Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for logging temperatures of food products using a temperature assembly including a housing and one or more temperature sensors, e.g., an infrared sensor for surface temperatures and an elongate probe for acquiring a temperature within a food product, and a mobile electronic device including a camera, a communication interface for communicating with the temperature assembly, a processor configured to acquire a temperature reading from the temperature assembly and an image from the camera when the temperature reading is acquired, and memory for storing the temperature reading and image.

Abstract: An RFID device includes a substrate and a lead frame secured to the substrate. The lead frame includes a pair of connection pads formed of a conductive material. An RFID chip and an antenna are electrically coupled to the lead frame. The width of the lead frame is substantially equal to the height of the lead frame. The connection pads of the lead frame may be oriented, among other options, along a direction parallel to a height of the substrate or along a direction parallel to a width of the substrate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an RFID device includes an RFID chip, a first antenna coupled to the RFID chip, and a cardboard substrate. The RFID chip may be at least one of attached to the cardboard substrate at a position and embedded within the cardboard substrate at the position. The cardboard substrate may form at least part of a carton blank configured to cover the RFID chip position with at least one layer of cardboard when the carton blank has been assembled into a closed box.

Abstract: A system and method for food traceability from a food service location to the consumer is disclosed. The method comprises marking food items with a received label as the food items are received. This received label identifies a storage location for the food item and generates traceability information for the food item. If the food item is not intended for storage, then the food item is transferred to a prep table and unique item information is generated for the food item. The food item can then be prepped for usage. During the prepping process, the food item's expiration date is verified, and a serial number is generated, and a use by date is calculated. If the prepped food item is to be served to a consumer, a label is generated with traceability information, and unneeded ingredients are re-purposed or properly disposed of.

Abstract: A composite image heat transfer is disclosed for use on specific merchandising articles, sports jerseys, or other apparel for a specific sport. A scannable mark would be embedded in a heat transfer positioned on a sports jersey, such as a jersey number or a club crest. The scannable mark would be scanned by a user to provide stats, personal information, or other information about the corresponding sports team/club and/or individual athlete. The user can also register the scannable mark and follow the sports team/club and/or athlete on social media. Thus, the composite image heat transfer with embedded scannable mark would link each jersey number with information related to the corresponding player/athlete, and each club crest would be linked to information related to the corresponding club/team. This would enable a strong interaction through social media and other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for logging temperatures of food products using a temperature assembly including a housing and one or more temperature sensors, e.g., an infrared sensor for surface temperatures and an elongate probe for acquiring a temperature within a food product, and a mobile electronic device including a camera, a communication interface for communicating with the temperature assembly, a processor configured to acquire a temperature reading from the temperature assembly and an image from the camera when the temperature reading is acquired, and memory for storing the temperature reading and image.

Abstract: Coated substrates comprising a topcoat are disclosed. The coated substrate may be substantially free of PVC while having performance comparable to a coated substrate comprising PVC. The topcoat may comprise a base polymer comprising a polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate. The base polymer may also comprise a cationic acrylic resin. The topcoat may also comprise a pigment system and optionally, a crosslinking system.

Abstract: A process for RFID certification of carton content. Cartons may be packed with a number of RFID-tagged items and sealed. A carton may then be placed in the proximity of a scanner, which may verify the number and type of items present in the container. The carton ID information and measured RFID data of the carton contents may then be compared to a database, and an RFID pack certification label prepared for the carton if there is no mismatch. Cartons may then be scanned after unloading at a distribution center and again after they are reloaded, for example by passing them through a door portal. Such a method may substantially reduce the costs of scanning and tracking items in a supply chain.

Abstract: An apparatus can comprise a first hollow needle and a first ejector pin with a first portion of an outer peripheral surface comprising a stepped recess from the second portion of the outer peripheral surface. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a second hollow needle. In some embodiments, a first end portion of the cap can be configured for mounting to a nose of the apparatus. The cap can comprise the aperture that may be sized for insertion of the tip of the first hollow needle through the aperture when the cap is removed from the nose. In some embodiments, a nose of the apparatus can comprise a first support surface facing an outer direction and a second support surface facing the outer direction and protruding from the first support surface in the outer direction.

Abstract: An adjustable and repositionable RFID inlay is described herein. The RFID inlay comprises: a) a substrate having a first side and a second side; b) an antenna at least partially disposed on the first side of the substrate, and c) an RFID chip at least partially disposed on the first side of the substrate; wherein a first adhesive is at least partially disposed on the RFID inlay; and wherein a second adhesive is at least partially disposed on the RFID inlay. The second adhesive is an activatable adhesive. Also described herein is a method of positioning an RFID inlay with a first adhesive and a second adhesive where the second adhesive is an activatable adhesive. The method may further comprise repositioning the RFID inlay prior to activating the second adhesive to at least partially affix the RFID inlay to the object.

Abstract: Dual-mode RFID devices are provided with an integrated dual-mode RFID strap including either a UHF/HF dual-mode RFID chip or the combination of a UHF RFID chip and an HF RFID chip. An HF antenna and a UHF antenna are both coupled to the integrated dual-mode RFID strap, with the UHF antenna being formed by an approach other than etching, such as a cutting or printing operation, thereby reducing the cost to manufacture the device. If a pair of chips is employed, one of the chips may have a greater thickness than the other chip, which allows for the thicker chip to be incorporated into the device after the thinner chip without requiring a minimum separation between the two chips due to the size of a thermode used to secure the chips. Additionally, the first chip may be tested before securing the second chip, thereby limiting the cost of a rejected device.

Abstract: A system for locating a RFID tag in a space or area having a physical barrier is disclosed herein. More specifically, the system comprises a plurality of guard tags for use in conjunction with a RFID tag disposed on an item and a RFID reader for locating the same. The system is configured to locate the RFID tag on either side of the physical barrier. The plurality of guard tags may comprise a plurality of negative encoded guard tags and a plurality of positive encoded guard tags, and an algorithm may be used to determine a probability of the RFID tag location within the physical space. A method of locating a RFID tag within a physical space, and a method of virtually shielding the physical space is also disclosed.

Abstract: A RFID label for use on a lid of a container, and a method of using the RFID label. The RFID label comprises a substrate component, a RFID antenna formed on the substrate component, and a RFID chip for storing data coupled to the RFID antenna. The RFID label is positioned or configured on the lid so as to limit or avoid any interference between the RFID antenna and the RFID chip by any metal component of the container. The RFID label is particularly useful for containers that have small lids or metal components, such as vials, where conventional RFID usage is limited.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag with a configurable anti-tamper structure includes an RFID chip electrically connected to a configurable anti-tamper structure. The configurable anti-tamper structure includes a plurality of conductive segments substantially oriented in a ladder configuration. At least some of the plurality of conductive segments are cut to leave a single conductive path in accordance to the desired tamper detection application, and the RFID tag is attached with the anti-tamper structure placed across a break point to be monitored for tampering. When tampering occurs, the conductive path is broken and the RFID chip changes the data sent in response to interrogation by an RFID reader.

Abstract: A multilayer tape assembly is described which can be used with insulation jacketing and particularly for self-sealing lap (SSL) applications. The tape assembly includes two adhesive layers with associated carrier and release layers in conjunction with a differential release system. Various methods of use are also described, including a method of insulating an object.

Abstract: A protective film that can be included in multi-layer film laminates for use in marketing, advertising campaigns, particularly outdoor or other environment impacted promotions and safety applications. The film includes at least two different polyurethane polymers and is free or substantially free of polyvinyl chloride based polymer. One polyurethane has an ultimate elongation less than 200%, and another polyurethane has an ultimate elongation more than 400%. The film may be transparent, translucent, clear or have other desirable optical properties.