Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-01-23
Hofsass, Jeffery A. (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S572100, C340S572800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177871
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a method for producing packages with integral security tags of the RF-EAS type. More particularly, the invention relates to such a method whereby the security tags are applied to a web of packaging material that is converted into packaging blanks (e.g., trays, lids, cartons, containers or the like) on a printing press in a single pass operation, at substantially the same time that sales graphics are printed on the blanks. In addition, the present invention includes a procedure for precisely tuning the resonance frequency of the tags by adjusting print register for optimum performance in the field.
RF-EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) tags are passive circuits with a resonance frequency tuned to the frequency of tag detectors located at the entrances and exits of retail establishments. When an active tag passes through a detector, an alarm sounds, alerting store employees to the potential theft of the tagged merchandise. State of the art RF-EAS tags are generally produced by a number of steps which include stamping, masking, photochemical treatments, chemical etching and printing. However, the tags currently available are too expensive to be economically used on items retailing for about $5.00 or less. The use of currently available tags entails not only the cost of the tag itself, but the cost of application of the tag to the product or its package, either on a packaging line, in a warehouse, or in the retailer's stockroom. Examples of such prior art tags are disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,583,099; 4,835,524; 5,442,334; and, 5,574,431. As disclosed in these patents, such tags are generally prepared by applying patterned paths of conductive material on both face surfaces of a substrate, e.g., an inductor element (L) and capacitor element (C) on opposite sides of a suitable dielectric substrate.
It has also been suggested, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,110, to form such tags on one side of a substrate utilizing a combination laminating printing procedure. However, these devices have been found to be inadequate in use because they do not resonate sharply enough to be detected by conventional and widely distributed detectors. Moreover, no means is provided for controlling the resonance frequency of such tags. Thus there remains a need in the art to provide a reliable and tunable security tag at reduced costs. The present invention fulfills that need by providing an RF-EAS tag that can be applied directly to the package component during the manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate application, and which can be precisely tuned for controlling the resonance frequency.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the production of RF-EAS security tags. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for applying such tags directly to the packaging material used to make packages for products to be protected by the tags.
A preferred embodiment of the invention combines a die-stamped metal foil or hot-stamped metallized film inductor which includes a lower capacitor plate applied to one surface of a paperboard substrate. A dielectric layer and upper capacitor plate are printed over the inductor component. The process of applying the inductor and printing the dielectric layer and upper capacitor plate is carried out at high speed, preferably on a web of paperboard at substantially the same time that sales graphics are printed on the paperboard to identify the product to be packaged. The tag may be located on the exterior surface of the paperboard or on the interior surface of the paperboard. By integrating the tag with the package economies of application are achieved since the cost of a separate tag application step is eliminated.
Another unique feature of the present invention is the circuit tuning made possible by the design of the top capacitor plate and its application method. Since this step is preferably carried out on a printing press, changing the print register during printing of the top capacitor plate permits changes in the capacitance of the circuit to adjust and fine tune its frequency for the various detectors involved.
The present invention can be implemented in the production of RF-EAS security tagged packages in a wide variety of forms (e.g. on packaging such as trays, lids, cartons, containers or the like) for a wide variety of goods. Meanwhile, the frequency tuning approach described herein can also be used in the production of individual RF-EAS security tags, e.g., tags which are subsequently attached to products or packaging via adhesive labels or the like.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3913219 (1975-10-01), Lichtblau
patent: 3921167 (1975-11-01), Fox
patent: 4583099 (1986-04-01), Reilly et al.
patent: 4835524 (1989-05-01), Lamond et al.
patent: 4985288 (1991-01-01), Matsumoto et al.
patent: 5182544 (1993-01-01), Aquilera et al.
patent: 5442334 (1995-08-01), Gallo et al.
patent: 5574431 (1996-11-01), McKeown
patent: 5645932 (1997-07-01), Uchibori
patent: 5754110 (1998-05-01), Appalucci et al.
patent: 5781110 (1998-07-01), Habeger, Jr. et al.
Baxam Deanna L.
Hofsass Jeffery A.
Schmalz Richard L.
Trieu Van T.
Westvaco Corporation
LandOfFree
RF-EAS tag with resonance frequency tuning does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with RF-EAS tag with resonance frequency tuning, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and RF-EAS tag with resonance frequency tuning will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2493464