Robust washable tags using a large area antenna conductor

A robust merchandising tag having a RFID device for wireless communication, comprising:

• a RFID wireless communication device having a chip;
• a large-area conductor sheet having a perimeter edge;
• a slot-loop hybrid antenna having an elongated slot positioned fully within an interior of the conductor sheet except for a slot open end not short-circuited with respect to the conductor sheet;
• the wireless communication device being electrically coupled to the conductor sheet at a first location with respect to the slot;
• a second location of the conductor sheet and slot providing a closed end of the slot;
• said slot has generally opposing sidewalls defining therebetween an average slot width;
• said large-area conductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted from the slot sidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive material perimeter edge for a distance greater than the average width of the slot;
• and
• an overlayer that overlies the entirety of the wireless communication device and at least a portion of the large-area conductor sheet adjacent the wireless communication device.

A garment having a robust tag having a RFID device for wireless communication secured thereto, comprising:

• A RFID wireless communication device having a chip;
• a large-area conductor sheet having a perimeter edge;
• a slot-loop hybrid antenna having an elongated slot positioned fully within an interior of the conductor sheet except for a slot open end not short-circuited with respect to the conductor sheet;
• the wireless communication device being electrically coupled to the conductor sheet at a first location with respect to the slot;
• a second location of the conductor sheet and slot providing a closed end of the slot;
• said slot has generally opposing sidewalls defining therebetween an average slot width;
• said large-area conductor sheet extends substantially uninterrupted from the slot sidewalls and the slot closed end to the conductive material perimeter edge for a distance greater than the average width of the slot;
• an overlayer that overlies the entirety of the wireless communication device and at least a portion of the large-area conductor sheet adjacent the wireless communication device;
• and
• a fabric component to which the robust tag is secured.