US6147662A — Radio frequency identification tags and labels

Claim 1

Independent Claim 116 words

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.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 116 words

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.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 68 words

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.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

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.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 48 words

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.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 41 words

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.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

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.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 57 words

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.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

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.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 65 words

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.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 31 words

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.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 133 words

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.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 133 words

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.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 33 words

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.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 57 words

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.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 32 words

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.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 65 words

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.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 41 words

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.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 98 words

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.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 98 words

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.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 28 words

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.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 53 words

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.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

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.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 14 words

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

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

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.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 118 words

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.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 118 words

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.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 48 words

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.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 143 words

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.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 143 words

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.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

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

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 44 words

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.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 33 words

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.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 32 words

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.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 65 words

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.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 29 words

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.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-11-14	2004-05-15	2004-11-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-11-14	2008-05-15	2008-11-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-11-14	2012-05-15	2012-11-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Radio frequency identification tags and labels

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