Abstract: A length of fastener stock (111) includes opposing first and second continuous side members—(113-1) and (113-2) which are coupled together by a plurality of flexible cross-links (117). Individual fasteners (121) are selectively obtained from the stock (111) by cutting or separating the side members (113-1) and (113-2) at appropriate points (i.e., midway) between the cross-links or filaments (115). Accordingly, each fastener (121) will include a first cross-bar (123-1), which has been cut from side member (113-1), and a second cross-bar (123-2), which has been cut from side member (113-2), the cross-bars (123-1) and (123-2) being interconnected by the flexible filament (115). Suitably, with respect to an axial cross-section thereof, the width W of the flexible filament (115) is greater than or equal to approximately one and a half-times the height H of the filament (115).

Abstract: An RFID memory device includes two arrays of resonant members. A first array extends in a first member direction and a second array extends in a second member direction. The device includes one or more elements for transforming energy associated with vibration of the resonant members into a change in impedance of an electrical equivalent circuit of the memory device. The magnitude of impedance change caused by resonance of the first resonant members is maximized at a different magnetic field direction to that at which the magnitude of the impedance change caused by resonance of the second resonant members is maximized. Thus, different data may be encoded on each array and separately read. The resonant members may form part of a common electrical conductor that forms a coupling element for coupling with an applied excitation signal and causing vibration of the resonant members.

Abstract: A length of fastener stock 111 includes opposing first and second continuous side members 113-1 and 113-2 which are coupled together by a plurality of flexible cross-links 117. Individual fasteners 121 are selectively obtained from the stock 111 by cutting or separating the side members 113-1 and 113-2 at appropriate points (i.e., midway) between the cross-links or filaments 115. Accordingly, each fastener 121 will include a first cross-bar 123-1, which has been cut from side member 113-1, and a second cross-bar 123-2, which has been cut from side member 113-2, the cross-bars 123-1 and 123-2 being interconnected by the flexible filament 115. Suitably, with respect to an axial cross-section thereof, the width W of the flexible filament 115 is greater than or equal to approximately one and a half times the height H of the filament 115.

Abstract: The method of interrogating an RFID memory device (14) including one or more vibrating members (16-34) each being able to resonate at a different known resonant frequency uses a ring-up/down interrogation technique which exploits a property of the resonance increments in relation to the background that is not exploited in steady-state interrogation techniques. This ring-up/down interrogation technique operates by application of an electrical stimulus of appropriate band width to which one or more of the resonances can respond and absorb some amount of energy, holding it in (ultimately) mechanical form (“ring-up”) (228). This stimulus is then reduced to zero, and the electrical response appearing across the terminals of the device then recorded (“ring-down”)(230).

Abstract: An RFID memory device includes two arrays of resonant members. A first array extends in a first member direction and a second array extends in a second member direction. The device includes one or more elements for transforming energy associated with vibration of the resonant members into a change in impedance of an electrical equivalent circuit of the memory device. The magnitude of impedance change caused by resonance of the first resonant members is maximised at a different magnetic field direction to that at which the magnitude of the impedance change caused by resonance of the second resonant members is maximised. Thus, different data may be encoded on each array and separately read. The resonant members may form part of a common electrical conductor that forms a coupling element for coupling with an applied excitation signal and causing vibration of the resonant members.