Durable Product Identification Tag for Hazardous Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product identification tags are not durable enough to withstand hazardous conditions and cannot be easily updated with real-time information, leading to issues with wear and tear, making them impractical for secure and hazardous applications.
Innovation Solution
Durable product identification tags made from flexible or rigid materials like rubber, plasticized PVC, or polymers, which can be pierced or punched to capture information such as serial numbers or in-service dates, and secured using methods like stitching, RF welding, or adhesives, allowing for accurate and long-lasting identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If typical product identification tags are used in hazardous conditions, then the tags can be easily applied and initially readable, but the information on the tags deteriorates quickly due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The identification tag is divided into a durable base layer and a separate information layer. The information can be captured by piercing or punching through the base layer, creating physical imprints that are resistant to wear and tear while allowing easy application of the tag itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag uses composite construction combining a durable base material (resistant to hazardous conditions) with an information-capturing mechanism (piercing/punching). This composite structure allows the tag to withstand harsh environments while maintaining readable information through physical imprints that cannot be easily damaged.
2Ease of manufacture
If product information is pre-printed on the tag, then the tag can be easily manufactured and applied, but the information cannot be updated or adjusted for real-time data
Solution Approach 1:
The tag is pre-prepared with a structured base layer containing guide markings and piercing patterns, but the actual information is captured at the time of use by piercing or punching through the base layer. This allows the tag to be manufactured simply in advance while enabling real-time information capture and updates when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The information on the tag transitions from a static pre-printed state to a dynamic state where information can be captured, updated, or changed by piercing or punching the base layer. This dynamic mechanism allows the same tag structure to accommodate changing information requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If information is marked on the tag after adherence to a surface, then real-time updates are possible, but the Kolodzie security sticker design prevents this by requiring pre-marking
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring information to be printed on the tag before application (as in the Kolodzie design), this invention inverts the process by allowing information to be captured through piercing or punching after the tag is applied. The base layer is designed to accommodate post-adherence information capture, eliminating the restriction that prevented field modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a product identification tag, generally including a durable material that includes indicia thereon corresponding to useful information. The durable material is generally configured to be at least one of pierced and/or punched to capture distinctive identification information for a specific product. The distinctive identification information can be at least one of a serial number, an in-service date, and an inspection date. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to a method of product identification, comprising providing a durable material that includes indicia thereon corresponding to useful information. The exemplary method further includes at least one of piercing and/or punching the durable material to capture distinctive identification information for a specific product and detachably securing the durable material to the specific product.