# US 2019/0318216 A1 · Method of manufacturing a race bib > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0318216 A1 - Document ID: US20190318216A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/954,647 - Filed: 2018-04-17 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-17 - Assignees: Miller Products, Inc. - Applicants: Miller Products, Inc. - Inventors: Shauna L. Woolf - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190318216A1 ## CPC - G06K 19/07758: {arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag} - B32B 3/06: for securing layers together; for attaching the product to another member, e.g. to a support {, or to another product, e.g. groove/tongue, interlocking} - B32B 3/08: characterised by added members at particular parts {(layer formed of separate pieces of material which are juxtaposed side-by-side B32B3/14, B32B3/18)} - B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12} - B32B 5/022: {Non-woven fabric} - B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)} - B32B 7/04: Interconnection of layers - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/10: of paper or cardboard - B32B 27/12: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - B32B 37/0053: {Constructional details of laminating machines comprising rollers; Constructional features of the rollers} - B32B 37/02: characterised by a sequence of laminating steps, e.g. by adding new layers at consecutive laminating stations - B32B 37/182: {one or more of the layers being plastic} - B32B 37/22: involving the assembly of both discrete and continuous layers - B32B 38/0004: {Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details (cutting in general B26D; laminating combined with punching or perforating B32B38/04; removing all or part of the layers B32B38/10; cutting in combination with laying up and registration B32B38/185 takes precedence)} - B32B 38/145: {Printing} - B32B 37/1207: {Heat-activated adhesive (B32B37/04 takes precedence)} - B32B 37/226: {Laminating sheets, panels or inserts between two continuous plastic layers} - B32B 2250/02: 2 layers - B32B 2262/0253: Polyolefin fibres - B32B 2307/31: Heat sealable - B32B 2307/408: Matt, dull surface - B32B 2307/41: Opaque - B32B 2307/412: Transparent - B32B 2307/7265: Non-permeable - B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties - B32B 2307/75: Printability - B32B 2323/04: Polyethylene - B32B 2323/10: Polypropylene - B32B 2519/00: Labels, badges - B32B 2519/02: RFID tags - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM ## Abstract A race bib and a method of assembling the same. The bib includes a first and second layers with a programmable tag embedded between them. Indicia are provided on a first surface or a second surface of the first layer. A backer is positionable between the tag and the first or second layers. During assembly, a competitor number is printed on the first layer with an ink printer, a tag number correlating to or corresponding to the competitor number is encoded into the tag with a RFID tag printer. The printing and encoding can be accomplished by a combined printer. Alternatively, an optical scanner reads the printed competitor number and transmits the same to the tag printer. The second layer overlays the first layer and is thermally welded or adhesively secured to the first layer. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of assembling a competition race bib comprising: providing a first layer; providing indicia on a first surface or a second surface of the first layer; positioning a tag on the first surface of the first layer; wherein the tag is programmable; applying a second layer over the first surface of the first layer and over the tag; fixedly securing the second layer and first layer together; and encoding the tag with data corresponding to the indicia. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of the first layer comprises: providing a layer of flashspun high-density polyethylene fiber material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of the first layer comprises: providing a layer of synthetic paper. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of the second layer comprises: providing a layer of polypropylene material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method as defined in claim 4, wherein the providing of the layer of polypropylene material comprises providing a transparent polypropylene material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising: providing a backer; and positioning the backer adjacent the tag. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method as defined in claim 6, further comprising: positioning the backer between the tag and the first layer; or positioning the backer between the tag and the second layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of indicia comprises: printing indicia on the first surface of the first layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of indicia comprises: printing indicia on the second surface of the first layer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of indicia comprises: printing first indicia on the first surface of the first layer and printing second indicia on the second surface of the first layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fixedly securing of the first layer and second layer together comprises: positioning the second layer over the first layer and the tag; applying heat to the first layer, the tag and second layer; applying pressure to the first layer, the tag and second layer; and thermally bonding the first layer and second layer together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the fixedly securing of the first layer and second layer together comprises: positioning the second layer over the first layer and the tag; applying an adhesive between the first layer and the second layer; applying pressure to the first layer, the tag and the second layer; and adhesively bonding the first layer to the second layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein providing of the indicia and the encoding of the tag include: passing the first layer into an ink printer; printing a competitor number on the first surface or the second surface of the first layer with the ink printer; and passing the first layer into a Radio Frequency Identification tag printer (RFID tag printer); and encoding a tag number into the tag using the RFID tag printer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as defined in claim 13, further comprising: optically scanning the printed competitor number on the first layer after the first layer exits the ink printer; and transmitting the optically scanned competitor number to the RFID tag printer prior to encoding the tag number into the tag. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as defined in claim 14, further comprising: providing the tag on a backer strip; feeding the tag and backer strip into a tag applicator; and applying the tag and backer strip onto the first layer with the tag applicator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method as defined in claim 14, further comprising: providing the tag on a backer sheet; feeding the tag and backer sheet into a tag applicator; and applying the tag onto the first layer with the tag applicator. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein providing of the indicia and the encoding of the tag include: passing the first layer into a combined ink and RFID tag printer; printing a competitor number on the first surface of the first layer with the combined ink and RFID tag printer; and encoding a tag number into the tag using the combined ink and RFID tag printer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising: providing the tag on a backer strip; feeding the tag and backer strip into the combined ink and RFID tag printer; and applying the tag and backer strip onto the first layer with the combined ink and RFID tag printer. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method as defined in claim 17, further comprising: providing the tag on a backer sheet; feeding the tag and backer sheet into the combined ink and RFID tag printer; and applying the tag onto the first layer with the combined ink and RFID tag printer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the providing of indicia further includes providing a competitor number on one of a first surface and a second surface of the first layer; and providing second indicia on the other of the first surface and the second surface; wherein the second indicia includes personal information relating to an individual competitor. ### Claim 21 A method of using a race bib comprising: embedding a radio frequency identification tag (RFID tag) in a waterproof or water-resistant material; providing a competitor number on the waterproof or water-resistant material; encoding the RFID tag with a tag number that correlates to the competitor number; and attaching the waterproof or water-resistant material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method as defined in claim 21, further comprising: spacing the RFID tag from a competitor's body.