Abstract: A merchandise security kit includes a tag body, a first tack adapted to be removably attached to the tag body to form a first reusable hard tag that is limited to electronic article surveillance (EAS) capabilities, and a second tack adapted to be removably attached to the tag body to form a second reusable hard tag that is provided with both EAS and radio frequency identification (RFID) capabilities. The tag body comprises a security inlay that is disposed within a protective casing, the security inlay including an antenna and an EAS marker. The second tack comprises an enlarged head, a sharpened pin connected to the head and an integrated circuit (IC) chip embedded within the head. With the second tack attached to the tag body, the IC chip either conductively or reactively couples to the antenna in the tag body to provide the second hard tag with its RFID capabilities.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods of making RFID transponder webs and intermediate webs such as RFID strap webs and antenna webs, as well as such webs per se.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer having a print head and a high frequency magnetic coupler to magnetically couple with high frequency RFID transponders in a web at or near the print head. The coupler couples magnetically to only one transponder at a time that is generally aligned with one or more inductors, and magnetic radiation from the inductor(s) may be at least partly shielded from upstream transponders, and a grounded conductor in the upstream side of the coupler diminishes radiation to upstream transponders. One embodiment includes spaced inductors disposed along a generally transverse line across the web, and in another embodiment an elongate inductor extends along a line generally transverse of the web.

Abstract: A merchandise security kit includes a tag body, a first tack adapted to be removably attached to the tag body to form a first reusable hard tag that is limited to electronic article surveillance (EAS) capabilities, and a second tack adapted to be removably attached to the tag body to form a second reusable hard tag that is provided with both EAS and radio frequency identification (RFID) capabilities. The tag body comprises a security inlay that is disposed within a protective casing, the security inlay including an antenna and an EAS marker. The second tack comprises an enlarged head, a sharpened pin connected to the head and an integrated circuit (IC) chip embedded within the head. With the second tack attached to the tag body, the IC chip either conductively or reactively couples to the antenna in the tag body to provide the second hard tag with its RFID capabilities.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods of making RFID transponder webs and intermediate webs such as RFID strap webs and antenna webs, as well as such webs per se.

Abstract: There are disclosed methods of making RFID transponder webs and intermediate webs such as RFID strap webs and antenna webs, as well as such webs per se.

Abstract: There is disclosed a printer having a print head and a high frequency magnetic coupler to magnetically couple with high frequency RFID transponders in a web at or near the print head. The coupler couples magnetically to only one transponder at a time that is generally aligned with one or more inductors, and magnetic radiation from the inductor(s) may be at least partly shielded from upstream transponders, and a grounded conductor in the upstream side of the coupler diminishes radiation to upstream transponders. One embodiment includes spaced inductors disposed along a generally transverse line across the web, and in another embodiment an elongate inductor extends along a line generally transverse of the web.

Abstract: There is disclosed method of shipment verification and/or tamper detection, wherein a purchaser generates an ordering document such as a purchase order RFID-encoded with data identifying items on the order. The supplier gathers the items into a package or packages for the shipment and RFID encodes the shipment with both data relating to the items ordered and to the shipping package weight. When the shipment arrives at the customer's location, the customer decodes the RFID package transponder and compares the items ordered with the items received and/or compares the decoded shipping package weight with the actual weight of the shipment and if there is an unallowable discrepancy in either or both, the customer is on notice that the shipment may be erroneous.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fabric label, a method of making a label, a method of marking a garment, and a tool for inserting a marker. The label preferably has a closed or essentially closed pocket, into which a marker, such as an electronic article surveillance (EAS) or radio frequency identification device (RFID) marker is inserted after the pocket has been formed. In one embodiment the marker is inserted through a slit in the pocket and in other embodiment the marker is inserted into a closed pocket by a hollow needle which has penetrated through a wall of the pocket.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method using thermal and inkjet printing and a combination thermal and inkjet printer includes a thermal print head, an inkjet print head and at least one motor for driving a web of record members, such as labels past the thermal print head and the inkjet print head. A controller controls the thermal print head and the inkjet print head while the inkjet print head remains stationary to print on a record member as the record member moves continuously past each of the print heads at the same speed to provide a simple, fast and inexpensive and less complex combination thermal and inkjet printer than prior combination printers. The thermal print head is used to print data and the ink jet print head is used to print marks of any of various contrasting colors.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held printer for printing on linerless label webs wherein a thermal print head is maintained in pressure contact with the linerless web and a platen roll throughout successive printing cycles, but wherein the pressure is automatically relieved at or shortly after each printing cycle is completed.

Abstract: There is disclosed method of detecting tampering with product packages, using an RFID transponder on the package, wherein the weight before shipment is encoded into the RFID transponder, and the received package is weighed and its RFID transponder is decoded upon receipt of the package, and a comparison of the two weights will indicated tampering or the likelihood of tampering if the weights are outside allowable limits.

Abstract: There is disclosed a fabric label, a method of making a label, a method of marking a garment, and a tool for inserting a marker. The label preferably has a closed or essentially closed pocket, into which a marker, such as an electronic article surveillance (EAS) or radio frequency identification device (RFID) marker is inserted after the pocket has been formed. In one embodiment the marker is inserted through a slit in the pocket and in other embodiment the marker is inserted into a closed pocket by a hollow needle which has penetrated through a wall of the pocket.

Abstract: There is disclosed a composite label web having feed apertures in its carrier web which enable the composite label web to be advanced in a labeler. The feed apertures are preferably arranged in pairs, and each pair has two equally and oppositely transversely and longitudinally inclined feed faces. The feed faces are engageable by a toothed driver. The feed apertures are spaced from the side edges of the carrier web and are spaced apart to avoid tearing out between the feed apertures. Flap portions of the carrier web resulting from making the feed apertures extend in other than the leading direction. The feed faces assist in keeping the carrier web transversely centered in the labeler.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of feeding record webs or sheets and apparatus for carrying out the method. The record feeding apparatus is shown in conjunction with a printing apparatus having a print head assembly, platen structure, a mechanism for severing a printed record from the remainder of the record and an inking mechanism. The record feeding apparatus includes an edge guide, a rotatable feed wheel having a planar frictional surface which engages one face of the web to exert a resultant drive force on the record when driven, the resultant force being comprised of a force vector of large magnitude extending in the longitudinal direction for feeding the record longitudinally and a force vector of small magnitude extending in the lateral direction for causing the record to be driven laterally to cause its side edge to be in guided contact with the edge guide.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of feeding record webs or sheets and apparatus for carrying out the method. The record feeding apparatus is shown in conjunction with a printing apparatus having a print head assembly, platen structure, a mechanism for severing a printed record from the remainder of the record and an inking mechanism. The record feeding apparatus includes an edge guide, a rotatable feed wheel having a planar frictional surface which engages one face of the web to exert a resultant drive force on the record when driven, the resultant force being comprised of a force vector of large magnitude extending in the longitudinal direction for feeding the record longitudinally and a force vector of small magnitude extending in the lateral direction for causing the record to be driven laterally to cause its side edge to be in guided contact with the edge guide.