Shrink film with RFID

Abstract

A shrink film 100 is shown and described herein. The shrink film comprises a RFID tag 110 disposed on a surface 102 of the film. The RFID tag is positioned on the film such that the RFID tag is disposed in a desired location on a substrate when the film is shrunk to a target substrate.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION Docket No.: 55746-00041 SHRINK FILM WITH RFID CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63 / 571,507, titled “SHRINK FILM WITH RFID,” filed on March 29, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a shrink film, and particularly relates to ashrink film comprising a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the use of such films to label or encapsulate a substrate such as a container or package, and articles comprising labels formed from such shrink films. BACKGROUND

[0003] Many products, such as pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, personal care products,household chemicals, and the like, may require protection against air and moisture while in a container. It is known that a metallic liner, such as an aluminum foil, is typically less permeable to air and moisture than a polymeric liner. Thus, closure assemblies may also include functionalities that impede the migration of air and moisture into the interior of the container.

[0004] Manufacturers, distributors, transporters, retailers, and / or end-users may wishto monitor or identify containers at various points throughout the distribution process. Furthermore, end-users typically expect some assurance that the purchased contents of a container are as advertised and produced by the manufacturer. Thus, closure assemblies may also include features that prevent or indicate unintended or unauthorized access to the contents of the container. Specialized sealing liners, often referred to as “tamper-proof seals” or “tamper-evident seals,” may be installed over the filled container opening. Such seals are adapted so that the seal must be removed, destroyed, or distorted to gain initial access to the contents, thus indicating that tampering may have taken place. Nevertheless, tampering 1 35934730.1agents may replace or recreate a sealing liner so expertly that the deception may very likely be undiscovered.

[0005] Tampering may be minimized by controlling the transportation and storage ofthe filled containers. Radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags may be utilized to track containers and provide information about the products such as, for example, the name of the product, location, date of manufacture, an expiration date, an identification number, and the like. RFID tags typically include a microchip that may store such information, electrically coupled with an antenna. The antenna may receive a signal from a remote transmitter and convey the signal to the microchip, to which the microchip may respond by transmitting stored information through the antenna to a remote reader.

[0006] Optimizing the strength and fidelity of the transmission signal is dependent onthe location of the RFID tag on or in the container. There are benefits to incorporating an RFID tag into the sealing liner. However, sealing liner fabrication methods may fail to accommodate satisfactory integration of the RFID tag with the sealing liner. RFID tags are frequently fabricated by a specialty RFID tag manufacturer that acquires and couples the microchips and antennae. The tag manufacturer may also add a paper or polymer film face layer to the RFID tag, and may add information typically printed on a product label to this face layer. The RFID tag may then be affixed to the exterior of the container and / or closure assembly. Alternatively, the product manufacturer may attach printed labels incorporating an RFID tag to the product. SUMMARY

[0007] The following presents a summary of this disclosure to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects. This summary is intended to neither identify key or critical elements nor define any limitations of embodiments or claims. Furthermore, this summary may provide a simplified overview of some aspects that may be described in greater detail in other portions of this disclosure.

[0008] Provided is a shrink film comprising an RFID tag and methods of making thesame. The shrink film can be provided as a shrink sleeve to be disposed about a substrate and exposed to energy to effect shrinking of the film to conform to the contours of the substrate. The shrink films are provided with an RFID tag positioned such that, upon shrinking, the RFID tag will be located in a desired region of the substrate upon which the shrink film has been disposed. 2 35934730.1

[0009] In one aspect, provided is a shrink film comprising: a first surface; a secondsurface opposite the first surface; a first edge; a second edge opposite the first edge; and a RFID tag disposed on the first surface; wherein the shrink film is in the form of a sleeve comprising a seam joining the first edge and the second edge, and the RFID tag is disposed in an area such that the RFID tag does not overlap the seam.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first edge and the second edge overlap with eachother, and the seam is defined by the region between overlapping first and second edges.

[0011] In one embodiment, the seam is defined by a ribbon holding the first edge andthe second edge proximate to each other.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first edge and the second edge abut one another.

[0013] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the first surface defines an inner surface of the shrink sleeve.

[0014] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the first surface defines an outer surface of the shrink sleeve.

[0015] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the RFID tag is disposed on the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.1 MPa to about 3.5 MPa.

[0016] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the RFID tag is disposed on the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.2 MPa to about 2.5 MPa.

[0017] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the RFID tag is disposed on the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.5 MPa to about 1.5 MPa.

[0018] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the shrink film comprises one or more perforated lines along a length or width of the film.

[0019] In one embodiment, the RFID tag does not overlap the one or more perforatedlines.

[0020] In one embodiment i, the RFID tag overlaps at least one of the one or moreperforated lines.

[0021] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the shrink film is shrunk to a substrate. 3 35934730.1

[0022] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the substrate comprises a container body and a cap releasably associated with the container body.

[0023] In one embodiment, the shrink film is shrunk to at least one of a portion of thecap and or a portion of the container body.

[0024] In one embodiment, the RFID tag is disposed in a region adjacent at least oneof the cap or the container body.

[0025] In one aspect, provided is a container comprising a container body defining aninterior space and opening through which the interior space is accessed, and a cap releasably associated with the container body configured to cover the opening of the container body, wherein the shrink film in accordance with any of the previous aspects or embodiments is disposed about and shrunk fit to the container.

[0026] In one embodiment, the shrink film is shrunk to at least a portion of the capand or at least a portion of the container body.

[0027] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, a portion of the shrink film remains adhered to the container body after separation of the film to access the container.

[0028] In one embodiment, the RFID tag is disposed in a region of the shrink filmadjacent the container body.

[0029] In one embodiment, the RFID tag remains functional subsequent to theopening of the container.

[0030] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, a portion of the shrink film remains adhered to the cap after separation of the film to access the container.

[0031] In one embodiment, the RFID tag is disposed in an area of the film adjacent tothe cap.

[0032] In one aspect, provided is a plurality of containers each comprising a containerbody, wherein the shrink film of any of the previous aspects or ebodiments is disposed about the container bodies of the plurality of containers.

[0033] In still another aspect, provided is a method of producing a shrink filmcomprising: providing a shrink film having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the second edge; applying a RFID tag to the first surface of the shrink film; and folding the shrink film into a sleeve. 4 35934730.1

[0034] In one embodiment, applying the RFID tag to the shrink film comprisesadhering the RFID tag to the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.1 MPa to about 3.5 MPa.

[0035] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, folding the shrink film into a sleeve comprises folding the first edge and second edge toward each other such that the first surface of the shrink film forms an inner surface of the sleeve.

[0036] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the first edge and the second edge overlap one another to form a seam.

[0037] In one embodiment in accordance with any of the previous aspects orembodiments, the first edge and the second edge are oriented adjacent to one another and adjoined to one another via ribbon seam.

[0038] The following description and the drawings disclose various illustrativeaspects. Some improvements and novel aspects may be expressly identified, while others may be apparent from the description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings illustrate various systems, apparatuses, devicesand related methods, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

[0040] FIGURE 1 is a top view of a film comprising an RFID tag;

[0041] FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the film of FIGURE 1;

[0042] FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the film of FIGURE 1 formed into asleeve;

[0043] FIGURE 4A is a perspective view of the film formed into a sleeve with analternative seam configuration;

[0044] FIGURE 4B is a top view of the sleeve of FIGURE 4A;

[0045] FIGURE 5 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of a shrinkfilm applied to a container;

[0046] FIGURE 6 is a schematic, perspective view of a second embodiment of ashrink film applied to a container;

[0047] FIGURE 7 is a schematic, perspective view of a third embodiment of a shrinkfilm applied to a container; 5 35934730.1

[0048] FIGURE 8 is a schematic, perspective view of a fourth embodiment of ashrink film applied to a container; and

[0049] FIGURE 9 is a schematic, perspective view of an embodiment of a shrink filmapplied to multiple containers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made. Moreover, features of the various embodiments may be combined or altered. As such, the following description is presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any way the various alternatives and modifications that may be made to the illustrated embodiments. In this disclosure, numerous specific details provide a thorough understanding of the subject disclosure. It should be understood that aspects of this disclosure may be practiced with other embodiments not necessarily including all aspects described herein, etc.

[0051] As used herein, the words “example” and “exemplary” means an instance, orillustration. The words “example” or “exemplary” do not indicate a key or preferred aspect or embodiment. The word “or” is intended to be inclusive rather than exclusive, unless context suggests otherwise. As an example, the phrase “A employs B or C,” includes any inclusive permutation (e.g., A employs B; A employs C; or A employs both B and C). As another matter, the articles “a” and “an” are generally intended to mean “one or more” unless context suggest otherwise.

[0052] As used herein, the term “sleeve” refers to any configuration of shrink filmwhich has been arranged such that it may be disposed onto a substrate, such as a container. This encompasses such configurations of shrink film which may be commonly referred to as a “shrink band,” “shrink tube,” “roll-on label,” “shrink label,” “instant label,” and other such references to a shrink film assembly so configured.

[0053] Provided is a shrink film comprising an RFID tag. The shrink film comprisesan RFID tag disposed on a surface of the film. The shrink film can be formed into a sleeve that can be placed around a substrate (e.g., a container, package, etc.) and subsequently exposed the to energy (e.g., heat, infrared radiation, etc.) sufficient to cause the film to shrink and conform to the contours of the substrate to form a seal around at least a portion of the substrate. The shrink film will generally form a seal that conforms to the shape and contours of the substrate. By incorporating the RFID tag onto the shrink film, a seal can be provided 6 35934730.1with the benefits / functionality of RFID tags including, for example, tracking of information related to the product including, but not limited to, location, date of manufacture, expiration date, identification number, etc.

[0054] FIGUREs 1-3 show an embodiment of a shrink film 100 comprising a firstsurface 102, a second surface 104 opposite surface 102, and a RFID tag 110 disposed on a surface 102 of the film. The RFID tag 110 may be attached to the film by any suitable method such as via an adhesive 112.

[0055] The shrink film can be formed into a sleeve that will be placed around anobject on which it is to be shrunk. Generally, the sleeve is formed by bringing opposing ends of the film toward one another in an engaging relationship to form the sleeve. Referring to FIGURE 3, a sleeve is formed from film 100 by folding edges 106 and 108 together such that the edges overlap to form a seam. A portion of the surfaces adjacent edges 106 and 108 can be provided with a welding solvent or an adhesive to adjoin the surfaces to form the seam 120.

[0056] It will be appreciated that the sleeve can be formed in any suitable manner andis not limited to a seam as shown in FIGUREs 1-3. It will be appreciated that the opposing edges do not necessarily have to overlap to form the sleeve, but could be adjacent to one another in an abutting relationship or even with a small gap between the edges.For example, a separate material, which may be referred to as a ribbon, can be provided to join the opposing ends. FIGURES 4A and 4B show an embodiment of a shrink sleeve 100’ formed from the film of FIGURE 1 comprising a seam 120’ formed by bringing edges 106 and 108 adjacent to one another and joining the edges 106 and 108 a ribbon 122. As shown in FIGURES 4A and 4B, the edges 106 and 108 are in an abutting relationship. Alternatively, there could be a small gap between the edges 106 and 108 with a ribbon attached to each edge to form the seam.

[0057] Depending on the application, the shrink sleeve can be formed to provide theRFID tag on an inner surface or an outer surface of the sleeve. In FIGURES 3, 4A, and 4B, the sleeve is formed by folding the edges 106 and 108 toward the surface 102 such that the surface 102 forms an inner surface of the sleeve, and the RFID tag is disposed on the inner surface of the sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, the edges 106 and 108 could be folded toward surface 104 such that the RFID tag would be disposed on the outer surface of the sleeve.

[0058] In the embodiments of FIGURES 1-3, 4A, and 4B, the RFID tag is disposedon a surface of the sleeve such that the RFID tag does not overlap the seam. 7 35934730.1

[0059] The shrink film can be provided with any other suitable marking or physicalfeature as desired for use in a particular application. For example, it may be desirable to provide perforations or shallow cuts / indentations in the film to provide points of separation at a particular location of the film when the film is shrunk around a substrate. These features may be suitable to facilitate separation of sections of the film to provide access to the container or package to allow the container to be opened. For example, perforations around the neck of a container or a tear point along a portion of a cap, etc., can be provided to allow for separation of regions of the film to allow access to the cap and container. In FIGURES 3 and 4A, the shrink sleeve is shown having a perforation cut 130 that may provide a point of weakness defining a separation point between regions of the film upon application of sufficient force (such as by twisting) or cutting.

[0060] FIGURES 5-9 show embodiments of containers having a shrink film inaccordance with aspects and embodiments of the present technology formed on the container. In FIGURE 5, shrink film 100 is disposed about and shrunk to fit about portions of container 200. Container 200 includes a body 210 and a cap 220 releasably associated with the body and covering an opening through which the contents of the container can be accessed. The film 100 includes the RFID tag located in a region such that it is disposed adjacent a portion of the cap 220. In FIGURE 5, the RFID tag is adjacent a side 222 of the cap. It will be appreciated that the RFID tag could also be positioned on the film such that it is adjacent the top 224 of the cap (FIGURE 6). In FIGURE 7, the RFID tag is positioned on the film such that it is located adjacent the body 210 of the container.

[0061] The film in FIGURES 5-8 is shown as having a perforation 130, which mayfacilitate opening of the container. In embodiments such as FIGURES 5-7, the RFID tag is positioned away from, i.e., does not overlap, the perforation to avoid damaging or disabling the RFID tag. In FIGURE 8, the RFID tag is positioned such that a portion of the RFID tag overlaps (e.g., bisects) the perforation. Upon separating the film at the perforation 130, the RFID tag may be damaged to the extent that it is disabled.

[0062] FIGURE 9 shows an embodiment in which a shrink film 100 is disposed aboutmultiple containers (300a and 300b) around the body portion of the containers. The film includes a tab section 132 defined by perforations 130a and 130b. The tab section 132 can be used to break the seal and release the film. In FIGURE 8, the RFID tag 110 is positioned away from the perforations / tab section.

[0063] The film can be configured as desired to be partially or completely removablefrom the container. In one embodiment, the film may be configured to be completely 8 35934730.1removable from the container by tearing or cutting of the film to expose the container. In another embodiment, the film may be configured such that at least a portion of the film remains adhered to the container upon separation of the film to allow access to the container. For example, the film can be configured such that at least the portion of the film comprising the RFID tag remains adhered to the container to allow for the RFID tag to continue to function as a transponder following separation of the film and removal of the cap portion. In one embodiment, a portion of the film comprising the RFID tag remains adhered to the cap. In one embodiment, a portion of the film comprising the RFID tag remains adhered to the body of the container.

[0064] A shrink sleeve may be formed from a continuous roll or individual sheets cutfrom a roll. In accordance with the present technology, for either type of processing, the shrink film is unwound from a roll and RFID tags are deposited onto a surface of the shrink film at selected intervals and locations on the film. In shrink sleeve labeling, a shrink sleeve is formed from a continuous rolled film. RFID tags are deposited onto a surface of the film at selected intervals and desired locations, the film is then folded upon itself, and two opposite peripheral portions are continuously bonded together to fashion a continuous sleeve. The continuous sleeve can be wound on a core for later application to a substrate. When application to a substrate is desired, the continuous wound sleeve is unrolled from the core, cut into lengths to form individual shrink sleeve labels, and slipped over a substrate such as, for example, a container. The shrink sleeve is then heated. The shrink sleeve contracts and conform to the contours of the underlying substrate.

[0065] In roll-fed shrink labeling, a continuous rolled film is unwound from a core,RFID tags are applied to the film, and the film is cut into individual flat sheets. The individual sheets can optionally be stored for later application to a substrate. When application is desired, the sheets are formed into a sleeve. Sleeve formation is accomplished by adhering a leading edge of the sheet to the substrate. The sheet is wrapped around the substrate. The trailing edge of the sheet is bonded to the leading edge of the sheet to form a seam in the film and thus creating a sleeve around the substrate. The substrate and label are heated and the label shrinks and conforms to the contours of the underlying substrate. In an alternative method, the trailing edge of the sheet can be bonded directly to the substrate rather than to the leading edge of the sheet, and then shrunk.

[0066] The RFID tags can be deposited by any suitable method including roll-to-rolltransfer, a stamp, a press, or the like. The films can be provided with desired perforations, die 9 35934730.1cuts, etc., prior to the application of the RFID tags. Alternatively, any perforations, die cuts, etc. can be applied to a clean film before or after application of the RFID tags.

[0067] Other operations can be employed in processing the films or shrink sleeves.Non-limiting examples include priming, printing, pre-heating, corona treatment, cooling, varnishing, and / or repositioning operations. Priming and printing operations can be used to add printing, images, or other indicia to the shrink film. Cooling can bring the film or combination back to ambient temperature. Varnishing can add a protective layer to the printed indicia on the shrink film. Repositioning can be used to reclaimed substrates with misaligned heat shrinkable films and to properly align the heat shrinkable films to the substrates.

[0068] The film can be printed with product information, e.g., with graphics, images,text, coloration, or other indicia over part or all of the surface of one or more of the films utilized in the label, and cut to the final label dimensions prior to application on the product. Such printed information can be applied prior to application of the RFID tag. These can be applied to either or both surfaces of the heat shrinkable film by flexographic, rotogravure, offset, or digital printing techniques. Graphics, coloration, images, or text can be reverse- printed or surface-printed. In some embodiments, when the label is multilayered, the graphics, coloration, images or text are reverse-printed on a transparent outer layer or surface printed on a transparent, opaque or metalized inside layer.

[0069] In the shrinking operation, the shrink film is heated to cause the sleeve orsheet to shrink and conform to the surface contours of the substrate. The heating process can be accomplished with hot air, infra-red radiation, a steam tunnel, an oil bath, a water bath, or the like. The substrate to which the label is conformed is not particularly limited and can comprise one or more containers, surfaces, materials, tools, etc. that is flat or contoured, and smooth or rough. The substrate’s tolerance to heat will affect how heat is applied to effect shrinking of the film. Substrates with low tolerances for heat may require exposure to a relatively low temperature for longer periods of time to shrink the film. Substrates with higher tolerances to heat may be exposed to a higher temperature for a shorter periods of time to shrink the film.

[0070] In embodiments, the shrink film shrinks upon exposure to a temperature aboveabout 22.5° C. In embodiments, the film is shrunk upon exposure to temperatures of from about 40° C. to about 130° C, from about 50° C to about 110° C, or from about 70° C to about 100° C. 10 35934730.1

[0071] The degree of shrinkage is not particularly limited except that the film shouldshrink to a sufficient extent to form the desired label around the container. In one embodiment, the heat shrinkable film shrinks from about 10% to about 85%, from about 20% to about 60%, or from about 30% to about 50% of its size before heating.

[0072] The composition of the heat shrink film is not particularly limited and can beselected as desired for a particular purpose or intended application. The heat shrink film can be provided as a single layer film or a multi-layer film. The film is formed from a polymeric film that can comprise high density polymers, low density polymers, or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyester, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, copolymers and blends thereof. Exemplary heat shrinkable films are single or multi-layered and include a non-halogen polyolefin material comprising one or more of medium density polyethylene (“MDPE”), polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (“PETG”), cyclic olefin polymers and copolymers, styrenic based polymers, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, very low (or ultra low) density polyethylene, polyethylene plastomers and elastomers such as homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer and substantially linear ethylene polymer, medium density polyethylene and high density polyethylene), homopolymer polypropylene (“hPP”) random copolymer polypropylene (“RCP”), or propylene based plastomers and elastomers. Polyolefins, such as polyethylene, are particularly suitable for forming shrink films.

[0073] Depending on the intended use, the heat shrinkable film can be oriented ornon-oriented. If oriented, the heat shrinkable film can be oriented in a transverse direction, a machine direction, or a combination thereof. Orienting in only one direction substantially limits the shrink in the non-oriented direction. Biaxially oriented films tend to shrink in both directions, i.e. transverse and machine directions.

[0074] The polyolefin component can be chosen to provide an appropriate meltingpoint and crystallinity in order to control the shrink tension of the film. Shrink tension refers to the pull or force exerted on the seam when the heat shrinkable film contracts during heating. The higher the shrink percentage of the film, the higher the shrink tension will be, and the stronger the seam has to be to prevent seam failure. In some embodiments, the polyolefin chosen will have a melting point below 150° C., more preferably less than 135° C., and most preferably less than 130° C.

[0075] In one embodiment, the shrink film is a unidirectional heat shrink film havingshrinkage greater than 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, or even greater than 45% in the shrink direction (i.e., machine direction). In certain embodiments, shrinkage of the film is ≦75% at 11 35934730.1≦10° C. of the melting point of the film. In other embodiments, shrinkage of the film is from about 20% to about 75% in the machine direction at ≦10° C of the melting point of the film. In some embodiments, shrinkage in the transverse direction is less than about 10% and preferably less than about 5% at temperatures below the melting temperature of the film. In certain embodiments, machine direction shrinkage of the film is greater than about 40% between 100° C. and 135° C. and less than about 5% in the traverse direction. The percentage of shrink can be measured according to conventional methods including, e.g., ASTM D1204.

[0076] In some embodiments, the shrink film comprises polyethylene comprising atleast one polyethylene homopolymer, copolymer of polyethylene, blends of homopolymers or copolymers thereof that may be used in isolation as the primary polymeric component or combined with other polymeric materials or additive components to form the primary polymeric component. Exemplary polyethylene polymers include, but are not limited to, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE; density greater than 0.941 g / cm3; melting temperature 126- 135° C.), Medium Density Polyethylene (MDPE; density between 0.926 and 0.940 g / cm3; melting temperature 120-125° C.), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE; density between 0.910 and 0.925 g / cm3; melting temperature 105-118° C.), Linear-Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE; density between 0.919 and 0.925 g / cm3; melting temperature 126° C.), Ultra Low Density Polyethylene (ULDPE) or Very Low Density Polyethylene (VLDPE; density between 0.885 and 0.915 g / cm3), High Molecular Weight HDPE (HMW-HDPE; density in the range of 0.935 and 0.955 g / cm3) and analogues with bimodal and multimodal molecular weight distribution (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,841 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,461) or blends of homopolymers or copolymers thereof. In certain embodiments, blends of polyethylene homopolymers or copolymers contain >50% ethylene. In one embodiment, the polyethylene of the film contains at least one polyethylene. In another embodiment, the polyethylene of the film consists of a polyethylene, or a blend of polyethylene homopolymers or polyethylene copolymers. In one embodiment, the primary polymeric component or polyethylene is preferably from about 50 wt. % to about 100 wt. % of the unidirectional-oriented heat shrinkable polymeric film.

[0077] In some embodiments, blends of HMW-HDPE and LLDPE are providedwherein the blend ratio is between 80 / 20 to 20 / 80, and melting index (190° C.) between 0.01 and 0.05 dg / minute (see U.S. Pat. No.6,613,841).

[0078] In other embodiments, the shrink film comprises a HMW-HDPE with adensity between 0.935 and 0.948 g / cm3and melting index (190° C., ASTM 1238) between 0.03 and 0.15 dg / minute (see U.S. Pat. No.7,011,892). 12 35934730.1

[0079] Blends of HDPE, MDPE, LLDPE, VLDPE including bimodal and multimodalmolecular weight distribution are embraced by the present invention (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,034,461). In some embodiments, the film contains greater than 50 wt. % HDPE or MDPE. In other embodiments, the film contains bimodal or multimodal HDPE. In yet other embodiments, the film contains 0% LDPE.

[0080] The film may be transparent, white, opaque, metalized, or contain specialenhancements such as embossing. The thickness of the film is also not particularly limited and can be selected as desired for a particular purpose or intended application.

[0081] The shrink films may comprise additives to provide properties of interest.Examples of additional additives include an additive to improve or alter processing properties, shrinkage properties, tensile properties, and optical properties. Certain additives can also be used to enhance the ability to unidirectionally orient the film and achieve acceptable shrinkage properties. Examples of additives include antioxidants, stabilizers, colorants, dispersing aids, and the like. Additives may also be utilized to impart additional functional properties such as coefficient of friction (COF) control, anti-block, or opacity.

[0082] The polymer materials for the shrink film may optionally contain other variousadditives as is generally known in the art to impart desired properties to the film. This includes materials such as inorganic fillers, conductive fillers, pigments, aroma barriers, antioxidants, acid scavengers, flame retardants, ultraviolet absorbers, processing aids, extrusion aids, slip additives, permeability modifiers, anti-static agents, antiblock additives and other thermoplastic polymers.

[0083] The RFID tag can be bonded to the shrink film via an adhesive layer (e.g.,adhesive layer 112. The adhesive may be selected as desired to sufficiently adhere the RFID tag to a surface of the film. Exemplary adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), heat-sensitive adhesives, solvent-less adhesives, and UV-curable adhesives such as UV-curable optical adhesives available from Norland Products, Inc. Useful commercially available adhesives include, for example, 8141, 8142 Optically Clear Adhesive available from 3M Company of St. Paul, Minn. Exemplary PSAs include those based on natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers, styrene block copolymers, (meth)acrylic block copolymers, polyvinyl ethers, polyolefins, and poly(meth)acrylates. As used herein, (meth)acrylic (or acrylate) refers to both acrylic and methacrylic species. Other exemplary PSAs include (meth)acrylates, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, silicones, urethanes, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the PSA is based on a (meth)acrylic PSA or at least one poly(meth)acrylate. Exemplary silicone PSAs include a polymer or gum and an optional 13 35934730.1tackifying resin. Other exemplary silicone PSAs include a polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide and an optional tackifier.

[0084] In one embodiment, an adhesive is selected having a low shear strength (e.g.,lap shear strength). Employing an adhesive with a lower shear strength may allow for the RFID tag to “slide” against the polymer film as the film shrinks. If the adhesive bond is too strong between the RFID tag and the shrink film, the film will effectively pull the RFID tag with the film as it shrinks, which may lead to wrinkling or folding of the RFID tag and disable or render the RFID tag inoperable. In embodiments, the adhesive for bonding the RFID tag to the film has a shear strength of from about 0.1 MPa to about 3.5 MPa, from about 0.2 MPa to about 2.5 MPa, or from about 0.5 MPa to about 1.5 MPa. Lap shear can be measured according to ASTM D1002.

[0085] The shrink films with the RFID tags can be employed to label, cover, and / ordecorate a variety of products. Products may include consumer products such as, but not limited to, bottles, containers, vials, and the like. The article or container may be made of any conventional polymer, glass, or metal such as aluminum. Examples of suitable polymeric materials include, but are not limited to, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, nylon, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polystyrene, etc. The article or container can be made by a number of various processes known in the art, such as blow molding, injection molding, thermoforming, rotational molding and the like.

[0086] Examples of container configurations include, but are not limited to, a bottlehaving a closure on the top of the bottle, an upside down bottle having a closure on the bottom of the bottle, a bottle with a pump dispenser or a foaming dispenser, a tube with a closure, and a bottle with a closure.

[0087] The shrink films with the RFID tags can be employed in applications wherethe product being wrapped contains a liquid. This can include, but is not limited to, household items such as, but not limited to, mouthwash, soap, shampoo, cleaning solutions, and the like.

[0088] The location of the RFID tag on the container upon shrinking of the film canbe selected as desired for a particular purpose or intended application. The location may be selected based, in one embodiment, on the contents of the container. In particular, certain materials may have dielectric properties that can change or influence the performance of an RFID tag. Liquids and metals are common sources of interference for RFID tags. Metals can detune a conventional RFID tag. For example, dense aluminum can disrupt readability and detune an RFID tag so that read performance may be poor. In addition, the parasitic 14 35934730.1capacitance between two or more RFID tags placed in proximity to one another can also interfere with each other’s read range. With liquid, the RFID tag, or more specifically, the antenna, can be modified or tuned to work well with that liquid. In embodiments, the RFID tag may need to be tuned to the contents of the container. In one embodiment, RFID tags may be employed where the antenna is configured as described in U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 470,191 and U.S. Patent Application 18 / 679,543, the disclosures of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such RFID antennas may be particularly suited for use in relatively close proximity to liquids.

[0089] What has been described above includes examples of the presentspecification. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present specification are possible. Accordingly, the present specification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[0090] The foregoing description identifies various, non-limiting embodiments of ashrink film comprising a RFID tag, and products employing such films. Modifications may occur to those skilled in the art and to those who may make and use the invention. The disclosed embodiments are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the subject matter set forth in the claims. 15 35934730.1

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A shrink film comprising: a first surface; a second surface opposite the first surface; a first edge; a second edge opposite the first edge; and a RFID tag disposed on the first surface; wherein the shrink film is in the form of a sleeve comprising a seam joining the first edge and the second edge, and the RFID tag is disposed in an area such that the RFID tag does not overlap the seam.

2. The shrink film of claim 1, wherein the first edge and the second edge overlap with each other, and the seam is defined by the region between overlapping first and second edges.

3. The shrink film of claim 1, wherein the seam is defined by a ribbon holding the first edge and the second edge proximate to each other.

4. The shrink film of claim 3, wherein the first edge and the second edge abut one another.

5. The shrink film of any of claims 1-4, wherein the first surface defines an inner surface of the shrink sleeve.

6. The shrink film of any of claims 1-4, wherein the first surface defines an outer surface of the shrink sleeve.

7. The shrink film of any of claims 1-6, wherein the RFID tag is disposed on the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.1 MPa to about 3.5 MPa. 16 35934730.

18. The shrink film of any of claims 1-6, wherein the RFID tag is disposed on the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.2 MPa to about 2.5 MPa.

9. The shrink film of any of claims 1-6, wherein the RFID tag is disposed on the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.5 MPa to about 1.5 MPa.

10. The shrink film of any of claims 1-9 comprising one or more perforated lines along a length or width of the film.

11. The shrink film of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag does not overlap the one or more perforated lines.

12. The shrink film of claim 10, wherein the RFID tag overlaps at least one of the one or more perforated lines.

13. The shrink film of any of claims 1-12 wherein the shrink film is shrunk to a substrate.

14. The shrink film of claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises a container body and a cap releasably associated with the container body.

15. The shrink film of claim 14, wherein the shrink film is shrunk to at least one of a portion of the cap and or a portion of the container body.

16. The shrink film of claim 15, wherein the RFID tag is disposed in a region adjacent at least one of the cap or the container body.

17. A container comprising a container body defining an interior space and opening through which the interior space is accessed, and a cap releasably associated with the container body configured to cover the opening of the container body, wherein the shrink film of any of claims 1-12 is disposed about and shrunk fit to the container. 17 35934730.

118. The container of claim 17, wherein the shrink film is shrunk to at least a portion of the cap and or at least a portion of the container body.

19. The container of claim 17 or 18, wherein a portion of the shrink film remains adhered to the container body after separation of the film to access the container.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the RFID tag is disposed in a region of the shrink film adjacent the container body.

21. The container of claim 20, wherein the RFID tag remains functional subsequent to the opening of the container.

22. The container of claim 17 or 18 wherein a portion of the shrink film remains adhered to the cap after separation of the film to access the container.

23. The container of claim 22 wherein the RFID tag is disposed in an area of the film adjacent to the cap.

24. A plurality of containers each comprising a container body, wherein the shrink film of any of claims 1-12 is disposed about the container bodies of the plurality of containers.

25. A method of producing a shrink film comprising: providing a shrink film having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the second edge; applying a RFID tag to the first surface of the shrink film; and folding the shrink film into a sleeve.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein applying the RFID tag to the shrink film comprises adhering the RFID tag to the first surface of the shrink film via an adhesive having a lap shear strength of from about 0.1 MPa to about 3.5 MPa. 18 35934730.

127. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein folding the shrink film into a sleeve comprises folding the first edge and second edge toward each other such that the first surface of the shrink film forms an inner surface of the sleeve.

28. The method of any of claims 25-27, wherein the first edge and the second edge overlap one another to form a seam.

29. The method of any of claims 25-27, wherein the first edge and the second edge are oriented adjacent to one another and adjoined to one another via ribbon seam. 19 35934730.1

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