pack consists of embedding an RFID inlay within the structure of a package, corrugated case or folding carton, so that the inlay is not visible from the outside or the inside of the package.

Effectively, the RFID inlay becomes an integral part of the packaging medium.

The layers of packaging adhesive encapsulating the HIDE-compliant inlay preserve the inlay's performance under detrimental conditions such a condensation resulting from cold storage and immersion in water.

"Looking at the RFID space from a supplier's or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) manufacturer's point of view, the key to making RFID affordable is moving RFID back in the value chain into the manufacturing process of the package medium," said Paul de Blois, VP and General Manager of HIDE-Pack.

By eliminating or reducing the need for RFID printers and applicators, HIDE-Pack simplifies RFID adoption.

In-line RFID readers and antenna create a smaller footprint for encoding, verifying and validating HIDE-Pack enabled boxes.

Consumables in the form of traditional RFID labels are avoided, and substantial savings are achievable by avoiding operational costs of printer-based systems.

Said B Dwain Farley, CEO of Domino ISG (Americas): "For our customers, compliance is now just the initial first step in adopting RFID technology.

With actual RFID-enabled boxes, visibility within the supply chain stretches from point of manufacture to point of distribution and to the sales floor."

HIDE-Pack fits to a variety of package-making equipment, from corrugated cases to folding carton boxes and envelopes.

The company said trials run over a range of speeds of 6,000-18,000 units per hour on a Flexo Folder Gluer showed no negative effect on productivity with a final package reject rate of 0.1% or less.