Manufacturing method of antenna pattern, manufacturing method of RFID inlay, manufacturing method of RFID label, and manufacturing method of RFID medium

The manufacturing method of the antenna pattern has: a step of forming a dipole antenna on a front surface of a continuous substrate while conveying the continuous substrate; and a step of forming a sub-element on a back surface of the continuous substrate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of an antenna pattern, a manufacturing method of an RFID inlay, a manufacturing method of an RFID label, and a manufacturing method of an RFID medium.

BACKGROUND ART

In the field of manufacture, management, logistics, and so forth of products, tags that are attached to the products and labels that are adhered to the products, etc. are used. Information related to the products are printed on the tags and the labels so as to be visible. In recent years, a technique utilizing an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), in which identification information written on an IC chip is transmitted and received via a wireless communication, is becoming more and more common in various fields, and the technique is also becoming more familiar in the above-described fields.

On the tag, the label, an wrist band, and so forth (hereinafter, referred to as an RFID medium) incorporated an antenna pattern and the IC chip with an RFID specification as described above, information related to a target for attachment, a target for affixation, or an wearer (hereinafter, collectively referred to as an adherend) is printed so as to be visible, and it is possible to store various information related to the adherend in the incorporated IC chip.

Conventionally, in manufacturing steps of a RFID inlay, as an example of a method for forming the antenna pattern, a method, in which a resist layer having the antenna pattern is printed on a metal foil laminated on a substrate, and portions of the metal foil other than the antenna pattern are removed by a chemical etching, is used (see JP2012-194743A).

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In the method for forming the antenna pattern by the etching disclosed in JP2012-194743A, facilities for printing the resist layer and facilities for performing the chemical etching are required. Furthermore, a step of removing the resist layer is required.

As described above, manufacturing facilities and manufacturing steps for performing the etching process cause an increase in a manufacturing cost, and it is difficult to improve manufacturing efficiency. In addition, for example, there is a tendency of diversification of antenna patterns to be formed on the substrate. Therefore, further improvement has been required for the manufacturing steps of the antenna pattern.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to manufacture an antenna pattern with an improved productivity.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is a manufacturing method of an antenna pattern having a dipole antenna formed on a first surface of a substrate and a sub-element formed on a second surface of the substrate, the method including: a first adhesive-agent coating step of coating an adhesive agent at inner side of an edges of the dipole antenna formed on a first surface of a continuous substrate while conveying the continuous substrate; a first metal-foil placement step of placing a continuous metal-foil on the adhesive agent on the continuous substrate, the continuous metal-foil being configured to form the dipole antenna; a first cutting step of forming a cut for the dipole antenna in the continuous metal-foil; a first removal step of removing an unwanted portion that does not form the dipole antenna in the continuous metal-foil; a second adhesive-agent coating step of coating the adhesive agent at inner side of an edges of the sub-element formed on the second surface; a second metal-foil placement step of placing the continuous metal-foil on the adhesive agent coated in the second adhesive-agent coating step, the continuous metal-foil being configured to form the sub-element; a second cutting step of forming a cut for the sub-element in the continuous metal-foil placed in the second metal-foil placement step; and a second removal step of removing an unwanted portion that does not form the sub-element in the continuous metal-foil placed in the second metal-foil placement step.

According to the above-described aspects, it is possible to manufacture the antenna pattern with an improved productivity.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

RFID Inlay and Antenna Pattern

Before explaining a manufacturing method of an antenna pattern according to this embodiment, an RFID inlay1that is manufactured by using the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern will be described.

FIG. 1Ais an external view for explaining a front surface of the RFID inlay1that is manufactured by using the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment, andFIG. 1Bis a sectional view taken along a line B-B inFIG. 1A. In addition,FIG. 2is an external view for explaining a back surface of the RFID inlay1that is manufactured by using the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment. An arrow T shown inFIGS. 1 and 2corresponds to the conveying direction in a manufacturing apparatus100shown inFIG. 3.

As shown inFIG. 1, the RFID inlay1is provided with a substrate2, an antenna pattern3, and an IC chip4with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) specification connected to the antenna pattern3.

The antenna pattern3is provided with a dipole antenna31that is formed on a front surface2A of the substrate2with a metal foil and a sub-element32that is formed on a back surface2B of the substrate2with the metal foil. As shown inFIG. 1B, the dipole antenna31and the sub-element32are laminated on the substrate2with an adhesive agent A.

InFIG. 1, the sub-element32that is formed on the back surface2B is illustrated with a dotted line. In addition, inFIG. 2, the dipole antenna31that is formed on the front surface2A is illustrated with a dotted line.

In this embodiment, the direction in which the dipole antenna31extends is described as the X direction of the RFID inlay1, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction is described as the Y direction of the RFID inlay1. In the above, the arrow T shown inFIG. 1corresponds to the conveying direction T shown inFIG. 3.

In this embodiment, the dipole antenna31is formed on the front surface2A of the substrate2with the metal foil and has a loop portion310on which the IC chip4is mounted. The loop portion310is formed in left-right symmetry with respect to the IC chip4.

In this embodiment, the loop portion310is formed as a rectangular loop having long-side portions311and312and short-side portions313and314. A gap315in which the IC chip4is mounted is formed at the center portion of the long-side portion311on one side of the loop portion310.

On the front surface2A, the dipole antenna31has meanders321and322that are formed so as to extend in the opposite directions with each other with respect to the loop portion310and capacitance hats327and328that are connected to the meanders321and322, respectively. In the above, connection ends (referred to as meander end portion)323and324of the meanders321and322with the loop portion310are connected to the long-side portion312of the loop portion310. In addition, the other end portions of the meanders321and322are connected to the capacitance hats327and328, respectively.

The meander end portions323and324are connected to the vicinity of the center portion of the long-side portion312on one side of the loop portion310, and the long-side portion311facing the long-side portion312is formed with, at a position at which the long-side portion311is shifted towards the center portion side, the gap315in which the IC chip4is mounted.

Next, the sub-element32will be described with reference toFIG. 2. The sub-element32are provided by forming a pair of U-shaped elements331and332on the back surface2B. The element331and the element332each has U-shape and are formed such that their opening portions face each other so as to be in line symmetrical with respect to a line that is parallel to the Y direction of the RFID inlay1and passes through the IC chip4.

In this embodiment, the element331has parallel portions333and334that are formed in parallel with the X direction in which the dipole antenna31extends and a perpendicular portion335that joins end portions of the parallel portions333and334. In addition, the element332has parallel portions336and337that are formed in parallel with the X direction in which the dipole antenna31extends and a perpendicular portion338that joins end portions of the parallel portions336and337.

The elements331and332are formed so as to be symmetrical with each other such that end portions (tip end portions)341and343on the one ends oppose to each other and end portions (base end portions)342and344on the other ends oppose to each other. In addition, in this embodiment, the base end portions342and344are formed at positions so as to be overlapped with parts of the dipole antenna31through the substrate2.

In this embodiment, the dipole antenna31in the antenna pattern3is designed as a pattern adapted to a UHF frequency band (300 MHz to 3 GHz, especially, 860 MHz to 960 MHz). In addition, the sub-element32has a function such that the antenna pattern3has an overall non-directional by adjusting the directivity of the dipole antenna31.

The RFID inlay1having the above-described configuration is subjected to a predetermined processing, and thereby, it is possible to form an RFID medium such as, in addition to a label, a tag, the wrist band, a ticket, a card, and so forth.

Manufacturing Method of Antenna Pattern

The manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.FIG. 3is a schematic view of the manufacturing apparatus100for practicing the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment. For the convenience of illustration, inFIG. 3, a series of steps in the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern are shown in a folded arrangement.

As shown inFIG. 3, the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment has a step of forming the dipole antenna31on a first surface (the front surface2A) of a continuous body C for the substrate2and a step of forming the sub-element32on a second surface (the back surface2B) of the continuous body C for the substrate2.

InFIG. 3, a series of steps for forming the dipole antenna31on the front surface2A of the substrate2are shown in an upper part, and a series of steps forming the sub-element32on the back surface2B of the substrate2are shown in a lower part. Although the series of manufacturing steps are separated in the upper part and the lower part, for the convenience of illustration, they are continuously arranged in practice.

As steps for forming the dipole antenna31on the front surface2A of the continuous body C for the substrate2, the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment has: a first adhesive-agent coating step P1in which the adhesive agent A is coated on the first surface of the continuous body C for the substrate2while conveying the continuous body C; a first metal-foil placement step P2in which a continuous metal-foil M is placed on a surface of the continuous body C on which the adhesive agent A has been coated; a first cutting step P3in which cut for the antenna pattern3is formed in the continuous metal-foil M; and a first removal step P4in which an unwanted portion Ma in the continuous metal-foil M that does not form the antenna pattern3is removed.

In addition, the manufacturing method has a first pressing step P5in which pressure is applied on the antenna pattern3on the continuous body C remaining after the unwanted portion Ma has been removed. The arrow T inFIG. 3shows the conveying direction.

The first adhesive-agent coating step P1is performed by an adhesive-agent coating unit110.

The adhesive-agent coating unit110has an adhesive agent tank111that stores the adhesive agent, a feed roller112that feeds the adhesive agent from the adhesive agent tank111, a plate roller113that receives an adhesive agent A1from the feed roller112and transfers it to the continuous body C, and an impression cylinder114. In addition, the adhesive-agent coating unit110has a UV lamp115that irradiates ultraviolet light to the adhesive agent A1.

The plate roller113is formed by wrapping, on a plate cylinder, a plate on which relief patterns113aeach corresponding to the shape of the adhesive agent A1to be coated on the continuous body C for the substrate2are formed. The plate roller113is formed with a plurality of relief patterns113a. The plurality of relief patterns113aare imposed so as to be arranged side by side in the sending direction and the width direction of the plate roller113. With such a configuration, a plurality of the adhesive agents A1for dipole antennas can be transferred to and coated on the continuous body C at the same time.

Each of the relief patterns113ahas a shape that fits in the inner side of the edges of the dipole antenna31formed on the substrate2. In the above, in the inner side of the edges of the dipole antenna31, a coating position of the adhesive agent A is aligned such that an upstream side blank space in the conveying direction is wider than a downstream side blank space in the conveying direction.

If the blank space is too wide, an edge portion of the dipole antenna31may be lifted up or separated. In addition, if the blank space is too narrow, the adhesive agent A may be squeezed out from the perimeter portion of the dipole antenna31. From this point of view, the upstream blank space in the conveying direction is preferably from 50 μm to 300 μm, inclusive, and the downstream blank space in the conveying direction is preferably from 30 μm to 100 μm, inclusive (where, the upstream blank space in the conveying direction>the downstream blank space in the conveying direction is satisfied).

The thickness of the adhesive agent A1coated on the continuous body C is preferably from 3 μm to 25 μm, inclusive. If the thickness is equal to or thicker than 3 μm, adhesive force sufficient for adhering the dipole antenna31is achieved, and if the thickness is equal to or thinner than 25 μm, the adhesive agent A1is prevented form being squeezed out from the edges of the dipole antenna31by the pressurization. From this point of view, the thickness of the adhesive agent A1is preferably from 3 μm to 10 μm, inclusive.

In the above, although not shown inFIG. 3, prior to the first adhesive-agent coating step P1, a step of printing a reference mark is performed. The reference mark can be used as the reference for alignment when the adhesive agent A1is transferred to the continuous body C and as the reference for alignment for the position of the cut when the cut for the dipole antenna31is formed.

In this embodiment, a material that can be applied as the substrate2(the same applies to the continuous body C, which will be described below) includes papers such as fine quality paper, coated paper, and so forth; and a single film made of a resin such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene naphthalate, and so forth, and a multilayer film formed by laminating a plurality of the resin films.

The thickness of the substrate2is preferably from 25 μm to 300 μm, inclusive. In a case in which the papers are used as the substrate, the thickness can be from 50 μm to 260 μm, inclusive, in the above-described range, and it is generally preferable that the thickness be 80 μm. In addition, in a case in which the resin film is used as the substrate, the thickness can be from 25 μm to 200 μm, inclusive, in the above-described range. From the above, it is possible to make an appropriate selection depending on an application purpose.

The adhesive agent A1that can be applicable in the first adhesive-agent coating step P1includes acrylic adhesive agents, urethane adhesive agents, silicone adhesive agents, rubber adhesive agents, and so forth. In this embodiment, in view of subjecting the continuous body C being conveyed to a coating in a mode of a flexographic printing or a relief printing, it is preferable to use an adhesive agent having an ultraviolet curing property. Besides, it is also possible to apply a screen printing.

The adhesive agent A1has an adhesive force of, preferably 500 gf/25 mm or more, more preferably 800 gf/25 mm or more, and even more preferably 1000 gf/25 mm or more as measured by 180° separation test (JIS Z 0237 2009). Preferably, the upper limit value for the adhesive force is 2000 gf/25 mm.

The first metal-foil placement step P2is performed by a metal-foil placing unit120.

The metal-foil placing unit120has a pressure roller121and a support roller122. In the metal-foil placing unit120, a continuous metal-foil M1that has been conveyed through a conveying path that is different from a conveying path of the continuous body C is overlaid on the surface of the continuous body C on which the adhesive agent A1has been coated, and the continuous metal-foil M1and the continuous body C are conveyed between the pressure roller121and the support roller122and laminated together. Because there is no adhesive agent outside the edges of the dipole antenna31, the continuous metal-foil M1adheres to the continuous body C only inside a region for forming the dipole antenna31.

In general, as a metal for forming the metal foil, an electrically conductive metal used for forming the antenna pattern can be applied. One example thereof includes copper and aluminum. In view of suppressing the manufacturing cost, it is preferable to use aluminum. In addition, in view of an overall thickness of the RFID inlay1, of an overall thickness of the RFID medium when the RFID medium is formed, and of the manufacturing cost, it is preferable that a thickness of the metal foil be from 3 μm to 25 μm, inclusive. In this embodiment, an aluminum foil having the thickness of 20 μm is used.

The first cutting step P3is performed by a cutting unit130.

The cutting unit130has a die roller131that forms the cuts for the dipole antenna31in the continuous metal-foil M1formed on the continuous body C and a backup anvil roller132of the die roller131. Projected cutting portions131aeach having a shape of the edges of the dipole antenna31are formed on a front surface of the die roller131. A flexible die can be used as the projected cutting portions131a. Besides, an engraving blade, an inserted blade, and so forth may also be employed.

The cutting unit130defines the dipole antennas31by making the projected cutting portions131acut into the continuous metal-foil M1while continuously conveying a workpiece formed of the continuous body C and the continuous body M1by inserting it between the rollers. By doing so, it is possible to form the cuts in the continuous metal-foil M1.

The first removal step P4is performed by a removing unit140.

The removing unit140is provided with peel rollers141and142. The conveying direction of the unwanted portion Ma of the metal foil is caused to be changed along a part of the peel roller141, and the workpiece is caused to be conveyed along a part of the peel roller142in the direction different from the conveying direction of the unwanted portion Ma, and thereby, the unwanted portion Ma of the metal foil is separated away from the workpiece formed of the continuous body C and the continuous body M1. After recovered, the unwanted portion Ma is subjected to a recycling process and is again used as the continuous metal-foil M1.

The first pressing step P5is performed by a pressurizing unit150.

The pressurizing unit150is provided with a pressure roller151and a support roller152. In the pressurizing unit150, the workpiece is inserted and pressurized between the pressure roller151and the support roller152, and thereby, the adhesive agent A1is squeezed and spread over the entire surface of the dipole antenna31on which the adhesive agent A1has been coated on the continuous body C. The pressure is preferably from 2 kg/cm to 6 kg/cm, inclusive.

Subsequent to the first pressing step P5, the workpiece in which the dipole antenna31is formed on the continuous body C for the substrate2is subjected to a step of forming the sub-element32on the back surface2B shown in the lower part inFIG. 3.

As steps for forming the sub-element32on the back surface2B of the continuous body C for the substrate2, the manufacturing method has: a second adhesive-agent coating step P11in which an adhesive agent A2is coated on the back surface of the continuous body C while conveying the continuous body C for the substrate2; a second metal-foil placement step P12in which a continuous metal-foil M2is placed on a surface on which the adhesive agent A2has been coated; a second cutting step P13in which the cut for the sub-element32is formed in the continuous metal-foil M2; and a second removal step P14in which an unwanted portion Mb in the continuous metal-foil M2that does not form the sub-element32is removed.

In addition, the manufacturing method has a second pressing step P15in which the unwanted portion Mb is removed and pressure is applied on the sub-element32remaining on the continuous body C.

The second adhesive-agent coating step P11is performed by an adhesive-agent coating unit210. The adhesive-agent coating unit210having the same mechanism as that used in the first adhesive-agent coating step P1can be used.

In the adhesive-agent coating unit210, the adhesive agent A2that has been fed from an adhesive agent tank211by a feed roller212is transferred to the continuous body C by a plate roller213and an impression cylinder214. Ultraviolet light is irradiated by an UV lamp215to the adhesive agent A2that has been transferred on the continuous body C.

The plate roller213is formed by wrapping, on a plate cylinder, a plate on which relief patterns213aeach corresponding to the shape of the adhesive agent A2to be coated on the continuous body C for the substrate2. In the plate roller213, each of the relief patterns213ahas a shape that fits in the inner side of the edges of the sub-element32formed on the substrate2. In the above, a type, thickness, adhesive force, and so forth of the adhesive agent A2coated on the continuous body C may be the same as those for the adhesive agent A1.

The second metal-foil placement step P12can be performed by a metal-foil placing unit220. The metal-foil placing unit220having the same mechanism as that used in the first metal-foil placement step P2can be used.

In the metal-foil placing unit220, the continuous metal-foil M2that has been conveyed through a conveying path that is different from the conveying path of the continuous body C is overlaid on the surface of the continuous body C on which the adhesive agent A2has been coated, and the continuous metal-foil M2and the continuous body C are conveyed between a pressure roller221and a support roller222and laminated together. Because there is no adhesive agent outside the edges of the sub-element32, the continuous metal-foil M2adheres to the continuous body C only inside a region for forming the sub-element32.

As the metal for forming the metal foil, those used for the first metal-foil placement step P2can be used.

The second cutting step P13can be performed by a cutting unit230. The cutting unit230having the same mechanism as that used in the first cutting step P3can be used.

The cutting unit230has a die roller231that forms the cuts for the sub-element32in the continuous metal-foil M2formed on the continuous body C and a backup anvil roller232of the die roller231. Projected cutting portions231aeach having a shape of the edges of the sub-element32are formed on a front surface of the die roller231.

The second removal step P14can be performed by a removing unit240. The removing unit240having the same mechanism as that used in the first removal step P4can be used.

In the removing unit240, the conveying direction of the unwanted portion Mb of the metal foil is caused to be changed along a part of a peel roller241, and the workpiece is caused to be conveyed along a part of the peel roller142in the direction different from the conveying direction of the unwanted portion Mb, and thereby, the unwanted portion Mb of the metal foil is separated away from the workpiece formed of the continuous body C and the continuous body M2. After recovered, the unwanted portion Mb is subjected to a recycling process and is again used as the continuous metal-foil M1, M2.

The second pressing step P15can be performed by a pressurizing unit250. The pressurizing unit250having the same mechanism as that used in the first pressing step P5can be used.

In the pressurizing unit250, the workpiece is inserted and pressurized between a pressure roller251and a support roller252, and thereby, the adhesive agent A2is squeezed and spread over the entire surface of the sub-element32on which the adhesive agent A2has been coated on the continuous body C.

Subsequent to the second pressing step P15, the continuous body C on which the dipole antenna31and the sub-element32are formed is wound up by an winch roller202.

Next, an operation and operational advantages thereby in the manufacturing apparatus100that performs the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern described above will be described.

According to the manufacturing apparatus100, in the first adhesive-agent coating step P1, the continuous body C for the substrate2fed out from a feed roller101passes through between the plate roller113and the impression cylinder114, and thereby, the adhesive agent A1is coated on the continuous body C in the regions in which the dipole antennas31are to be formed, in other words, in the regions at the inner side of the edges of the dipole antennas31.

Next, in the first metal-foil placement step P2, the continuous metal-foil M1is overlaid on the continuous body C on which the adhesive agent A1has been coated.

Subsequently, in the first cutting step P3, in the workpiece formed of the continuous body C and the continuous metal-foil M1, the cuts for the antenna patterns3are formed by the die roller131formed with the projected cutting portions131aeach having the shape of the edges of the dipole antenna31.

Next, in the first removal step P4, the unwanted portion Ma that does not form the dipole antennas31in the continuous metal-foil M1is removed.

Next, in the first pressing step P5, the pressure is applied to the dipole antennas31formed on the continuous body C.

Subsequently, in the second adhesive-agent coating step P11, the adhesive agent A2is coated in the regions in which the sub-elements32are to be formed, in other words, in the regions at the inner side of the edges of the sub-elements32.

Next, in the second metal-foil placement step P12, the continuous metal-foil M2is overlaid on the continuous body C on which the adhesive agent A2has been coated.

Next, in the second cutting step P13, in the workpiece formed of the continuous body C and the continuous metal-foil M2, the cuts for the sub-element32are formed.

Next, in the second removal step P14, the unwanted portion Mb that does not form the sub-elements32in the continuous metal-foil M2is removed.

Next, in the second pressing step P15, the pressure is applied to the sub-element32formed on the continuous body C. By performing above-described steps, it is possible to form the antenna patterns3on the front surface2A and the back surface2B of the continuous body C for the substrate2. The continuous body C on which the dipole antennas31and the sub-elements32are formed is wound up by the winch roller202.

According to the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern using the manufacturing apparatus100according to the embodiment described above, it is possible to form the antenna patterns3on both surfaces of the continuous body C. Thus obtained antenna patterns3have uniform quality and consistency.

According to this embodiment, in the first pressing step P5, the workpiece is inserted between the pressure roller151and the support roller152in the pressurizing unit150and the workpiece is pressurized, and thereby, the adhesive agent A1is squeezed and spread over the entire surface of the dipole antenna31. In addition, by applying the pressure, agglutination of the adhesive agent A1is achieved, and so, it is possible to cause the dipole antenna31to be adhered to the continuous body C tightly.

Therefore, it is possible to set a conveying speed of the workpiece without considering a peeling force, breakage caused by the peeling force, and so forth of the unwanted portion Ma, Mb made of the metal foil.

In addition, because the adhesive agent A1, A2is not adhered to the unwanted portion Ma, Mb made of the metal foil, and in addition, because there is no risk of adhesion of other contaminant due to adhesion of the adhesive agent A1, A2to the unwanted portion Ma, Mb, advantages such as a preferable handling property after the recovery and excellent reusability of the metal foil are achieved.

Manufacturing Method of RFID Inlay

Next, a manufacturing method of the RFID inlay according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The manufacturing method of the RFID inlay according to this embodiment has an IC-chip mounting step in which the IC chip4is mounted on the workpiece manufactured by the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern described above.

In a mounting step, the IC chip4is mounted in a specific position in the antenna pattern3, in other words, in the gap315formed in the loop portion310in the dipole antenna31by using a conductive material.

As a method for connecting the IC chip4, as an example, a vulcanization bonding using an anisotropic conductive paste or a conductive film may be used.

Manufacturing Method (1) of RFID Label

Next, a manufacturing method of an RFID label according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The manufacturing method of the RFID label according to another embodiment of the present invention uses the substrate2having an information recording surface as the substrate2in the manufacturing apparatus100. In other words, in the manufacturing apparatus100described above, the RFID inlay1is manufactured by using the substrate2having the information recording surface, and a separator is temporarily adhered using the adhesive agent on a surface on the reverse side of a printing surface.

By doing so, for example, it is possible to manufacture the RFID label in which the back surface2B of the RFID inlay1also serves as the printing surface and the front surface2A thereof serves as an adhering surface. In addition, for an application purpose in which the RFID label is adhered to a part that is not exposed to the outside, such as a case in which the adherend is an interior of an apparatus, the substrate provided with the information recording surface may not necessarily be required.

Manufacturing Method (2) of RFID Label

Next, the manufacturing method of the RFID label according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The manufacturing method of the RFID label according to this embodiment has: a step of temporarily placing the separator, with the adhesive agent, on either one of the front surface2A or the back surface2B of the continuous body C for the RFID inlay1that is formed by using the manufacturing apparatus100, and a step of placing, with the adhesive agent or adhesive, an outer substrate having the printing surface on a surface of the substrate2on the reverse side of the surface on which the separator has been temporarily placed in a state in which the printing surface faces outward.

By doing so, for example, it is possible to manufacture the RFID label in which the front surface2A of the RFID inlay1is covered by the outer substrate having the printing surface and the back surface2B serves as the adhering surface.

In the above, for example, it may be possible to arrange the substrate having the printing surface on the back surface2B of the substrate2and to temporarily adhere the separator to the front surface2A with the adhesive agent.

Manufacturing Method of RFID Medium

Next, a manufacturing method of the RFID medium according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The manufacturing method of the RFID medium according to the embodiment of the present invention has a step of placing a first outer substrate with the adhesive agent on the first surface of the substrate2after the RFID inlay1has been manufactured by the manufacturing apparatus100and a step of placing a second outer substrate with the adhesive agent on the second surface of the substrate2. By doing so, for example, it is possible to manufacture the RFID medium in which both of the front surface2A and the back surface2B are covered by the outer substrate.

In this embodiment, the first outer substrate and the second outer substrate protect the antenna pattern3and the IC chip4that are formed on the substrate2and determine a form such as the tag (especially, the tag for apparel industry), the label, the wrist band, ticket, and so forth. It is possible to select the thickness and material in accordance with the desired application purpose.

In the manufacturing method of the RFID label according to this embodiment, as the bonding agent for adhering the first and second outer substrates to the RFID inlay1, it may be possible to use emulsion bonding agents, solvent bonding agents, and hot melt bonding agents. In addition, it may also be possible to use the adhesive agent. As the bonding agent, it is possible to apply acrylic bonding agents, urethane bonding agents, silicone bonding agents, rubber bonding agents, and so forth. In addition, as the adhesive agent, it is possible to apply the adhesive agent such as the acrylic adhesive agents, the urethane adhesive agents, the silicone adhesive agents, acrylic rubber adhesive agents, and so forth.

Other Embodiment

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in the above, the above-mentioned embodiments merely illustrate a part of application examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific configurations of the above-described embodiments.

In this embodiment, a description has been given of a case in which the dipole antenna31is formed on the front surface2A and the sub-element32is formed on the back surface2B as the antenna pattern3. However, the front surface2A and the back surface2B are named for the sake of ease of explaining, and a configuration in which, inFIGS. 1 and 2, the sub-element32is formed on the front surface11A and the dipole antenna31is formed on the back surface11B has equivalent advantages. In addition, in the manufacturing apparatus100, the sub-element32may be formed first, and the dipole antenna31may be formed thereafter.

In the above-described embodiment, the substrate2may be a thermal paper. In addition, in the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment, prior to the first adhesive-agent coating step P1, and also prior to the second adhesive-agent coating step P11, a step of forming an undercoat layer may be provided in order to improve adhesiveness of the adhesive agent A1, A2to the continuous body C for the substrate2.

In the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment, in the first removal step P4and the second removal step P14, in addition to separation of the unwanted portion Ma, Mb of the metal foil from the workpiece using the peel rollers141,142,241,242, a suction mechanism for removing the unwanted portion Ma, Mb by suction may be provided. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably remove metal foil pieces that tend to remain on the workpiece if the separation is performed only by using the peel rollers141,142,241,242.

In the manufacturing method of the antenna pattern according to this embodiment, subsequent to the first pressing step P5, the continuous body C may be wound up once. All steps may not be continuously performed.

The present application claims a priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-029073 filed on Feb. 21, 2018 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.