Anti-Counterfeiting Label With Flexible Textile Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 'smart labels' fail to achieve an optimal balance between durability and mechanical resistance while maintaining versatility and reliability for application on various product supports, particularly lacking adequate protection for the RFID element.

Innovation Solution

A multilayer label structure featuring rigid plastic layers with a flexible textile extension interposed between them, allowing for sewing onto products and incorporating anti-counterfeiting elements, providing enhanced protection and retention without detachment risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an entirely flexible textile label is used, then versatility and ease of sewing onto product supports is improved, but protection and mechanical resistance to the RFID element is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility of applicationVSAvoidprotection to RFID element
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The label combines rigid plastic layers (PVC, PC, PET/PETG) with a flexible textile intermediate layer to create a composite structure. This composite material approach provides both mechanical strength and protection for the RFID element while maintaining flexibility for sewing application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The textile intermediate layer acts as a flexible shell that extends beyond the rigid plastic layers, providing the necessary flexibility for sewing onto products while the rigid plastic layers provide protective enclosure for the RFID element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If rigid plastic layers are used, then mechanical resistance and protection is improved, but flexibility for sewing application deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical resistanceVSAvoidflexibility for sewing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The label is segmented into distinct functional layers: rigid plastic layers for protection and an intermediate flexible textile layer for sewing application. This segmentation allows each layer to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible textile intermediate layer serves as a flexible shell that extends beyond the rigid plastic layers, enabling sewing application while the rigid plastic layers provide mechanical resistance and protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If flexible adhesive layers are used, then ease of application is improved, but reliability of retention without detachment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidretention without detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines mechanical fastening (sewing through the textile extension) with adhesive bonding (flexible adhesive layers) to create a dual-retention system. This merging of fastening methods ensures reliable retention without detachment while maintaining ease of application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2434437B2Method of manufacturing anti-counterfeiting labels
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 INST POLIGRAFICO E ZECCA DELLO STATO
  • EP2434437B2 patent drawingFigure 1A~2B

AI summary

A method of manufacturing anti-counterfeiting labels (1) each having a multilayer main body (11) embedding a data storage device (4) suitable for wireless transmission and an extension (12) of flexible material, which method provides: - the punching of a first (210) and a second (220) sheet of rigid plastic material for manufacturing the main bodies of the labels in correspondence of areas intended to form the flexible extensions; - the coupling by lamination of the first (210) and the second (220) rigid plastic sheet with an intermediate layer of flexible material (30), which intermediate sheet forms the flexible extensions, that preferably can be sewn on the labels, wherein the first (210) and the second sheet (220) bear anti-counterfeiting elements, such as, e.g., holograms, and respective transparent coatings (310, 320) (Fig. 2B).