Methods and apparatus to secure communication devices to wristbands

An example disclosed sheet includes a first layer; a second layer; a first die cut in the second layer defining a first wristband section and a second wristband section separated by a fold line; a second die cut in the first layer defining an imaging area; and a third die cut in the second layer defining an aperture in the second wristband section; wherein the aperture is surrounded by an adhesive and the aperture has an aperture dimension, the aperture dimension is greater than an inner dimension of the communication device, and the aperture dimension is less than an outer dimension of the communication device.

FIELD

Examples disclosed herein are related to wristbands and, more particularly, methods and apparatus to secure communication devices to wristbands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some wristbands are removably integrated into a carrier. The carrier is fed through a printer that is programmed to generate indicia on particular areas of the carrier, some of which correspond to areas on the removable wristband. The indicia is, for example, human-readable text, a barcodes, or graphics. In addition to the printed indicia, some wristbands carry communication devices that store machine-readable data. For example, a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having an identifier stored thereon may be permanently and fully embedded between layers (i.e., completely housed in and covered by layers) of the wristband. In such instances, the passive RFID tag includes a flat antenna implanted within the wristband.

However, for certain applications or scenarios, passive RFID tags are not sufficient and other type(s) of communication devices are required. Passive RFID tags do not include an internal power source and, thus, rely on externally provided energy to operate. Specifically, passive RFID tags backscatter a signal provided by an external device (e.g., an RFID reader) to communicate data stored in a chip to the external device.

Other types of communication devices, such as an active RFID tag, includes an internal power source and, thus, can operate without reliance on an external power source. Active RFID tags can be configured to transmit signals periodically using the internal power source. Because the active RFID tags do not rely on external device for energy, active RFID tags are preferred in some applications. For example, a hospital may want to continuously know the location of objects, such as patients, devices and/or inventory, throughout the hospital. Active RFID tags can be adhered to (or otherwise carried by) the objects to be located and configured to periodically transmit signals (e.g., beacons) to strategically placed RFID readers throughout the hospital. A locationing system including in communication with the RFID readers, which have known locations, receive the signals and calculate locations for the RFID tags based on the transmitted signals (e.g., using a triangulation technique and/or based on beacon).

Examples disclosed herein provide a quick and secure attachment of a communication device, such as an active RFID tag, to an object, such as a wristband. While examples disclosed herein are described in connection with active RFID tags and wristbands, teachings of this disclosure are applicable to any suitable device for which attachment to any object is desired.

An example wristband disclosed herein includes an aperture for receiving the communication device. The aperture of the example wristband is sized to allow an insertion portion of the communication device to pass through the aperture and to prevent a securing portion of the communication from passing through the aperture. Instead of passing through the aperture, the securing portion is positioned in a fold-over portion of a layer of the wristband. The fold-over portion of the wristband folds over and is adhered to itself to fasten the securing portion of the communication device within the fold-over portion (e.g., along with imaging areas of the wristband as described in some examples detailed below). With the communication device secured within the fold-over portion, the wristband can be attached to, for example, a person.

As described in detail below, a user attaching the communication device to the wristband inserts the insertion portion of the communication device into the aperture and folds the fold-over portion of the wristband such that the material around the aperture is adhered to the area of the wristband including the securing portion of the communication device, thereby sealing the securing portion of the communication device between layers of the wristband.

An example multi-layer carrier102including a wristband100constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure is shown inFIGS.1and2. The example depicted inFIG.1depicts the carrier102as a sheet, but the carrier102can be another other suitable type of carrier, such as a roll of wristbands (e.g., as described below in connection withFIG.7). Alternatively, the example wristband100can be provided separately as an individual unit (e.g., as described below in connection withFIG.8).

The example carrier102ofFIGS.1and2includes a first layer, a second layer, and adhesive between the first and second layers at certain locations on the carrier102. The view ofFIG.1shows the first layer, which is sometimes referred to as a facesheet layer. In the example depicted inFIG.1, the first layer is paper. The first layer is capable of receiving printed indicia from, for example, a media processing device (e.g., laser printer) programmed to generate the indicia at particular areas on the carrier102, including an imaging area118shown inFIG.1. In particular, the example carrier102ofFIG.1is fed through the media processing device with the wristband100attached to the carrier102. Once the indicia is generated on, for example, the imaging area118, the wristband100is removed from the carrier102.

The view ofFIG.2shows the second layer. The second layer forms a side of the carrier102opposite the side formed by the first layer. In the illustrated example depicted inFIGS.1and2, the second layer is plasticine. In some embodiments, the second layer is a resilient material, such as plastic or nylon. In the example ofFIGS.1and2, the second layer is translucent.

A plurality of die cuts in the layers of the carrier102define the wristband100and certain areas of the wristband100, such as the imaging area118. The die cuts enable the wristband100to be removed from the carrier102and for portions of the first layer to separate from remaining portions of the first layer so that portions of the first layer that are adhered to corresponding portions of the second layer are separable from the carrier100together to form the wristband100. Specifically, some portions of the first layer are adhered to the second layer, such that the adhered portions of the first layer remain attached to the second layer upon removal of the wristband100from the carrier102.

In the illustrated example, portions of the first layer corresponding to the imaging area118, an attachment patch124, and a placement area116are adhered to the second layer such that the imaging area118, the attachment patch124, and the placement area116are removed along with the second layer when the wristband100is detached from the carrier102(e.g., by pushing on the wristband100).

As shown in the view ofFIG.2, a first die cut204in the second layer defines an outline of the wristband100. That is, the first die cut204corresponds to an outer edge of the wristband100when detached from the carrier102.

As shown in the view ofFIG.1, a second die cut122in the first layer defines the imaging area118configured to receive printed indicia, such as a patient name or identifier. In the illustrated example, the second die cut122is a rectangle with rounded corners. Notably, the portion of the first layer positioned within the second die cut122is adhered to the corresponding portion of the second layer.

As shown in the view ofFIG.1, a third die cut114in the first layer defines the attachment patch124. The portion of the first layer within the third die cut114is releasably adhered (e.g., using a release layer) to the corresponding portion of the second layer, which includes of a layer of adhesive for use in securing the wristband100to a wearer.

As show in the view ofFIG.1, a fourth die cut124in the first layer defines the placement area116. As described in detail below, the placement area116is a location on the wristband100at which a communication device is attached to the wristband100. The portion of the first layer within the fourth die cut124is adhered to the corresponding portion of the second layer.

Accordingly, when a force is applied within the outline formed by the first die cut204, the wristband100detaches from the carrier102and includes the portion of the second layer positioned with the first die cut204, the portion of the first layer corresponding to the imaging area118, the portion of the first layer corresponding to the attachment portion114, and the portion of the first layer corresponding to the placement area116.

As shown in the view ofFIG.2, a fifth die cut202in the second layer defines a device receiving aperture206configured to receive, for example, an RFID tag. Notably, the device receiving aperture206is not an aperture until the wristband100is removed from the carrier102. In the illustrated example, the portion of the second layer within the fifth die cut202is adhered to the corresponding portion of the first layer such that the portion of the second layer within the fifth die cut202remains on the carrier102when the wristband100is detached from the carrier102.

FIG.3shows the wristband100removed from the carrier102. The wristband100has a first wristband section106and a second wristband section108separated by a fold line110. The first wristband section106includes the imaging area118(formed by the first layer) and the placement area116(formed by the first layer). In the illustrated example, the imaging area118received printed indicia from a media processing device prior to the wristband100being detached from the carrier102. Example data to be imaged on the imaging area118includes a photographic image of the wearer, a barcode identifying the wearer, a trademark or logo, etc.

The second wristband section108includes a lamination area302(formed by the second layer). The lamination area302is designed such that when the second wristband section108is folded atop the first wristband section106along the fold line110, the lamination area302covers and protects (e.g., laminates) the imaging area118. In the illustrated example, the lamination area302is translucent to allow viewing of the imaging area118and the indicia printed thereon. At least a portion of the lamination area302is covered by adhesive. The portion of the lamination area302containing the adhesive may be a small percentage of the lamination area302(e.g., an outline along the outer edge) or it may be the entire lamination area302. The adhesive on the lamination area302adheres the first wristband section106to the second wristband section108to place the wristband100in a state ready for attaching to a wearer (as shown inFIG.5).

The lamination area302includes the device receiving aperture206having an aperture dimension306. Although the aperture206is depicted in the illustrated example as a circle to receive a circular communication device, the aperture206may be any suitable shape that is correspondingly shaped with the communication device to be received therein. That is, the aperture206can be of any shape to accommodate alternatively shaped communication devices. As the aperture206illustrated in the example ofFIG.3is circular, the aperture dimension306is a diameter. Alternatively, if the aperture206was, for example, a rectangle, the aperture dimension306would be, for example, a width or length or combination thereof.

In the depicted embodiment, the aperture206is positioned on the second wristband section108across the fold line110from the placement area116at which a communication device, such as an RFID tag is placed for securing to the wristband100. Thus, when the second wristband section108is folded atop the first wristband section106, the aperture206aligns with the placement area116. This configuration results an aperture-shaped portion of the first wristband section106corresponding to the placement area116not being laminated and the portion surrounding the placement area116being laminated.

As further described below, by placing a communication device on the placement area116, the aperture206folds over the communication device, allowing one portion of the communication device to pass through the aperture206and securing another portion of the communication device between the first and second wristband sections106and108.

FIG.4shows an example communication device400constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure. The example communication device400includes an insertion portion402having an inner dimension406and a securing portion404having an outer dimension408. As the example communication device400ofFIG.4is circular, the inner dimension406and the outer dimension408are diameters and are sometimes referred to herein as diameters. However, differently shaped communication devices may have different dimensions, such as inner and outer widths, or inner and outer lengths.

The communication device400is, for example, a radio frequency identification tag, a Bluetooth beacon, an ultra-wide band (UWB) tag, a near field communication (NFC) tag, or any other suitable type of device. As depicted inFIG.4, the example communication device is an RFID tag. In some embodiments, the securing portion404and the insertion portion402are part of the same structure (i.e., are integrally formed). In some embodiments, the securing portion404is a flange attached to a surface of the insertion portion402. The securing portion404is, for example, plastic, paper, fiberglass, laminate, or any other material that is resilient such that retention of the securing portion404results in the communication device400being secured to the wristband100.

The example communication device400as shown inFIG.4is an active RFID tag. As is noted above, active RFID tags require a larger housing relative to passive RFID tags, to house a battery, an antenna, circuitry, etc. Due to the larger housing, active RFID tags cannot be sealed flat between the first and second portion of the wristband and must be retained in some other way (as addressed by teachings of this disclosure). The aperture206allows for the larger housing of active RFID tags to protrude while other portions of the active RFID tag are retained.

Notably, the outer diameter408is greater than the inner diameter406. The difference in the outer diameter406and the inner diameter408allows the insertion portion402to pass through the aperture206while the securing portion404is unable to pass through the aperture206. The aperture diameter306is greater than the inner diameter406, and the aperture diameter306is lesser than the outer diameter408. This allows the aperture206to pass over the insertion portion402of the communication device400with the communication device400positioned on the placement area116, and the area of the lamination area302surrounding the aperture206to contact the second wristband section106, thereby trapping the securing portion404in between the first and second wristband sections106and108, which will secure the communication device400to the wristband100.

In other examples configured for differently shaped communication devices, such as a rectangular RFID tag, the outer width or length is less than the inner width or length to enable the insertion portion of the communication device to pass through the aperture but not the securing portion. That is, alternatively shaped apertures are sized correspondingly to the shape of communication device to be received therethrough.

FIG.5shows the wristband100folded along the fold line110such that the first wristband section106and the second wristband section108are overlaid and the communication device400is secured therebetween. When the second wristband section108overlays the first wristband section106, the lamination area302laminates the imaging area118. The lamination protects the imaging area118such that any indicia printed thereon will not be directly smudged, scratched, dissolved, or otherwise damaged. When the second wristband section108is folded over the first wristband section106, the aperture206aligns with the placement area116. As is depicted inFIG.5, when the communication device400is positioned on the placement area116, the second wristband section108is folded over the first wristband section106along the fold line110, the aperture206passes over the communication device400.

An enhanced view of box F.6 around the communication device400is shown inFIG.6. That is,FIG.6depicts a close-up of the communication device400and the aperture206ofFIG.5. InFIG.6, the surfaces of the communication device400can be seen, which includes the insertion portion402and the securing portion404. As shown inFIG.6, the insertion portion402is small enough to fit through aperture206, however the securing portion404is not. Therefore, when the second wristband section108is folded over to laminate the first wristband section106, the lamination area302retains the securing portion404of the communication device400. The lamination area302features adhesive which allows the lamination area302to adhere to surfaces that it contacts. In the example ofFIG.6, the lamination area302adheres to areas surrounding (and perhaps including) the placement area116.

As depicted inFIG.6, an overlap area600of the lamination area302is where the lamination area302contacts the securing portion404of the communication device400. The lamination area302retains the securing portion404in part due to the contact in the overlap area600. In some embodiments, the lamination area302in the overlap area600has adhesive. As the lamination area302has contact with the securing portion404and the areas of the lamination area302outside of the overlap area600are adhering to the first wristband section106, the securing portion604will be secured between the lamination area302and the placement area116.

FIG.7illustrates another example constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure. The example ofFIG.7is another example carrier, roll700that contains a chain of carriers702. InFIG.7, each carrier702is removeable from the roll700via perforations704between the individual carriers702. In some embodiments, the carrier702is processed by a media processing device prior to separating from the roll700. While the carrier102described above is capable of being processed by a laser printer, the roll700is capable of being processed by a thermal printer. Each carrier702functions similar to the two-layered carrier102described above. A wristband is diecut within the carrier702such that the wristband can be removed from the carrier702. Each wristband contains an aperture similar to the aperture206discussed above. The wristband has a fold line, where opposite the fold line is adapted to receive a communication device. An imaging area receives indicia to be generated on the wristband by, for example, a thermal printer. When the wristband is folded over the fold line710, the aperture may pass over and secure a communication device as described above.

FIG.8depicts another example wristband800constructed in accordance with teachings of this disclosure. The example wristband800ofFIG.8includes a strap802and a tab804extending from a side edge of the strap802. The tab804may be located at any point along a length of the strap802, and the tab804may have a width up to the length of the strap802.

The tab804includes an aperture806. In the illustrated example, the aperture806is completely contained within the tab804. In the depicted embodiment, the surface of the tab804around the aperture806include adhesive, such that when the tab804is folded over onto the strap802, the adhesive would adhere the tab804to the strap802.

Like the aperture206ofFIG.6, the aperture806ofFIG.8is sized to receive a communication device. The communication device is capable of being placed on the strap802opposite from the tab804, the communication device then being inserted through the aperture806such that the aperture806fits over the communication device and secures the communication device to the strap802.

The wristband802has a securing mechanism808at an end.FIG.8depicts the securing mechanism as an adhesive capable of adhering opposite ends of the strap802together. The securing mechanism808can be any means for securing one end of the strap802to the other end to loop the wristband800around a wearer's wrist. Other wristband embodiments may include securing mechanisms featuring a snap and peg feature, a locking feature, or other similar securing method known for wristbands.