FR3071083A1 - NFC LABEL COIL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH COIL - Google Patents

Abstract

NFC tag coil (3) comprising: - at least one substrate film (4, 5), stuck on - a support film (6), - programmed NFC tags (1), arranged between the substrate film (4) the further outside and the support film (6).

Description

The present invention relates to the field of radio frequency labels. It is known to affix a “smart” or “connected” label to a product capable of adding digital content to the product. There are several technologies and among them, the NFC (near field communication). In all cases, a label includes a support in the form of a film, for example paper, typically self-adhesive in order to be able to be stuck on a product to which it is desired to add digital content or "connect". On or in this support are integrated a chip or microcontroller and an antenna connected to the chip, all in a very thin form factor. The chip and antenna assembly is conventionally called tag (from the English label, without equivalent in French, and which has been adopted in French).

When approaching a reader, such as typically a reader present in an NFC-compatible smartphone, an NFC tag is, in known manner, capable of activating and communicating with the reader. The antenna is used on the one hand to power the chip by induction and cause it to wake up, and on the other hand to ensure contactless communication with the reader. An NFC tag can thus include an identifier for the product or its series or batch, or additional information: expiration date, recipe idea, other information displayed in plain text or not on the product.

Currently, the production of labels, without NFC tag, is carried out by carrying out all the manufacturing and printing operations, on rolls comprising labels, preferably self-adhesive, continuously. These rolls are then cut into individual labels, when affixed to a product or labeling. Such a manufacturing method allows very fast rates and low associated costs.

Currently, for labeling with an NFC tag, the NFC tag is placed on or under the label, typically individually, at the last moment, typically before or concomitantly with the affixing of the label to the product. In order to be activated an NFC tag requires programming. A major drawback of the prior art is that the manufacturer of the product, or the label maker, must intervene in NFC technology (placement of the tag, programming, etc.) which he does not necessarily master, at the risk of improperly set up the NFC tag or its programming. In addition, the programming step is much slower than the printing or labeling operation and considerably delays the printing or labeling steps if it is carried out at the same time.

The invention therefore proposes to overcome these drawbacks by producing a semi-finished, “connected” product in that it includes the NFC tag, programmed, in the form of a roll ready to be personalized, by printing specific elements of the product. Thus, the manufacturer of the product advantageously only has to carry out the final operations which he knows and masters: personalization of the labels on a roll by printing, cutting of the labels and affixing to the product, without worrying about the NFC tags already integrated and already programmed.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention relates to an NFC tag programmed to contain an internet address and a unique identifier.

According to another characteristic, the NFC tag is programmed in such a way that its reading by a reader causes an automatic connection to the internet address and a communication of the unique identifier.

Such characteristics advantageously make it possible to carry out generic programming of an NFC tag and to dynamically carry out a configuration of the digital content associated with an NFC tag by means of a platform.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a reel of NFC labels comprising: at least one substrate film, bonded to a support film, programmed NFC tags, arranged between the outermost substrate film of said at least one substrate film and the support film.

According to other characteristics, the NFC label spool has one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or in all possible combinations:

- NFC tags are placed at regular intervals,

at least one of said at least one substrate film comprises setting / separation marks,

the NFC tags are NFC tags according to one of the preceding embodiments,

a substrate film includes a pattern printed on the right side of the opaque NFC tag and covering the NFC tag,

the coil comprises at least two substrate films, an NFC tag is placed between two substrate films, the first substrate film comprising a first pattern in front of the NFC tag and the second substrate film comprising a second pattern in front of the NFC tag, the first and the second pattern being preferably opaque and covering the NFC tag, and still preferably substantially identical and substantially superimposed.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a roll of NFC labels comprising the steps of: unwinding an initial roll comprising at least one substrate film bonded to a support film, separation of the at least one substrate film of the support film, placement of NFC tags between said at least one substrate film and the support film, reassembly of said at least one substrate film on the support film, winding of the reassembled films into a final reel.

According to other characteristics, the method comprises one or more of the following optional characteristics considered alone or according to all the possible combinations:

the process is carried out continuously and the installation step is carried out at regular intervals,

the NFC tags are NFC tags according to one of the preceding embodiments,

the positioning step comprises depositing at least one NFC tag on the lower film and / or depositing at least one NFC tag on the upper film,

- an NFC tag includes an adhesive on its face looking at the support film,

the separation step is carried out by unwinding said at least one substrate film and the support film together, by passing the upper film below a first roll, then over a third roll, by passing the lower film above a second roller, then below a fourth roller, the first roller and the second roller being contiguous and preferably parallel, the third roller and the fourth roller being separated from each other other and preferably parallel,

- the reassembly step is carried out by passing the upper film over a fifth roller, then below a seventh roller, by passing the lower film below a sixth roller, then at above an eighth roller, the fifth roller and the sixth roller being spaced apart from each other and preferably parallel, the seventh roller and the eighth roller being contiguous and preferably parallel,

the method also comprises a step of printing calibration / separation marks on at least one substrate film, preferably performed before the step of placing NFC tags, and a step of printing at least one generic logo on at least one substrate film, preferably produced before the winding step,

the method also comprises a step of printing at least one specific logo on at least one substrate film.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a reel of NFC labels manufactured by such a method.

The invention will be better understood on reading the nonlimiting description which follows, given with reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 presents in perspective view a diagram of a production chain according to the method,

FIG. 2 shows in sectioned view an NFC label according to a first embodiment,

- Figure 3 shows in sectioned view an NFC label according to another embodiment.

The invention relates to an NFC 1 tag programmed to contain an internet address and a unique identifier.

According to an advantageous characteristic, this NFC 1 tag is programmed in such a way that its reading by a reader causes an automatic connection to the internet address and a communication of the unique identifier. According to a preferred embodiment, the internet address is always the same, for all the labels of all the products, typically that of a platform managed by the NFC label supplier. This platform, when connected via the NFC tag, receives the associated unique identifier which is communicated to it by the reader. This unique identifier allows him, by searching in a database, to identify by name the product on which the NFC 1 tag / tag is affixed. On the basis of this information, the platform can then redirect the connection to content specific information about the individual product, a batch or a series.

The invention also relates to a roll of NFC labels 3 comprising at least one substrate film 4, 5, bonded to a support film 6, programmed NFC tags 1, disposed between the outermost substrate film 4 of said at least one substrate film. 4, 5 and the support film 6. A substrate film 4, 5 is typically a paper, plastic or equivalent and is intended to constitute the body of the label. The face of the substrate film 4, 5 is advantageously coated with an adhesive 7 intended to allow the fixing of the substrate film 4, 5, for example when the NFC label is affixed to a product. The support film 6 is typically a paper, plastic or equivalent and is specially designed to exhibit weak adhesion with the adhesive 7 of the substrate film 4, 5 and thus protect the latter. During labeling, the support film 6 is removed and discarded, and said at least one substrate film 4, 5 is placed on a product.

The fact of placing the NFC tags 1 between the extreme layers ensures that they will be, after the affixing of an NFC tag, located between the outermost substrate film 4 and the product. The outermost substrate film 4 thus protects the NFC tag 1.

Due to the thinness of an NFC 1 tag, currently of the order of 75 μm, and soon of the order of 35 μm, an NFC label of a roll of NFC 3 labels, more particularly visible on the Figure 2 or 3, shows only a small variation in thickness. This advantageously makes it possible to transparently use an NFC 3 label reel according to the invention, in all existing printing, cutting or labeling processes, without modifying these processes.

According to another characteristic, on such a reel of NFC labels 3, the NFC tags 1 are advantageously arranged at regular intervals 11. This makes it possible to facilitate the automation of printing, cutting and affixing tasks. In order to help these different operations, it is advantageously printed, on at least one of said at least one substrate film 4, 5 or support 6, timing / separation marks 12. These marks 12 allow the marking / wedging of the heads where the positioning of a label cutting / separating tool.

According to another characteristic, the NFC 1 tags placed in such a coil of NFC 3 labels are NFC 1 tags according to any one of the embodiments previously described.

Thus these NFC 1 tags are programmed and each include a unique identifier. This unique identifier allows digital content to be associated with an NFC tag and therefore with a product on which it is affixed, via a database. Advantageously according to the invention, this association is dynamic. Only the database makes the link between a unique identifier (invariant) displayed on a product and digital content. A modification of the database can be carried out at any time in the life of the product, including after leaving the factory and even after sale.

The label maker, in order to allow this, must only inform, for each (change of) product or type of product, or for each set of products to be associated with the same digital content, the associated identifiers and the product and return these associations to the the platform / database. Advantageously, the identifiers of the NFC 1 tags on a reel of NFC 3 labels are sequentially incremental. It is then enough, for each series, to read, with a simple reader, and to note, the first and the last identifier.

This also makes it possible to carry out an initial programming of the NFC 1 tags, advantageously before their placement in a coil of NFC labels 3. This programming, which is a relatively long and complex operation, remains general and identical for any NFC label. The association with a given product or type of product or personalization can be delayed in the final phase by a configuration operation, very simple in that it boils down to a statement of the identifier and information from the database, as described in the previous paragraph.

According to another characteristic, a substrate film 4, 5 comprises a pattern printed in line with the NFC 1 tag. Such a pattern which is advantageously opaque and whose surface is such that it advantageously covers the entire imprint of the NFC 1 tag. hide it in an NFC tag.

According to another characteristic, more particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, when more than one substrate 4, 5 is present, the NFC tags 1 are advantageously disposed between two substrate films 4, 5.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 comprises two substrates 4, 5 which remain in the end when the NFC label is affixed to a product. The fact of having two substrates 4, 5 makes it possible to have impressions at several different levels. This allows, by arranging at least a first pattern on the upper substrate 4 to the right of the NFC 1 tag and at least a second pattern on the lower substrate 5 to the right of the NFC 1 tag, to hide the NFC 1 tag, including for a label affixed to a transparent product, such as a glass bottle allowing the NFC label to be seen from each of its faces. For this, the first and second patterns are advantageously opaque and have a surface such that it covers the NFC 1 tag. In addition, the first and second patterns, being visible from both sides, in a preferred arrangement, are substantially identical and substantially superimposed, so that it only appears as a single motif.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an NFC 3 label reel, more particularly illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising the following steps. During a first step, an initial coil 2 is unwound. The initial reel 2 can be a blank reel 2 or a reel already printed with setting / separation marks 12. The initial reel 2 comprises at least one substrate film 4, 5 bonded to a support film 6 by means of an adhesive 7. In the case of a plurality of substrate films 4, 5 each substrate film is bonded to its neighbor, the last one being bonded to the support film 6. During another step, the substrate film or films 4, 5 are separated, together, of the support film 6. During another step, NFC tags 1 are placed between said at least one substrate film 4, 5 and the support film 6. This placing step is for example carried out by a machine 9 dedicated, supplied by NFC tags 1, in the form of a coil 10. During another step, said at least one substrate film 4, 5 are reassembled on the support film 6. During another step the reassembled films 4, 5, 6 are wound into a final reel 3.

Such a coil 3 is then "connected" in that it incorporates NFC tags 1 and is, for all other aspects, similar to a blank coil 2 in that it is ready to be supplied to a printer / label maker and can be used for printing, cutting, and labeling operations. This is particularly advantageous to facilitate the acceptance of NFC by printers both technically and economically.

According to another characteristic, the process is carried out continuously and the placement of the NFC tags is carried out by leaving a regular interval 11 between two NFC tags 1.

According to another characteristic, an NFC 1 tag implemented is an NFC 1 tag according to one of the embodiments described above. Such an NFC 1 tag is programmed. It contains an internet address and a unique identifier. In addition, it is programmed so that its reading by a reader causes an automatic connection to the internet address, this connection being accompanied by a communication of the unique identifier to the reader.

According to another characteristic, the installation comprises a deposit of at least one NFC 1 tag on the lower film, ie the support film 6 in Figures 1-3 and / or a deposit of at least one NFC 1 tag in the upper film, either under the single substrate film 4 or under the lower substrate film 5 in the case of a superposition of several substrate films 4, 5.

Depositing against a substrate film 4, 5 is preferred in that the adhesive 7 present on the face of the substrate film 4, 5 ensures that the NFC 1 tag is maintained between its removal and reassembly.

According to another characteristic, an NFC 1 tag advantageously comprises an adhesive 8 on its face looking at the support film 6. If the NFC 1 tag is deposited on / under a substrate film 4, 5, said adhesive 8 under the NFC 1 tag ensures, with adhesive 7, a continuity of the adhesive, including under the NFC tag 1, useful for fixing to the product when affixing the NFC label.

If the NFC 1 tag is deposited on / under the support film 6, in addition to the continuity of the adhesive during the positioning, the adhesive 8 under the NFC 1 tag also ensures that the NFC 1 tag is maintained on the support film 6 between the establishment and the reassembly.

According to another characteristic, the separation step is carried out by means of rollers 13a-d, by unwinding said at least one substrate film 4, 5 and the support film 6 together, by passing the upper film, ie the film or films substrates 4, 5 in FIG. 1, below a first roller 13a, then above a third roller 13c, passing the lower film, ie the support film 6 in FIG. 1, above a second roller 13b, then below a fourth roller 13d, the first roller 13a and the second roller 13b being contiguous and preferably parallel, the third roller 13c and the fourth roller 13d being spaced apart from each other and preferably parallel.

According to another characteristic, symmetrically, the reassembly step is carried out by means of rollers 13f-h, by passing the upper film over a fifth roller 13e, then below a seventh roller 13g , by passing the lower film below a sixth roller 13f, then over an eighth roller 13h, the fifth roller 13e and the sixth roller 13f being spaced apart from each other and preferably parallel, the seventh roller 13g and the eighth roller 13h being contiguous and preferably parallel.

In order to facilitate the location of the labels for the various stages of positioning, printing, cutting and labeling, the setting / separation marks 12 are advantageously arranged on the roll of NFC labels. These marks 12 indicate inter alia the limit between two consecutive labels. They are advantageously printed on one of the substrate films 4, 5 or support, 6. These marks which can be used for the installation of NFC tags 1, are preferably printed before the installation step. These marks 12, useful for the other stages, this printing is typically one of the first operations carried out on the blank label spool 2.

The idea of the invention is to provide a roll of NFC 3 labels prepared for the printer. Also NFC 1 tags are implemented and programmed. Printing can be broken down into two steps which are not necessarily carried out by the same operator. Each printer will then unroll, print and then rewind the NFC 3 label reel.

According to one characteristic, the printing is carried out / separated in two passes / operations. According to a first operation, called generic printing, a generic pattern is printed such as a generic logo on one of the substrate film 4, 5. This generic logo is typically the logo of the supplier of the NFC label service. This logo allows the visibility of this operator. It can also indicate that the label is connected in that it includes an NFC 1 tag. It can also include a synoptic user manual for said NFC 1 tag. Advantageously at this stage, the coil is "generically" ready. It includes the programmed NFC 1 tags. It is ready for specific printing, which then takes place for the printer as in the prior art.

According to a second operation, called specific printing or personalization, a specific pattern such as a specific logo is printed on one of the substrate films 4, 5. This specific logo is typically the logo of the product, of its supplier and / or any content of a standard label (non-NFC) according to the prior art.

Claims (14)

1. NFC tag (1) characterized in that it is programmed to contain an internet address and a unique identifier. 2. NFC tag (1) according to the preceding claim, programmed so that its reading by a reader causes an automatic connection to the internet address and a communication of the unique identifier. 3. NFC label spool (3) characterized in that it comprises: - at least one substrate film (4, 5), bonded to a support film (6), - NFC tags (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, arranged between the outermost substrate film (4) of said at least one substrate film (4, 5) and the support film (6). 4. NFC label reel (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein the NFC tags (1) are arranged at regular intervals (11) and where at least one of said at least one substrate film (4, 5) comprises timing / separation marks (12). 5. NFC label reel (3) according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein a substrate film (4, 5) comprises a pattern printed in line with the opaque NFC tag (1) and covering the NFC tag (1) . 6. NFC label reel (3) according to any one of the three preceding claims, comprising at least two substrate films (4, 5), where an NFC tag (1) is disposed between two substrate films (4, 5) , the first substrate film (4) comprising a first pattern in line with the NFC tag (1) and the second substrate film (5) comprising a second pattern in line with the NFC tag (1), the first and second patterns being preferably opaque and covering the NFC tag (1), and still preferably substantially identical and substantially superimposed. 7. Method for manufacturing a coil of NFC labels (3) characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - unwinding of an initial reel (2) comprising at least one substrate film (4, 5) bonded to a support film (6), - separation of the at least one substrate film (4, 5) from the support film (6), - placement of NFC tags (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, between said at least one substrate film (4, 5) and the support film (6), - reassembly of said at least one substrate film (4, 5) on the support film (6), - winding of the films (4, 5, 6) reassembled into a final reel (3). 8. Method according to the preceding claim, where the method is carried out continuously and where the positioning step is carried out at regular intervals (11). 9. Method according to any one of the two preceding claims, in which the installation step comprises depositing at least one NFC tag (1) on the lower film and / or depositing at least one NFC tag. (1) under the upper film. 10. Method according to any one of the three preceding claims, in which an NFC tag (1) comprises an adhesive (8) on its face looking at the support film (6). 11. Method according to any one of the four preceding claims, in which the separation step is carried out by unwinding said at least one substrate film (4, 5) and the support film (6) together, passing the upper film below of a first roller (13a), then above a third roller (13c), passing the lower film over a second roller (13b), then below a fourth roller (13d) , the first roller (13a) and the second roller (13b) being contiguous and preferably parallel, the third roller (13c) and the fourth roller (13d) being distant from each other and preferably parallel and where the step reassembly is carried out by passing the upper film over a fifth roller (13e), then below a seventh roller (13g), by passing the lower film below a sixth roller ( 13f), then above an eighth roller (13h), the fifth rolls au (13e) and the sixth roller (13f) being spaced from each other and preferably parallel, the seventh roller (13g) and the eighth roller (13h) being contiguous and preferably parallel. 12. Method according to any one of the five preceding claims, further comprising a step of printing setting / separation marks (12) on at least one substrate film (4, 5), preferably carried out 5 before the step of placing NFC tags (1), and a step of printing at least one generic logo on at least one substrate film (4, 5), preferably performed before the winding step . 13. Method according to any one of the six preceding claims, further comprising a step of printing at least one specific logo on at least one substrate film (4, 5). 14. NFC label reel characterized in that it is manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 7 to 13.