Method and device for producing RFID smart labels or smart label inlays

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and a system for production of RFID smart labels or smart label inlays, in which a multiplicity or RFID straps (11) are connected in succession with a multiplicity of antennae (20), where in a first step the RFID straps (11) to be arranged on a strap substrate band (5a) are separated (8, 9) and mounted on a substrate band (1, 1a, 1b, 1c; 10, 10a-c) for the smart labels or smart label inlays to be produced, and in a subsequent second step the antennae (20) are mounted on the substrate band (1, 1a, 1b, 1c; 10, 10a-c) and on first connection surfaces (26) of the RFID straps (11) such that the connection surfaces (26) of each RFID strap (11) electrically contact second connection surfaces of the antennae (20) allocated to the RFID strap (11) or the first connection surfaces (26) are positioned for electrical contact and fixed on the second connection surfaces.

Description

The advantages and applications of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings. These show:

FIG. 1: in a first diagrammatic view the basic principle of parallelising according to the method of the invention;

FIG. 2: in a diagrammatic view a production system for performance of the method according to the invention in a principle structure;

FIG. 3: in a diagrammatic side view the structure of a possible RFID strap for use in the method according to the invention;

FIG. 4: in a diagrammatic side view the structure of a system for performance of the method of the invention according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5: in a diagrammatic side view a further structure of a RFID strap for its use in a system as shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6: in a diagrammatic side view a structure of a further system for performance of the method of the invention according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 7: in a diagrammatic side view the structure of a further system for performance of the method of the invention according to a third embodiment.

Claims

1. Method for production of RFID smart labels or smart label inlays in which a multiplicity of RFID straps are joined together in succession with a multiplicity of antennae, characterised in that in a first step the RFID straps arranged on a strap substrate band are separated and mounted on a substrate band for the smart labels or smart labels inlays to be produced, and in a subsequent second step the antennae are mounted on the substrate band and on first connection surfaces of the RFID straps such that the connection surfaces of each RFID strap electrically contact second connection surfaces of the antennae allocated to the RFID strap or the first connection surfaces are positioned and fixed on the second connection surfaces for electrical contacting.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the antennae are produced at the same time as the separation and assembly of the RFID strap on the substrate band by arrangement on an antenna band which is then supplied to the substrate band.

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the antennae before separation and assembly of the RFID strap on the substrate band are produced by arrangement on an antenna band and the antenna band is then supplied to the substrate band.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the RFID straps are mounted on the substrate band with a pre-determined spacing to each other.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterised in that the pre-determined spacing is synchronised with the proposed spacing of the antennae to be applied later.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the spacings are synchronised by means of comparison of optical recording data of the RFID strap positions on the substrate band and data of the proposed position of the antennae on the substrate band.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the substrate band as an auxiliary carrier substrate band, after assembly of the RFID straps to the antennae, is removed from the resulting smart labels or smart label inlays.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the smart labels or smart label inlays produced are self-adhesive and are punched out and can be removed from the substrate band.

9. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that on a top side of the RFID strap before assembly, an adhesive layer is applied which serves for fixing the antennae to be mounted subsequently.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that on an underside of the RFID strap before assembly, an adhesive layer is applied for fixing the RFID strap to the substrate band.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that on the substrate band before assembly of the RFID strap, an adhesive layer is applied at least at points for fixing the RFID strap.

12. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the substrate band is self-adhesive.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterised in that the antennae are laminated to the self-adhesive substrate band under pressure without heat effect.

14. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the substrate band is advanced continuously while the method is being carried out.

15. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the substrate band and/or the strap substrate band and/or the antenna band is/are advanced discontinuously, preferably in cycles, as the process is being carried out.

16. System for production of the RFID smart labels or smart label inlays by successive connection of a multiplicity of RFID straps with a multiplicity of antennae, characterised in that, viewed in the running direction of a substrate band, first a device is arranged for application of the RFID straps, and then a device is arranged for supply and application of the antennae to the substrate band.

17. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the strap substrate band is advanced continuously while the method is being carried out.

18. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the antenna band is advanced continuously while the method is being carried out.