DE202006010213U1 - Flat element for labeling goods comprises an identification element directly joined to the surface of a base support - Google Patents

Abstract

Flat element comprises an identification element directly joined to the surface of a base support (1). A part of the surface of the identification element forms an exposed part of the contact side of the flat element. The part of the surface of the identification element exposed on the contact side of the flat element is a part of the surface of an antenna element (3, 3). The identification element is formed as an RFID transponder for transferring data in the UHF region or HF region.

Description

The The present invention relates to an in-mold surface element with a planar base support and an identification element, wherein the in-mold surface element a first side surface and a second side surface has, of which the first side surface adapted as a contact page is to be in an in-mold process with the surface a molded in this process molded part to become, and in which the identification element for contactless and visual contact-free identification is adapted and at least an antenna element, a circuit element comprising, respectively to a radio-based data transmission are adapted with an external reading system. The invention relates Furthermore, an injection molded body with such an in-mold surface element and a molding.

at the surveillance logistical processes like such as transport, storage, processing or rental of goods is the knowledge of the current stock as well the exact position of the individual goods within the process of great Importance. For this purpose, the respective goods with identification elements provided that allow a precise assignment.

Were earlier the identification elements on visual written identification elements limited, each had to be read by the staff in detail. An improvement came with the introduction of machine-readable optical Identification elements, which in a simple way a central monitoring and management of individual goods. To be detected the goods on a mostly stationary installed optical reading system passed by, the optically encode the respective coded data by means of a reading unit and forwards to a central computerized management system. However, it is necessary to capture the goods during the registration process Passing the reading system are arranged so that between the reading unit and the individual identification elements is a visual contact.

These restrictions were overcome by the use of reading systems based on a radio identification of the identification elements work and so a non-contact and allow visual contact-free identification. Especially common here is the RFID technology (English: Radio Frequency Identification; Radio frequency identification). A conventional RFID system usually includes in addition to the radio identification elements stationary units (so-called "readers"), which at the same time as fixed transmitter and receiver serve the radio signals. These stationary units are computer-based Systems connected to the evaluation of the radio signals thus obtained. As identification elements radio tags are used (also as "RFID tag", "RFID tag", "RFID tag" or "RFID chip"), in which different transponder technologies are used can.

conventional Radio tags usually consist of a sheet-like carrier on which the electronic Circuit elements are for receiving and processing the radio signals of the stationary Unit and to transfer one specific response to the radio signals are required and a form so-called transponder. Such circuit elements include analogue circuits for receiving the radio signals and for transmitting the specific answer as well as mostly digital circuits and permanent memory to the specific adapted to the respective radio signal Answer according to the im Create memory written information; these elements are often realized as integrated circuits. Another, required Component is an antenna that is placed on the radio tag is and adjusted with respect to the respective frequencies to be transmitted is. additionally such a radio tag can have further layers or Completely embedded in a matrix layer or encapsulant, thereby protection against corrosive processes or mechanical damage can be achieved should.

radio tags be in the goods that are identified by means of these labels should, either loosely inserted or connected to this. Should The label will be connected to the goods, so often becomes one Side of the radio tag coated with an adhesive and by means of the adhesive attached to the goods. Such an adhesive compound has However, only a limited stability, so that the radio tag from the goods due to chemical or mechanical effects supersede can. To avoid this - especially, um a voluntary detachment of the radio tag - is It is therefore necessary, the radio tag permanently with the goods connect to.

For conventional labels, this can be achieved by a process for the permanent connection of the labels to plastic goods, the so-called "in-mold process" (also referred to as "in-mold" in the British-speaking world). This method is applicable to those goods which are manufactured as molded parts by injection molding. In the in-mold process, the label is placed in the empty injection mold and optionally fixed to the inside of the injection mold. If the heated liquid or viscous molding compound is then injected into the cavity of the injection molding tool, then When hardening the molding compound, the back side of the label permanently bonds with the molded part of the hardened in-mold molding compound and thus forms the finished injection molded article. In the case of the in-mold process, a cohesive connection is consequently obtained by injecting the label with the hot molding compound, with the front side of the label also being flush with the surface of the molding.

Should this one for conventional However, labels have been applied to radio tags so must usually special precautions are taken to prevent the components of the radio tag are damaged by the hot injected molding compound. Such measures shut down such as embedding the circuit elements in a thermal protection compound a, which is a direct contact of the hot molding compound with the individual Circuit elements prevented. This is especially true when using of integrated circuits in a radio tag, since the for Injection molding required temperatures frequently in nearby the for Such semiconductor devices are maximum permissible temperatures or even exceed it.

In addition comes it when injecting the hot ones Molding compound by injection molding to local temperature differences at the interface the Funkelelements with the molding. The consequences of a uniform warm-up can where appropriate, by selecting suitable materials for the components, Terminal contacts, interconnects, antenna paths and conductive connecting means counteracted become. However, just here occurring uneven heating of interface leads to uneven length changes of the components, thereby reducing the electrically conductive connections of the components can break up together, resulting in permanent impairment the functionality of the radio tag.

To the Protection of the circuit elements and the microchip disclosed WO 03/005296 A1 therefore the use of a thermoplastic intermediate layer, the is applied to the side of the radio tag, which later in the in-mold process is connected to the molding. By using such Intermediate layer it is possible the temperature that the chip sees exposed in situ to the otherwise reduce conventional temperatures during injection molding and additionally one spatial Spacing of the chip from that liquefied in the injection molding process Create area. The disadvantage of this, however, is that such a formed as a radio tag in-mold surface element over conventional RFID tags a more elaborate Structure has. Furthermore was observed that the cohesion of each layer often low in such multilayer systems is, so that the layers either from each other or from replace the molding. After all requires the production of such an in-mold surface element additional Process steps, namely the application of the intermediate layer.

task The present invention was therefore an in-mold surface element to disposal to face that opposite usual In-mold surface elements is more easily formed and yet a solid bond with a Molded part allowed in the in-mold process. It was also the task, one Injection molding with such an in-mold surface element provide.

The This object was achieved by an in-mold surface element of the aforementioned Sort of solved, in which the identification element is directly connected to the surface of the base support is connected and in which at least a part of the surface of the identification element an exposed part of the contact side of the in-mold surface element forms. By the arrangement of the identification element directly to the surface of the basic holder When injecting the molding material in the injection molding tool is a fast Heating the bonding surface of the in-mold surface element ensured with the molded part and thereby also the electrical components, so that local temperature differences can not form. In addition will ensured by this design, that the heat over the thermally well conductive tracks and antenna tracks is removed as quickly as possible, so that uneven heating and thus interrupting the electrically conductive connections due the heterogeneous temperature distribution at the contact surface avoided becomes.

Especially Cheap In this case, it is when the exposed at the contact side of the in-mold surface element Part of the surface of the identification element at least a part of the surface of the Antenna element is. As a result of this training for a radio-based data transfer required antenna, the heat is distributed very quickly over the connection surface and such damage the electrically conductive Counteracted compounds. It is particularly advantageous if the antenna element thermally conductive and flat is formed and adapted to the heat, the in the in-mold process on the first side surface of the in-mold surface element accumulates over the contact surface between the in-mold surface element and to distribute the injection-molded part.

It is also advantageous if the Identifika tion element is designed as an RFID transponder. As a result, it is possible to resort to existing systems from RFID technology when selecting the stationary units and the computer-based systems required for evaluating the radio signals. It is particularly advantageous if the identification element is designed for radio-based data transmission in the UHF range. As a result, an identification is possible even at a greater distance between the identification element and the stationary unit at particularly high read speeds. It is also particularly advantageous if the identification element is designed for radio-based data transmission in the HF range. As a result, particularly cost-effective solutions can be used, for example using the smart label technology.

moreover Cheap is it when the in-mold surface element adapted at least in the region of the second side surface for receiving colorants is. This makes it possible the side of the in-mold surface element, in the injection molded body (ie in conjunction with the molding) directed to the outside, to simple Way to describe or print.

In addition, can the in-mold surface element on its second side surface at least one further identification element for optical identification exhibit. This makes it possible each with the in-mold surface element connected moldings also identify by optical methods. In this way, on the one hand, an easy way to review the transmitted by radio Data created, on the other hand, ensures that an identification even without stationary Units for radio-based data transmission is possible. Very cheap In this case, it is if the further identification element at least one area having a bar code printed on it for optical identification. Such a bar code (also referred to as a bar code or identity code) is with conventional readers readable, which are available in almost every company.

Finally, poses the invention an injection molded article with an in-mold surface element of previously described type and an injection molded part for Available.

When sheet-like base support come basically all usual base support considered, rigid as flexible. These can be from the usual ones Be made of materials, such as natural support materials like paper or plywood or made of synthetic materials such as a polyolefin, a polyester, a polyurethane or the like. In addition, you can the basic carriers Of course also made of modified materials such as biaxially oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) or a combination of different Materials may be constructed, which are connected in layers or layers are also intensively interspersed, for example, polyolefins such as Polyethylene or polypropylene, which are mixed with fillers. Also can as forms of this basic carrier all sheet-shaped geometric Shapes are used, regular like irregular.

Of the Injection molding includes the in-mold surface element and the molding. Therefore, the in-mold surface element has to be connected to the molding during of the in-mold process be. This concerns, for example, the selection of the material of the in-mold surface element in relation to the material of the molding. usual, in principle for one Injection molding suitable materials are polymers such as Polystyrenes, polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polyamides such as nylon or copolymers, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers.

The Identification element may be any common element used for contactless and visual contact-free identification is adjusted. More precisely is the identification element for a radio-based data transmission adapted with an external reading system. Is the identification element formed as an RFID transponder, the adaptation of the Identification element consist, this with electronic Transponders train in terms of their sizing for the Use in conventional RFID systems are suitable, ie for example with regard to the signaling technology and signal frequency, the signal coding and the energy intake (according to the training as active or passive transponders each with or without their own power supply) Systems are formed.

The identification element has individual components, namely at least one antenna element and a circuit element. Due to the design of these components as part of a transceiver, the identification element is adapted to non-contact and visual contact-free identification. The circuit element comprises as transponder at least one analog circuit for receiving and possibly transmitting the radio signals and may further comprise digital circuits for processing the signals and permanent memory, which in turn may be formed as a single or multiple writable memory. The circuit element may be present in the identification element as individual components. Of course, it is also possible that several of these components are combined in a group of components, for example in integrating th circuits or microprocessors. Of course, an identification element can also have a plurality of these components or component groups. The contact between the integrated circuits or microprocessors with the antenna element is then formed via conventional connections, for example via printed contact structures, via contact wires, via contact pins or the like.

These Components can be designed for operation at any frequency, for example for radio-based data transmission in the UHF range, ie in the range from about 100 MHz to about 10 GHz, for radio-based data transmission in the HF range, so in the range of about 10 kHz to 100 MHz, or for data transmission in several frequency ranges. Of practical use for this are those for such Applications allowed frequency bands in the UHF range between 850 MHz and 950 MHz, 2.4 GHz to 2.5 GHz and around 5.8 GHz and the frequency bands in the HF range between 10 MHz and 15 MHz, approximately at the typical frequencies 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MHz, 950 MHz, 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz. Such Training concerns, for example, the dimensioning of the individual components, like the area and geometry of the antenna element or the selection of oscillator circuits. This is according to the invention Identification element connected directly to the surface of the base support, So without between the base support and the identification element Further structures are provided, for example, adhesive or protective intermediate layers.

The Identification element is thus within the in-mold surface element arranged that at least part of the outer surface of the Identification element on one side of the in-mold surface element is free, on that side of the in-mold surface element, the later connecting with the molding with the injection molding molding compound in contact is, namely on the contact side of the in-mold surface element. Thus, this part of the surface of the identification element in contact with the injection molding compound. This part of the surface the identification element can be any part of the identification element be, about a part of the surface of the antenna element.

Basically the antenna element of conventional Be constructed of materials, such as stamped or bent sections, made of a metal such as copper or aluminum, or even applied conductive Paints, varnishes, pastes and the like, for example in a screen printing process can be applied. In the training at the contact surface also the antenna element thermally conductive and flat be educated. Furthermore, the antenna element can be adapted in this way be to the heat, the in-mold process on the first side surface of the in-mold surface element accumulates over the contact area between the in-mold surface element and to distribute the injection-molded part. Such an adaptation exists approximately in a surface-filling-area-like Design of the geometry of the antenna element, of course, in addition to the Geometry needs to be taken into account from the selected one Frequency range for a radio-based data transmission result, for example, the design as a surface-filling but not-full-surface helical structure.

The In-mold surface element has therefore a first and a second side, of which the first Page is designed as a contact page, at least a part the surface the identification element is exposed. Furthermore, the first side surface is adapted in an in-mold process with the surface of an in this process To be joined injection molded molding. Such an adaptation includes, for example, the use of a material for the exposed part of the Identification element and the optionally exposed part of the basic holder, that in terms of temperature and composition of the Injection molding used molding compound is sufficiently resistant and preferably connects to this cohesively. Furthermore, must the surface the identification element and optionally the base support for a sufficiently stable composite with the surface of the molding in the in-mold process be suitable, which is approximately by matching the materials to each other receive. It is particularly important that all materials - including the material of the molding - with each other compatible thermal heating and cooling behave, for example, similar thermal expansion coefficients.

The second side surface of the in-mold surface element, in conjunction with the molded part, forms part of the surface of the injection-molded article. In this case, a side surface of the base support may be formed as a second side surface of the in-mold surface element. The second side surface of the in-mold surface element may be adapted to receive colorants. Such an adaptation is necessary because the base carriers otherwise often used for the production of in-mold labels are made of materials such as polyolefins, which are not suitable or poorly adapted for incorporation of conventional colorants such as pigments or dyes without appropriate adjustment. Such an adaptation may be, for example, in a local modification of the second side surface (eg, a coating) or by an adaptation tion of the material of the base support done, for example, by embedding fillers suitable for receiving dyes, such as silica or silica particles.

A such adapted second side surface can then in conventional Foil printing methods are printed with structures that are used for optical identification of the thus individualized injection molded article are suitable. hereby get that In-mold surface element another identification element, by means of which an additional easy identification possible which can be done visually or by machine. Such a thing further identification element can be configured as desired for example, than to a certain surface area printed alphanumeric string for identification, for example a check digit or control word, or printed Character code, such as a one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional Barcode. Of course The inventive in-mold surface element can also more than one identification element for optical identification have, for example, a barcode and in addition a check digit. moreover The adjustment may be such that the second side surface is one manual labeling of the in-mold surface element within the injection molded article allowed.

In the following, the invention with reference to the in 1 represented perspective cross section through a preferred embodiment of the in-mold surface element according to the invention are described in more detail.

Shown is an in-mold surface element with a base support 1 and an identification element 2 . 3 . 3 ' , The first side surface, which is adapted as the contact side, lies at the top in this perspective illustration and the second side surface, which is equipped with a further identification element, consequently lies at the bottom.

base support 1 consists of a matte-white, coated single-layer film of high molecular weight polyethylene with a microporosity of 65%. The film contains about 60% by weight of a filler consisting mainly of silica particles. The use of this good printable material ensures an ideal adaptation of the second side surface of the in-mold surface element for receiving colorants. The (not shown) surface of the second side surface is provided with a control digit and with a one-dimensional barcode and additionally with a two-dimensional barcode for optical identification.

The identification element 2 . 3 . 3 ' includes an integrated assembly as a circuit element 2 , in which analog and digital circuits and a permanent memory are housed, and also an antenna element 3 , The identification element 2 . 3 . 3 ' In the present case, it is adapted to non-contact and visual contact-free identification, with the adaptation in terms of training being an RFID transponder for radio-based data transmission in the UHF range. The antenna element is designed to be flat as an antenna for frequencies in the UHF range. At the front cut edge of the in-mold surface element is the cut surface 3 ' of the antenna element 3 recognizable.

antenna element 3 was applied in a screen printing process with a conductive and at the same time also thermally conductive paste of silver particles directly on the base support. antenna element 3 is therefore located directly on the surface of the base support. In addition, it forms the in 1 Part of the surface of the antenna element shown above a part of the contact side of the in-mold surface element and is also there free. As a result of the formation of metallic heat-conducting particles allows the special arrangement and geometry excellent distribution of the costs incurred in the in-mold process on the first side surface heat over the contact surface between the in-mold surface element and the molding. In addition, the concrete formation allows a secure and firm bond with the surface of the molding during the manufacture of this molding in an in-mold process.

Claims (10)

In-mold surface element with a planar base support ( 1 ) and an identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ), wherein the in-mold surface element has a first side surface and a second side surface, of which the first side surface is adapted as a contact side, to be connected in an in-mold process with the surface of a molding injection-molded in this method, and wherein the identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) is adapted for non-contact and visual contact-free identification and at least one antenna element ( 3 . 3 ' ) and a circuit element ( 2 ), which are respectively adapted for radio-based data transmission with an external reading system, characterized in that the identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) is directly connected to the surface of the base support and that at least a part of the surface of the identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) forms an exposed part of the contact side of the in-mold surface element. In-mold surface element according to claim 1, wherein the exposed on the contact side of the in-mold surface element part of the surface of the Identifi cation element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) at least a part of the surface of the antenna element ( 3 . 3 ' ). In-mold surface element according to claim 2, wherein the antenna element ( 3 . 3 ' ) is thermally conductive and flat and is adapted to distribute the heat generated during the in-mold process on the first side surface of the in-mold surface element, via the contact surface between the in-mold surface element and the molded part. In-mold surface element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) is designed as an RFID transponder. In-mold surface element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) is designed for radio-based data transmission in the UHF range. In-mold surface element according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the identification element ( 2 . 3 . 3 ' ) is designed for radio-based data transmission in the RF range. In-mold surface element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface element at least in the area of the second side surface adapted to absorb colorants. In-mold surface element according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second side surface at least another identification element for optical identification having. In-mold surface element according to claim 8, wherein the further identification element at least one area having a bar code printed on it for optical identification. Injection molding with an in-mold surface element according to one of the preceding claims and an injection molded Molding.