Radio-frequency indentification tag and tape applicator, radio-frequency identification tag applicator, and methods of applying radio-frequency identification tags

摘要

A radio-frequency identification tag and tape applicator. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an applicator that includes a tag and tape handling system having a base, a tape supply holder attached to the base, a tag supply holder attached to the base, a tag applying mechanism attached to the base for applying a tag to a length of tape and that includes a taping head for applying the tag and the length of tape to an object. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a radio-frequency identification tag applicator that includes a tag supply holder, a carrier roll holder, a carrier path from the supply roll holder to the carrier roll holder, a tag dispensing mechanism along the carrier path between the supply roll holder and the carrier roll holder for applying a tag to an object, and an interrogator for writing information to tags along the carrier path between the tag supply holder and the tag dispensing mechanism. The present invention also relates to methods of applying a radio-frequency identification tag to tape and to a variety of preferred embodiments of a package in combination with a radio-frequency identification tag.