Radio frequency identification tags and labels

• US 6,147,662 A
• Filed: 09/10/1999
• Issued: 11/14/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moore North America Incorporated (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Original Assignee: Moore North America Incorporated (RR Donnelley & Sons Company)
• Inventors: Larson, Carolyn M., Nash, Thomas P., Mitchell, Nancy G., Grabau, Robert E., Palmer, Eric V., Maier, Michael C., Moeller, Scott A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG V
• Application Number:
  US09/393,291
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 343/895, 340/572 B, 340/825.54, 156/213, 156/152, 156/298
• US Class Current: 343/895
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07718 the record carrier being manufactured in a continuous process, e.g. using endless rolls
• 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 19/0776 the adhering arrangement being a layer of adhesive, so that the record carrier can function as a sticker
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07779 the inductive antenna being a coil
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07783 the coil being planar
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/0401 Bonding areas specifically adapted for bump connectors, e.g. under bump metallisation [UBM]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/16 of an individual bump connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01087 Francium [Fr]
• 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: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines waveguide horns or mouths H01Q13/00; slot antennas H01Q13/00

Abstract

Radio frequency identification elements, including linerless or lined labels, are produced with enhanced effectiveness. The antenna is printed with conductive ink or toner, and cross-over may be provided by spot printing a non-conductive material over a portion of the antenna and then printing a conductive cross-over element on the non-conductive material. Typically the antenna is printed on one face of a web, and the radio frequency identification chip is moved into contact with the opposite face of the web so that the contacts penetrate the web and engage the antenna so that the web material acts as a dielectric. Alternatively part of the antenna on the first face may be over-printed with a non-conductive material and the chip attached to the first face passing through openings in, or penetrating, the non-conductive material to engage the antenna. A protective substrate or coating is provided on at least one of the chip and antenna, for example by heating heat expandable microspheres, or applying a substrate having hot melt adhesive. The antenna may be printed with a printing media comprising a carrier including resin and wax and containing conductive material in it, and by heating the carrier so that it becomes fluid and is applied as a thick film on the substrate, and by allowing the carrier to cool so as to provide a conductive antenna. The printing may be accomplished at a speed of about 500 feet per minute or more.

Claims

1. A method of producing a radio frequency identification element comprising:

(a) unwinding a flexible substantially dielectric base substrate web from a roll, the base substrate having first and second faces;

(b) printing a radio frequency identification antenna with conductive ink or toner on the substrate first face;

(c) spot printing a non-conductive material over a portion of the antenna for cross-over;

(d) printing a conductive cross-over element on the non-conductive material to complete the radio frequency identification antenna;

(e) bringing a radio frequency identification chip into operative contact with the radio frequency identification antenna; and

(f) providing at least one protective substrate or coating on at least one of the radio frequency identification chip and antenna.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification chip has contacts;

and wherein (e) is practiced by pushing the radio frequency identification chip into operative contact with the base substrate second face, and by pressing the chip contacts through the base substrate from the second face thereof, into contact with the radio frequency identification antenna, and securing the radio frequency identification chip in place.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein (e) is further practiced by securing the radio frequency identification chip in place with adhesive acting between the chip and the base substrate second face.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification chip has contacts;

and wherein (e) is practiced by overprinting part of the antenna on the first face of the base substrate with a non-conductive material, and by pushing the contacts into contact with the antenna.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein (e) is further practiced by spot coating the non-conductive material so that openings therein for receipt of the contacts of the chip are provided, and by pushing the chip contacts through those openings.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein (f) is practiced by applying a coating of heat expandable microspheres to at least one of the chip and antenna, and heating the spheres to expand them and provide a flexible protective coating.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein (a)-(f) are practiced using a paper web as the base substrate;

and wherein (f) is practiced by applying a protective substrate with adhesive over at least one of the chip and antenna so as to adhesively secure the protective substrate to at least one face of the base substrate.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising (g) applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the at least one protective substrate or coating, so that the element functions as a label.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein (f) is practiced by applying a protective substrate or coating to both faces of the base substrate;

and wherein (g) is practiced to provide pressure sensitive adhesive to one of the protective substrates or coating, and a pressure sensitive adhesive release coating to the other of the protective substrates or coatings, so as to provide linerless labels.

10. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein (a)-(g) are practiced to produce a flexible web of radio frequency identification labels, and further comprising taking up the web in roll form.

11. A method of producing a radio frequency identification element using a substantially dielectric base substrate having first and second opposite faces and a radio frequency identification chip having contacts, comprising:

(a) printing a radio frequency identification antenna with conductive ink or toner on the substrate first face;

(b) bringing the radio frequency identification chip into operative contact with the radio frequency identification antenna by pushing the radio frequency identification chip into operative contact with the base substrate second face, and by pressing the chip contacts through the base substrate from the second face thereof, into contact with the radio frequency identification antenna, and securing the radio frequency identification chip in place; and

(c) providing at least one protective substrate or coating on at least one of the radio frequency identification chip and antenna.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein (c) is further practiced by securing the radio frequency identification chip in place with adhesive acting between the chip and the base substrate second face.

13. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein (c)-(f) are practiced using a paper web as the base substrate;

and wherein (c) is practiced by applying a protective substrate with adhesive over at least one of the chip and antenna so as to adhesively secure the protective substrate to at least one face of the base substrate.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 further comprising (d) applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the at least one protective substrate or coating, so that the element functions as a label.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein (c) is practiced by applying a protective substrate or coating to both faces of the base substrate;

and wherein (d) is practiced to provide pressure sensitive adhesive to one of the protective substrates or coating, and a pressure sensitive adhesive release coating to the other of the protective substrates or coatings, so as to provide linerless labels.

16. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein (c) is practiced by applying a coating of heat expandable microspheres to at least one of the chip and antenna, and heating the microspheres to expand them and provide a flexible protective coating.

17. A radio frequency identification element comprising:

a substantially dielectric base substrate having first and second opposite faces;

a radio frequency identification antenna of conductive material disposed on said first face of said base substrate;

a radio frequency identification chip having contacts, said chip in operative association with said base substrate second face and said chip contacts penetrating said base substrate so that said contacts are in electrical contact with said antenna, and said base substrate substantially serves as a dielectric; and

at least one protective coating or substrate provided on at least one of said antenna and chip.

18. An element as recited in claim 17 further comprising a first protective coating or substrate covering said antenna and a second protective coating or substrate covering said chip.

19. An element as recited in claim 18 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive provided on one of said first and second protective coatings or substrates, and a pressure sensitive adhesive release coat provided on the other of said first and second protective coatings or substrates, so that said element comprises a linerless label.

20. An element as recited in claim 17 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive produced on said at least one protective coating or substrate, and a release liner provided over said pressure sensitive adhesive, so that said element comprises a linered label.

21. An element as recited in claim 17 wherein said antenna comprises a bistatik antenna.

22. An element as recited in claim 17 wherein said element is flexible and is part of a roll of like, interconnected, flexible elements, and wherein said base substrate is paper.

23. A method of producing a radio frequency identification element from using a substantially dielectric base substrate having first and second opposite faces and a radio frequency identification chip having contacts, comprising:

(a) printing a radio frequency identification antenna with conductive ink or toner on the substrate first face;

(b) bringing the radio frequency identification chip contacts into operative contact with the radio frequency identification antenna; and

(c) providing at least one protective substrate or coating on at least one of the radio frequency identification chip and antenna by applying a coating of heat expandable microspheres to at least one of the chip and antenna, and heating the microspheres to expand them and flexible protective a flexible protective coating.

24. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein (a)-(c) are practiced using a paper web as the base substrate;

and further comprising (d) applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the at least one of the base substrate or protective coating, so that the element functions as a label.

25. A method of producing a radio frequency identification element from using a substantially dielectric base substrate having first and second opposite faces and a radio frequency identification chip having contacts, comprising:

(a) printing a radio frequency identification antenna on the substrate first face using a printing media comprising a carrier including resin and wax which becomes fluid upon heating, and containing conductive materials therein, by heating the carrier so that it becomes fluid and is applied as a thick film on the substrate first face, and by allowing the carrier to cool so as to provide a conductive antenna;

(b) after cooling of the carrier, bringing the radio frequency identification chip contacts into operative contact with the radio frequency identification antenna; and

(c) providing at least one protective substrate or coating on at least one of the radio frequency identification chip and antenna.

26. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein (a) is further practiced to print a bistatik antenna.

27. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein (a) is further practiced to spot print a non-conductive material over a portion of the antenna for cross-over, and to print a conductive cross-over element on the non-conductive material to complete the radio frequency identification antenna.

28. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein (c) is further practiced by securing the radio frequency identification chip in place with adhesive acting between the chip and the base substrate second face.

29. A method as recited in claim 25 further comprising (d) applying a pressure sensitive adhesive to the at least one protective substrate or coating, so that the element functions as a label.

30. A method as recited in claim 29 wherein (c) is practiced by applying a protective substrate or coating to both faces of the base substrate;

and wherein (d) is practiced to provide pressure sensitive adhesive to one of the protective substrates or coating, and a pressure sensitive adhesive release coating to the other of the protective substrates or coatings, so as to provide linerless labels.

31. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein (a) is practiced using paper as the base substrate, and at a speed of about 500 feet per minute or more.