Device for use in conveying information concerning an article of commerce

A device for use in conveying information concerning an article of commerce, said device comprising:

• (a) an elongated member insertable into an article of commerce using a tagger gun, the tagger gun having a hollow slotted needle for holding said elongated member during the insertion of said elongated member into said article of commerce;
• and
• (b) electronic means incorporated in said elongated member for communicating information relating to the article of commerce into which said elongated member is inserted.

A device for use in conveying information concerning an article of commerce, said device comprising:

• (a) a transponder for transmitting, in response to an innterrogation, a response signal communicating information relating to the article of commerce
• (b) an elongated plastic member is inserted into said article of commerce, said elongated plastic member being in the shape of a cross-bar and being part of a plastic fastener of the type comprising a flexible filament, a paddle at a first end of the flexible filament and a cross-bar at a second end of the flexible filament, said transponder being incorporated into said plastic member, wherein said elongated plastic member is inserted into said article of commerce using a tagger gun having a hollow slotted needle for holding the elongated member during insertion.

A device for use in conveying information concerning an article of commerce, said device comprising:

• (a) a fastener, the fastener comprising an elongated unitary member having a first end, a second end, and a flexible filament, said flexible filament interconnecting said first end and said second end, said first end being shaped to define a cross-bar insertable through an article of commerce using a tagger gun, the tagger gun having a hollow slotted needle for holding said first end of said fastener in the hollow slot for the insertion of said first end through the article Of commerce, said second end being sized and shaped to prevent said flexible filament from being pulled completely through the article of commerce;
• and (b) a transponder incorporated into said fastener for transmitting, in response to an interrogation, a response signal communicating information concerning the article of commerce to which the fastener is attached.

A device for use in conveying information concerning an article of commerce, said device comprising:

• (a) an elongated member insertable into an article of commerce using a tagger gun, the tagger gun having a hollow slotted needle for holding said elongated member during the insertion of said elongated member into said article of commerce;
• and
• (b) a transponder incorporated into said elongated member for transmitting, in response to an interrogation, a response signal communicating information relating to the article of commerce into which said elongated member is inserted.