The textile label 1 shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b essentially consists of a printable textile base layer 2, two adhesive layers 3, 4 and a transponder arrangement with a chip 5 and an antenna 6. The antenna 6 and the chip 5 are bonded to the textile base layer 2 by means of the first adhesive layer 3 that preferably consists of polyester adhesive. Instead of a direct-contacted chip 5, it would also be possible to utilize a chip module that is connected to the antenna 6 by metallic bonding. The polyester adhesive provides the advantages of an adequate water resistance as well as an adequate resistance to suds and chemical cleaning agents, a very low sensitivity to fracturing, a high heat resistance and therefore outstanding sealing properties, namely also under adverse ambient conditions. In addition, the material properties of the flexible polyester adhesive advantageously contribute to the flexibility of the adhesive layer 3. Due to the etching resistance of the polyester adhesive, a metal foil (preferably of copper or a suitable copper alloy) can be initially bonded to the base layer 2 in the production of the textile label 1, and the antenna 6 can be subsequently produced by means of etching. This eliminates the problem of having to attach sensitive antenna structures by means of bonding. The (polyester) adhesive layer 3 remains largely unchanged during the etching of the antenna and, in particular, maintains its sealing effect. The second adhesive layer 4 that preferably extends over the entire transponder arrangement advantageously consists of hot-melt adhesive that also has adequate sealing properties under adverse ambient conditions. The hot-melt adhesive also provides the advantage that textile labels according to the invention that are produced in the form of a coherent web can be wound up without liner. The melting point of the hot-melt adhesive can be adjusted in accordance with the respective requirements, wherein this adhesive also has a superior adhesion on textiles. The textile label 1 can be bonded (ironed) to a garment by means of the second adhesive layer 4. The transponder arrangement is then embedded between the two textile layers safely and in a tightly sealed fashion by means of the adhesive layers 3, 4.
The textile label shown in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b is realized similarly. However, in addition to the textile base layer 2, the two adhesive layers 3, 4 and the transponder arrangement with a chip 5 and an antenna 6, this textile label also features an upper label 7 with regions 8 that protrude over the base layer 2 (and are indicated with broken lines in FIG. 2a), wherein the second adhesive layer 4 extends into these regions. Furthermore, another adhesive layer 9 that preferably consists of hot-melt adhesive analogous to the second adhesive layer 4 is arranged on the side of the base layer 2 that faces away from the chip 5 and the antenna 6. A thusly designed label is practical in instances in which the material, to which the textile label should be bonded, is less suitable for protecting the transponder arrangement in the form of a second textile layer. Alphanumeric or graphic symbols may be printed on, embroidered or woven into the upper label 7.
In another practical embodiment, the regions 8 extending beyond the base layer 2 are free of adhesive and the base layer 2 features no additional adhesive layer 9; in such a design, the textile label can be sewn to the garment or another textile in the regions 8 that protrude over the base layer 2. If a region 8a protruding over the base layer 2 is realized particularly long, the textile label can be sewn to a garment or another textile, for example, the liner 10, in a “pocket-like” fashion as shown in FIG. 5 (with the same reference symbols for the elements as in FIG. 2b). The excessively long region 8 protruding over the base layer 2 is looped around the remainder of the label in this case. The attachment is realized with a single continuous seam 11.
The textile label shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b also features the textile base layer 2, the adhesive layers 3, 4, the transponder arrangement with a chip 5 and an antenna 6 and the upper label 7 with the regions 8, 8a that are free of adhesive and protrude over the base layer 2. The longer region 8a that preferably extends over at least one-third, particularly over at least half the overall length of the base layer 2, can be separated from the remainder of the textile label 1 with the aid of a perforation 13. Separating aids other than a perforation 13 may also be utilized, for example, an incision or even a cutting line that is merely printed on. The separable region 8a provided with (not-shown) alphanumeric or graphic symbols may serve, for example, as a stub. If the sewing is configured accordingly, a perforation 13 of textile labels 1 according to the invention may also serve for separating the label portion that contains the transponder arrangement.
FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention that is designed similar to that shown in FIGS. 3a/3b. FIG. 4, in particular, shows how a garment can be labeled in a particularly advantageous fashion in accordance with the invention. Corresponding elements are once again identified by the same reference symbols. The embodiment shown features only one region 8a that protrudes over the base layer 2. This region is sewn to the lining 10 of a garment by means of a continuous seam 11 in such a way that the portion of the textile label containing the chip 5 and the antenna 6 is situated between the lining 10 and the outer fabric 12. At this location, it is barely noticeable because it is not only arranged invisibly, but also can only be felt if it is deliberately attempted to locate the textile label due to the flexibility and small thickness thereof. The majority of the separable region 8a provided with (not-shown) alphanumeric or graphic symbols protrudes from the lining in order to visually label the garment. If the perforation 13 or another suitable separating aid is configured accordingly, the majority of the region 8a protruding from the lining can be separated, for example, in order to serve as a stub or to increase the wearing comfort of a garment that is worn directly on the skin.
Patent Application
20080020189
