Integral RFID Garment Tag with Fabric Substrate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags attached to consumer goods, particularly apparel, can be irritating to the skin and may damage the garment when removed, and they do not effectively integrate care and handling instructions with tracking functionality.
Innovation Solution
An integral garment tag with an RFID device enclosed in a flexible fabric substrate, where the RFID inlay is secured between the substrate's edges and coated with an adhesive, allowing for easy removal without skin irritation, and featuring human and machine-readable indicia for care instructions and privacy protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional RFID tag with stiff backer is attached to apparel, then tracking functionality is provided, but skin irritation occurs and garment damage may result upon removal
Solution Approach 1:
The label is divided into two separate parts: a flexible care instruction label that remains attached to the garment, and a detachable RFID inventory tag that can be removed without damaging the garment or irritating the skin. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tracking functionality is extracted from the traditional stiff-backed label structure and placed into a separate detachable inventory tag. This extraction eliminates the harmful stiff backer material from contact with the skin while preserving the RFID tracking capability in a separate, removable component.
2Reliability
If RFID tags are permanently attached to garments, then tracking is maintained, but privacy concerns arise and garment flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID inventory tag is designed to be dynamically removable and reattachable, allowing the user to control when tracking is active. The tag can be detached for privacy situations or special occasions, and reattached when tracking is needed, providing dynamic adaptability rather than a fixed permanent attachment.
3Device complexity
If care instructions and RFID tracking are integrated in one label, then space is saved, but removal of tracking portion may leave irritating stubs
Solution Approach 1:
The label system is segmented into two distinct components: the care instruction label that remains permanently attached to the garment, and the RFID inventory tag that detaches cleanly. This segmentation ensures that when the RFID portion is removed, no irritating stubs are left on the garment, as the care label is completely separate and does not leave residual material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure, non-irritating RFID tag that integrates tracking and care information, allowing for easy removal without damaging the garment, while maintaining privacy and enabling continued use of the RFID device for inventory management and marketing purposes.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention relates to an integral tagging solution that is removably connected to an apparel item or other consumer good and which uses radio frequency as a mechanism for locating the item to which it is attached
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive layer is applied to one of the first and second surfaces of the RFID inlay; wherein the RFID inlay is positioned on a portion of the first surface of the fabric substrate such that the adhesive layer is directly in contact with the fabric substrate to hold the RFID inlay securely to the first surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an integral garment tag used for tracking and inventory control purposes. The tag includes a flexible fabric substrate which is wrapped around an RFID inlay to conceal the RFID inlay within the tag. The tag may then be attached to a garment or other consumer good along a single edge with instructions on the care and removal of the tag to satisfy privacy concerns. Removal of the tag will not interfere with the wearing of the garment.