RF tag application system
US6280544A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/171
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system includes a method and apparatus for printing labels and applying electronic tags, e.g. RF tags, to the labels, and also includes the resulting labels. The apparatus comprises a label media supply station that receives a strip of label media. The back face of the media may have adhesive thereon, which may be protected by a liner. The media is conveyed to a print station for printing on the front face of the media. A strip of RF tags is conveyed from a tag supply station to a tag application station downstream of the print station. At the tag application station, an electronic tag is applied to the back face of a label that has been printed at the print station. Preferably, a tag strip bar defines the location at which a tag is brought into contact with the back face. The bar is configured to provide a sharp turn in a pathway for a liner portion of the strip of tags. This separates the liner from the tag as the tag is applied to the label. The printing and tag application portions of the apparatus may be provided in a single unit or separately, for example as a preexisting printer and an attachment therefor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.