Abstract: At least one conductive circuit 46 is formed on a substrate 12 that has a conductive layer 28 and a cover layer 40 bonded thereto. The conductive circuit 46 is formed by the severing of the conductive layer 28 into a conductive circuit 46 and a remaining portion 48 by a cutting edge of a cutting tool 50. The edge of the tool also causes the severed edges of the conductive path and the remaining portion to form a gap 52. An electrical insulating coating 54 covers the cover layer while filling the gaps 52. The insulator coating 54 is allowed to set for maintaining separation and integrity of the conductive path 46. The method of the present invention lends itself to manual, semi-automatic and/or automatic production of discrete articles.

Abstract: An on demand useful life indicator (10) and method providing a uniform visual change. The indicator (10) attachable to goods or worn. This indicator includes a base (12); indicator material (14), impermeable adhesive (16), and a co-layered covering (18). The indicator material (14) provides a visual indication when exposed to a selected component of an ambient fluid.. The indicator material (14) is intimately fixed to one side of a second layer (22) of the covering (18) in a selected pattern. The adhesive layer (16) is applied in a selected pattern between the base member (12) and the covering material (18). A permeable second layer (22) of the covering (18) is adhered to the adhesive layer (16) allowing an impermeable first layer (20) to be selectively removed therefrom. The useful life indicator remains in a selected state of dormancy until removal of the first layer (2).

Abstract: An improved on demand useful life indicator that may be attached to or placed in manufactured goods at a selected time. This indicator includes a base member; an indicating material layer, an adhesive layer, and a co-layered covering material. The indicating material layer is formulated to provide a visual indication when exposed to a selected component of an ambient fluid. The indicating material is applied to one side of the impermeable base member in a selected pattern. The adhesive layer is made of an impermeable material and applied in a selected pattern over the indicating material layer so that at least one selected portion of the indicating material is exposed to the ambient fluid. An inner layer of the co-layered cover member has a greater adhesion to the adhesive layer when an impermeable outer layer is removed. The inner layer is permeable to the ambient fluid. The useful life indicator remains in a selected state of dormancy until the outer layer of the co-layered cover member is removed.

Abstract: A security tag for a compact disc container holding a compact disc is comprised of a generally flat substrate which includes circuitry for establishing a resonant circuit. The substrate is positioned within the compact disc storage container such that a first portion of the substrate extends beyond the periphery of the compact disc and a second portion of the substrate overlaps at least a portion of the compact disc. A part of the circuitry is located on each of the first and second portions of the substrate so that the frequency of the resonant circuit is established at least in part by interaction between the circuitry and the compact disc. The security tag is used in an electronic security system for a surveilled area, including a transmitter for transmitting electromagnetic energy into the surveilled area at a predetermined detection frequency and a receiver for detecting the presence of a security tag resonating at a detection frequency within the surveilled area.

Abstract: Electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags are attached to articles of merchandise, not at the stores using EAS equipment, but in conjunction with the manufacture of these articles. At that stage, the tags are not detectable by the EAS equipment. They are made detectable upon receipt by an EAS-using store. For swept frequency RF EAS equipment, the tags are initially provided with two capacitors which make the tags resonant at a first frequency not detectable by the store's EAS equipment. To activate them, one capacitor is disabled, thereby making the tags resonant at a different frequency which is detectable.

Abstract: A resonant circuit which forms part of a security tag for use in an electronic security system includes a fusible link which opens the circuit in response to radio frequency at the resonant frequency. The fusible link opens at a lower signal intensity than otherwise, because the substances of which it is made include at least one accelerator that promotes the fuse action.

Abstract: A resonant circuit-bearing tag, which is capable of causing an article protection system to give an alarm, is provided with a release liner surface. To permit removal of an article to which the tag is attached without causing an alarm, a metal foil-bearing label is adhered to the release liner surface of the tag. By virtue of the release liner on the tag, the label is susceptible of being peeled off the tag, thereby restoring the tag's ability to cause an alarm.