WO2005086085A1

WO2005086085A1 - Label

Info

Publication number: WO2005086085A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000863
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kam Chiu Ho; Hing Mau Lee; Alan Malcolm Gibson; Duncan James Macrae
Original assignee: Qtrac Limited
Priority date: 2004-03-08
Filing date: 2005-03-07
Publication date: 2005-09-15

Abstract

This invention relates to a label (1; 21; 35; 37; 39; 45) for attachment to a body of settable a fluid material (13). The label comprises: a label sheet (3); means for storing data (7); a controller (5) for reading data from the data storage means; and an interface (9) to enable data to be extracted from the label, wherein the data storage means, controller and interface are carried by the label sheet, and the label sheet is configured or is configurable such that one of the label sheet and the body of settable fluid material penetrates the other when the label is attached to the body of settable material whilst the material is in its fluid state, the penetration of the one by the other enhancing the attachment of the label to the body of settable fluid material once the material has set. A tracking system is also disclosed.

Description

LABEL

This invention relates to labels. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to labels for attachment to a body of settable fluid material, such as concrete. Product testing is undertaken in many manufacturing industries. For example, in the construction industry representative samples of^* concrete are routinely tested for compliance with the specifications for that material as determined, for example, by the architect to whose design the building concerned is being built. In the construction industry, it is necessary not only to test the concrete supplied but also to track concrete batches as they move from a production plant to a construction site, and to track samples of those concrete batches as they progress to and through a test laboratory. In the particular example of concrete, testing also continues once the concrete has hardened and has reached a designated age in order to determine the suitability ofthe concrete for the particular role it was designed to fulfil. Concrete is typically produced at a batching plant that may be on- or off-site and then transported to the area in which it is to be used. Whether produced on- or off-site, it is normal practice to take a number of sa-mples of the concrete from each batch that is produced, or from each truckload tb-at is delivered, for testing and monitoring of the quality of the supplied concrete. Typically such samples are taken both at the point of production and the point of use. Although standards differ in different countries, usual practise is to pour a sample ofthe concrete into a receptacle, usually a metal or cardboard mould, in order to obtain a cube or cylinder sample ofthe concrete with a dimension that meets the local regulations, and then to test this sample intermittently for, ter alia, compressive strength. As such tests are normally done to destruction, a number of samples need to be taken and stored for each batch if each batch of concrete is to be tested at different days (and hence at different ages). In large construction projects with many batches of concrete being delivered every day, the need for a number of samples per batch rapidly leads to a considerable number of test samples which require storage prior to, and during testing. To properly tie any given sample to the batch of which it originally formed part, it is necessary to keep records that relate the test samples to particular batches produced or delivered to the site. Identification of different samples has previously been performed b^ simply sticking a written paper label on top ofthe concrete test sample before the test sample has hardened and whilst it is still wet. This label may include information such as the date on which the sample was taken, the grade of concrete, and an identification number, for example. Once any given concrete sample has hardened, the test sample is -removed from the mould and the information is normally transcribed onto the sides o-f the test sample and into various written logbooks. The samples are then stored in a water- curing tank or in a mist room until sufficiently aged for testing after, for example, 7 days, 14 days or 28 days. One of the greatest difficulties with this system is that the information associated with any given sample can easily be lost or changed. For example, labels can easily be damaged, information can be so poorly written on the labels as to be illegible, and information can be poorly transcribed from the labels into the logbooks. A further problem is that information can unintentionally (or intentionally) be attributed to the wrong sample - a problem that can readily occur if two or more labels should become detached from their associated samples at the same time. As will be immediately apparent to those persons skilled in the art, loss of or changes to identifying information recorded on the sample labels not only reflects poorly on the accuracy of the testing process, but may also cause problems with the samples to go undetected - with potentially disastrous results. As an alternative to hand-written labels it has previously been proposed to use more technologically advanced systems which employ labels that may be read electronically into computer databases. International PCT Patent Application No. WO01/31504 discloses a system where so-called RFID (radio frequency identification) tags are attached to concrete samples simply by pressing the 1-abel into the top surface ofthe sample whilst it is still wet. This previously proposed system, whilst providing a marked improvement to the old system of hand- written labels, is problematic as it is still relatively easy for the labels concerned to become detached - for example as the samples are moved around - or indeed for the labels to be removed, and as such it is still relatively easy for unscrupulous parties to swap one label with another. In light ofthe foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to avoid, or at least ameliorate, some or all ofthe problems associated with the prior art. In pursuit of this object, one presently preferred embodiment of the invention provides: a label for attachment to a body of settable fluid material, the label comprising: a label sheet, means for storing data, a controller for reading data from the data storage means, and an interface to enable data to be extracted from the label, wherein the data storage means, controller and interface are carried by the label sheet, and the label sheet is configured or is configurable such that one of the label sheet and the body of settable fluid material penetrates the other when the label is attached to the body of settable material whilst the material is in its fluid state, the penetration of the one by the other enhancing the attachment of the label to the body of settable fluid material once the material has set. In a highly preferred arrangement, the interface comprises an antenna for the wireless transmission and reception of signals to and from a remote transceiver. Preferred features and advantages of this and other embodiments of the invention, are set out in the dependent claims and hereafter in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments ofthe invention. These preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of illustrative example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a label in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a label and a concrete test sample to which it may be attached; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a label attached to the concrete test sample of

Fig. 2 and a writing or reading device; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a product tracking system; Fig. 5a is a plan view of a label in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5b is a plan view of a label in accordance with a modification of the embodiment depicted in Fig. 5 a; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a label in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a label in accordance with a another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 8 is a plan view of a label in accordance with a another embodiment ofthe invention; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a label in accordance with a another embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 is a plan view of a label in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. As mentioned above, this invention relates to a label for attachment to a settable fluid material. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the attachment of a label to a concrete sample whilst the concrete is in its fluid state. It will be appreciated, however, that the scope of the present invention is not limited solely to labels for attachment to concretes, and that the label may be attached to any other type of settable fluid material. Fig. 1 is a plan view of a label 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The label 1 comprises a label sheet 3 that carries a data storage means 5, a controller 7, and an interface 9 (which in this embodiment comprises an antenna £n the form of an electrically conductive coil). In this particular embodiment, the label sheet further comprises an aperture 11 extending through the label sheet to form a hole in the label, and through which concrete can penetrate when the label is affixed thereto. The data storage means 5 may comprise a separate component from the controller 7 (as shown), or more preferably may be integrated with the controller 7. As an alternative to an antenna (which in this preferred embodim-snt is configured as a coil), the interface could comprise a socket into which a data cable may be plugged, or indeed a simple set of electrical contacts that would enable data to be extracted from the label by a reader similar to conventional smartcard readers. However, as the label is intended to be embedded in concrete and is liable to become dirty, an antenna that is operable to communicate wirelessly with a remote transceiver is a much preferred option. For reasons which will later be described it is advantageous for the coil to extend about the entire periphery ofthe label. It will be appreciated, however, that the label could still function adequately if the coil antenna were only to extend through part ofthe label. As depicted in Fig. 2, the label 1 may be attached to a body of settable fluid material 13 in the form of a concrete test sample. As mentioned above, in the construction industry such concrete test samples are typically taken from batches of concrete as they are produced at a production plant or as they are delivered to a building site. The concrete usually needs to be cured and hardened before testing is performed and the label 1 is intended to provide a means for carrying information regarding the test sample, primarily for the identification of that sample (and optionally also for the retention of important data concerning the sample) during the subsequent testing procedure (which may be undertaken over several days). The concrete test sample 13 is typically formed by pouring concrete into a steel or cardboard mould 14, usually in the form of a hollow cube or hollow cylinder. Typical dimensions for such a mould may be a 100 mm cube. Other mould shapes and dimensions such as 150 mm cubes, or 100 mm and 150 mm diameter cylinders (each having a height that is twice their respective diameter), may instead be used in order to meet the particular requirements of the jurisdiction in which the testing is done or the building is being constructed. The label 1 is attached to the sample 13 simply by pressing the label into a surface (usually the uppermost surface) of the wet concrete so that the label lies substantially flush with the remainder of that surface. As the label 1 is pressed down onto the surface, the still-fluid concrete is able to partly encapsulate the periphery ofthe label (as in the prior art) and additionally to penetrate the label sheet by means of the aperture 11. Once the concrete solidifies the penetration of the concrete through the label serves to enhance and strengthen the attachment ofthe label to the concrete sample. The provision of an aperture 11 also allows the label to avoid a bubble effect that can occur with prior art labels whereby "bubbles" trapped beneath the layer tend to push the label away from the concrete and weaken the attachment ofthe label to the concrete. With the label of this embodiment, any bubbles that would otherwise tend to be trapped beneath the label tend to pass through the aperture. As mentioned above, it is preferred for the interface to comprise an antenna, and in this guise the preferred form of label is capable of wirelessly receiving (by means of the antenna) data transmitted to it by a remote transmitter, to write the received data to the data storage device, and to extract and transmit that data as required to a remote receiver An advantage of this arrangement is that as there is no necessity for any form of physical connection with the label (as might be required if the label were to include an interface in the form of data transfer socket or smartcard contacts), there is no danger ofthe physical connection becoming damaged, or indeed filled with concrete. As is depicted schematically in Fig. 3, in the preferred embodiment the data storage means of the label 1 is intended to be written to and be read by a non-contact transceiver device 15 (the like of which is well known in the art) that can wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the label. In the preferred arrangement, the transceiver device and label are arranged to communicate with one another by means of radio frequency transmissions, although it will be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art that frequencies other than radio band frequencies may alternatively be employed. It will also be recognised by those persons skilled in the art that the data storage device need not necessarily be capable of having data written to it, and could instead comprise a read-only device pre-programmed with data, for example an identifier. To facilitate transmission to and from a non-contact device 15, the label may comprise a buffer memory (not shown) in addition to the controller for controlling access to the data in the data storage device or the transmission of data from the data storage device. In the preferred form, the label 1 is a passive device that receives information and transmits only in response to signals from a remote device 15. As will readily be appreciated by those persons skilled in the art, the interface 9 can function not only as a means to conduct signals for transmission or reception, but also as a means for powering the remaining components ofthe label. As mentioned above, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data storage means and the controller are integrated as a unitary device. It will be appreciated, however, that these devices could instead be distinct (as shown for illustration in Fig. 1), and further that additional components may be included. For example, some form of capacitance may be included in the label such that power derived from signals received from the remote device 15 can be stored. Alternatively, as those skilled in the art will be aware, a continued signal may provide sufficient power for operation of the label components as well as for the transmission of information through the interface 9. As such, it is not specifically necessary to include a power source within the label 1. The data storage means can hold a variety of data regarding the sample beyond simply an identification number. For example, the data storage means may also hold data concerning one or more ofthe following: - the date of production ofthe test sample; - time of making ofthe test sample; - concrete workability test result; - mix code of concrete used; - a mould identification number for the mould from which the cube was produced; - time of water added to the cement from which the sample is made; and - delivery note number ofthe delivery from which the sample was made. It will be appreciated that the extent of data recorded is limited only by the data storage capacity of the data storage means. It will also be appreciated that the data to be stored will vary in accordance with the requirements ofthe product tracking system with which the label is intended to be used. In addition to storing data in the label, it is additionally preferred for the label to carry a visual identification number, bar code or similar identifier (for example on the external face ofthe label) - the identifier permitting the identification ofthe label, and hence the sample to which it is attached, should data storage in or retrieval from the label fail for any reason. In such circumstances the remote reader could be provided with a reader (such as a bar code reader) for the visual identifier. As will be appreciated, the provision of an identifier - in the event of the interface being damaged - would still permit the sample to be reconciled with information relating to that sample in an external database of the product tracking system with which the label is used. Such a system is depicted schematically in Fig. 4, and comprises a computing resource 17 which maintains a database 19, and which is arranged to communicate (preferably wirelessly) with the remote device 15. As is known in the art, the system is arranged to store data concerning the samples and testing of the samples, for recall and analysis as required. The database may be used in conjunction with a map of the site that indicates which batches were used where so that problems with the building at particular locations on-site may be reconciled with the particular batch or batches of concrete used at those locations. Of particular concern, when affixing a label to a concrete sample that is intended for destructive or non-destructive testing, is that it is important that the label does not adversely affect the testing process, and the test results. For example, if the presence of the label should increase or decrease a strength test result by more than, for example, 1.5 % then the label itself may be deemed to have an appreciable effect upon the strength of he concrete and hence may be deemed unsuitable. To minimise the impact the label itself may have on sample test results, a relatively thin planar label is preferred. In the preferred arrangement, a substantially square label of perhaps less than 50 mm width may be used. It is also preferred to ensure that the label is relatively thin, for example less than 2 mm thick and more preferably less than 1 mm thick. A highly preferred label is approximately 0.5 mm thick. The material for the label should also be chosen with care. For example, it is preferred that the chosen material does not have a compressive strength that is significantly greater than that of the concrete. The chosen label material should also be capable of resisting alkali attack from the pH of the concrete, for resisting heat generated during the concrete hardening process and be impervious to water and dirt from the sample or from the environment. The label should also be resistant to scratching and any knocks that might occur as the samples are handled or transported. To meet these objectives, a synthetic material such as polyethylene may be used and laminated around the data storage means, controller and interface (and additionally any other components) to encapsulate those components within the material of the label. Lamination is preferred to moulding about the data storage means due to considerations relating to the acceptable dimensions of the label. Moulding is possible but it increases the thickness of the label, which then may affect the compressive strength test result ofthe concrete sample. Referring now to Fig. 5 a, there is shown a label 21 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention (the interface, data storage means and controller having been removed for clarity). In this embodiment, the label 21 is provided with at least one tab portion 23 that is separated from the remainder ofthe label sheet 3 by cut lines 25, and attached thereto by a fold line 27 (which may be perforated or scored to aid folding ofthe tab). The tab portion 23 may be folded out of the plane of the label sheet such that the tab projects from the plane of the label sheet 3 and penetrates the concrete sample when the label is affixed to a sample. In a highly preferred arrangement, folding the tab out of the plane of the label opens an aperture in the label sheet (beneath the tab, and bounded by cut lines 25 and fold line 27) which is apt to be penetrated by concrete. This arrangement is advantageous in that not only does the concrete penetrate the label through the aperture, but also the label penetrates the concrete by means ofthe tab.. In a modification of this embodiment depicted in Fig. 5b, the cut lines 25 may be formed in an "H" shape to provide two tab portions 23 separated from the label sheet by the cut lines 25 and connected thereto by respective fold lines 27, which again may be perforated or scored. In this arrangement, one or both tab portions 23 may be folded out of the plane of the label sheet 3 to penetrate the concrete sample when the label is attached thereto. As with the arrangement depicted in Fig. 5a, in the preferred arrangement folding one or both of the tabs out of the plane opens an aperture in the label sheet (beneath the one or both tabs, and bounded by cut lines 25 and fold lines 27) which is apt to be penetrated by concrete when the label is attached to a concrete sample. Fig. 7 depicts a label 29 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention (components other than the label sheet having again been omitted for clarity) where tabs may be folded out of the plane of the label sheet to penetrate the concrete sample when the label is attached thereto. As shown, the label 29 includes fold lines 31 (which again may be perforated or scored to aid folding) which define, in this preferred arrangement, four peripheral triangular tab portions 33 - one at each corner ofthe label sheet 3. As with previous embodiments, the tab portions 33 can be folded out of the plane of the label sheet 3 to penetrate the concrete sample when the label is affixed thereto. The difference between this embodiment, and that depicted in Figs. 5a and 5b is, of course, that folding the tab portions 33 out of the plane of the label sheet 3 does not reveal an aperture in the label sheet which may be penetrated by concrete. As a modification of this embodiment, the label sheet may be provided with fold lines to define less than four tab portions, for example two tab portions at diagonally opposite corners ofthe label. A label 35 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is depicted schematically in Fig. 6 (again with components other than the label sheet omitted for clarity). The label 35 of this embodiment is essentially a combination of the labels of depicted in Figs. 5b and 6 (although the arrangement of Fig. 5a could be substituted for that of Fig. 5b if desired). In this embodiment the label comprises fold lines 31 (which can be perforated or scored) which define four peripheral triangular tab portions 33, and "H"-shaped cut lines 25 which separate two internal tab portions 23 from the remainder ofthe sheet (the tab portions 23 being connected to the sheet by respective fold lines 27 (which again may be scored or perforated). One or more of the peripheral triangular tab portions 33 and one or both ofthe internal tab portions 23 can be folded out of the plane of the label to penetrate the concrete sample when the label is attached thereto. As before, folding one or both ofthe internal tab portions 23 out of the plane of the label reveals an aperture in the label that the concrete can penetrate when the label is attached to the sample. Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a label 37 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention (again with components other than the label sheet removed for clarity). In this embodiment, the aperture 11 ofthe embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 has been replaced by a plurality of slots 39 which each extend all ofthe way through the label sheet 3, and into which the concrete can penetrate when the label is attached to the concrete sample. The provision of a plurality of slots tends to provide a greater edge surface area on the internal openings of the slot to which the concrete can adhere, than the edge surface area provided by a single opening (of the type depicted in Fig. 1). The arrangement depicted in Fig. 8 may also include fold lines 31 of the type depicted in Fig. 7 (to define one or more peripheral triangular portions) to yet further enhance the attachment ofthe label to the sample. Fig. 9 depicts a label 39 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention (again with components other than the label sheet removed for clarity). This embodiment is in many ways similar to that shown in Figs. 5a and 5b with a foldable tab portion 23, or in this case two such foldable tab portions 23, that can be folded out of the plane of the label sheet 3 to penetrate the concrete sample when the label is attached thereto. The difference between this embodiment, and those depicted in Figs. 5a and 5b is that the cut lines 25 have been expanded to form channels 41 extending transversely (i.e. into the plane of the paper) through the label sheet. The channels provide access to exposed edges 43 ofthe label sheet 3 and the tab portions 23, to enable these edges to sealed with a suitable waterproof sealant, such as epoxy (or similar) or by other means such as heat sealing, or ultrasonic welding. Sealing these edges helps to inhibit water ingress into the label, and hence helps protect the components provided therein. As before, the label 39 depicted in Fig. 9 may include fold lines such as those depicted in Fig. 7 to define one or more peripheral triangular tabs which can be folded out of the plane of the label to penetrate the concrete sample when the label is attached thereto. Fig. 10 depicts another embodiment of a label 45 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The label 45 of Fig. 10 is similar to that depicted in Fig. 9 in tabs foldable out of the plane of the label sheet 3 are bounded by channels 41. However, the shape of the tabs 47 is different in this embodiment. As shown the tabs 47 of this embodiment are trapeziums (i.e. quadrilaterals with two sides parallel), and the advantage of this arrangement is that the trapeziums are akin to barbs, and as such further resist removal of the tabs from the concrete as compared - for example - with a tab such as those depicted in Figs. 5a or 5b. Referring now to Figs. 5a, 5b, 6, 9 and 10, the tabs 23, 47 - particularly when used with a label that includes an electrically conducting ring as the interface - advantageously act as a means to deter persons from attempting to tamper with the label when it is attached to a set concrete sample. The reason for this is that whilst it might be possible to free a portion of the outer peripheral edge of the label sheet, further attempts to remove the label from the sample will tend to cause the label to tear (by virtue ofthe fact that the tabs penetrate and are secured within the body ofthe concrete), and if the attempted tampering continues the label will in fact tear through the electrically conducting ring (which is the preferred form of an antenna and interface) to thereby make it impossible to communicate wirelessly with the label, or indeed to access any data stored in the label. In light of the foregoing it can be seen that the various embodiments of label described herein do in fact provide an effective means to avoid or at least ameliorate some or all ofthe problems associated with the prior art. It should be noted, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein have been described merely by way of example, and that modifications and alterations to the embodiments disclosed may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention claimed. For example, whilst some ofthe embodiments disclose tab portions which can be folded out ofthe plane of the label, it will be appreciated that the labels could be pre-formed with tab portions that extend out of the plane of the label - thereby obviating the need to fold the tabs out of the plane of the label. A final point of note is that whilst the accompanying claims include particular combinations of features, the scope ofthe present invention is not limited solely to the particular combinations explicitly enumerated in the accompanying claims. Rather, the scope of the present invention extends to encompass any combination of features herein described irrespective of whether that combination has been explicitly enumerated in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A label for attachment to a body of settable fluid material, the label comprising: a label sheet; means for storing data; a controller for reading data from the data storage means; and an interface to enable data to be extracted from the label, wherein the data storage means, controller and interface are carried by the label sheet, and the label sheet is configured or is configurable such that one of the label sheet and the body of settable fluid material penetrates the other when the label is attached to the body of settable material whilst the material is in its fluid state, the penetration of the one by the other enhancing the attachment of the label to the body of settable fluid material once the material has set.

2. A label according to Claim 1, the wherein a portion of the label is configured or is configurable to penetrate the body of settable material when the label is attached thereto.

3. A label according to Claim 2, wherein said portion comprises a tab.

4. A label according to Claim 3, wherein said tab is foldable from a position where the tab lies in the plane of the label sheet to a position where the tab projects from the label sheet, the projecting tab being capable of penetrating the body of settable fluid on attachment ofthe label thereto.

5. A label according to Claim 4, wherein said tab is foldable about a fold line to project from the label sheet.

6. A label according to Claim 5, wherein the fold line is perforated, scored or otherwise marked to facilitate folding ofthe tab.

7. A label according to any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the tab comprises a peripheral corner portion ofthe label sheet.

8. A label according to any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the tab is located within the periphery of the label sheet, the tab being separated from the remainder of the label along a cut line, and being connected thereto by a fold line.

9. A label according to Claim 8, wherein folding ofthe tab out ofthe plane ofthe label sheet forms an aperture through the label sheet which is penetrated by the body of settable fluid material when the label is attached thereto.

10. A label according to Claims 8 or 9, wherein said tab is generally square or rectangular.

11. A label according to Claims 8 or 9, wherein said tab comprises a parallelogram having only two parallel sides, joined to the remainder ofthe label sheet by the shorter of said two parallel sides.

12. A label according to any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein said tab forms part of a line of weakness in the label sheet, the sheet being arranged to fracture along the line of weakness on attempted removal ofthe label from the material once set.

13. A label according to any of Claims 3 to 12 comprising a plurality of tabs.

14. A label according to any preceding claim, wherein the label is configured such that said body of settable fluid material penetrates the label sheet when the label is attached thereto.

15. A label according to Claim 14, wherein the label includes an aperture through the label sheet, the aperture permitting said body of settable fluid material to penetrate the label sheet when the label is attached thereto.

16. A label according to Claim 15, wherein said aperture is revealed by folding a tab portion ofthe label sheet from a position where it lies in the plane ofthe sheet to a position where it projects from the sheet.

17. A label according to Claim 16, wherein the projecting tab is arranged to penetrate the body of settable fluid material on attachment ofthe label thereto.

18. A label according to any preceding claim, wherein the interface comprises an antenna to enable wireless communication between the label and a remote transceiver.

19. A label according to Claim 18, wherein the antenna comprises an electrically conducting ring.

20. A label according to Claim 19 when dependent on Claim 12, wherein fracture ofthe sheet causes the conducting ring to fracture to render the label unusable.

21. A label according to any preceding claim, wherein said body of settable fluid material comprises a test sample of concrete.

22. A label according to any preceding claim, wherein said label sheet is substantially planar, and has a thickness of less than 2 mm, preferably less 1 mm.

23. A label according to any preceding claim, wherein said data storage means, said controller and said interface and laminated within said label sheet.

24. A label according to any preceding claim, wherein label sheet is of a material having a compressive strength substantially less than the compressive strength of concrete.

25. A label according to Claim 24, wherein said label sheet is of polyethylene.

26. A tracking system comprising a label according to any preceding claim, a data reader configured to read data from said label, and a computing resource operating a database, wherein the computing resource is configured to store data retrieved from said data reader in said database.

27. A label for attachment to a concrete test sample whilst the concrete is in its fluid state, the label comprising: a ring of electrically conductive material forming an antenna for the wireless transmission and reception of signals to and from a remote transceiver, a controller coupled to the ring antenna, and a data storage device coupled to the controller, wherein the controller, ring antenna and data storage device are carried by a planar label sheet, and the label sheet comprises a tab foldable out of the plane of the sheet to project therefrom and to reveal an aperture through the label sheet, the arrangement being such that the projecting tab penetrates the concrete test sample and the concrete test sample penetrates the aperture in the label sheet on attachment ofthe label to said sample.

28. A label substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.