In-mold radio frequency identification device label

• US 7,135,979 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brady Worldwide Incorporated (Brady Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Brady Worldwide Incorporated (Brady Corporation)
• Inventors: Mess, Steven H., Savagian, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/294,069
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,461 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 235/488, 428/354
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• 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: Y10T 428/2848 Three or more layers

Abstract

A label for use as an in-mold label and including a radio frequency identification device (RFID) is disclosed. The label includes an RFID having opposed first and second surfaces; a first layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the first surface of the RFID; a second layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the second surface of the RFID; and a surface layer comprising a polymeric film disposed on a surface of the first layer of heat-activated adhesive opposite the first surface of the RFID. The label is placed in a mold with the surface layer contacting the mold. A polymer is molded in the mold such that the second layer of heat-activated adhesive (or a surface layer over the second layer of heat-activated adhesive) adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled article that can be identified using the radio frequency identification device in the label.

Claims

1. A label comprising:

a radio frequency identification device having opposed first and second surfaces;

a first layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the first surface of the radio frequency identification device;

a second layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the second surface of the radio frequency identification device; and

a surface layer disposed on a surface of the first layer of heat-activated adhesive opposite the first surface of the radio frequency identification device, the surface layer comprising a polymeric film,

wherein the surface layer comprises a heat-activated adhesive disposed between a second polymeric film and the polymeric film, the second polymeric film contacting the first layer of heat-activated adhesive.

2. The label of claim 1 wherein:

the radio frequency identification device comprises an integrated circuit chip mounted on one side of a flexible substrate, and

the chip is arranged adjacent the second layer of heat-activated adhesive.

3. A method for securing a radio frequency identification device to an article to be tracked or identified, the method comprising:

placing into a mold a label according to claim 2 such that the surface layer contacts the mold;

introducing a moldable polymer into the mold;

molding the polymer in the mold such that the second layer of heat-activated adhesive contacts and adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled molded polymeric article.

4. The label of claim 1 wherein:

the surface layer comprises a film formed from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl fluoride, polyolefins, polyimides, and polyethylene naphthalate.

5. The label of claim 1 wherein:

the surface layer comprises a polyester film.

6. The label of claim 1 wherein:

the heat-activated adhesive of the first layer and the heat activated adhesive of the second layer each comprise a thermoplastic polyester resin.

7. The label of claim 1 wherein:

the first polymeric film is a polyester film, and

the second polymeric film is a porous polyolefin film.

8. A method for securing a radio frequency identification device to an article to be tracked or identified, the method comprising:

placing into a mold a label according to claim 1 such that the surface layer contacts the mold;

introducing a moldable polymer into the mold;

molding the polymer in the mold such that the second layer of heat-activated adhesive contacts and adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled molded polymeric article.

9. A label comprising:

a radio frequency identification device having opposed first and second surfaces;

a first layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the first surface of the radio frequency identification device;

a second layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the second surface of the radio frequency identification device;

a first surface layer disposed on a surface of the first layer of heat-activated adhesive opposite the first surface of the radio frequency identification device, the first surface layer comprising a first polymeric film; and

a second surface layer disposed on a surface of the second layer of heat-activated adhesive opposite the second surface of the radio frequency identification device, the second surface layer comprising a second polymeric film.

10. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the radio frequency identification device comprises an integrated circuit chip mounted on one side of a flexible substrate, and

the chip is arranged adjacent the second layer of heat-activated adhesive.

11. A method for securing a radio frequency identification device to an article to be tracked or identified, the method comprising:

placing into a mold a label according to claim 10 such that the first surface layer contacts the mold;

introducing a moldable polymer into the mold;

molding the polymer in the mold such that the second surface layer contacts and adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled molded polymeric article.

12. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the first surface layer comprises a film formed from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl fluoride, polyolefins, polyimides, and polyethylene naphthalate.

13. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the first surface layer comprises a polyester film.

14. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the heat-activated adhesive of the first layer and the heat activated adhesive of the second layer each comprise a thermoplastic polyester resin.

15. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the first surface layer comprises a heat-activated adhesive disposed between a third polymeric film and the first polymeric film, the third polymeric film contacting the first layer of heat-activated adhesive.

16. The label of claim 15 wherein:

the first polymeric film is a polyester film,

the second polymeric film is a porous polyolefin film, and

the third polymeric film is a porous polyolefin film.

17. The label of claim 16 wherein:

the heat-activated adhesive of the first layer and the heat activated adhesive of the second layer each comprise a thermoplastic polyester resin.

18. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the first surface layer is a polyester film, and

the second surface layer is a porous polyolefin film.

19. The label of claim 9 wherein:

the first surface layer is a polyethylene terephthalate film.

20. The label of claim 19 wherein:

the second surface layer is a porous silica filled polyethylene film.

21. A method for securing a radio frequency identification device to an article to be tracked or identified, the method comprising:

placing into a mold a label according to claim 9 such that the first surface layer contacts the mold;

introducing a moldable polymer into the mold;

molding the polymer in the mold such that the second surface layer contacts and adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled molded polymeric article.