Metal packaging with integrated RFID inlay

Abstract

Described herein are two-part RFID antennas, metal packages including the same as part of an integrated RFID inlay, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the two-part antenna includes a feeding element and a radiating element. In some embodiments, the feeding element is an antenna that transmits and / or receives radio signals from an RFID reader / scanner. In some embodiments, the second element is a radiating element that radiates radio signals received by or transmitted from the antenna. In some embodiments, the radiating element is a metal package. Prototypes described herein show good sensitivity and operating range.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 267,744, filed February 9, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0002] Described herein is an RFID inlay that is incorporated into a metal package, bag, or pouch. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventional RFID tags perform poorly or not at all when placed on or near metal surfaces because metal is an excellent reflector, and metal surfaces reflect the radio waves generated by an RFID reader, causing interference that makes it difficult or impossible for the tag to send or receive radio signals to or from the reader.

[0004] Attempts to overcome such interference have been described. One solution is to incorporate a spacer layer, e.g., a foam layer, to separate the antenna and the metal surface. However, these configurations are thicker than conventional RFID tags, which may not be suitable for certain applications and / or may adversely affect the aesthetics / size of the tag. Also, the additional material may increase manufacturing complexity and cost.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an RFID inlay / tag or an improved RFID inlay / tag that can be used with metal packaging.

[0006] There is also a need for RFID inlays / tags or improved RFID inlays / tags that can be used with metal packaging that can be used in a variety of applications and / or in different markets / segments.

[0007] Additionally, a need exists for an RFID inlay / tag or an improved RFID inlay / tag that can be used with metal packaging, where the inlay / tag maintains the dimensions (eg, thickness, etc.) of conventional RFID inlays / tags.

[0008] There is also a need for an RFID inlay / tag or an improved RFID inlay / tag that can be used with metal packaging, where the inlay / tag maintains dimensions (e.g., thickness, etc.) and / or does not adversely affect aesthetics. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Described herein are two-part RFID antennas, metal packages that include the same as part of an integrated RFID inlay, and methods of making and using the same.

[0010] In some embodiments, the two-part antenna includes a feeding element and a radiating element. In some embodiments, the feeding element is an antenna that transmits and / or receives radio signals from an RFID reader / scanner. In some embodiments, the antenna is a slot antenna.

[0011] The dimensions of the slot antenna can vary depending on the desired characteristics, application, etc. The antenna can be formed of any material known in the art to be suitable for RFID antennas, including, but not limited to, metal, metal foil, conductive ink, etc. In some embodiments, the antenna is formed using a metal foil such as aluminum. Other antenna types may be used depending on the application and other parameters.

[0012] In some embodiments, the second element is a radiating element that radiates a radio signal to be received by or transmitted from the antenna, hi some embodiments, the radiating element is a metal package such as a pouch, bag, envelope, box, carton, etc.

[0013] The prototypes described herein exhibit excellent sensitivity and working distance making them well suited for inventory control, track and trace, and consumer / customer engagement.

[0014] In some embodiments, the RFID inlay is a combination of a delivery element and a radiating element, forming a delivery element such as a slot antenna in a metal package. The label can be uniquely designed in that it is integrated as part of the product, making the tag less obtrusive, easier to use, and reducing costs by requiring fewer resources and materials to manufacture. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary metal package having an integrated RFID inlay with a slot antenna located near the edge of the metal package. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary metal package in which a slot antenna is completely surrounded by metal material. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary metal package with an H-shaped slot antenna. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary metal package with an L-shaped slot antenna. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] I. Definition "Integrated" as used herein means that the metal package and the antenna together form the RFID inlay. The antenna is the "source element" that transmits signals to or receives signals from an RFID reader or scanner. The metal package is the "radiating element" that radiates signals to or from the antenna.

[0017] II. Metal Package with Integrated RFID Inlay Described herein are two-part RFID antennas, metal packages that include the same as part of an integrated RFID inlay, and methods of making and using the same.

[0018] A. Supply factors In some embodiments, the antenna is a two-part antenna, one part being a supply element that transmits or receives radio signals from the RFID reader / scanner, and the other part being a radiating element that radiates radio signals to or from the supply element.

[0019] In some embodiments, the antenna is as described above and the feed element is an antenna. In some embodiments, the antenna can be any antenna type or structure known in the art. In some embodiments, the antenna is a slot antenna. A slot antenna generally comprises a metal surface, usually a flat plate or other flat or semi-flat surface, with one or more holes or slots cut into it. When the plate or surface is driven as an antenna by an applied radio frequency current, the slot radiates electromagnetic waves, similar to a dipole antenna. The shape and size of the slot, as well as the driving frequency, determine the radiation pattern. Slot antennas are generally used at UHF and microwave frequencies where the wavelength is small enough that the plate / surface and the slot are conveniently small. At those frequencies, the radio waves are conducted by a waveguide and the antenna includes a slot in the waveguide. This is called a slotted waveguide antenna. The antenna can include multiple slots to function as a directional array antenna and can radiate a narrow sector-shaped radio wave beam. The main advantages of slot antennas are their size, simplicity of design, and easy adaptation to mass production techniques.

[0020] The dimensions of the slot antenna can vary depending on the desired characteristics, application, etc. In some embodiments, the slot antenna may be a straight slot. In some embodiments, the slot may be formed in a "T" shape (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the slot may be formed in an "H" shape (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the slot antenna may be formed in an "L" shape (FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the slot antenna may be located near an edge of the metal package (FIG. 1). In some embodiments, the slot may be open to the edge. In some embodiments, the slot antenna may be completely surrounded by the metal material of the metal package (FIG. 2). In some embodiments, the slot antenna may be located far away from any edge of the metal package. In some embodiments, the slot of the slot antenna is covered with a dielectric material to prevent any loss of the contents of the metal package.

[0021] In some embodiments, an electrical equivalent of a slot antenna is used. A slot antenna electrically looks like an inductor that tunes the electrical impedance of the chip to the metal package. The electrical equivalent can be a small inductor or other structure that functions in an equivalent manner.

[0022] The antenna may be formed of any material known in the art to be suitable for RFID antennas, including, but not limited to, metal, metal foil, conductive ink / resin, etc. In some embodiments, the antenna is formed using a metal foil such as aluminum. Other antenna types may be used depending on the application and other parameters.

[0023] B. Radiation elements In some embodiments, the antenna includes a feeding element and a radiating element as described above. In some embodiments, the radiating element is a metal package. Non-limiting examples of metal packages include pouches, bags, envelopes, boxes, cartons, etc. The dimensions of the radiating element (e.g., package) can vary depending on the application and / or other parameters. In some embodiments, the radiating element is a metal package in the form of a metal pouch of any size.

[0024] III. Performance Proximity sensitivity is a concern for RFID inlays on products that are transported, stored and / or displayed in close proximity to one another, which can be further exacerbated in the case of metal packaging as described herein, as the metal material / surface can reflect the radio waves sent to read the RFID tag, reducing readability and accuracy.

[0025] Proximity testing is described in the Examples below. The prototype packages described herein all show good sensitivity.

[0026] Theoretical forward read distances for metal packages with integrated RFID inlays as described herein were also evaluated. Read distances at common frequencies in the UHF range, suitable for inventory control, track and trace, and consumer / customer engagement, range from 30 cm up to over 10 m.

[0027] IV.Applications The packages with integrated RFID inlay described herein can be used in a variety of applications. In some embodiments, the packages with integrated RFID inlay are used to package food or food products, including, but not limited to, ready-to-eat foods, prepared foods, and foods that require heating or cooking. By incorporating an RFID inlay within the package, manufacturers, retailers, and / or consumers can obtain information about the product inside. For example, manufacturers and retailers can scan the RFID tag for inventory control, track and trace, shelf life / exposure conditions, etc. Consumers can scan the RFID tag to learn more about the food or food product, such as cooking instructions, nutritional information, provenance information, complementary products, coupons, etc.

[0028] V. Manufacturing method The metal packages with integrated RFID inlays described herein can be manufactured using techniques known in the art or variations thereof. In some embodiments, the feed elements, e.g., slot antennas, can be manufactured using techniques known in the art, including, but not limited to, die cutting, laser cutting, etching, or combinations thereof.

[0029] The integrated circuit, or IC or chip, can be attached directly to the antenna or can be attached using a strap attachment process, all of which are known in the industry. Standard elements of a strap include an RFID chip and conductive leads. The conductive leads form a contact area for contacting the RFID chip and an electrical "bridge" to the antenna. The strap may further include a substrate for supporting the RFID chip and conductive leads. The IC may be coupled to the antenna via a conductive connection, an electric field connection, a magnetic field connection, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. 1. A two-part RFID inlay comprising: a. a supply element; b. a radiating element; An RFID inlay wherein the radiating element is a metal package or container.

2. The inlay of claim 1 , wherein the feeding element is a slot antenna.

3. The inlay of claim 1 , wherein the metal package or container is a pouch.

4. The inlay of claim 1 , wherein the metal package or container is a bag.

5. The inlay of claim 1 , wherein the metal package or container is an envelope.

6. A metal package comprising an integral inlay according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for manufacturing an integrated inlay according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a strap attachment step.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the strap includes an RFID chip connected to two or more conductors that are coupleable to an antenna.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the coupling comprises an electrically conductive connection, an electric field connection, a magnetic field connection, or a combination thereof.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the inlay is a wet (adhesive) inlay.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the inlay is a dry (web) inlay.

12. The two-part RFID inlay of claim 1 , wherein the delivery element comprises an integrated circuit (IC) or chip.

13. The inlay of claim 1 , wherein the feeding element comprises an element electrically equivalent to a slot antenna.

14. 14. An inlay as described in claim 1 or claim 13, wherein the slot antenna or electrically equivalent element is located at any position on the metal package, where the slot antenna or equivalent element is completely surrounded by a metal surface of the metal package.

15. 15. A method of manufacturing an inlay according to claim 14, comprising the step of directly or indirectly contacting an RFID chip with an electrical element electrically coupled to said slot antenna or an electrically equivalent element.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the inlay is a label.

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