Method for forming electrically conductive pathways
First Claim
1. A method of forming electrically conductive pathways for radio frequency tags, comprising the steps of:
- providing a thermal transfer ribbon;
moving the thermal transfer ribbon past a heat source;
engaging the thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible receiver substrate as the thermal transfer ribbon moves past the heat source;
using paper or pliable film as the receiver substrate;
selectively heating portions of the thermal transfer ribbon with the heat source;
transferring a composition from the thermal transfer ribbon to the receiver substrate, the selective heating enabling a desired pattern of the composition to be transferred to the paper or film receiver substrate, the composition transferred from the thermal transfer ribbon being an electrically conductive material; and
electrically connecting said composition on said receiver substrate to a microchip to form an antenna for a radio frequency tag.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides for a system and two methods for forming electrically conductive pathways. These pathways can be connected with a microchip in order to form a radio frequency identification tag. A first method uses a thermal transfer ribbon, coated with a conductive material that is engaged with a receiver substrate. A thermal print head will heat a composition on the thermal transfer ribbon in order to transfer it to the receiver substrate. This transfer composition forms the electrically conductive pathway or antenna. In an alternative method, a receiver substrate is heated in order to react conductive material thereon. This receiver substrate is also heated by a thermal print head to form an electrically conductive pathway.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of forming electrically conductive pathways for radio frequency tags, comprising the steps of:
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providing a thermal transfer ribbon;
moving the thermal transfer ribbon past a heat source;
engaging the thermal transfer ribbon with a flexible receiver substrate as the thermal transfer ribbon moves past the heat source;
using paper or pliable film as the receiver substrate;
selectively heating portions of the thermal transfer ribbon with the heat source;
transferring a composition from the thermal transfer ribbon to the receiver substrate, the selective heating enabling a desired pattern of the composition to be transferred to the paper or film receiver substrate, the composition transferred from the thermal transfer ribbon being an electrically conductive material; and
electrically connecting said composition on said receiver substrate to a microchip to form an antenna for a radio frequency tag. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification