Spindle sleeve with transponder

• US 20030102978A1
• Filed: 12/04/2001
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gates Corporation (Gates Industrial Corp. Plc)
• Original Assignee: Gates Corporation (Gates Industrial Corp. Plc)
• Inventors: Schwandner, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 7,017,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/693.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2557/13 Data carrier, e.g. chip, transponder, magnetic strip
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/31 Textiles threads or artificial strands of filaments
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/182 Identification means
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/04 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag

Abstract

The invention comprises a transponder moveably implanted into a pocket on an elastomeric spindle sleeve. The pocket comprises a plastic lining which is formed in the sleeve during cure or vulcanization. The transponder is inserted into the pocket once cure or vulcanization of the sleeve is complete. The open ends of the pocket are then sealed closed with an adhesive. Since the transponder is not molded into or otherwise bonded to the pocket during fabrication the transponder may move within the pocket. This minimizes stresses that may otherwise be transmitted to the transponder during flexing of the sleeve, thereby extending a transponder life. The transponder collects, stores and transmits manufacturing data which can be read by hand-held or stationary electronic devices. The transponder comprises a microchip and antenna in addition to a plastic or paper laminate upon which it is mounted. The transponder is activated by RF energy received by the antenna and therefore needs no battery.

Claims

1. A data system comprising:

an elastomeric product having a receiving portion cured therein;

a transponder circuit comprising a processor and signal antenna for interaction with a remote electrical device; and

the transponder circuit sealed into said receiving portion.

2. The data system as in claim 1 further comprising:

an interrogator unit for signaling the transponder to receive or transmit product information.

3. The data system as in claim 1 wherein the transponder circuit comprises:

a memory portion for storing product information;

a receiver for receiving a signal from the interrogator; and

a transmitter for accessing and transmitting information stored in the memory portion.

4. The data system as in claim 1, wherein the transponder is sealed into the receiving portion by an adhesive.

5. The data system as in claim 1, wherein the receiving portion further comprise a piece that binds to an elastomeric on a single side during a vulcanization process.

6. The data system as in claim 5, wherein the piece comprises a flexible and non-metallic material.

7. A sleeve comprising:

an elastomeric body;

a receiving portion formed in the elastomeric body; and

the receiving portion having a shape suitable for receiving an electronic data logger.

8. The sleeve as in claim 7, wherein the receiving portion further comprises:

a material bondable only to the elastomeric.

9. The sleeve as in claim 8, wherein the electronic data logger further comprises:

a transponder sealed within the receiving portion after a vulcanization of the elastomeric body; and

the transponder comprising a data receiving portion, a data storage portion and a data transmitting portion.

10. The sleeve as in claim 9, wherein the transponder is moveable within the receiving portion.

11. The sleeve as in claim 10, wherein the transponder comprises a thickness less than 2 mm.

12. The sleeve as in claim 10 further comprising tensile cords wound in the elastomeric body in a longitudinal direction.

13. The sleeve as in claim 10, wherein the receiving portion is sealable.

14. The sleeve as in claim 13, wherein the receiving portion is radially outward from a tensile cord.

15. The sleeve as in claim 14 further comprising a toothed profile.

16. A method of manufacturing spun material comprising the steps of:

using a sleeve having a pocket for moveably containing an electronic data logging device; and

transmitting a data to the electronic data logging device as part of a winding process for forming a spun material coil; and

receiving a data from the electronic data logging device.

17. The method as in claim 16 further comprising the step of:

storing the data in a memory portion of the electronic data logging device.

18. The method as in claim 17 further comprising the step of removing the sleeve from a spun material coil.

19. The method as in claim 17 further comprising the step of sealing the pocket.

20. The method as in claim 16 further comprising the step of mounting the electronic data logger device to a flexible non-metallic material.