Patent ID: 8102268

Claim:
A machine-washable ID label for attachment to a washable item, which comprises: a) an outer shell for housing an electronic article surveillance element, said outer shell having a first component and a second component, said first component being a hollow component with a top and side walls, said side walls having inside surfaces and outside surfaces and a continuous loop rim, said top having a maximum predetermined inside width, said side walls having a maximum inside height, wherein said maximum inside height is at least 50% greater than said maximum predetermined inside width, said first component having a U-shaped view from a cut side view and from a cut end view, said first component having an outwardly extending male connector on said rim; and, said second component being a hollow component with a bottom and side walls, said walls having inside surfaces and outside surfaces and a continuous loop rim, said bottom having a maximum predetermined inside width, said side walls having a maximum inside height, wherein said a maximum inside height is at least 50% greater than said maximum predetermined inside width, said second component having a U-shaped view from a cut side view and from a cut end view, said second component having an outwardly extending female connector receiver on said rim, wherein said male connector is located in said female connector receiver and said first component and said second component are hermetically sealed to one another so as to render the inside of said outer shell internally waterproof; and, b) an electronic article surveillance element positioned within said outer shell so as to render it impermeable to water.