DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A TAG TO A TOOL

• US 20110277359A1
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Original Assignee: Haldor Advanced Technologies Ltd
• Inventors: HALBERTHAL, Reuven, POREMBA, Jacob
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/299.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49812 Temporary protective coating, impregnation, or cast layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49885 with coating before or during assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49886 to roughen surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49888 Subsequently coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49982 Coating

Abstract

An identification device adapted to be attached to a tool comprising a holder formed as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section, the stratum having at least one opening thereon, and the internal surface of the holder being micro-etched; an identification tag placed within the holder; and hardening material for fixing the identification tag within the holder.

The identification device is created from a holder, shaped as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section and at least one opening thereon, micro-etching the internal surface of the holder; and fixing an identification tag within the holder by a hardening material. Fixing the tag within the holder may comprise placing the holder within a container; filling the holder to about half the height with a hardening material; placing the identification tag within the holder; filling the holder with the hardening material; and hardening the hardening material.

Claims

1. An identification device adapted to be attached to a tool, comprising:

a holder formed substantially as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section, the holder having an external surface and an internal surface, the stratum having at least one opening thereon, and the internal surface of the holder being micro-etched;

an identification tag placed within the holder; and

hardening material for fixing the identification tag within the holder.

2. The identification device of claim 1 further comprising an elevation component placed within the holder such as to avoid exposure of the identification tag.

3. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the hardening material is a bio compatible material.

4. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency (RF) tag.

5. The identification device of claim 1 wherein the external surface and the internal surface are substantially concentric.

6. A method for producing an identification device, comprising:

obtaining a holder, substantially shaped as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section, the holder having an external surface and an internal surface, the stratum having at least one opening thereon;

micro-etching the internal surface of the holder; and

fixing an identification tag within the holder by a hardening material.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein obtaining the holder comprises:

obtaining a rectangular piece having an at least one opening thereon; and

curving the rectangular piece so as to form a C-shape.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein micro-etching the internal surface of the holder comprises:

attaching a coating layer to the external surface of the holder;

exposing the internal surface of the holder to an etching liquid flowing through the holder; and

removing the coating layer from the external surface of the holder.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein fixing the identification tag within the holder comprises:

placing the holder within a container on a curved rim of the holder;

filling the holder to about half the height with a hardening material;

placing the identification tag within the holder;

filling the holder to its height with the hardening material; and

hardening the hardening material.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising placing an elevation component within the holder before placing the identification tag.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising polishing excess hardening material from the identification device.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising washing the identification device.

13. The method of claim 6 wherein the identification tag is a radio frequency identification (RF) tag.

14. The method of claim 6 wherein the hardening material is a bio compatible material.

15. The method of claim 6 further comprising attaching the identification device to a tool.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein attaching the identification device to a tool comprises:

milling the tool at a location determined for the identification device; and

welding the identification device to the tool.