GB2588894A

GB2588894A - Systems and methods for tagging merchandise

Info

Publication number: GB2588894A
Application number: GB1916141.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Napthine Russell
Original assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Current assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Priority date: 2019-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-06
Publication date: 2021-05-19
Also published as: GB201916141D0

Abstract

Tagging system for an article of merchandise comprising first and second identification devices, intended to minimise the risk of mis-tagging of products and to prevent removal of security tags by shoplifters or thieves. The first device being an electronic tag, which may be an RFID chip 114, encoded with article ID information, and the second device 118 for attachment to the article, optionally as a swing-tag, presenting human and/or machine-readable product information 122. The two devices are joined together in an initial configuration for allocation to the article and are subsequently separable, optionally along a line of weakness 116, for attachment of the second device to the article (figure 13). The second device may comprise a product information label adhered to the combined tag. The electronic tag may be arranged to be sewn into the article. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TAGGING MERCHANDISE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for tagging articles of merchandise. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to the use of electronic identification devices together with other identification devices for item-level tracking of articles, such as garments, in supply chains.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Identification of garments and similar articles of merchandise in supply chains usually relies on attaching a product information label to the article. One of the most common forms of such labels, particularly for garments and similar goods, are swing tags, also known as hang tags or swing tickets.

Swing tags usually consist of a paper or paperboard shape that carries printed product information. The product information may be printed directly onto the paper or paperboard shape or may be printed onto a sticker or label for subsequent application to the shape. A hole is punched in the swing tag to allow the swing tag to be attached to a garment using a plastic joiner or toggle, or a ribbon, twine, string or other suitable fastening.

Usually, some of the product information provided on a swing tag for a garment is intended to convey information to a retail customer. Such information may relate to pricing, sizing, composition, country of origin, special care requirements, and so on.

Further product information provided on the swing tag may be used for inventory control. In particular, the swing tag may carry machine-readable data, in the form of a bar code or matrix code, or an embedded radio-frequency identification (RFID) device, which can be read by an electronic point-of-sale (ePOS) to identify the item type, style, price and other details so that a retail transaction can be performed and for stock control purposes. Usually, the machine-readable data provides an article number that can be looked up by the ePOS in an article number database to provide the necessary information. -2 -

The swing tag may also include information for supply chain management purposes. Such information may include data that allows identification of the manufacturing facility, manufacturing time and date, and so on, in the form of a batch code or otherwise. Such information can be useful for quality control and supply chain tracking.

One problem that arises in the use of swing tags is that the swing tags can be relatively easily detached from a garment. Although this characteristic is intentional, so that the tag can be easily removed after purchase while preventing damage to the article, it can also be exploited by thieves. For example, a thief may substitute the correct swing tag with a swing tag from a less-expensive item before purchase, or with a swing tag from a more expensive item before attempting a return.

Another factor that can limit the effectiveness of swing tags for supply chain tracking is that swing tags are typically attached to an article only at the end of the manufacturing process to avoid loss or damage during the process. It is therefore possible for articles to be m is-tagged due to errors in identification or tracking during manufacture.

Against that background, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods for tagging articles of merchandise that reduce or mitigate these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tagging system for an article of merchandise, comprising a first identification device for incorporation into the article during a manufacturing process of the article and comprising an electronic tag encoded with electronic article identification information, and a second identification device for attachment to the article for presenting human and/or machine-readable product information. The first and second identification devices are joined to one another in an initial configuration for allocation to the article, and are subsequently separable for attachment of the second identification device to the article. -3 -

With this arrangement, the first identification device provides a means for tracking the article from an earlier stage in the manufacturing process than is possible with prior art tags, such as swing tags. Furthermore, the first identification device can be used to verify the information provided by the second identification device in a retail environment, allowing identification of accidental or deliberate mis-tagging. Also, in the event of loss of the second identification device, the first identification device can be used to identify the article, minimising difficulties at the point of sale.

In one example, the tagging system comprises a combined tag having a first portion and a second portion, in which the first portion comprises the first identification device and the second portion comprises the second identification device.

Preferably, the second portion of the combined tag is separable from the first portion of the combined tag. For example, the first and second portions may be separable along a line of weakness, such as a line of perforations. With this arrangement, the combined tag can be allocated to an article and then the two portions separated at an appropriate point. For instance, the first identification device could be incorporated into the article with the second identification device still connected, so that the second identification device remains securely attached to the article temporarily during further manufacturing steps.

In one embodiment, the second identification device comprises a swing tag and the second portion of the combined tag comprises a hole for receiving a swing tag fastener for attachment to the article after separation from the first portion of the combined tag.

In another embodiment, the second information device comprises a product information label adhered to the second portion of the combined tag, the product information label being removable from the combined tag for attachment to the article. The product information label may be adhered to a backing and the backing may be adhered to the carrier, such that the product information label and the -4 -backing are removable together from the carrier for temporary attachment to the article, and so that the product information is subsequently removable from the backing for attachment to a swing tag or other device. With this arrangement, the second portion of the combined tag may be removed from the first portion either before or after the first identification device is incorporated into the article.

At least the first portion of the combined tag may comprise a carrier having a base layer and a top layer, and the first identification device may be disposed between the base layer and the top layer.

Preferably, the first identification device comprises a radio-frequency identification tag.

The first identification device is incorporated into the article in the sense that, preferably, the first identification device is not readily removable from the article after manufacture or during use. Thus, once incorporated, the first identification device may be considered to form a part of or be permanently attached to the article. To this end, the first identification device may be arranged to be sewn into the article.

The second identification device is preferably intended to perform the function of a retail information label, to inform customers about the price and other features of the article, and to provide machine-readable information to a point-of-sale system. Accordingly, the second identification device may be arranged to be detachable from the article. For example, the second identification device may be attachable to the article by a releasable or breakable fastening.

The first and second identification devices may be separable after incorporation of the first identification device into the article.

In a second aspect, the invention extends to a method of tagging an article of merchandise, comprising allocating a first identification device comprising an electronic tag encoded with electronic article identification information and a second -5 -identification device for presenting human and/or machine-readable product information to the article, incorporating the first identification device into the article and attaching the second identification device temporarily to the article during a manufacturing process of the article, and subsequently attaching the second identification device to the article for displaying the product information.

Incorporating the first identification device into the article may comprise attaching the first identification device to the article by sewing. In this way, the first identification device can be readily incorporated during the manufacturing process of articles produced from sewn fabrics, such as garments.

Incorporating the first identification device into the article may comprise concealing the first identification device within the article. This reduces the risk of accidental or deliberate removal of the first identification device.

Preferably, the first and second identification devices are joined to one another in an initial configuration and the method comprises separating the first and second identification devices before attaching the second identification device to the article for displaying the product information.

The method may comprise separating the first and second identification devices after incorporating the first identification device into the article, such that incorporating the first identification device into the article attaches the second identification device temporarily to the article. Alternatively, the method may comprise separating the first and second identification devices before incorporating the first identification device into the article, in which case the method may comprise the further step of adhering the second identification device to the article to attach the second identification device temporarily to the article.

In one embodiment, attaching the second identification device to the article for displaying the product information comprises attaching a swing tag to the article. The first identification device preferably comprises a radio-frequency identification -6 -tag.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment of the invention may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and 5 embodiments also.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs are used for like features, and in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a tagging system for an article in the form of a combined tag; Figure 2 is a cross-section on II-11 of the tagging system of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale; Figure 3 shows steps in a method of use of the tagging system of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the tagging system of Figure 1 with an RFID portion incorporated into a garment; Figure 5 shows the tagging system of Figure 1 after separation of a swing tag portion from the RFID portion; Figure 6 shows the tagging system of Figure 1 after attachment of the swing tag portion to the garment; Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of a tagging system for an article in the form 30 of a combined tag; Figure 8 is a cross-section on VIII-VIII of the tagging system of Figure 7 on an -7 -enlarged scale; Figure 9 shows steps in a method of use of the tagging system of Figure 7; Figure 10 shows the tagging system of Figure 7 with an RFID portion separated from a swing tag label carrier portion; Figure 11 shows the tagging system of Figure 7 with the RFID portion incorporated into a garment and the swing tag label adhered to the garment; Figure 12 shows the tagging system of Figure 7 with the swing tag label adhered to a swing tag; and Figure 13 shows the tagging system of Figure 7 with the swing tag attached to the 15 garment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 show an article tagging system according to a first embodiment of the invention. The tagging system is in the form of a combined tag 100, which includes a first identification device in the form of an RFID tag portion 102 of the tag 100, and a second identification device in the form of a swing tag portion 104 of the tag 100. Figure 1 shows a face of the tag 100, while Figure 2 shows a cross-section through the tag 100 (on line II-11), with an exaggerated vertical scale.

As best seen in Figure 2, the combined tag 100 comprises a carrier 106 formed from a top layer 108 and a base layer 110 of sheet material. In the RFID tag portion 102 of the tag 100, an RFID antenna 112 is sandwiched between the top and base layers 108, 110 of the carrier 106. The antenna 112 may be formed by any suitable electrically-conducting material, such as wire, conductive tape, conductive ink, and so on. The antenna 112 is connected to an RFID chip 114, which is similarly sandwiched between the top and base layers 108, 110. As is known in the art, the RFID chip 114 may be of a flat package or small outline package type and may be -8 -encapsulated. As a result of the sandwich construction, the RFID chip 114 and antenna 112 are encased and protected within the carrier 106 in the RFID tag portion 102.

The RFID chip 114 in the RFID tag portion 102 is encoded with identification information that can be read by a suitable reader. The RFID chip 114 is preferably a passive RFID chip. The identification information may include an article number that can be cross-referenced with a database to identify the manufacturer, type, size, price and other product information. The identification information may also provide origin information, such as a manufacturing location, manufacturing date and/or time, production line details, and so on. The origin information may be provided at an individual item level (so that the RFID tag portion 102 of each individual tag 100 provides unique identification information), or at a batch level (for example so that the RFID tag portion 102 of each tag 100 provides sufficient information to allow, say, the manufacturing location and date to be identified).

The RFID tag portion 102 and the swing tag portion 104 are delineated by a line of perforations 116 that extends across the carrier 106 alongside the RFID chip 114 and antenna 112. The carrier 106 can be torn or snapped apart along the line of perforations 116, allowing the RFID tag portion 102 and the swing tag portion 104 to be separated from one another.

The swing tag portion 104 includes a product information label 118 that is affixed to the top layer 108 of the carrier 106 by an adhesive layer 120 (see Figure 2).

Referring back to Figure 1, the label 118 carries printed product information, including textual information 122 and machine-readable information 124. The textual information 122 may relate to the product name, price, sizing, colour, composition, country of origin, care requirements, and so on, as well as inventory control information such as product codes and batch codes.

The machine-readable information 124, which in this example includes both a linear bar code 126 and a two-dimensional bar code or matrix code 128, provides at least -9 -some of the same information as is included in the identification information encoded in the RFID tag portion 102. For instance, the machine-readable information 124 preferably includes the article number in a form that can be read and cross-referenced by a suitable reader system. In particular, the machine-readable information 124 is intended for use with an electronic point-of-sale system, but may also be used by inventory control systems throughout the supply chain. The textual and machine-readable information 122, 124 together is referred to here as "product information".

The swing tag portion 104 has a punched hole 130 to accept a suitable fastening, such as a plastic joiner or toggle, or a ribbon, twine, string or other suitable fastening. In this way, after the swing tag portion 104 has been separated from the RFID tag portion 102, the swing tag portion 104 can be attached to a garment or other article.

As will now be described, the combined tag 100 can be used to track an individual article (a garment, in this example) reliably from an early stage during manufacture, and to mitigate problems associated with the loss or switching of the swing tag portion 104.

Referring to Figure 3, in a first step 201, a combined tag 100 is allocated to an individual garment, preferably at or around the start of the manufacturing process of the garment. The combined tag 100 is allocated to the garment before or during the sewing process, while at least one seam of the garment remains to be sewn, although it is possible to allocate the tag 100 to the garment at any time before this, such as after the cutting of the fabric for the main garment piece or pieces.

Then, in step 202, the RFID tag portion 102 of the combined tag 100 is sewn into a seam of the garment. Figure 4 shows the resulting configuration, with the combined tag 100 physically attached to the garment 150 by a line of stitches 152 that extends across the RFID tag portion 102, parallel with and alongside the line of perforations 116. The line of stitches 152 does not encroach onto the swing tag portion 104. In this example, the line of stitches 152 extends along a folded hem 154 of the garment 150, so that the RFID tag portion 102 of the tag 100 is enveloped within the hem 154 and the swing tag portion 104 remains visible and accessible beyond the hem 154. In this configuration, the swing tag portion 104 remains temporarily but securely attached to the garment 150 as it progresses through subsequent manufacturing steps.

In step 203 of Figure 3, the swing tag portion 104 of the combined tag 100 is detached from the RFID tag portion 102, by tearing the tag 100 along the line of perforations 116. As shown in Figure 5, after the swing tag portion 104 has been detached, the RFID tag portion 102 remains concealed within the hem 154 and attached to the garment by the stitches 152. In this example, the RFID tag portion 102 is dimensioned so that it is concealed within the hem 154 and therefore not visible in the finished garment 150.

In step 204 of Figure 3, the swing tag portion 104 is attached to the garment 150.

Referring to Figure 6, in this example a plastic joiner 156 is inserted through the hole 130 in the swing tag portion 104, and through the garment 150, to attach the swing tag portion 104 to the garment 150 in a manner known in the art (for example using a tagging or Kimball gun). It will be appreciated that that the swing tag portion 104 can be attached to the garment 150 at any suitable location, and that the swing tag portion 104 need not be positioned in close proximity to the RFID tag portion 102 as shown in Figure 6.

Preferably, the swing tag portion 104 is detached from the RFID tag portion 102 (step 203) and immediately re-attached to the garment (step 204) at the end of the manufacturing process, after the garment has been completed and immediately before the garment is packaged for distribution.

With the method of Figure 3, the swing tag portion 104 remains temporarily but securely attached to the garment throughout the manufacturing process by virtue of its attachment to the sewn-in RFID tag portion 102, minimising the risk of loss of the swing tag portion 104 during manufacturing or mis-labelling of the garment with an incorrect swing tag before packaging.

Once detached from the RFID tag portion 102 and re-attached to the finished garment, the swing tag portion 104 can be used in subsequent steps in the supply chain, in particular in the retail environment, in a similar way to a conventional swing tag, with the textual and machine-readable product information 122, 124 serving to inform the customer and to provide information to an electronic point of sale (ePOS) system.

The RFID tag portion 102 provides an additional identification device for the garment that is substantially less vulnerable to deliberate or accidental removal as a consequence of being incorporated into the garment by stitching.

Thus, for example, the RFID tag portion 102 can be used in a retail environment to verify the product information 122, 124 on the swing tag portion 104. With a suitable RFID reader, the encoded identification information, such as the article number, can be retrieved from the RFID tag portion 102 by the ePOS system and cross-checked with the product information on the swing tag portion 104. If the product information on the swing tag portion 104 is found not to correspond to the identification information from the RFID tag portion 102, the retailer can be alerted to the possibility that the swing tag portion is incorrect (for example due to deliberate tag switching or accidental mis-labelling).

The RFID tag portion 102 can also be used to mitigate difficulties in the event that the swing tag portion 104 is missing from the garment. In such a case, the identification information encoded in the RFID tag portion 102 can be read by the ePOS system so that the garment can be reliably identified and the missing information established.

The combined tag 100 can also be useful in quality control and supply chain monitoring. Because the tag 100 is allocated to the garment and the RFID tag portion 102 is incorporated into the garment before the end of the manufacturing process, the garment can be more reliably linked back to that relatively early stage of manufacturing in the event that quality control issues are identified. Such tracking would not typically be possible with traditional swing tags, which would only be attached to the garment at the end of the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the encoding of identification information into the sewn-in RFID tag portion opens the possibility of non-contact item-level tracking through the supply chain, without the need to open a package to scan or inspect a label.

It will be appreciated that, in this first embodiment of the invention, the product information need not be printed on a label, but could instead be otherwise provided on the swing tag portion of the combined label. In one variant, for example, the information on the swing tag portion is printed directly onto the top layer of the carrier. In another variant, at least the top layer of the carrier is transparent or translucent, and the information is printed onto the top of the base layer of the carrier or the underside of the top layer, or is carried on an intermediate layer sandwiched between the top and base layers of the carrier. Additionally or as an alternative to printing, other techniques such as etching, embossing, engraving, die-cutting and others could be used to present information or provide aesthetic features on the swing tag portion of the combined label.

A second embodiment of a tagging system, again in the form of a combined tag 300, is shown in Figures 7 and 8. This second embodiment is similar to the combined tag 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, and differs only in the construction of the swing tag portion. The RFID portion 102 and carrier 106, and the line of perforations 116 separating the RFID portion 102 from the swing tag portion 104 are substantially identical in both cases.

In this second embodiment, the swing tag portion 304 carries a piggy-back label 311. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 8, the piggy-back label comprises a liner or backing 315 that is affixed to the top layer 108 of the carrier 106 by a first adhesive layer 317. A product information label or swing tag label 318 is affixed to the backing 315 by a second adhesive layer 320. As shown in Figure 7, the swing tag label 318 includes the same kinds of textual information 122 and machine-readable information 124 as the swing tag portion 104 of the combined tag 100 of the first embodiment as described above. Therefore, in this embodiment, the RFID tag portion provides the first identification device and the swing tag label 318 provides the second identification device.

Use of the combined tag 300 of Figures 7 and 8 will now be described with reference to Figure 9.

First, in step 401, the tag 300 is allocated to an individual garment during the manufacturing process. Then, at step 402, the swing tag portion 304 is detached from the RFID tag portion 102 by tearing along the line of perforations 116. Figure 10 shows the separated RFID tag portion 102 and swing tag portion 304 after step 402. At this stage, the swing tag portion 304 comprises a portion 106a of the carrier 106 and the piggy-back label 311 adhered to the carrier portion 106a.

In step 403, the RFID tag portion 102 is stitched into a hem 154 of the garment during manufacturing. In this case, as shown in Figure 11, the RFID tag portion 102 is held in place by a line of stitches 151 that extend laterally with respect to the hem 154. The line of stitches 152 that secures the hem 154 in this case does not extend through the RFID tag portion 102.

In step 404, the piggy-back label 311 is removed from the carrier portion 106a, and the piggy-back label 311 is then adhered to the garment 150. During removal of the piggy-back label 311 from the carrier portion 106a, the first adhesive layer 317 (see Figure 8) remains adhered to the backing 315 and then serves to adhere the piggyback label 311 to the garment 150.

Figure 11 shows the configuration after steps 403 and 404, with the RFID tag portion 102 incorporated into the hem 154 of the garment 150 and secured by the line of stitches 151, and the piggy-back label 311 adhered to the garment 150. In this configuration, both the RFID tag portion 102 and the piggy-back label 311 are securely attached to the garment 150, which then proceeds through the remainder of the manufacturing process. The carrier portion 106a can be discarded.

Preferably, steps 401, 402, 403 and 404 are carried out early in the manufacturing process, and immediately following one another to reduce the risk of any parts of the combined tag 300 becoming separated from the garment 150.

After completion of the garment, in step 405, the swing tag label 318 is removed from the backing 315 and is then adhered to a blank swing tag 340, as shown in Figure 12. Upon removal of the swing tag label 318 from the backing 315, the second adhesive layer 320 (see Figure 8) remains adhered to the swing tag label 317 and then serves to affix the swing tag label 318 to the swing tag 340. The backing 315, which remains adhered to the garment 150 after removal of the swing tag label 318, can then be removed and discarded 315.

In step 406, the swing tag 340, now carrying the swing tag label 318 with the associated product information, is attached to the garment 150, as shown in Figure 13. The swing tag 340 includes a punched hole 330 to accept a plastic joiner 156 or other suitable fastening for this purpose. This step 406 is preferably performed at the end of the manufacturing process, before packaging of the garment, although it could also be performed earlier or later (for example at a retailer).

As will be appreciated by comparing Figures 6 and 13, the method of Figure 9, using the combined tag 300 of Figures 7 and 8, results in substantially the same configuration as the method of Figure 3, using the combined tag 100 of Figures 1 and 2, with the same uses and advantages.

Detaching the swing tag portion 304 from the RFID tag portion 102 before incorporation of the RFID tag portion 102 into the garment 150 allows the RFID tag portion 102 to be incorporated in a position and manner that would not otherwise be possible if the swing tag portion 304 were still attached. In the illustrated example, the RFID tag portion 102 is enclosed within the hem 154 and attached by a line of stitches 151 only at one end, so that the RFID tag portion 102 does not stiffen or otherwise affect the behaviour of the garment material in the region of the hem 154.

It will be appreciated that the RFID tag portion 102 could instead be incorporated in the same way as described with reference to Figure 4, with the line of stitches 152 forming the hem 154 also securing the RFID tag portion 102 to the garment. In this case it would be possible to stitch the RFID tag portion into the garment before detaching the swing tag portion. Similarly, the swing tag label could be removed from the swing tag portion before detaching the swing tag portion from the RFID tag portion, and/or before stitching of the RFID tag portion into the garment.

Several variations and modifications to the above-described embodiments are possible.

For example, the shape and configuration of the RFID antenna may vary from that shown, and in practice the shape and configuration of the antenna can be selected to optimise performance for a given application. Conceivably, the antenna could be integral with the chip, or provided as a filament or thread to be woven or stitched into the article.

The carrier may differ in construction from the illustrated two-layer construction. For example, the RFID chip and antenna may be applied to a surface of a single-layer carrier. In another example, only the RFID tag portion of the carrier includes top and base layers, and the remainder of the carrier, forming the swing tag portion, is of a single layer. Such a construction could arise, for example, by providing the RFID chip and antenna on a sticker that is adhered to one side of a single-layer carrier.

The carrier may be of any suitable sheet material, and may be of solid or woven construction. Optionally, the carrier may be made from biodegradable material, such as cellulose. In some applications it is preferred that the carrier is sufficiently flexible so that, when the RFID tag portion is incorporated into a garment, it can flex and bend along with the material of the garment. When the RFID tag portion is to be attached by sewing, the carrier material may be selected to minimise the risks of needle blunting and damage to the carrier.

In the illustrated examples, the RFID tag portion and the swing tag portion are delineated by a line of perforations extending across the carrier that allows the two portions of the combined tag to be separated easily by tearing. However, the line of perforations could be omitted and the portions separated by cutting, for example. The line of perforations could instead be replaced with an alternative arrangement, such as a tear strip, one or more tear notches, a scored line, or a different area or line of weakness. The RFID tag portion and swing tag portion could conceivably be provided on separate carrier portions that are adhesively or otherwise attached to one another to form the combined tag.

The RFID tag portion of each of the combined tags described above provides a first identification device for the article. Preferably, the first identification device is readable in a non-contact and non-line-of-sight manner. While passive RFID technology provides a reliable and cost-effective system for storing and reading identification information on an item-level basis, any other suitable system could be used. Examples include active or semi-active RFID systems, ultrasound systems, ultra-wideband systems and so on.

Similarly, the swing tag portion of each of the combined tags provides a second identification device for the article. The second identification device is preferably visible to convey information to a customer, and is readily removable from the article after purchase without causing damage to the article. While swing tags are particularly suitable for this purpose for many articles, the second identification device could be in any suitable alternative format, such as an adhesive label, pocket flasher, joker tag, shirt tag or size strip. It is also possible that the second identification device is attachable to or forms part of a packaging of the article (and is therefore indirectly attachable to the article), rather than being attachable directly to the article itself.

While the present invention is particularly suitable for use with garments, it may also be used for tagging of other merchandise such as luggage, fashion accessories, footwear, and so on.

Thus, the RFID tag portion or other first identification device need not be incorporated into a hem of a garment, as illustrated, but it could instead be stitched into another part of an article, such as a pocket, trim, seam or any other suitable part. Conveniently, the RFID tag portion or other first identification device is incorporated into a seam or other line of stitching that is already part of the design of the article, although it would also be possible to include a separate stitching process for the purpose of attaching the first identification device. It is also conceivable that the first identification device could be incorporated into the article otherwise than by stitching, for example by attaching the device to the article by a suitable permanent adhesive. The device may be contained within a pocket defined by stitching, folds or other features, in which case the device itself need not be stitched or otherwise attached to the article. Whilst it may be advantageous in some cases for the first identification device to be incorporated into the article in such a way that the device is concealed from a user, this may not always be necessary.

In some embodiments, the swing tag portion or other second identification device does not include machine-readable information. Instead, the first identification device alone can be used to provide the article number (and other information as desired) to an ePOS system equipped with a suitable reader. Such embodiments may be preferred for example in checkout-free retail environments.

It is also possible for the swing tag portion or other second identification device to include a second electronic tag, such as an RFID chip and antenna, for use with electronic article security (EAS) and/or ePOS systems. The components of the second electronic tag may be sandwiched between the top and base layers of the carrier, or may be provided as an adhesive label affixed to the top layer or base layer of the carrier. The first identification device could also incorporate EAS functionality.

Ideally, the first identification device is incorporated into the article at the earliest possible stage during manufacture to maximise the traceability of the article, although many of the benefits of the invention can still be realised even if the first identification device is incorporated into the article at a later stage during manufacture or even after the article has been finished.

Similarly, the second identification device is preferably detached from the first identification device and re-attached to the article at the end of the manufacturing process, before packaging, to minimise the risk of loss of the second identification device as described above. However, the second identification device could conceivably be detached and re-attached at an earlier point during manufacture, before the article is finished, or at a later point in the supply chain (for example at a distributor or retailer).

Further modifications and variations are also possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tagging system for an article of merchandise, comprising: a first identification device for incorporation into the article during a manufacturing process of the article and comprising an electronic tag encoded with electronic article identification information; and a second identification device for attachment to the article for presenting human and/or machine-readable product information; wherein the first and second identification devices are joined to one another in an initial configuration for allocation to the article, and are subsequently separable for attachment of the second identification device to the article.A tagging system according to Claim 1, comprising a combined tag having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises the first identification device and the second portion comprises the second identification device.
A tagging system according to Claim 2, wherein the second portion of the combined tag is separable from the first portion of the combined tag.
A tagging system according to Claim 3, wherein the first and second portions are separable along a line of weakness.
A tagging system according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the second identification device comprises a swing tag and the second portion of the combined tag comprises a hole for receiving a swing tag fastener for attachment to the article after separation from the first portion of the combined tag.
A tagging system according to any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the second information device comprises a product information label adhered to the second portion of the combined tag, the product information label being 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
-20 -removable from the combined tag for attachment to the article.
7. A tagging system according to Claim 6, wherein the product information label is adhered to a backing and the backing is adhered to the carrier, such that the product information label and the backing are removable together from the carrier for temporary attachment to the article, and so that the product information is subsequently removable from the backing for attachment to a swing tag.
A tagging system according to any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein at least the first portion of the combined tag comprises a carrier having a base layer and a top layer, and wherein the first identification device is disposed between the base layer and the top layer.
A tagging system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first identification device comprises a radio-frequency identification tag.
A tagging system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first identification device is arranged to be sewn into the article.
A tagging system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second identification devices are separable after incorporation of the first identification device into the article.
A tagging system according to any preceding claim, wherein the second identification device is arranged to be detachable from the article.
A method of tagging an article of merchandise, comprising: allocating a first identification device comprising an electronic tag encoded with electronic article identification information and a second identification device for presenting human and/or machine-readable product information to the article; 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.incorporating the first identification device into the article and attaching the second identification device temporarily to the article during a manufacturing process of the article; and subsequently attaching the second identification device to the article for displaying the product information.
A method according to Claim 13, wherein incorporating the first identification device into the article comprises attaching the first identification device to the article by sewing.
A method according to Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein incorporating the first identification device into the article comprises concealing the first identification device within the article.
A method according to any of Claims 13 to 15, wherein the first and second identification devices are joined to one another in an initial configuration and the method comprises separating the first and second identification devices before attaching the second identification device to the article for displaying the product information.
A method according to Claim 16, comprising separating the first and second identification devices after incorporating the first identification device into the article, such that incorporating the first identification device into the article attaches the second identification device temporarily to the article.
A method according to Claim 16, comprising separating the first and second identification devices before incorporating the first identification device into the article.
A method according to Claim 18, comprising adhering the second identification device to the article to attach the second identification device temporarily to the article.
-22 - 20. A method according to any of Claims 13 to 19, wherein attaching the second identification device to the article for displaying the product information comprises attaching a swing tag to the article.
21. A method according to any of Claims 13 to 20, wherein the first identification device comprises a radio-frequency identification tag.