EP2044257A1

EP2044257A1 - Rfid tag, and method and device for the production thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2044257A1
Application number: EP07720148A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Francisco Speich
Original assignee: Textilma AG
Current assignee: Textilma AG
Priority date: 2006-07-24
Filing date: 2007-05-16
Publication date: 2009-04-08
Also published as: JP2009545037A; WO2008011732A1; BRPI0714556A2; CN101490333A; KR20090035534A; CA2655107A1; TW200818028A; US20090146790A1

Abstract

Disclosed is an RFID tag comprising a textile design tag (4), on the rear face (6) of which a transponder is arranged that is provided with a chip (14) comprising an antenna (12). In order to create a simplified and thinner RFID tag, the antenna (12) is incorporated into or is applied to a support layer (10) and is connected to the chip (14) in the form of a transponder tag (8) which is connected directly to the design tag (4).

Description

RFID tag and method and apparatus for its manufacture

Technical area

The invention relates to an RFID tag according to claim 1 and to a method and a corresponding device for producing the RFID tag according to claims 15 and 20.

State of the art

From WO02093524 A an RFID tag is known in which a complete transponder consisting of a mounted on a carrier antenna with attached chip is first transferred to a carrier layer, which is then connected to a design label, the latter overlaps the carrier layer like a sack. Since the transponder is present as a unit, it forms its own layer and thus leads to a three-layered and thus relatively thick and rigid RFID label. Such RFID labels are relatively complex and not very flexible and, when used in garments, form undesirable discontinuities which impair the wearing comfort.

From WO9429503 a further RFID tag is known in which the design label consists of two layers which form pockets in which transponders are inserted. Also, this multi-layered RFID tag is not only difficult to produce but also relatively thick and rigid and thus has the same undesirable properties as the RFID tag described above.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to improve an RFID tag of the type mentioned, and to provide a method and an apparatus for their preparation.

The problem is solved by: a. the RFID tag according to claim 1; b. the method for producing the RFID tag according to claim 15; and c. the device for carrying out the method according to claim 20. The fact that the antenna is incorporated in or attached to the base layer also places the chip directly on the base layer and connects it to the antenna, thus forming a transponder label which is directly connected to the design label. Thus, there is only a two-layer RFID label that is much thinner and less bulky than the known three-layer RFI D labels. This improves the flexibility of RFID tags and thus their handling and comfort.

Preferred embodiments of the RFID tag are described in dependent claims 2-14.

It is particularly advantageous if the antenna according to claim 2 is arranged meandering or zigzag, whereby in particular an action or weaving of the antenna into a knitted or woven support layer according to claim 6 is possible. Optionally, however, such an antenna may also be printed or vapor-deposited onto a base layer.

According to claim 3, the antenna may be arranged like a coil.

The embodiment of the transponder according to claim 4 with an RFID chip is preferred. Optionally, the RFID tag according to claim 5 may also include a transponder having an RF or UHF chip.

Particularly advantageous is the embodiment of an RFID tag according to claim 6, wherein the support layer is knitted or woven, so that the antenna can be acted or woven.

According to claim 7, the RFID tag can also have a base layer, which is a plastic layer which incorporates or applied the antenna.

According to claim 8, the RFID tag may have a base layer, which is a nonwoven, in or on which an antenna is arranged. A particularly advantageous and robust RFID label results according to claim 9, when the transponder label is plasticized.

According to claim 10, the transponder etiquette may include a hot melt filament by which it is connected to the design label. According to claim 11, the transponder etiquette and the design label can be glued together at least around the chip or be welded according to claim 12. A particularly durable and stable RFID tag results when according to claim 13, the transponder label is laminated on the design label.

The transponder etiquette can be provided with word and / or icon on the side facing away from the design label according to claim 14.

Claim 15 describes a method according to the invention for producing the RFID labels, wherein the design label is supplied as design label tape and the transponder label as transponder label tape is fed to a connection station. Before joining, a transponder label is separated from the transponder label tape, the length of which corresponds at most to the length of the RFID tag to be produced. The section is then connected at least in the area of the front edge with the design label tape. The thus prepared RFID tag is then separated at a cutting station to the desired length of the RFID tag.

Advantageous embodiments of the method are described in the further claims 16 to 19.

A particularly simple method results when the transponder label tape or the transponder label at the connection station is fed at an angle α against the design label tape and connects to the design label tape in the region of the front edge of the transponder label. If one separates according to claim 17 from the transponder label tape to be connected to the design label tape section and applied to the design label tape and connects by means of a heated press ram, such a connection can be made at least on two opposite sides or on all sides.

The bonding of the transponder label to the design label tape can be done according to claim 18 by gluing. According to claim 19, however, such a connection can also be effected by fusing, for example, by means of ultrasound or laser.

A device according to the invention for carrying out the method designates claim 20, wherein such a device is characterized by:

a first feeder for a design label tape, a second feeder for a transponder label tape with a first separation station for separating a transponder label,

a connection station for connecting the transponder label to the design label band,

- A second separation station for separating the RFID label.

Advantageous developments of the device are specified in claims 21 to 28.

According to claim 21, the device can have means for repeat monitoring, which then serve to control the device. According to claim 22, control means for the transponder may also be present, which check the functionality of the transponder.

Particularly expedient is the embodiment according to claim 23, wherein means for ejecting defective RFID labels are present on the second separating device. In this case, the ejection means according to claim 24 may comprise a nozzle device arranged below the separation station, which has a side generated outward air flow, which sells a defective RFID label after the separation directly to the side.

According to claim 25, the device can have welding means for connecting the band sections at the connection station.

According to claim 26, the first and the second feeder are formed so that the bands meet at an angle α at the connection station, the latter having a press die for compressing the strip parts lying on top of each other. The ram and / or a pad at the connection station may be equipped with heating means to effect welding or sticking.

Particularly advantageous is also an embodiment of the device according to claim 27, wherein at the connection station, a pressing die is present, which has a cavity for receiving at least one chip and the cavity bounding edge portions on at least two opposite sides, the chain for connecting the Transpondereti serve the design label section. Conveniently, the device is equipped according to claim 28 at the second separation station with a stacking device for receiving the manufactured RFID labels.

The above-mentioned as well as the claimed and described in the following embodiments, according to the invention to be used elements are subject in their size, design, material usage and their technical conception no special conditions of exception, so that the well-known in the respective field of application selection criteria can apply without restriction.

Brief description of the drawings

Further details, advantages and features of the subject matter of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, in which: 1 shows a first RFID label with design label and transponder etiquette with meander-shaped antenna, in plan view;

Figure 2 shows the RFID tag of Figure 1 in section I-I of Figure 1; FIG. 3 shows a transponder label with a coil-type antenna, in plan view;

4 shows the transponder label of Figure 3 in section III - III of Figure 3;

FIG. 5 shows a device for producing an RFID tag in a schematic, partially sectioned side view; FIG. 6 shows the device according to FIG. 5 when connecting the transponder label to the design label; and

FIG. 7 shows another device for producing an RFID tag.

Ways to carry out the invention

Figures 1 and 2 show an RFID label 2, which has a design label 4, on the back 6 a transponder label 8 is arranged. This transponder label 8 has a carrier layer 10 in which an antenna 12 is arranged in a meandering manner. A chip 14 has lugs 16, by means of which the chip is connected to antenna sections 18, 20. The antenna sections 18, 20 are provided on a shorting bridge 22 with an interruption 24. The transponder etiquette 8 is slightly shorter than the design label 4 and glued or welded, for example, at a connection point 26 in the region of the front edge of the transponder etiquette with the design label.

Figures 3 and 4 show a further transponder etiquette 28, which has a support layer 30 on which an antenna 32 is arranged like a coil, whose ends 34, 36 are connected to terminals 38, 40 of a chip 42. Such a transponder label 28 can also be connected to a design label of the type described in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The transponder labels shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 preferably have a base layer of a textile fabric that is preferably woven or may be knitted or may also be a nonwoven. The antenna is incorporated with advantage in the fabric in the course of its production, that is, woven or knitted, which is particularly preferred for the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. If appropriate, the antenna can also be applied after the production of the fabric, for example by embroidering or printing, which is the case in particular in the case of the transponder etiquette according to FIGS. 3 and 4. Under certain circumstances, a support layer of a plastic film is conceivable in which the antenna is incorporated or applied.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an apparatus and a method for producing an RFID tag 2 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus includes a first conveyor 44 in which a design label tape 46 is fed from a supply roll 48 by means of a transport wheel 50 via a support 52 is supplied to a connection station 54. The first feeder 44 is further with a repeat sensor

15 56, which it responds to marks on the design label tape 46 to determine the feed length of the design label tape 46 to the connection station 54.

The device contains a second feeder 58 for a transponder label tape 60, which is pulled off from a supply roll 62 by means of a transport wheel 64 and likewise fed along a support 66 to the connection station 54. The support 66 is inclined at an angle α to the support 52 of the first conveyor 44, so that the transponder label tape 60 is fed in the desired position of the connection station 54. The second feeder 585 also includes a repeat sensor 68 that responds to marks on the transponder label tape 60 and controls the feed length. Furthermore, there is a transponder control 70, which checks the transponder labels for proper functioning. Furthermore, the second feeder 58 is equipped with a second separation station 52, which separates a transponder label 8 from the transponder chain 60 in the desired length.

The connection station 54 contains a base 54 with a heater 76 and a feedable punch 78, which is also provided with a not shown in detail. Heating can be provided. The press die presses the transponder label 8 in the region of its front edge against the design label strip 46 and forms the connection point 26, for example by activating a hot melt adhesive in one of the two layers by the heating device 76. The connecting station 54 is followed by a second separating station 80, which, for example, with an up and down separating knife 82 separates RFID labels 2 of the desired length from the design label band 46, which are deposited in a stacking device 84. An up and down press plate 86 supports the stacking process.

The device is also equipped with ejection means 88 for ejecting defective RFID labels 2a, which is the second separation station 80 downstream. The ejector means 88 includes a nozzle device 90 disposed below the second separation station 80 which generates a laterally outward airflow 92 when, for example, the transponder controller 70 displays a faulty label 2a. This is then blown off laterally before depositing in the stacking device 84.

FIG. 7 shows a further device for producing RFID labels 2b from a design label 4 and a transponder label 8, which is designed similarly to the device of FIGS. 5 and 6, so that identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals. The first feeder 44 transports by means of transport wheels 50 the design label tape 46 first to a connection station 54a and then further along a transponder control 70a to a second separation station 80 at which finished RFID labels 2b are separated by means of the separating knife 82 and fed to the stacking device 84. The second feeder 58 conveys the transponder label tape 60 to the connection station 54a. In this embodiment, the connection station 54a is equipped with a press die 94, which has a cavity 96 for accommodating at least one chip 14. The cavity 96 is limited at least on two opposite sides of edge portions 98 and 100, which serve on the one hand for separating a transponder etiquette 8 from the transponder label tape 60 and on the other hand for connecting the transponder etiquette 8 with the de Signetikettenband 46. The press die 94 and / or the pad 102 are for this purpose provided with a heating device, not shown, to activate fusible parts of the design label strip 46 and / or the Transpondereti- chain 8 and the connection points 104, 106 to form.

The second device of FIG. 7 can be equipped, analogously to FIGS. 5 and 6, with corresponding repeat sensors in order to control the device. Also ejection means for ejecting defective RFID labels can be present analogous to the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6.

LIST OF REFERENCES

2 RFID tags 54a connection station

2a RFID label 56 Repeat sensor

2b RFID tag 58 second feeder

Design label 60 Transponder label tape

6 Rear 62 Supply roll

8 transponder label 64 transport wheel

10 base layer 66 overlay

12 Antenna 68 Repeat sensor

14 chip 70 transponder control

16 tab 70a transponder control

18 Antenna section 72 First separation station 0 Antenna section 74 Underlay 2 Shorting bridge 76 Heating 4 Interruption 78 Pressing punch 6 Connection point 80 Second separating station 8 Transponder label 82 Disconnecting knife 0 Supporting layer 84 Stacking device 2 Antenna 86 Pressing plate 4 End of 32 88 Ejecting means 6 End of 32 90 Nozzle device 8 Connection 92 Air flow 0 Connection 94 Crimping die 2 Chip 96 Cavity 4 First feeder 98 Edge section 6 Design label strip 100 Edge section 8 Supply roll 102 Base 0 Transport wheel 104 Junction 2 Support 106 Junction 4 Junction

Claims

claims

1. RFID label with a textile design label (4), on the back side (6) of which a transponder is arranged, which has an antenna (12, 32) provided with chip (14, 42), characterized in that the antenna ( 12, 32) is incorporated in a base layer (10, 30) or applied to a base layer (10, 30) and connected to the chip (14, 42) in the form of a transponder label (8, 28) directly connected to the design label ( 4) is connected.

2. RFID tag according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (12) is arranged meandering or zigzag.

3. RFID tag according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (32) is arranged like a coil.

4. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transponder has an RFID chip (14).

5. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transponder has an RF or UHF chip (42).

6. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support layer (10) is knitted or woven, wherein the antenna (12) is acted or woven.

7. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the support layer (10,30) is a plastic layer, which incorporates or applied the antenna (12,32).

8. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the supporting layer (10,30) is formed as a nonwoven, in or on which an antenna (12,32) is arranged.

9. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the transponder label (8,28) is plasticized.

10. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transponder etiquette (8,28) includes a hot melt thread, by means of which it is connected to the design label (4).

11. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transponder etiquette (8,28) and the design label (4) at least about the chip (14,42) are glued together.

12. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transponder etiquette (8, 28) and the design label (4) are welded together at least around the chip (14, 42).

13. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the transponder label (8,28) is laminated on the design label (4)

14. RFID tag according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the transponder etiquette (8, 28) is provided with words and / or symbols on the side facing away from the design label (4).

15. A method for producing the RFID tags according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the design label (4) as a design label tape (46) and the transponder label (8,28) as transponder label tape (60) of a connection station (54) a transponder label (8, 28) is separated from the transponder label tape (60) which corresponds at most to the length of the RFID tag (2, 2 b) to be produced and the transponder tikette (8,28) at least in the region of its leading edge with the design label tape (46) connects and the thus prepared RFID label (2,2b) at a separation station (80) on the desired length of the RFID label (2,2b) ,

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the

Transponder label tape (60) at the connection station at an angle (α) against the design label tape (46) supplies and connects in the region of the leading edge of the transponder label (8,28) with the design label tape (46).

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the one from

Transponder label tape (60) separates a transponder label (8, 28) to be connected to the design label tape (46) and applies it to the design label tape (46) and connects to the design label tape (46) at least on two opposite sides by means of a heated press ram (78).

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that one connects the transponder etiquette (8,28) with the design label (4) by gluing.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that one connects the transponder etiquette (8,28) with the design label (4) by fusion, for example by means of ultrasonics or laser.

20. Apparatus for carrying out the method according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized by:

a first feeder (44) for a design label tape (46),

a second feeder (58) for a transponder label tape (60) having a first separation station (72) for separating a transponder label (8), a connection station (54, 54a) for connecting the transponder label (8, 28) to the design label band (46),

- A second separation station (80) for separating the RFID label (2,2b).

21. Device according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises means (56, 68) for repeat monitoring.

22. Device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that it comprises control means (70, 70a) for the transponder.

10

23. Device according to one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the second separation station (80) means (88) for ejecting defective RFID labels (2a) are assigned.

24. Device according to claim 23, characterized in that the ejection means (88) has a nozzle device (90) arranged below the second separating station (80) for producing a laterally outwardly directed air stream (92). 0

25. Device according to one of claims 20 or 24, characterized in that it comprises at the connection station (54,54a) welding means for connecting the transponder label (8,28) with the design label (4).

26. Device according to claim 20 or 25, characterized in that the first feeder (44) and the second feeder (58) are designed so that the

Belts (46,60) meet at an angle (α) at the connecting station (54), the latter having a press ram (78) for compressing the superimposed band parts, wherein further the press ram (78) and / or a base (74 ) are provided at the connection station (54) with heating means (76).

27. Device according to one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that at the connection station (54a) a press ram (94) is present, which has a cavity (96) for receiving at least one chip (14,42) and the cavity (96 ) has bordering portions (98, 100) on at least two opposite sides.

28. Device according to one of claims 20 to 27, characterized in that the second separating station (72) is associated with a stacking device (84) for receiving the RFID labels (2,2b).