System for continuously manufacturing security tags
First Claim
1. A method of continuously manufacturing security tags, comprising the steps of:
- supplying housing stock material in a continuous web from a first supply station in a production line;
forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web in a plastic forming station located in the production line downstream of the first supply station;
cutting resonator strips material into resonator strips of precise length while being held in strip holders, and then ejecting the resonator strips from the strip holders directly into the housing cavities positioned below the strip holders in a resonator feed station in the production line located downstream of the plastic forming station;
closing and sealing the housing cavities with the resonator strips therein by placing lid stock material over open ends of the housing cavities in a second supply station located in the production line downstream of the plastic forming station; and
attaching bias strips and cover stock material to an outer surface of the lid stock material remote from the housing cavities in adjacent bias feed and third supply stations in the production line downstream from the resonator feed station such that the cover stock material is over the bias strips.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for continuously manufacturing security tags involve supplying housing stock material in a continuous web from a supply station and then forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web. Resonator strips are inserted in the housing cavities downstream of the plastic forming. The housing cavities with the inserted resonator strips are closed and sealed with lid stock material which is placed over the open ends of the housing cavities. Bias strips are attached to the outer surface of the lid stock material remote from the housing cavity. Cover strip material is then placed over the bias strips and outer surface of the lid stock material.
41 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of continuously manufacturing security tags, comprising the steps of:
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supplying housing stock material in a continuous web from a first supply station in a production line; forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web in a plastic forming station located in the production line downstream of the first supply station; cutting resonator strips material into resonator strips of precise length while being held in strip holders, and then ejecting the resonator strips from the strip holders directly into the housing cavities positioned below the strip holders in a resonator feed station in the production line located downstream of the plastic forming station; closing and sealing the housing cavities with the resonator strips therein by placing lid stock material over open ends of the housing cavities in a second supply station located in the production line downstream of the plastic forming station; and attaching bias strips and cover stock material to an outer surface of the lid stock material remote from the housing cavities in adjacent bias feed and third supply stations in the production line downstream from the resonator feed station such that the cover stock material is over the bias strips. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of continuously manufacturing security tags, comprising the steps of:
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supplying housing stock material in a continuous web from a first supply station in a production line; forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web in a plastic forming station located in the production line downstream of the first supply station; inserting resonator strips in the housing cavities in a resonator feed station in the production line located downstream of the plastic forming station; closing and sealing the housing cavities with the resonator strips therein by placing lid stock material over open ends of the housing cavities in a second supply station located in the production line downstream of the plastic forming station; attaching bias strips to an adhesive layer applied to an inner surface of cover stock material in a bias feed station in the production line downstream from the resonator feed station; and laminating the cover stock material with the bias strips adhered thereto to an outer surface of the lid stock material as a continuous web in a third supply station in the production line adjacent to the bias feed station. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of continuously manufacturing security tags, comprising the steps of:
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supplying a housing stock material in a continuous web from a first supply station in a production line; forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web in a plastic forming station located in the production line downstream of the first supply station; inserting resonator strips in the housing cavities in a resonator feed station in the production line located downstream of the plastic forming station; closing and sealing the housing cavities with the resonator strips therein by placing lid stock material over open ends of the housing cavities in a second supply station located in the production line downstream of the plastic forming station; and attaching bias strips and cover stock material to an outer surface of the lid stock material remote from the housing cavities in adjacent bias feed and third supply stations in the production line downstream from the resonator feed station, such that the cover stock material is over the bias strips, the cover stock material having a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on an outer surface thereof and a paper liner with a release coating engaging the pressure sensitive adhesive coating. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification