U.S. patent application number 09/022174 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-06 for label/tag with embedded signaling device and method and apparatus for making and using.
Invention is credited to CONTI, NORMAN A., GERMERAAD, PAUL B..
Application Number | 20010049000 09/022174 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21808193 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010049000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CONTI, NORMAN A. ; et
al. |
December 6, 2001 |
LABEL/TAG WITH EMBEDDED SIGNALING DEVICE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR MAKING AND USING
Abstract
A webstock device for providing a signaling function while being
relatively camouflaged includes sheet-like webstock material, a
cavity in the webstock material, a signaling device at least partly
contained in the cavity, and means for retaining the signaling
device at least partly in the cavity. The cavity in the webstock
material is closed by respective layers of material and a cover
layer can be printed with desired information, instructions, etc.
The signaling device may be an accousto-magnetic signaling device,
an RF device or other signaling device. The invention also includes
methods and apparatus for making the webstock device and methods
for using the device.
Inventors: |
CONTI, NORMAN A.;
(PAINESVILLE, OH) ; GERMERAAD, PAUL B.; (LACANADA,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE AND SKLAR
WARREN A SKLAR
1621 EUCLID AVENUE
19TH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
|
Family ID: |
21808193 |
Appl. No.: |
09/022174 |
Filed: |
February 11, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
428/137 ;
283/81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 206/818 20130101;
Y10T 428/24331 20150115; Y10T 428/32 20150115; G08B 13/2445
20130101; Y10S 428/916 20130101; Y10T 428/24661 20150115; Y10T
428/24339 20150115; G08B 13/246 20130101; Y10T 428/24744 20150115;
Y10S 428/90 20130101; G08B 13/2437 20130101; G08B 13/2434 20130101;
Y10T 428/24322 20150115; G08B 13/244 20130101; Y10T 428/24562
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/137 ;
283/81 |
International
Class: |
B32B 003/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A webstock device, comprising sheet-like webstock material, a
cavity in the webstock material, a signaling device at least partly
contained in the cavity, and means for retaining the signaling
device at least partly in the cavity.
2. The device of claim 1, said webstock material having opposite
surfaces, said cavity comprising a hole through the webstock
material from one surface to the other, and said means for
retaining comprising a layer of material covering at least part of
the hole at one surface of the webstock material.
3. The device of claim 2, said means for retaining comprising a
further layer of material covering at least part of the hole at the
other surface of the webstock material.
4. The device of claim 3, said signaling device comprising an
accousto-magnetic device having two metal portions, one being at
least partly in the cavity and the other being separated from the
first portion.
5. The device of claim 4, said further layer of material being
located relative to the two metal portions to provide an insulated
separation between the two metal portions.
6. The device of claim 5, said second layer of material having a
first surface facing the cavity and a second surface facing away
from the cavity, and said second metal portion being held in
engagement with the second surface.
7. The device of claim 6, further comprising printing on at least
one surface of the webstock device.
8. The device of claim 6, further comprising a cover on said second
layer of material, said cover being capable of being printed.
9. The device of claim 1, said signaling device comprising an
accousto-magnetic device.
10. The device of claim 1, said signaling device comprising a radio
frequency device.
11. The device of claim 1, said signaling device comprising an
active device with a power supply.
12. The device of claim 1, said sheet-like webstock material
comprising a co-extrusion including relatively easily deformed
material and relatively hard to deform material, and said cavity
comprising a pressed portion of the relatively soft material.
13. The device of claim 12, said means for retaining comprising
said relatively hard to deform material.
14. The device of claim 12, said cavity being open at a surface of
the relatively easily deformed material and said means for
retaining comprising a layer of material covering said cavity at
said surface.
15. The device of claim 1, said webstock material being relatively
flat and thin and in the shape of a label.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein said webstock material is in
the form of a hang tag.
17. The device of claim 15, wherein the webstock device includes a
surface capable of retaining ink or other printing.
18. A signaling device, comprising webstock material having a
cavity therein and a signaling device at least partly in the
cavity, a cover covering at least part of the cavity to retain the
signaling device, a further signaling device located relative to
the webstock and outside the cavity in cooperative relation to the
first mentioned signaling device to provide a signaling
function.
19. A webstock device , comprising first webstock material having
an opening, sheet material adhered relative to the webstock in
relative proximity to one surface thereof at least partly covering
the opening, first portion of a signaling device in the opening, a
film adhered relative to the webstock material in relative
proximity to the other surface thereof at least partly covering the
opening, and a second portion of the signaling device outside the
opening and located for cooperation with the first portion for
signaling function.
20. The webstock of claim 19, further comprising a cover material
over the second portion of the signaling device.
21. The webstock of claim 20, further comprising printing on the
cover.
22. The webstock of claim 19, at least one of said portions of the
signaling device being selectively magnetizable and
demagnetizable.
23. The webstock of claim 19, said signaling device when magnetized
being responsive to incident electromagnetic signal to provide a
detectible response.
24. The webstock of claim 19, said webstock material and said sheet
material comprising a material made by a co-extrusion process.
25. The webstock of claim 19, wherein a plurality of said materials
are laminated together.
26. A hang tag comprising the webstock of claim 19.
27. The hang tag of claim 26, further comprising a fastening
opening in the webstock, and a fastener coupled to said fastening
opening for fastening the hang tag to an object.
28. An object comprising material, and the webstock of claim 19
positioned with said material.
29. A method of detecting objects, comprising placing a sheet-like
label including a detectable device unobtrusively with respect to
the object.
30. The method of claim 29, said placing comprising embedding the
label in object.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the object is a package or
container and said placing comprises attaching the label
thereto.
32. The method of claim 31, said attaching comprises adhesively
mounting the label on a surface of the package or container.
33. The method of claim 31, said attaching comprises placing the
label within the material of which the package or container is
formed.
34. The method of claim 29, said placing comprising placing a label
having therein an accousto-magnetic device embedded therein.
35. The method of claim 29, said placing comprising placing in a
cavity in the sheetlike label a radio-frequency device.
36. A process of making webstock, comprising moving a substantially
continuous sheet along a process line, forming in the sheet a
cavity that is closed at one side, placing an object in the cavity,
placing a closure relative to the sheet to retain the object in the
cavity, and placing a further object relative to the sheet and in
spaced apart functionally cooperative relation to the object.
37. The process of claim 36, said placing a closure comprising
placing a further sheet relative to said first-mentioned sheet.
38. The process of claim 36, said placing an object comprises
placing an object that is at least one of magnetizable or
responsive to an electromagnetic field.
39. The process of claim 38, said placing an object and said
placing a further object comprising placing an accousto-magnetic
device.
40. The process of claim 36, said forming comprising creating an
opening in the sheet and applying a further sheet relative to the
first-mentioned sheet and the opening to close the opening.
41. The process of claim 40, said applying a further sheet
comprising laminating the further sheet to the first-mentioned
sheet.
42. The process of claim 41, said laminating comprising adhesively
attaching the further sheet to the first-mentioned sheet.
43. The process of claim 36, said forming comprising extruding
material to form the sheet and stamping the cavity in the extruded
material.
44. The process of claim 43, said extruding comprising coextruding,
and said stamping comprising hot stamping.
45. The process of claim 36, further comprising printing on at
least part of the webstock.
46. A process of making webstock, comprising, in a first sheet
forming a cavity, placing a second sheet relative to one surface of
the first sheet at least partially to cover the cavity, placing an
object in the cavity, placing a third sheet relative to the other
surface of the first sheet to retain the object in the cavity,
placing a further object outside the cavity in a functionally
cooperative relation to the object and in relatively fixed position
relative to the sheets.
47. The process of claim 46, said placing the further object
comprising adhering the further object on the third sheet.
48. The process of claim 46, said placing the further object
comprising placing the object outside the cavity in functionally
cooperative position with respect to the first-mentioned
object.
49. The process of claim 48, further comprising attaching a further
sheet material to the third sheet to retain the further object in
position.
50. The process of claim 49, said attaching a further sheet
material comprising laminating the further sheet material to the
third sheet material.
51. The process of claim 46, further comprising printing on at
least part of the webstock.
52. The process of claim 46, said forming comprising forming the
cavity sufficiently large to allow movement of said object therein,
and said placing an object and placing a further object comprising
placing an accousto-magnetic device.
53. A process for producing webstock, comprising creating a cavity
in the webstock while the webstock is continuously moved along a
process line, embedding an active device in the cavity.
54. The process of claim 53, said creating comprising coextruding a
material to form a sheet, and hot stamping the extruded material to
form the cavity.
55. The process of claim 53, said creating comprising punching a
hole through sheet material, and placing a cover over the hole.
56. The process of claim 55, said embedding comprising placing a
magnetically susceptible material in the cavity, and further
comprising placing outside the cavity a further magnetically
susceptible material cooperative with the first-mentioned one in
response to receiving an electromagnetic signal to provide a
detectable electromagnetic output.
57. The process of claim 53, further comprising selecting such
materials as materials that are responsive to a prescribed
frequency or range of frequencies of electromagnetic signals
incident thereon.
58. The process of claim 53, further comprising printing on at
least part of the webstock.
59. The process of claim 53, comprising closing the cavity to
retain the device therein.
60. The process of claim 53, said placing comprising placing an
active device with a power supply.
61. The process of claim 53, said placing comprising placing a
radio frequency device.
62. The process of claim 53, said placing comprising placing an
accousto-magnetic device.
63. A process for detectable labeling, comprising forming an
unobtrusive label for inclusion with an object, and placing within
the label a detectable device.
64. The process of claim 63, further comprising attaching the label
to an object which is to be detected.
65. The process of claim 64, said attaching comprising attaching
the label as a hang tag.
66. The process of claim 64, said attaching comprising adhesively
attaching the label to the object.
67. The process of claim 64, said attaching comprising embedding
the label in the object.
68. The process of claim 63, said placing comprising placing a
magnetically responsive portion of the detectable device in a
cavity in the label and placing a further magnetically responsive
portion of the detectable device outside the cavity and in
cooperative relation with the first-mentioned portion.
69. The process of claim 68, further comprising adhering the
further magnetically responsive portion to the label.
70. The process of claim 63, said placing comprising placing an
accousto-magnetic device.
71. The process of claim 63, further comprising printing
information on the label.
72. Apparatus for manufacturing a webstock including a signaling
device, comprising means for moving a webstock along a
manufacturing route, means for forming a cavity in the webstock at
spaced-apart locations thereof, means for placing a signaling
member into respective cavities, means for closing the cavity to
retain the signaling member therein.
73. The apparatus of claim 72, further comprising means for placing
a further signaling member outside the cavity and relative to the
first signaling member for cooperation therewith to provide a
discernible output in response to an interrogation signal.
74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the signaling members are
magnetically cooperative and respond to an electromagnetic
interrogation signal.
75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein at least one of the signals
is demagnetizable to preclude producing of the discernible output
in response to an interrogation signal.
76. The apparatus of claim 73, further comprising means for
applying relative to the webstock a covering material over the
means for closing and the further signaling member.
77. The apparatus of claim 73, said means for applying a covering
material comprising means for applying a covering material with a
printable surface.
78. The apparatus of claim 77, further comprising means for
printing on such surface.
79. The apparatus of claim 72, said means for forming a cavity
comprising a cutting tool.
80. The apparatus of claim 72, said means for forming a cavity
comprising a punch.
81. The apparatus of claim 72, said means for forming a cavity
comprising means for to cutting a hole through the webstock, and
further comprising means for applying a cover at one side of the
webstock to at least partly cover the hole to form the cavity.
82. The apparatus of claim 81, said means for applying a cover
comprising means for continuously laminating a cover material
relative to the webstock.
83. The apparatus of claim 72, said means for forming a cavity
comprising means for coextruding the webstock material including
portions having different respective properties, one being
relatively deformable in response to application of heat, said
means for moving comprising means for drawing the webstock from the
means for coextruding.
84. The apparatus of claim 83, said means for forming a cavity
comprising means for heat deforming at least part of the material
of the webstock material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates generally, as indicated, label/tag
with embedded signaling device and method and apparatus for making
and using, and more particularly, to a low profile, relatively
unobtrusive webstock label or tag with a signaling device and to a
method and apparatus of making such device and use thereof for
labeling, tagging, signaling, and the like.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Signaling devices that are attachable to or are attached to
products have been used in the past to provide a signal when a
product is being wrongfully removed from a store, from a storage
area, etc., e.g., by a shop lifter, thief, or unauthorized
individual. Signaling devices have been used for other purposes,
too, an example being for inventory control. An exemplary signaling
device has a pair of metal members separated by an insulator, the
combination being contained in a relatively large container that is
attachable to a product as by adhesive or by some other means.
Usually such container has a relatively high profile, is rather
visible and is physically large. This is a disadvantage in that it
facilitates being noticed by a possible wrong doer who may wish to
remove or to disable the signaling device.
[0003] In an exemplary prior accousto-magnetic signaling device, at
least one of the metal members is magnetized. When the signaling
device is exposed to an appropriate electromagnetic signal, such as
that emitted by a magnetic device stationed at the exit of a store,
the metal members in the signaling device respond to produce a
discernable output. In response to the discernable output, then, a
wrong doer, such as a person who is committing a theft, may be
apprehended. The magnetized member, though, may be demagnitized or
otherwise disabled by placing it in an appropriate instrument, and
thusly disabled the signaling device then would not produce the
discernable output when removed from the store.
[0004] Other types of signaling devices also are known. Some are
passive, such as that of the type described above. Others may be
active in that they may contain or include a power supply or some
other means to emit a discernable output either when interrogated
or constantly (or periodic), depending on the circumstances.
However, most prior signaling devices have been of a relatively
large size and are too easily spotted (seen) so that a wrong doer
would know to remove it before absconding with the product.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a strong need in the art to provide an
unobtrusive signaling device for use with various products, goods,
containers and the like. Such relatively unobtrusive signaling
device desirably would be relatively small, of low profile, and
easily hidden, camouflaged, and so forth.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, a webstock device
includes sheet-like webstock material, a cavity in the webstock
material, a signaling device at least partly contained in the
cavity, and means for retaining the signaling device at least
partly in the cavity.
[0007] According to another aspect, a signaling device includes
webstock material having a cavity therein and a signaling device at
least partly in the cavity, a cover covering at least part of the
cavity to retain the signaling device, and a further signaling
device located relative to the webstock and outside the cavity in
cooperative relation to the first mentioned signaling device to
provide a signaling function.
[0008] According to another aspect, a webstock device includes
first webstock material having an opening, sheet material adhered
relative to the webstock in relative proximity to one surface
thereof at least partly covering the opening, a first portion of a
signaling device in the opening, a film adhered relative to the
webstock material in relative proximity to the other surface
thereof at least partly covering the opening, and a second portion
of the signaling device outside the opening and located for
cooperation with the first portion for signaling function.
[0009] According to another aspect, a method of detecting objects
includes placing a sheet-like label including a detectable device
unobtrusively with respect to the object.
[0010] According to another aspect, a process of making webstock
includes moving a substantially continuous sheet along a process
line, forming in the sheet a cavity that is closed at one side,
placing an object in the cavity, placing a closure relative to the
sheet to retain the object in the cavity, and placing a further
object relative to the sheet and in spaced apart functionally
cooperative relation to the object.
[0011] According to another aspect, a process of making webstock
includes in a first sheet forming a cavity, placing a second sheet
relative to one surface of the first sheet at least partially to
cover the cavity, placing an object in the cavity, placing a third
sheet relative to the other surface of the first sheet to retain
the object in the cavity, placing a further object outside the
cavity in a functionally cooperative relation to the object and in
relatively fixed position relative to the sheets.
[0012] According to another aspect, a process for producing
webstock includes creating a cavity in the webstock while the
webstock is continuously moved along a process line, embedding an
active device in the cavity.
[0013] According to another aspect, a process for detectable
labeling including forming an unobtrusive label for inclusion with
an object, and placing within the label a detectable device.
[0014] According to another aspect, an apparatus for manufacturing
a webstock including a signaling device includes means for moving a
webstock along a manufacturing route, means for forming a cavity in
the webstock at spaced-apart locations thereof, means for placing a
signaling member into respective cavities, means for closing the
cavity to retain the signaling member therein.
[0015] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described
in the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims,
the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth in
detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these
being indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in
which the principles of the invention may be suitably employed.
[0016] Although the invention is shown and described with respect
to one or more preferred embodiments, it is obvious that
equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the
art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The
present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications,
and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the annexed drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a prior art
accousto-magnetic signaling device which may be attached to another
object to provide a selective signaling function when interrogated,
if not properly demagnetized;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a prior art
interrogation and detection system useful with an accousto-magnetic
device of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation section view schematically
illustrating an accousto-magnetic tag of webstock (referred to
below as "AM tag") in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0021] FIGS. 4A through 4G are schematic illustrations depicting a
method of manufacturing the AM tag illustrated in FIG. 3;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic side elevation view of a
machine/processing line for manufacturing an AM tag of the type
illustrated in FIG. 3 to carry out the steps illustrated in FIGS.
4A through 4G;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an AM tag according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the AM tag of FIG. 6
looking generally in the direction of the arrows 7-7 of FIG. 6;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side elevation section view schematically
illustrating another embodiment of AM tag of the invention;
[0026] FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic illustrations of a portion of
the exemplary steps to make the AM tag of FIG. 8, additional steps
being carried out in accordance with the illustrations in FIG. 4D
through 4G;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a machine or process
line for making the AM tag device of FIG. 8;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of
signaling device embedded in webstock, the signaling device being
an RF (radio frequency) device; and
[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of another embodiment of
signaling device embedded in webstock, where the signaling device
is a detector/or signaling device and a power supply; and
[0030] FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic illustrations of a webstock
device with a signaling device embedded therein showing several
exemplary uses.
DESCRIPTION
[0031] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts in the several figures, and initially to FIG.
1, a prior art accousto-magnetic (AM) signaling device 10 is
illustrated. The device 10 includes a pair of metal members, such
as metal strips, 11, 12, and an electrical insulator 13. The device
10 also includes a plastic base 14 and a plastic cover 15 attached
to the base, for example, by adhesive material 16. The device 10
may be attached to another object, such as a package 17 in which a
product is contained, a hang tag attached to an article of
clothing, etc.
[0032] At least one of the two metal members 11, 12 in the AM
device 10 is magnetized and is cooperative with the other metal
member in response to receiving an electromagnetic signal of the
appropriate frequency to provide a detectable output signal. The
metal member which is magnetized also may be demagnetized to
preclude the device 10 from providing the detectable signal in
response to receiving a prescribed input or interrogating
signal.
[0033] An exemplary system 20 in which the device 10 may be used is
illustrated schematically in FIG. 2. In system 20 an interrogation
circuit 21 produces a selected interrogation signal which is
communicated between a pair of antennas, metal posts, etc. 22, 23.
The posts 22, 23 are electrically coupled, as at 24, to the
interrogation circuit 21 and also to a signaling output circuit 25.
If a magnetized AM device 10 comes in the zone 26 between the
antennas 22, 23 while an interrogation signal is provided by the
interrogation circuit 21 and antennas, at least one of the metal
strips in the AM device 10 vibrates and a detectable output signal
will be produced by the device 10 causing the signaling output
circuit 25 to produce the warning output signal or the like to
indicate to a security person, for example, that the device 10, and
more particularly an object to which the device 10 is attached, is
being taken from the premises without being properly demagnetized.
If this is an accident, then appropriate steps can be taken; if
this is not an accident, for example, if shoplifting were involved,
then appropriate other steps may be taken. A demagnetizer 27
associated with the system 20 may be located at a cashier's stand
28 and used by an authorized cashier to demagnetize the device 10
thereby to avoid setting off the signaling output signal alarm
25.
[0034] As is seen in FIG. 1, the AM device 10 is a relatively large
device and it must be attached to an object, such as to a package,
to a hang tag 17, etc. Adhesive material 30 may be provided for
that attaching function. Due to the large size of the device 10, it
is relatively obtrusive. Therefore, the existence of the device 10
when it is used for security purposes clearly can be seen by an
intending wrong doer, such as a shoplifter, person intending to
remove inventory from a storage area, loading dock, transport
vehicle, etc. Also, the relatively large device 10 may detract from
the overall appearance of the object to which it is attached and
may cover printed material, such as advertising information, size
information, instructions, and so forth on the package, hang tag or
the like. Removing the device 10 from its fastened connection may
destroy or deface some of the printed material/information, which,
of course, may be undesirable, particularly when the printed
material is instruction material.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, an accousto-magnetic (AM) tag according
to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated at 31. The tag 31
is a webstock device. It may be manufactured by various techniques,
such as the continuous production and processing technique
described below whereby AM tags are formed in a continuous web
manufacturing process and the respective AM tags subsequently are
cut from the web. Alternatively, each AM tag may be separately
manufactured.
[0036] The AM tag may be relatively thin and small in size, for
example similar in size and shape to a conventional hang tag type
label typically attached to garments to identify brand, size,
price, etc., or even to address or identification labels that may
be applied to envelopes or packages. The AM tag includes webstock
or tag material 32 and a signaling device 33 which is embedded in
the webstock material 32. In the AM tag of FIG. 3 the signaling
device 33 includes two metal strips 34, 35, for example, made of a
material sold under the name Metglas, which are separated by an
insulator 36. One of the metal strips 34 is in a cavity 37 in the
webstock material 32 and is able to move in that cavity in response
to magnetic properties of the metal strips 34, 35 in the presence
of a suitable electromagnetic signal applied thereto, for example,
by the antennas 22, 23 (FIG. 2). The other metal strip 35 may be
securely retained in cooperative positional relation to the first
metal strip 34 and the cavity 37 by the construction materials
associated with the webstock material 32. Alternatively, the
additional metal strip 35 may be movable, for example, being
located in a cavity similar to the cavity 37, for example, provided
the metal strip 35 is maintained in cooperative positional relation
to the first metal strip 34 to provide the desired signaling
function.
[0037] The webstock material 32 of the webstock device 31 includes
webstock 40, a bottom layer 41, a top layer 42, and a cover layer
43. Reference to top and bottom in the description only is for
convenient reference relative to the illustration in the drawing.
However, there is no requirement that in the finished product a
given surface would be at the top or bottom of the webstock device
31. The webstock device 31 may be used in virtually any
orientation.
[0038] The webstock 40 may be any webstock material; an example is
that referred to as tag stock which is typically manufactured in
long webs and has properties suitable for use as a hang tag type
label. Exemplary tag stock of which the webstock 40 may be
comprised or made may be paper material, paper board, cardboard
material, plastic material, other materials, combinations thereof,
and so forth. The tag stock may have a thickness sufficient to
provide space therein for the signaling device to be positioned and
to function, e.g., to vibrate, to radiate a signal, etc. Further,
in an embodiment the tag stock also may have sufficient flexibility
such that it can be rolled up as web stock during manufacturing
and/or storage. Also, it will be appreciated that although the
described embodiment here uses tag stock type webstock 40, other
materials also may be used, depending on the manner of use of
webstock device 31.
[0039] The bottom layer 41, top layer 42, and cover 43 may be of
various materials and examples are presented below. However, it
will be appreciated that these materials are exemplary only that
other materials may be used. For example, the layers 41, 42 and 43
may be paper, cardboard, plastic, plastic-like, combinations, or
other materials. In an embodiment, the bottom and top layers 41, 42
are of a plastic type of material to provide water resistance or
water proofing function. The bottom material also preferably has a
strength characteristic that helps to reinforce the tag stock 40
and to provide a closure for the bottom of the cavity 37 while
protecting the metal member 34 therein. The tag stock itself may
have sufficient strength to provide integrity of the tag 31, for
example. The top layer 42 may be a film material that is
electrically insulating to provide an electrical separation between
the metal members 34, 35. The top layer 42 may be relatively thin
so that the spacial separation between the metal members 34, 35 is
minimal, but nevertheless the top layer 42 has sufficient strength
characteristics to maintain a closure for the top of the cavity 37
to maintain the member 34 therein and a physical separation between
the metal members 34, 35. For example, the top layer 32 may be a
relatively thin clear plastic film.
[0040] In an embodiment the cover layer 43 may be a material which
can be printed, meaning that using a printing process indicia,
information, instructions, sizes, designs, etc. may be printed on
cover layer 43. The printing may be on the exposed surface
relatively remote from the tag stock 40 or it may be on the
interior surface of the cover layer 43 which faces the top layer
42. In the latter case, the cover may be transparent or
semi-transparent to allow the printing on the interior surface to
be seen through the cover layer material itself. Since the webstock
device 31 illustrated in FIG. 3 preferably can be printed on the
cover 43, the webstock device will be relatively unobtrusive and
will appear the same as a conventional hang tag, label, or the
like, minimizing the likelihood that the signaling function thereof
would be noticeable or easily discovered. Also, since the webstock
device 31 is relatively thin compared to the prior art devices,
such as those of the type illustrated in FIG. 1, the webstock
device 31 may be attached as a label to a container, such as a
mailing label, identifying label to identify material in the
container, package or the like, etc.; and the webstock device also
may be embedded directly in material, such as fabric material,
packaging material, or the like.
[0041] Turning to FIGS. 4A-4G, exemplary steps for making the
webstock device 31 as an AM tag are illustrated. The webstock or
tag stock 40 is supplied, for example, in sheet form, in roll form,
or some other form, as shown at FIG. 4A. In FIG. 4B a hole 50 is
cut, punched or otherwise formed in the webstock 40. The hole is of
a size and shape suitable for containing the metal strip 34, which
may be a metal strip similar to that illustrated at 11, 12 in the
prior art signaling device of FIG. 1. The hole may be larger or
smaller, though, depending on the space required for the metal
strip 34 to be contained in the cavity 37, to allow movement, if
desired, of the metal strip 34 in the cavity and to accommodate a
different or additional signaling device, if used.
[0042] In FIG. 4C the bottom layer 41 is provided. The bottom layer
41 and the webstock 40 may be joined together by one or more of
various means. One example is the use of adhesive material (not
shown) at the interface between the two; and another technique is
to use an interfacing layer or material. Alternatively, solvent may
be used to join the two materials 40, 41, electronic or heat
welding, and/or other techniques may be used. In the various
embodiments illustrated herein, the bottom layer 41 provides a full
covering to the bottom of the hole 50 in order to define a boundary
of the cavity 37 and to prevent access into that cavity of unwanted
material through the bottom. However, it will be appreciated that
the bottom layer 41 may allow an opening from the cavity 37 through
the bottom layer allowing access, for example, of air or some other
fluid or particulate, or other material, provided the functioning
of the signaling device 33 is not negated and, thus, provided
preferably the bottom layer helps to assure the signaling device or
at least a portion of it will not fall out from the cavity 37
through the bottom layer 41. Various adhesives may be used to join
respective materials of the tag stock together. For example, a heat
seal adhesive material may be used. An example of an adhesive is a
polyamide resin sold by Union Camp under the trademark UNIREZ.
[0043] As is illustrated in FIG. 4D, the first metal strip 34 is
installed or placed in the area of the punched hole 50. In FIG. 4E
the top layer 42 is applied to or placed on the webstock 40 to
cover the top of the hole 50 and, thus, completing the closing or
completing of the cavity 37. As was mentioned above with respect to
the bottom layer 41, the top layer 42 may be an integral film or it
may be less than whole or integral, provided it retains the metal
member 34 in the cavity 37 and prevents it from coming out of that
cavity and also provided that the desired electrical insulation
function between the two metal members 34, 35 is maintained. The
appropriate separation of the members is required, even if one or
both members are partly in the cavity, or both members are in the
cavity, to allow operation as an AM device, e.g., permitting at
least one member to vibrate in response to the appropriate
interrogation signal. Various means can be used to provide for the
second member 35 to be in the cavity or partly in the cavity, e.g.,
by deforming the top layer 42 pressing it part way into the cavity
37.
[0044] The second metal member 35 is positioned on the structure as
illustrated in FIG. 4F to be in functionally cooperative relation
with the metal member 34, which is in the cavity 37. The second
metal member 35 is spaced in electrically insulated relation from
the first member 34 by the top layer 42 so the members 34, 35 can
be excited and vibrate, as is the case for an AM device. The second
metal member 35 may be adhered to top layer 42 by glue, adhesive,
solvent, or some other material or it may be placed in position and
subsequently retained by the cover layer 43, as shown in FIG. 4G.
The top layer 42 may be adhered to the tag stock 40 and the cover
layer 43 may be adhered to the top layer 42 using various
techniques, using as, for example, adhesive connection, solvent
connection, and/or other techniques, as will be appreciated. An
example of adhesive transfer tape useful for such adherence is that
sold by Avery Dennison Corporation as product number FT-1121
adhesive transfer tape.
[0045] In the finished form of the webstock device 31 illustrated
in FIG. 4A the metal parts 34, 35 of the signaling device 32 are
embedded in the device 31 and are able to function as an
accousto-magnetic signaling device. The various layers 40-43 of the
device 31 preferably are sufficiently thin to minimize the size
thereof, for example, so as to avoid being conspicuous. However, if
desired, the device may be relatively large as to be conspicuous.
Furthermore, the size or thickness of the device 31 is sufficient
to accommodate therein the signaling device allowing that device to
function to serve as an anti-theft device. Various types of
signaling devices may be used, such as that using the two metal
members 11, 12 mentioned above, a micro-chip or other device with
portable information or data therein, an antenna arrangement, etc.
Preferably the device 31 has a thin profile and effectively has an
appearance similar to that of a label, hang tag, or the like and,
thus, to be rather unobtrusive; however, one or more of the layers
preferably has sufficient strength and integrity to provide
protection for the AM signaling device 32 and labeling or tag
functions, depending on the manner of use of the device 31, either
as a hang tag, as a device embedded in packaging material or fabric
material, attached as a label to fabric material or the exterior of
a container, or some other use. Further, the ability to print on
the cover layer 43 facilitates the presenting of information, as on
a hang tag, label, etc., and also the camouflaging of the AM
signaling function or other signaling function of the signaling
device.
[0046] A webstock device of the type described above with reference
to FIGS. 3 and 4 may be efficiently manufactured on a continuous
basis using a machine and a process schematically illustrated at 60
in FIG. 5. The apparatus 60 includes cutting, laminating,
dispensing, and applying functions described below. It will be
appreciated that the apparatus 60 is exemplary and that the various
functions and processes carried out thereby and described with
respect thereto may be carried out by other apparatus on a
continuous or semi-continuous basis, for example.
[0047] The webstock or tag stock 40 is supplied the apparatus 60
from a supply roll 40s. At a first station 61 a cutting function is
carried out to cut the hole 50 in the webstock 40. In the
illustrated embodiment a punch tool 61a is used to cut the hole 50.
The punch 61 includes a punch tool or anvil 61b and a die 61c which
are moved relative to each other to punch the hole 50 in the
webstock 40. At a first laminator station 62 the bottom layer 41,
which is provided from a supply roll or drum 41s is laminated to
the webstock 40 or is otherwise attached to the bottom of the
webstock. In the illustrated embodiment, the laminator 62 includes
a pair of rolls 62a, 62b which pinch or urge the two materials, 40,
41 together to effect a laminating function. However, it may be
that other type of laminating technique may be used to couple the
materials 40, 41, for example, using adhesive, solvent, interface
materials, etc. The bottom layer 41 is attached to the webstock 40
in effect closing the bottom of the hole 50 to form the cavity 37
in which the first metal part 34 is placed. A dispenser 63
dispenses the metal part 34 into the cavity 37. The dispenser 63
may place the metal part 34 in the cavity, may simply drop the
metal part 34 into the cavity, etc.
[0048] A second laminator 64 laminates the top layer 42 from a
supply 42s thereof to the top surface of the webstock 40 covering
the top of the cavity 47. The second laminator 64 may include a
pair of rolls 64a, 64b which provide a nip or pinch function as was
described above with respect to the laminator 62. Other means may
also be to couple the top layer 42 to the webstock 40, e.g., as was
mentioned above.
[0049] An applicator 65 applies the second metal part 35 to the top
layer 42. The applicator 65 may drop the second metal part 35 onto
the top layer 42 at the appropriate position aligned relative to
the cavity 37 and metal part 34; it may press the second metal part
35 against the top layer 42 in such a way that the second metal
part remains in position until subsequently secured Ad in position
by the cover layer 43; or means may provide along with the second
metal part an adhesive, solvent, or the like, to hold the second
metal part in position on the top layer 42.
[0050] At a third laminator station, a third laminator 66 laminates
the cover layer 43 from a supply roll or the like 43s thereof. The
third laminator 66, as the laminators before, may include a pair of
rolls 66a, 66b to provide the laminating function in such as that
described above. Downstream of the third laminator station, then,
the webstock device 31 is complete and may be cut from the
continuous assembled web 67 thereof, for example, using
conventional cutting techniques. Alternatively, the web of webstock
devices 31 may be stored on a roll, in sheets, etc., for subsequent
converting or cutting to desired size and shape. Such cutting and
storing functions are represented in the area 68 in FIG. 5.
Moreover, either before or after such storing/and or converting,
printing may be carried out by a conventional printer 69 to print
information on the outside surface of the cover layer 43. If
desired, the printing may be carried out on the lower or inside
surface of the cover layer 43 that faces the webstock 40, and in
such case the printing would be carried out prior to the laminating
of the cover layer to the webstock 40 at the third laminator
station 66.
[0051] It will be appreciated the above-described apparatus and
process are exemplary and other equivalent processes may be used or
portions of processes may be used to manufacture the webstock
devices 31 according to the invention.
[0052] Turning to FIGS. 6 and 7, a finished webstock device 31 in
the form of a accousto-magnetic tag is illustrated. Such
accousto-magnetic tag may be manufactured using the above-described
materials and techniques of FIGS. 3-5. The tag may be printed on
the surface 71 with various information. The area 72 of the hang
tag is the accousto-magnetic device, which is embedded in the
device tag, as was described above. The hang tag may be attached to
a garment or to a package, for example, and may be used to provide
a signaling function in the event the object is removed from the
premises of a store, warehouse, loading dock, shipping vehicle,
etc. without the metal strip(s) first having been demagnetized.
[0053] In FIG. 8 another embodiment of webstock device 81 is
illustrated. The webstock device 81 is similar in form and function
to the webstock device 31 described above. However, in the webstock
device 81 the webstock 82 and bottom layer 83 are formed by a
coextrusion process and the cavity 84 is formed by a hot stamping
or other process that can stamp, cut, punch, etc. a recess 85 in
these coextruded product. An example of such a process is described
above with respect to FIG. 9A and 9B. The top layer 86 and cover
layer 87 of the webstock device 81 may be the same or similar as
the top layer and cover layer 42, 43 of the device 31. Also, the
signaling device 88 may be the same or similar as the signaling
device 33, for example, including a pair of metal members 89, 90
separated by the electrically insulating top layer 86, which also
covers the cavity 84. An example of coextrusion process and
materials useful therein is presented in U.S. Pat. No.
4,713,273.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first portion of a method
for making the webstock device 81 is illustrated. In FIG. 9A a
coextrusion die 91 provides the function of coextruding the
webstock layer 82 and the bottom layer 83. The webstock layer 82
may be, for example, a foam material or a material that is
relatively soft or otherwise can be formed using the hot stamp,
cutting, pressing, etc. function needed to form the cavity 84. The
material of which the bottom layer 83 is formed may be a film type
material, such as a polymer or other material that is a solid or an
integral film which provides measure of protection for the bottom
of the webstock material 82 and also provides a protective covering
for the area beneath the cavity 84.
[0055] After the coextrusion function to form the combined layers
of webstock 82 and bottom layer 83, which preferably are relatively
adhered together or integral with each other due to the coextruding
thereof, the cavity 84 is formed. As is illustrated in FIG. 9B a
hot stamp 92 having the desired shape that is the same or similar
to that of the finished cavity 84 is pressed against the webstock
82 to form the cavity therein. Hot stamping of foam materials is a
known process that can be used for such cavity forming function.
Other techniques also may be used to form the cavity, such as
simply a firm pressing against foam material, a cutting and
stripping function, etc.
[0056] The process for making the webstock device 81 with a
signaling device 33 therein includes the extruding steps
illustrated in FIG. 9A and the cavity forming step illustrated in
FIG. 9B. The additional steps may be the same or similar as the
steps illustrated in FIGS. 4D through 4G for making the webstock
device 31.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, an apparatus for making the webstock
device 81 is illustrated. The apparatus 93 is similar to the
apparatus 60 described above with respect to FIG. 5 except that
instead of the punch station 61 and first laminator station 62,
there is the coextruder 91 and the hot stamp 92. The coextruder may
be a conventional coextruder machine that extrudes the webstock
material 82 and the bottom layer 83 as was described above. The hot
stamp 92 may include a hot stamp member 92a which presses against
the webstock material 82 to form the cavity 84. A support or anvil
92b may be provided to support the webstock and bottom layer as the
hot stamp 92a presses against the material. The other portions of
the apparatus 93 may be the same as or similar to the various
portions 63-69 illustrated in the machine 60 of FIG. 5.
[0058] Two other embodiments of webstock devices 101, 102 are
illustrated respectively in FIGS. 11 and 12. The layers of material
forming the structure of the webstock devices 101, 102 may be the
same or substantially the same those described above, for example,
with respect to the webstock devices 31, 81. Exemplary layers
include the webstock (40 or 82), bottom layer 41 (or 83), top layer
42 and cover layer 43. In the cavity 37 of the respective devices
101, 102 is a signaling device. In the webstock device 101 the
signaling device 104 is a radio frequency (RF) device which
receives an incident or incoming radio frequency signal and in
response thereto produces an output radio frequency signal or other
signal. In the webstock device 102, the signaling device 105
includes a power source, such as a battery 106 and a further device
107 which may be a radio frequency signal emitting device or some
other device. The device 107 may be, for example, a radio frequency
device that receives an incident radio frequency signal and in
response thereto emits a detectable radio frequency signal or some
other signal, such as a buzz, beep, etc. An advantage to the
webstock device 102 having a local power source is that for the
duration that the power source is functional, the signaling device
107 may be able to produce a detectable output without the need for
separate interrogation. Therefore, such a webstock device 102 may
be placed on a container of a device or in the device itself in
some manner that is relatively unobtrusive yet allows the location
of the device to be detected as the device is transported, even
without the need for the separate antenna system of FIG. 2, for
example.
[0059] Exemplary uses of a webstock device 31 according to the
invention are illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14. In FIG. 13 the
webstock device 31 may be included in the material of which a
container 110 is made, such as a cardboard box or plastic box.
Alternatively, the webstock device 31 may be attached, e.g., by
adhesive or other means to the outside (or inside of the container
110. Similarly, the device 31 may be embedded in a fabric weave or
between layers of fabric. In FIG. 14 the device 31 is in the form
of a hang tag attached to a garment 111, the signaling device 33
being well camouflaged in that the hang tag may appear rather
ordinary. The device 31 also may be sewn as a label directly to the
garment, if desired.
[0060] It will be appreciated that the various signaling devices
used in several embodiments hereof may include microchips,
microcircuits, power supplies, antennas, and so forth and/or they
may be relatively uncomplicated accousto-magnetic devices. The
signaling devices may be part of a security system to detect theft.
Such a system may use the system of FIG. 2 to interrogate and to
detect the signaling device, or if the signaling device can be
remotely detected, as by an rf detector, the location of the
signaling device and the package to which of is attached can be
tracked.
STATEMENT OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
[0061] The various webstock devices with signaling devices therein
may be used for a variety of purposes as will be evident from the
description above. Examples of those uses include unobtrusively
providing a signaling function in an object or associated with an
object, such as a package, garment, etc., and detecting when the
object is wrongfully taken from a location. The invention may also
be used for unobtrusively providing an output signal that can be
traced in order to tract the location of the object in which the
signaling device is located or to which it is attached.
[0062] The foregoing functions help to provide anti-theft
functions, inventory control functions, inventory locating
functions, and so forth.
[0063] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to certain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent
alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the
art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and
the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions
performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices,
circuits, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means")
used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless
otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified
function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally
equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the
disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein
illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition,
while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed
with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may
be combined with one or more other features of the other
embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or
particular application.
* * * * *