Method and system for forming electrically conductive pathways
AssigneeAppleton Papers Inc.
InventorJohn Charles Debraal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides for a system and two methods for forming electrically conductive pathways. These pathways can be connected with a microchip in order to form a radio frequency identification tag. A first method uses a thermal transfer ribbon, coated with a conductive material that is engaged with a receiver substrate. A thermal print head will heat a composition on the thermal transfer ribbon in order to transfer it to the receiver substrate. This transfer composition forms the electrically conductive pathway or antenna. In an alternative method, a receiver substrate is heated in order to react conductive material thereon. This receiver substrate is also heated by a thermal print head to form an electrically conductive pathway.
Claims24
A method of forming electrically conductive pathways, comprising the steps of:
- providing a thermal transfer ribbon;
- moving the thermal transfer ribbon past a heat source;
- engaging the thermal transfer ribbon with a receiver substrate as the thermal transfer ribbon moves past the heat source;
- selectively heating portions of the thermal transfer ribbon with the heat source;
- and
- transferring a composition from the thermal transfer ribbon to the receiver substrate, the selective heating enabling a desired pattern of the composition to be transferred to the receiver substrate.
A method of forming electrically conductive pathways, comprising the steps of:
- providing a substrate coated with reactive material;
- moving the substrate past a heat source;
- selectively heating portions of the substrate with the heat source;
- and
- developing the reactive material on the substrate during exposure to heat from the heat source to develop a desired pattern on the substrate, the reactive material forming an electrically conductive material.
A system for producing radio frequency tags comprising:
- a conveyor for moving a substrate;
- a thermal print heat, the conveyor moving the substrate past the thermal print heat, the thermal print head being selectively actuatable to heat a desired pattern on the substrate;
- means on the substrate for reacting with the heat source to form electrically conductive pathways, the means including a heat sensitive composition on the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.