WO2021214740A1

WO2021214740A1 - Identification band

Info

Publication number: WO2021214740A1
Application number: PCT/IL2020/050462
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy GOLDBERG; Yael ATZMON TAMBOUR
Original assignee: Tadbik Advanced Technologies Ltd.
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2020-04-22
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a band with an inlaid RFID tag, the band comprising a foam layer that distances the RFID tag from the surface of the human body or conductive object that the band is wrapped around. The requirement that the RFID be "flagged" above the surface of the wrist is thereby relaxed or eliminated. In some preferred embodiments, the band closure is about half-way along the length of the RFID tag, reducing the flagged region and thereby resulting in a more comfortable wear, while still allowing some flagging if needed.

Description

IDENTIFICATION BAND

RELATED PATENT PUBLICATIONS

US Patent 9.208.428 B2 and US Patent application publication 2019/0065920 A1 are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is in the fields of RFID tags and precut sheets, in particular for providing an identification band.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A band with an RFID tag inlaid between layers of the band is disclosed in previous publications:

US Patent 9.208.428 B2 discloses an identification article, methods of its manufacture and a sheet material forming part thereof. The article in accordance has a first end and a second end configured for attachment to each other through a contact section configured at either the first end or the second end. The article comprises a first, top layer including a bottom side, a second, bottom layer including a top side, and an identification component, wherein the bottom side of the first layer and the top side of the second layer bonded to at least encapsulate therebetween an identification component. In addition, the contact section comprises a release section constituting an end portion of the second layer, coated with a release agent on the top side thereof.

US Patent application publication 2019/0065920 A1 discloses a wearable radio frequency identification (RFID), including a band that forms a loop and a flag that projects outwardly from the loop, which includes an RFID transponder. By virtue of being part of the flag, the RFID transponder is spatially separated from a radially-outward facing surface of the loop and thereby also apart from a user wearing the device. This provides improved read ranges of the RFID transponder when used with an energy absorbing or conductive object. US Patent 9,477,922 B2 discloses a radio frequency identification wristband for attaching to a patient that has a band, a wristband housing attached to or integral with said band, one or more radio frequency identification tag(s) or tag inlay(s), an insulator material, wherein said wristband housing is adhered to said radio frequency identification tag or tag inlay, said radio frequency identification tag or tag inlay is adhered to an isolator material, and wherein said insulator material is nearest to the skin of the patient and insulates the radio frequency identification tag or tag inlay from the patient's skin.

The present invention advances the state of the art in RFID identification bands, as described below. SUMMARY

It is sometimes desirable to be able to use RFID identification bands to automate tracking of people and of objects that are electrically conductive. For example, the bands may be worn as bracelets by hospital patients, for tracking the patients. However, because the electrically conductive human body is very close the RFID tag in the bracelet, energy from an RFID reader tends to be absorbed by the body rather than harvested by the RF harvesting chip in the RFID tag.

Additionally, for example, the bands may be wrapped around manufactured metal rods, for tracking their whereabouts in a factory environment. In this case, the highly conductive metal reflects most of the energy reaching it, producing accompanying interference noise reaching the RFID reader and obscuring the identification signal emanating from the RFID tag.

The present invention is directed to a band with an inlaid RFID tag, and further comprising a foam layer that distances the RFID tag from the surface of the human body or conductive object that the band is wrapped around. The distance helps to eliminate or at least minimize the deleterious effects mentioned. As a result, the RFID card may operate with an RFID reader at a longer distance from the band than in the prior art. Additionally, the requirement that that the RFID be “flagged” above the surface of the wrist is relaxed or eliminated (i.e., the RFID tag may be read even if flush with the band against the wrist). In some preferred embodiments, the band closure is about half-way along the length of the RFID tag, along the direction of the band. This feature has the advantage of reducing the flagged region (which can result in a more comfortable wear), while still allowing some if needed. For example, if the wearer has long sleeves, they may need to pull up the sleeve a bit, allowing the flagged portion to protrude outward before a reader can read the RFID tag.

In some embodiments, the foam layer of the band is between about 0.5 and about 5 mm thick.

In some embodiments, the band is thin and flexible. It may be produced in a continuous manufacturing process and delivered in roll form factor.

In some embodiments, the band is thin enough to be printable on with an on-site RFID printer — for example, at the site of site of attachment of the band to a patient during admission to a hospital.

In some embodiments, the band is provided long enough to be wrapped around the wrist multiple times, thereby multiplying the distance.

In some embodiments, the band is manufactured by applying a first adhesive layer between a printable top layer of the band and the RFID inlay.

In some embodiments, the band is manufactured by applying a second adhesive layer between a supporting silicone layer and the foam layer. In some embodiments, the foam layer is closer to the wrist and the supporting layer is closer to the RFID inlay. In alternative embodiments, the foam is closer to the RFID inlay and the supporting layer is closer to the wrist.

In some embodiments, the adhesive layers comprise pressure sensitive adhesives and the bands are produced at room temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosure of the invention is aided by the accompanying non-limiting figures. The wristband drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale of surface dimensions of the wristband and features thereon, nor of layer thicknesses.

Figs. 1A and IB show layered constructions of an identification band, according to some embodiments of the invention. Fig. 2 shows an identification band with a peel-off tab exposing an adhesive spot, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Figs. 3A and 3B show an identification band of the present invention worn around a wrist, according to some embodiments of the invention, in cross sectional and side views, respectively.

Figs. 4A-4C show an identification band with closure wings, according to some embodiments of the invention, in bottom view, top view, and as dispensed in a roll, respectively.

Figs 5A-5C show a pre-perforated identification band, according to some embodiments of the invention, as dispensed in a roll, after separation, and wrapped around the wrist, respectively; Fig. 5D shows the peel-off tab of the identification band; and Fig. 5E shows the identification band, with RFID tag, as worn around the wrist.

Fig. 6 shows steps of a method for manufacturing an identification band, according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to Fig. 1A, showing layered construction 100A of an identification band, wearable on a wrist 50, according to some embodiments of the invention.

Identification band layer construction 100A is produced from six layers: a thermal or inkjet printable layer 1; a first adhesive layer 2; an RFID inlay 3 (including an adhesive layer below), inlaid within a portion of the identification band; a supporting selective silicone layer 4 (typically disposed only at an adhesive closure, further described herein); a second adhesive layer 5; and a foam layer 6.

Reference is now made to Fig. IB, showing layered construction 100B of an identification band, according to some embodiments of the invention.

The six layers of identification band layer construction 100B are arranged as follows: printable layer 1; first adhesive layer 2; RFID inlay 3 (including an adhesive layer below), inlaid within a portion of the identification band ; foam layer 6; second adhesive layer 5; and supporting selective silicone layer 4. In both embodiments, supporting silicone layer 4 is preferably between about 0.02 and about 0.2 mm thick. The foam layer is preferably between about 0.5 and about 5 mm thick.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, showing an identification band ISO with a peel-off tab 105. For an identification band 150 with layer construction 100A, peel-off tab 105 is attached to a cutout from the band 100A comprising the three bottom layers: the foam layer 6, the second adhesive layer 5, and the supporting selective silicone layer 4. Removal of peel-off tab 105 exposes an adhesive closure — a portion of the first adhesive layer 2 in the shape of the cutout.

For identification band 100B, peel-off tab 105 is attached to a cutout from the band 100B comprising the supporting selective silicone layer 4. Removal of peel-off tab 105 exposes an adhesive closure — a portion of the second adhesive layer 5 in the shape of the cutout.

Reference is now made to Figs. 3A and 3B, showing an identification band 150 of the present invention worn around a wrist 50, in cross sectional and side views, respectively. The band 150 is secured to the wrist by wrapping at least slightly more than one turn around wrist 50 and adhering the adhesive spot (located at 105 in Fig. 2) to the turn below.

RFID inlay 110 may naturally protrude outwardly from the band 150 (as shown), thereby improving received signal from the RFID inlay 110 and/or increasing the operable distance of an RFID reader over the flush position of RFID inlay 110. However, depending on conditions, RFID inlay 110 may be operable even when flush with band 100 against wrist 50. Such flush operability enables use of a relatively long (about 90-about 120 mm, along the length of the identification band 150) RFID inlay 110 than a band without a foam layer, since even the portion of RFID inlay 110 that is not protruding is available to collect RF and generate an identification signal. The larger RFID inlay 110, in turn, enables longer operating distance of the RFID reader.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4A, showing a bottom view (the side in contact with the wrist) of an identification band 250 with closure wings 205. For layer construction 100A, peel- off tabs 207 are attached to a cutout comprising the three bottom layers: the foam layer 6, the second adhesive layer 5, and the supporting selective silicone layer 4. Removal of peel-off tab 207 exposes adhesive areas — portions of the first adhesive layer 2 — in the shape of closure wings 205. The area of the cutout of supporting selective silicone layer 4 may extend into the interior area of identification band 250, for example with an arc shaped border 209, in order to facilitate removal of peel-off tabs 207.

For layer construction 100B, peel-off tabs 207 are attached to a cutout comprising the supporting selective silicone layer 4. Removal of peel-off tab 207 exposes adhesive areas — portions of the second adhesive layer 5 — in the shape of closure wings 205. The areas of the cutouts of supporting selective silicone layer 4 may extend into the interior area of identification band 250, for example with an arc shaped border 209, in order to facilitate removal of peel-off tabs 207.

Fig. 4B shows a top view of identification band 250. After peel-off tabs 207 are removed, adhesive closure wings 205 may be folded toward the wrist to adhere to another layer of identification band 250 wrapped around the wrist, in order to secure identification band 250 to the wrist.

Fig. 4C shows identification bands 250 as dispensed in a roll, with perforations between each identification band 250. The strip of identification bands 250 may be adhered to and rolled with a backing strip 215.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5A showing a pre-perforated identification band 350 in a roll, according to some embodiments, and Fig. 5B showing identification 350 band after separation. Identification band with a closure comprising notches 315 and one or more slits 320. Identification band 350 may further comprise an adhesive end fastener 325, which can have a temper-evident seal. Fig. 5C shows RFID identification band 350 wrapped around the wrist 50 with notch-and-slit closure 315, 320 secured. Fig. 5D shows the peel-off tab 330 of adhesive end fastener 325. Fig.5E shows the identification band 350, with RFID tag, as worn around the wrist.

Reference is now made to Fig. 6, showing steps of a method 400 for manufacturing an RFID identification band, according to some embodiments of the invention.

RFID identification band may be produced in the following steps:

1. Printing the supporting layer (PP, PE, PET, PVC) with selective silicone on the removing tab area 405. 2. Laminating the supporting layer with the foam (PE, PU, PVC) 410 using a pressure sensitive adhesive.

3. Cutting the 2 arcs trough the construction (for the edges of the removing tab) 415.

3. Placing UHF RFID inlay on #2 (there are 2 options for the side of placement) using pressure sensitive adhesive 420.

4. Laminating the last top layer 425.

5. Full-die cutting or perforating the final shape of the band 430.

6. Winding bands into a roll 435.

Claims

1. An RFID identification band ISO, 250, 350, comprising an RFID inlay 110, 210, 310 and a foam layer 6, said RFID identification band comprising a closure 105, 205, 315 disposed about halfway along said RFID inlay 110, 210, 310 along the length of said RFID identification band 150, 250, 350.

2. The RFID identification band of claim 1, wherein said foam layer has a thickness between about 0.5 and about 5 mm.

3. A plurality of RFID identification bands of claim 1, produced in a roll form.

4. The RFID identification band of claim 1, provided with a length configured to be wrapped around a person’s wrist one or more times.

5. The RFID identification band of claim 1, wherein the length of the RFID inlay is about 90- about 120 mm long.

6. The RFID identification band of claim 1, wherein construction of said RFID identification band is in layers, in order, of a. a thermal on inkjet printable layer 1; b. a first adhesive layer 2; c. said RFID inlay 3; d. a supporting selective silicone layer 4; e. a second adhesive layer 5; f. said foam layer 6.

7. The RFID identification band of claim 6, wherein said closure comprises a peel-off tab, said peel-off tab covering an adhesive closure area and configured to peel off three bottom said layers: the foam layer 6, the second adhesive layer 5, and the supporting selective silicone layer 4; thereby exposing an adhesive spot comprising a portion of said first adhesive layer in the shape of said peel-off tab.

8. The RFID identification band of claim 1, wherein construction of said RFID identification band is in layers, in order, of a. a thermal on inkjet printable layer 1; b. a first adhesive layer 2; c. said RFID inlay 3; d. said foam layer 6; e. a second adhesive layer 5; and f. a supporting selective silicone layer 4;

9. The RFID identification band of claim 8, wherein said closure comprises a peel-off tab, said peel-off tab covering an adhesive closure area and configured to peel off the supporting selective silicone layer 4, thereby exposing an adhesive spot comprising a portion of said second adhesive layer in the shape of said peel-off tab.

10. The RFID identification band of claim 6 or 8, wherein said supporting silicone layer has a thickness between about 0.02 and about 0.2 mm.

11. The RFID identification band of claim 7 or 9, said adhesive closure comprises an adhesive spot or wing closures.

12. The RFID identification band of claim 11 , wherein said RFID inlay protrudes outwardly from said band.

13. The RFID identification band of claim 11, wherein said RFID inlay is operable when an area of RFID identification band of said RFID inlay is flush against a lower turn of said RFID identification band wrapped around the wrist.

14. The RFID identification band of claim 1, wherein said closure comprises notches supported in a slit.

15. The RFID identification band of claim 6 or 8, further comprising an adhesive end fastener and said closure comprises notches supported in a slit.

16. The RFID identification band of claim 15, wherein said adhesive end fastener further comprises a tamper-evident seal.

17. The RFID identification band of claim 14 or 15, comprising a plurality of said slits along the length of said RFID identification band.

18. A method 400 for producing the RFID identification band of claim 7 or 9, comprising steps of a. printing the supporting layer with selective silicone on the peel-off tab area 405; b. laminating the supporting layer with the foam layer using a pressure-sensitive adhesive 410; c. cutting two arcs trough the construction, thereby forming edges of the peel-off tab

415; d. placing the UHF RFID inlay on the first or second adhesive layer 420 (according to the layer structure of claim 6 or 8); e. laminating the last top layer 425; f. full die cutting or perforating the final shape of the band 430; and g. winding bands into a roll 435.