Selective metal removal process for metallized retro-reflective and holographic films and radio frequency devices made therewith
DCFirst Claim
1. An identification device, comprising:
- a base layer;
a radio-frequency (RF) transponder comprising an RF chip and an antenna disposed on the base layer, wherein the antenna is in electrical communication with the chip; and
a metallized region;
wherein the metalized region includes a holographic image;
wherein the holographic image and the antenna form a single layer;
wherein the metallized region has been selectively demetallized, such that the RF transponder is able to transmit and receive information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for selectively removing metal from a metallized substrate (e.g., a metallized polymer film) and the formation fo devices thereby are provided. The method involves selectively exposing the metallized surface to a demetallizing (i.e., an oxidizing) chemical solution. The metallized layer can be selectively exposed to the demetallizing solution using a flexographic printing process wherein printing rollers are used to transfer the demetallizing solution to the metallized surface. An identification device including, for example, a holographic, retro-reflective, or other metallized material and a radio-frequency transponder are also provided. The radio-frequency transponder includes an RF chip and an antenna in electrical communication with the chip. The identification device including the holographic image allows both electronic identification through the reading of identification data stored in the chip and optical identification via the holographic image.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An identification device, comprising:
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a base layer; a radio-frequency (RF) transponder comprising an RF chip and an antenna disposed on the base layer, wherein the antenna is in electrical communication with the chip; and a metallized region; wherein the metalized region includes a holographic image; wherein the holographic image and the antenna form a single layer; wherein the metallized region has been selectively demetallized, such that the RF transponder is able to transmit and receive information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An identification device, comprising:
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a base layer; a radio-frequency (RF) transponder comprising an RF chip and an antenna disposed on the base layer, wherein the antenna is in electrical communication with the chip; and a metallized region; wherein the metalized region includes a holographic image; wherein the metallized region has been selectively demetallized, such that the RF transponder is able to transmit and receive information and wherein the metallized region is in electrical communication with the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method of making an identification device comprising a base layer and a plurality of metallized regions disposed thereon, the method comprising:
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forming an antenna in a first metallized region; and forming a holographic image in a second metallized region; wherein the antenna is formed by a method comprising; transferring a metal etching solution to portions of an exposed surface of the metallized layer using a printing process; allowing the etching solution to react with the metal to selectively demetallize the surface; and washing the selectively demetallized surface and wherein the first and second metallized regions form a single metal layer.
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Specification