EP3435359A1 - Marking tape and method for its production - Google Patents

Abstract

An identification band (1) has an elongated basic shape and a first end (2) and a second end (3). Under a writable and / or printable cover layer (4) made of plastic, an adhesive layer (6) is arranged and including a base layer (8) made of plastic. The identification tape (1) can be glued to a closed form in a self-adhesive manner. An RFID transponder (10) is enclosed between the cover layer (4) and the base layer (8) and has a writable data memory.

Description

The invention relates to a marking tape and a method for producing such a marking tape.

Safe identification and identification of individuals is required in a variety of areas, such as healthcare. This can be done with the help of a marker tape that can be easily and safely attached to the wrist or ankle of a person before losing. Such a marking tape is from the WO 99/18817 A1 known.

An identification tag may be printed with information in print and / or data encoded form (e.g., a bar code) before it is applied to a person. From this text or the data information, the identity of the person can be determined. Furthermore, specific personal data such as blood type, allergies, drug dependencies, drug intolerances, key codes, group affiliations, etc. can be stored and retrieved as needed.

Printable marking tapes are in EP 2 109 088 A2 . DE 20 2008 004 986 U1 and DE 20 2009 015 077 U1 disclosed.

However, the space available on a label for written information is limited. For example, via a bar code one could also access other information provided in the memory of a computer system, but such a detour is less direct and usually associated with a time delay.

It is an object of the invention to provide a marking tape that can not only be described or printed in a simple manner, but that can also be quickly and safely provided with additional, easily readable information.

This object is solved by an identification tape having the features of claim 1. Claim 9 relates to a method for producing such identification bands, and claim 14 relates to a method for inputting electronically stored information into such an identification band. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The identification tape according to the invention has an elongated basic shape and a first end and a second end. Under a writable and / or printable cover layer made of plastic, an adhesive layer is arranged and including a base layer made of plastic. The marking tape is self-adhesive to a closed form glued. According to the invention, the identification tape has an RFID transponder which is enclosed between the cover layer and the base layer and contains a writable data memory. Preferably, this data memory is of the type of a rewritable data memory.

Suitable materials for the cover layer and the base layer are, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. The top layer is writable or printable, which can be achieved with polyethylene or polypropylene, for example by a coating or a surface treatment. For the base layer, a soft material is advantageous, for example, soft polypropylene, because it increases the wearing comfort on the wrist or ankle of a human. For example, acrylate dispersion adhesives are suitable for the adhesive layer.

RFID transponders are known in the art (RFID: "Radio Frequency IDentification"). They contain an electronic chip and an antenna system and are usually very flat (and in versions suitable for the invention). In this case, the antenna can surround the electronics chip in a number of turns spiral. Radio radiation in the HF or UHF range emanating from an external writing and reading device serves, on the one hand, for supplying energy to the RFID transponder and, on the other hand, for inputting and also for reading out information or data from the electronic chip. The writing and reading device can receive or transmit the data from a connected external data system. Designs of RFID transponders which are suitable for the invention have a writable data memory which can be integrated into the electronic chip.

In "near field communication" (NFC, near-field coupling) in RFID technology, data transmission and power supply take place via the magnetic near field of coils in the writing and reading device. For this, standard world protocols exist, e.g. according to ISO 14443, ISO 18092 and ISO 21481. In addition to the coupling method, the respective frequency range is determined, such as 135 kHz according to ISO 18000-2 and 13.56 MHz according to ISO 18000-3 or ISO 22536.

If the identification band according to the invention is used in the medical field, patient-related data can be transmitted without contact to the data memory of the RFID transponder and stored therein or read therefrom with the RFID technology. This technique offers over the usual, printed bar code significant advantages in terms of memory size and ease of use, since the data storage can in principle take much more data than by the size of the label field on the label tape or is basically given by a barcode, and can enter and read the data without contact. For example, in addition to personal data such as last name, first name, gender or date of birth, further specific data may be encoded, stored, transmitted or read, including data that varies during a medical treatment and can be re-stored if necessary. The identification band according to the invention is suitable as a class 1 medical device according to DIN EN ISO 13485, but can also be used advantageously in other areas, for example for electronic locking systems or cashless bookings of services.

Since the RFID tag is enclosed between the topsheet and the base layer of the tagging tape, it is well protected, e.g. before water, soap or disinfectants.

In preferred embodiments, a widening in the region of the RFID transponder is arranged in the middle region of the identification band over part of the length of the identification band. On the one hand, this allows the use of relatively large transponders, which are nevertheless completely surrounded by the identification band, even on the narrow sides of the identification band, where parts of the adhesive layer can provide lateral protection. On the other hand, the broadening also provides a relatively large field that overlaps with directly readable information, e.g. describe or print a name.

The identification band preferably has a substantially rectangular configuration in the middle region, in the region of the first end and in the region of the second end. The broadening extends for example over 30% to 80% of the length of the identification band, preferably over 45% to 65% or over 55% to 60%. The label band may be in the middle range for example 1.1 to 2.0 times as wide as in the region of the first end, preferably 1.3 to 1.7 or 1.4 to 1.5 times as wide.

The identification tape can be handled well if it is surrounded by a carrier in the delivery state, from which it can be extracted. Preferably, the carrier has a rectangular basic shape. In this condition, the identification band may be associated with the wearer e.g. through a computerized printer (see below). The carrier and the identification tape may have a common composite material with cover layer, adhesive layer and base layer from which the identification tape is punched out, leaving easy tear-stops between the Kenzeichnungsband and the carrier. Such a design allows a rational production, and the identification band can be easily detached from the carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the base ply does not extend to the second end of the tagging tape, with adhesive exposed in the region of the second end of the tagging tape covered with a cover attached to the carrier. Preferably, the cover extends over the entire width of the carrier, in particular if in the material composite, the base layer of the carrier does not extend beyond the base layer of the marking tape, so that without cover and adhesive would be exposed to the carrier.

In this embodiment, when the tagging tape is removed from the carrier, the adhesive is exposed in the region of the second end of the tagging tape and may be used to glue the tagging tape in a closed form, such as a person's wrist or ankle. The previously covered with the cover adhesive in the region of the second end of the marking tape may have a stronger adhesive force than the remaining adhesive of the adhesive layer, which can be, for example, by applying another adhesive or more adhesive at this point in the Achieve production of the marking tape. The cover is preferably paper-based and may, for example, comprise a wax or silicone paper which can be peeled off from adhesive relatively easily.

In advantageous embodiments of the invention, the bonding of the marking tape to the closed mold is tamper-proof. This can be achieved, for example, by providing the cover layer in the region of the second end of the marking tape (where the adhesive for the adhesive bonding is located) with punches between which only material connections with low tear resistance remain. In an attempt to release the bond of an applied label tape, these material bonds break in, making the test visible.

The cover layer can be set up for printing with a thermal printer. In this case, the material of the cover layer may be suitable for a thermal transfer printing or the cover layer has a thermosensitive (heat-sensitive color pigments) coating. In the latter case, the top layer consists of e.g. Polyethylene or polypropylene and is provided with an additional thermo-sensitive coating attributed to the liner (as well as any additional protective coating, e.g., polyacrylate). The thermosensitive coating discolored under a partially heated thermal print bar, the print head of a thermal printer, preferably as a black typeface.

Labeling tapes with non-thermosensitive top layer can also be printed with a thermal printer if the thermal printer is set up for thermal transfer printing. In this case, a carbon ribbon is needed, is transferred from the ink under the action of the thermal print bar of the printer on the currently to be printed cover layer. Commercially available roll thermal printers support both methods and enable cost-effective printing of the cover layer with directly readable information, eg a name or a barcode.

• Zuführen einer ersten Bahn,
• Zuführen von RFID-Transpondern und Auflegen jeweils eines RFID-Transponders auf einen für ein Kennzeichnungsband vorgesehenen Bereich der ersten Bahn,
• Zuführen einer zweiten Bahn oder von Abschnitten einer zweiten Bahn und Auflegen auf die mit RFID-Transpondern versehene erste Bahn,
• Verkleben der ersten Bahn mit der zweiten Bahn oder den Abschnitten der zweiten Bahn,
• Stanzen und Zuschneiden der einzelnen Kennzeichnungsbänder, die jeweils von einem Träger umgeben sind.

A method for producing identification tapes in the composite with respective carriers may comprise the following steps:

• Feeding a first web,
• Supplying RFID transponders and placing each of an RFID transponder on an area of the first path intended for an identification band,
• Feeding a second web or portions of a second web and laying it on the RFID-tagged first web,
• Bonding the first web to the second web or the sections of the second web,
• Punching and cutting the individual identification bands, each surrounded by a carrier.

In this case, the first web is a cover layer web and the second web is a base layer web for successively arranged, each surrounded by a carrier identification bands, or vice versa.

The widths of the topsheet web and the base layer web may be arranged for a number of side-by-side carriers, with respective label bands surrounded by carriers being made in parallel. The final cut can be made to individual label tapes with respective carrier. But is also advantageous a delivery form in which a number of carriers with respective identification bands arranged in the longitudinal direction one behind the other and wound into a roll. Such a role can for example be processed well in a roll thermal printer.

For example, in the method, the RFID transponders may be supplied individually by means of an air vacuum cylinder. It is advantageous if the RFID transponders are fixed to the first web before the second web is laid on or sections of the second web are laid on top. This can e.g. by means of adhesive strips, wherein the RFID transponder can already be provided with an adhesive strip in each case when they are supplied.

The second web (or respective portions of the second web) may already be provided with an adhesive pad forming the adhesive layer as it is fed and bonded to the first web provided with RFID transponders. If necessary, additional adhesive can be applied locally. For example, the first web is a topsheet web with the bottom facing up, and the RFID transponders are placed on top of them and glued. The second web (base layers) including the adhesive support is thereby supplied in sections, these sections being slightly shorter than the length of a respective carrier, so that in each case a zone remains free on the underside of the cover layer web. On top of this, additional adhesive is applied and coated with respective covers, e.g. made of silicone paper, covered.

The RFID tag of a tag tape may be written with data as the cover sheet of the tag tape is printed with visually readable information. The purpose of this is a method for inputting electronically stored information into an identification band, wherein the identification band (for example, from a roll) is passed through a printer, with which the cover layer of the identification band is optionally printed, and wherein by means of an RFID device arranged on the printer Information is entered into the RFID transponder and stored therein electronically. The in the RFID transponder entered information was previously recorded and stored eg in an external computer system. Such a method works very efficiently. Furthermore, errors in the assignment can be avoided because of the virtually simultaneous transmission of visually readable and electronically stored information. The RFID device arranged on the printer can be a writing and reading device. The transponder can already carry a factory-coded serial number.

During subsequent use, further data can be written to or read from the RFID transponder by means of conventional RFID devices.

Figur 1

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Kennzeichnungsbandes, das von einem Träger umgeben ist,

Figur 2

eine vergrößerte Draufsicht auf den in dem Kennzeichnungsband gemäß Figur 1 verwendeten RFID-Transponder,

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf das Kennzeichnungsband einschließlich Träger gemäß Figur 1, wobei auch von oben nicht sichtbare Teile angedeutet sind, und

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Herstellen von Kennzeichnungsbändern mit Trägern.

In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments. The drawings show in

FIG. 1

a schematic longitudinal section through an embodiment of a marking tape according to the invention, which is surrounded by a carrier,

FIG. 2

an enlarged plan view of the in the marking tape according to FIG. 1 used RFID transponders,

FIG. 3

a plan view of the marking tape including carrier according to FIG. 1 , Wherein also parts not visible from above are indicated, and

FIG. 4

a schematic representation of a method for producing identification bands with carriers.

In FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of an identification band designated by 1 is shown in a schematic longitudinal section. The longitudinal section is not true to scale and in particular greatly exaggerated.

The identification tape 1 has an elongated basic shape and extends from a first end 2 to a second end 3. A cover layer 4 is connected via an adhesive layer 6 with a base layer 8. The cover layer 4 and the base layer 8 are made of plastic and flexible. In the exemplary embodiment, the cover layer 4 has polyethylene, while the base layer 8 consists of a soft and velvety-porous film of polypropylene, which is pleasant to the skin. The adhesive layer 6 in the exemplary embodiment contains an acrylate dispersion adhesive.

The cover layer 4 is writable and / or printable, especially in a commercially available roll thermal printer. The printing can be carried out by a thermal transfer printing method, for which a carbon ribbon is required, is transferred from the ink under the action of a thermal print bar of the printer on the cover layer 4. In this case, the cover layer 4 must be such that the ink adheres. In the case of the material polyethylene, a pretreatment of the material used for the cover layer 4 may be necessary for this purpose. Alternatively, the cover layer may have a thermosensitive (heat-sensitive color pigments) coating (in FIG. 1 not shown), which may still be provided with a protective layer. In this case, the thermosensitive coating in the printer at hot spots of the thermal print bar is preferably colored black.

Between the cover layer 4 and the base layer 8 a flat, commercial RFID transponder 10 is included. As shown in Figure 2, the RFID transponder 10 includes an electronics chip 12 surrounded by a flat, spiral antenna 14. In the exemplary embodiment, a writable (and also repeatedly writable) data memory is integrated into the electronics chip 12. How RFID Transponders Are Described With Data Using An External Reader / Writer can and how data can be read out of it, is known in the art. There are standards for this, as explained in the beginning.

The RFID transponder 10 is fixed to the cover layer 4 by means of an adhesive strip 16 and is located in the region of a widening 18 of the identification tape 1, see FIG. 3 so that it is surrounded all around by material of the marking tape 1, laterally adhesive of the adhesive layer 6. Thus, the RFID transponder 10 is well protected, for example, when the identification tape 1 comes into contact with water, soap or disinfectants.

As in FIG. 3 shown, the identification band 1 is surrounded by a rectangular support 20. In the exemplary embodiment, the identification tape 1 and the carrier 20 are made of a composite material, so that the cover layer 4, the adhesive layer 6 and the base layer 8 of the identification tape 1 also extend into the region of the carrier 20. The identification tape 1 is punched out along a circumferential punching line 22 of this composite material, with easily tear-in stops 24 remain between the marking tape 1 and the carrier 20.

The base layer 8 of the marking tape 1 does not extend to its second end 3, but only up to a point 26, as well as the base layer 8 corresponding position of the carrier 20. As explained below, in the production of the marking tape 1, the adhesive layer 6 is supplied together with the base layer 8, so that the adhesive layer 6 does not extend beyond the end 26 of the base layer 8 also. In the region no longer covered by the base layer 8 of the marking tape 1 and the carrier 20, an adhesive 28 is applied separately, which may have a stronger adhesive force than the adhesive layer 6. This adhesive 28 is covered with a cover 30, which is made in the embodiment of a silicone paper and extends not only across the width of the marking tape 1, but over the full width of the carrier 20.

Before the marking tape 1, e.g. is placed around the wrist of a person, it is dissolved out of the carrier 20, the stops 24 are destroyed. In this case, the adhesive 28 dissolves in the region of the second end 3 of the marking tape 1 of the cover 30 and is exposed. This adhesive serves to bond the marking tape 1 in a closed form, e.g. around the wrist or ankle of the person.

If it is attempted to release the adhesive bond of the marking tape 1 in the area of the adhesive 28, the cover layer 4 will tear in the area of the second end 2, since the cover layer 4 is provided with punched holes 32 in this area, see FIG. 3 , between which only material connections with low tear resistance remain. The bonding of the marking tape 1 in the closed form is therefore tamper-proof.

In advantageous embodiments, a larger number of carriers 20 are arranged with respective identification bands 1 in the longitudinal direction one behind the other and wound into a roll. The locations between the individual carriers 20 can be designed as perforation lines, so that the carriers can be easily separated from one another.

A role of carriers 20 with respective identification bands 1 can be used in a roller thermal printer, so that the individual identification bands 1 can be printed with specific information, in particular in the area of the widenings 18, eg the name of a patient or a barcode. The barcode may contain additional information, including an assignment to a storage area on an external computer.

If the thermal printer has an RFID device designed as a writing and reading device, information can also be stored in the electronics chip 12 of the respective RFID transponder 10 during the printing of a respective identification band 1 (or retrieved therefrom if necessary), since the respective one RFID transponder 10 is then located in the near field area of the RFID device.

Based on FIG. 4 In the following, the sequence of a method for producing identification tapes 1 with carriers 20, which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction and can be wound up into a roll, will be explained.

On a machine 40, a first web 42 is supplied, from which in the embodiment, the cover layers 4 of the identification bands 1 are formed with the corresponding position of the carrier 20. The first web 42 is located on a carrier web 44, for example made of paper, wherein the in FIG. 1 downwardly facing side of the cover layer 4 in the first web 42 facing upward. The carrier web 44 is provided on both longitudinal sides with guide perforations 46, in the transport wheels 48 engage to allow a precise transport.

In order to attach a RFID transponder 10 to a respective cover layer 4 in a transponder zone 50, RFID transponders 10 are deposited from a supply roll via a supply cylinder 52 on a perforated vacuum cylinder 54, which is connected via a line 56 to a vacuum pump 58, and separated by a cutter 60 from the supply roll. The RFID transponders 10 are each already provided with an adhesive strip 16 whose adhesive points upwards, When the respective RFID transponder 10 is placed on top of the vacuum cylinder 54.

After about half a revolution of the vacuum cylinder 54, the adhesive of the adhesive strip 16 points downward, and the RFID transponder 10 under consideration is glued to the first web 42 by means of the adhesive strip 16 in the just-fed transponder zone 50.

In further method steps, a second web is fed, from which the respective base layers 8 of the marking tapes 1 and the corresponding layer of the carriers 20 are manufactured. In the exemplary embodiment, the second web is provided with an adhesive layer corresponding to the respective adhesive layers 6 facing downwards. Sections are separated from the second web, each with a length corresponding to the distance from the first end 2 to the point 26 in FIG FIG. 1 , These sections are properly placed on the respective provided with RFID transponders 10 cover layers 4 and pressed with the help of rollers, resulting in a solid bond. In the remaining gaps, each between the point 26 and the beginning of the next carrier, transfer film blanks are used, each with a silicone paper as a carrier and adhesive, which form the cover 30 and the adhesive 28 of the individual identification tapes 1 with carrier 20. Subsequently, in the exemplary embodiment, the required punches (punching line 22, punched holes 32, perforation lines between adjacent carriers 20) carried out and the successively arranged identification tapes with carrier wound into a roll.

These further method steps take place when the RFID transponders 10 are already connected to the first web 42 containing the cover layers 4, and can, for example, analogously to the more detailed description in FIG EP 2 109 088 A2 be performed. In a variant of the method, the widths of the first web 42 and the second web are set up for a number of supports arranged next to one another, so that respective identification bands surrounded by carriers can be produced in parallel. In this case, a number of side-by-side identification bands may be delivered with carrier as a sheet. Or the assembled webs are finally severed in the longitudinal direction, so that individually in the longitudinal direction consecutively arranged identification tapes with carrier arise, as before.

It is also conceivable to use, as the first web, a web (or web sections on a carrier web) with the base layers of the identification tapes to be produced, to fasten the RFID transponders thereon and then to lay and glue a web to the cover layers, optionally also with adhesive layer.

Claims (14)

Marking tape, having an elongated basic shape and a first end (2) and a second end (3), with a writable and / or printable cover layer (4) made of plastic, an adhesive layer (6) arranged underneath and a base layer (8 ) made of plastic, wherein the marking tape (1) is self-adhesive bondable to a closed mold, characterized by an RFID transponder (10) which is enclosed between the cover layer (4) and the base layer (8) and has a writable data memory. Marking tape according to claim 1, characterized by a widening (18) which extends in the middle region of the marking tape (1) over part of the length of the marking tape (1) and in the region of which the RFID transponder (10) is arranged. Marking tape according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the marking tape (1) by a support (20) is surrounded, from which the identification band (1) is leachable and preferably has a rectangular basic shape. Marking tape according to claim 3, characterized in that the base layer (8) does not extend to the second end (3) of the marking tape (1) and in the region of the second end (3) of the marking tape (1) exposed adhesive (28) with a Cover (30) is secured to the support (20) and preferably extends over the entire width of the carrier (20). Marking tape according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the carrier (20) and the marking tape (1) have a common composite material with cover layer (4), adhesive layer (6) and base layer (8), from which the marking tape (1) punched out with easily tearable stops (24) remaining between the marker tape (1) and the carrier (20). Marking tape according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bonding of the marking tape (1) to the closed form is tamper-proof. Marking tape according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover layer (4) in the region of the second end (3) of the marking tape (1) is provided with punches (32), between which only material connections with low tear resistance remain. Marking tape according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cover layer (4) is adapted for printing with a thermal printer, wherein the cover layer (4) is suitable for thermal transfer printing or has a thermosensitive coating. Method for producing identification tapes (1) according to claim 5, comprising the steps: Feeding a first web (42), Supplying RFID transponders (10) and respectively placing an RFID transponder (10) on a region of the first path (42) provided for an identification band (1), Feeding a second web or portions of a second web and placing it on the first web (42) provided with RFID transponders (10), Adhering the first web (42) to the second web or portions of the second web, Punching and cutting the individual identification bands (1), which are each surrounded by a support (20), - Wherein the first web (42) is a cover layer web and the second web is a base layer web for successively arranged, each of a support (20) surrounded identification bands (1), or vice versa. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the RFID transponder (10) individually by means of an air vacuum cylinder (54) are supplied. A method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the RFID transponder (10) are fixed to the first web (42) before the second web is placed or portions of the second web are placed, preferably by means of adhesive strips (16). Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the second web is already provided with an adhesive layer forming the adhesive layer (6) when it is fed, and thus at the first web (42) provided with RFID transponders (10) ) is glued. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the width of the cover layer web and the base layer web for a number of side by side arranged carrier is arranged and that each of carrier-surrounded identification bands are made in parallel. A method of inputting electronically stored information into an identification band (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an identification band (1) comprises a printer is performed, with which the cover layer (4) of the identification tape (1) is optionally printed, and wherein by means of an RFID device arranged on the device information in the RFID transponder (10) is input and stored electronically therein.

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