SE2350716A1

SE2350716A1 - An upcycling method and system for use of fabric from clothes

Info

Publication number: SE2350716A1
Application number: SE2350716A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Post Caroline Von; Susanne Beskow
Original assignee: Beskow von Post AB
Priority date: 2023-06-13
Filing date: 2023-06-13
Publication date: 2024-12-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for use of fabric (1) from clothes comprising - a first sorting of clothes using predetermined parameters, - deconstructing the clothes in parts - a second sorting of the fabrics using predetermined parameters, - dissecting the sorted fabrics. The dissecting comprises storing patterns of fabric each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics, storing characteristics of fabric based on predetermined parameters, capturing an image of the fabric, determining the pattern of the fabric, displaying information about the pattern, receiving information about the chosen pattern, determining characteristics of the fabric, determining a size and shape of one or more area of the fabric to be cut, generating instructions for cutting the fabric into pieces, generating instructions for programming a tag, transferring the instructions to a cutting machine, transferring instructions for programming tags, and attaching the tag to at least one piece of fabric (2).

Description

Field of the invention The present invention relates to a method for use of fabric from clothes comprising a first sorting of clothes using predetermined parameters, deconstructing the clothes in parts, a second sorting of the fabrics using predetermined parameters, and dissecting the sorted fabrics.

Background of the invention and prior art Textile products and clothing are very polluting and environmentally unfriendly. According to the new directives in the EU, textile products and clothing should be processed in the following order: 1. Reuse 2. Upcycling 3. Recycling 4. Burned Upcycling should handle as much as possible ofthe worn fabrics since recycling is an environmentally damaging process by itself.

Some of the clothing like workwear are made of quality fabrics that can be reused in production. Today, workwear is sold directly or via retail to companies that work closely with washing services for cleaning or washing at home by the worker.

Washing companies like Elis are marking the clothes with tags, like a RFID to identify the owner. Once the clothes are worn the tag is either burned or sent for recycling. lt is a challenge to create a circular upcycling method and systems. These methods are complicated and reeducating the actors on the market and creating a feasible process for reshaping the way worn clothes are produced and handled is hard.

The new method is preferably automated and standardized. Identification with tags can be used to identify the different parts of fabrics and non-fabric parts, sorting clothes, identification of customers, such as zippers, buttons, etc.

Summary of the invention lt is an object of the present invention to at least partly overcome the above-mentioned problems, and to provide an improved method and system for upcycling clothes.

This object is achieved by a method as defined in claim 1. ln some aspects, an upcycling method for use of fabric from clothes comprises or consists of the following steps - a first sorting of clothes using predetermined parameters, such as size, wear, tear, colour, composition and environmental data, and brand, - deconstructing the clothes in parts of fabric by removing all non-sole-fabric parts, such as seams, zippers, buttons, - a second sorting of the fabrics obtained after deconstruction using predetermined parameters, such as size, wear, tear, colour, composition and environmental data, and brand, - dissecting the sorted fabrics to obtain pieces of fabric for use of said pieces of fabric.

The dissecting comprises or consists of Storing a plurality of patterns of fabric to be dissected, each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics, Storing one or more characteristics of fabric based on the predetermined parameters associated with the fabric, Capturing a digital image ofthe sorted fabric, Determining the pattern of the fabric based on the digital image using the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics, Displaying information about the determined predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics and allowing the user to choose and/or correct a chosen pattern, Receiving information about the chosen pattern, Determining one or more characteristics of the fabric associated with the determined predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics based on the digital image, Determining a size and shape of one or more area of the fabric to be cut in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric, Generating instructions based on the determined size and shape of the one or more areas for cutting the fabric into pieces, Generating instructions for programming a tag based on the determined of size and shape of the one or more areas, to be added to at least one piece of fabric, Transferring the instructions to a machine for cutting the fabric in the determined pieces, Transferring instructions to a machine for programming one or more tags, and Attaching the one or more tag to at least one piece of fabric. ln some aspects, a sorting method is used for the first and/or second sorting of the fabrics using predetermined parameters, comprises Storing a plurality of parameters of fabric to be sorted, each associated with cha racteristics ofthe fa bric, such as customer, a size, wear, tear, colour, environmnetla data, fabric composition and brand Capturing a digital image ofthe sorted fabric, Determining the parameters of fabric based on the digital image, Displaying information about the determined parameters and allowing the user to choose and/or correct a chosen parameter, - Receiving information about the chosen parameters, - Determining one or more Characteristics of the fabric associated with the determined parameters and based on the digital image, - Determining sorting of the fabric in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for how to sort the fabric, - Generating instructions based on the determined sorting, and - Transferring the instructions to a machine for sorting the fabric according to the chosen determined sorting. ln some aspects, the method further comprises - Generating instructions for programming one or more tag based on the determined sorting to be added to the sorted fabric, - Transferring instructions to a machine for programming one or more tags, and - Attaching the one or more tag to the sorted fabric.

The method of the invention can be performed fully automated using standardized parameters for sorting and cutting. The pieces selected for use can be used to produce clothes, such as workwear, where all pieces have about the same degree of wear and tear, colour, and composition and environmental data, etc. The tags allow for identification of a customer. The customer can send the pieces to a manufacturing facility for production of new or secondhand clothes.

The method optimizes use of fabric. The method of the invention reduces the pollution by clothes and minimizes the carbon footprint that clothes have today. The method allows clothing manufacturers to manufacture more climate smart products by substituting virgin materials for reused and upcycled materials. The method allows to cut out both standardized pieces of fabric and customized pieces of fabric. When standardized pieces are cut out, the amount of material to be reused can be optimized. This allows for cutting a maximum size pieces of fabric. When customized pieces are cut out, the customer's cutting pattern can be stored and used in the method to cut out customized pieces of fabric. The manufacturer can use the pieces for making new products. For example, fabric from a jacket can be cut into pieces of fabric having a cutting pattern of a glove from which gloves can be made. The method is climate smart. The method can be applied to both workwear and consumer clothing. The fabric is tagged with information, such as composition, environmental data (necessary for companies to report in some countries) and brand etc.

The object is also achieved by a system as defined in the claims. ln some aspects, a system for cutting fabric into pieces suitable for use of the fabric, com prises or consists of - A machine for cutting fabric, - A memory location for storing a plurality of patterns of fabric to be dissected, each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics, - A memory location for storing one or more characteristics of fabric based on predetermined parameters associated with the fabric, - An image device for capturing a digital image of at least a part of the fabric, - An image processing module adapted to determine the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics of the fabric and at least one characteristic of the fabric, - A display unit for displaying a user interface for providing information about the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics and at least one characteristic and allowing the user to choose and/or correct the chosen pattern, and - A cutting module adapted to receive information about the chosen straight thread pattern or structure and to select a size and shape of one or more area of fabric to be cut based on the chosen straight thread pattern or structure and to determine one or more areas ofthe fabric in dependence on the determined characteristics ofthe fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric, to generate instructions for cutting the fabric based on the determined size and shape of one or more area of fabric and to transfer the instructions to the machine for cutting the fabric. ln some aspects, the system further comprises - a tag module adapted to receive information about the characterization of the one or more areas of fabric, to program one or more tag with said information, and - a tag attaching machine for attaching the one or more tag to the one or more pieces corresponding to said one or more areas. ln some aspects, the machine for cutting fabric comprises a suction table adapted to suck the fabrics on a table. ln some aspects, the system comprises an operator interface adapted to allow an operator to communicate with the cutting module and to adjust the size and shape of the one or more areas before the instructions for cutting the fabric are generated.

The system described herein may be used to perform the method described herein. ln some aspects, one of the predetermined parameters is defined as an average percentage of straight threads in the fabric, whereby determining one or more characteristics based on said parameter comprises determining the average percentage of straight threads in the fabric, determining a size and shape of one or more area to be cut in dependence on the average percentage of straight threads in the fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric. ln some aspects, determining a size and shape of one or more area to be cut comprises determining values of parameters based on the determined characteristics defined for the fabric and said predefined rules, and determining the size and shape ofthe area based on the selected characteristics and determined values ofthe parameters. ln some aspects, the tags are wireless identification devices selected from the group comprising active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, or passive RFID tags, micro-RFID, E-thread, bar codes, near-field communication (NFC) tag and a QR code.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be explained more closely by the description ofdifferent embodiments of the invention and with reference to the appended figures.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a system of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a method of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows an example of cutting fabric in pieces.

Fig. 4 and 5 shows an aspect of determination of Characteristics of parameters associated with the fabric.

Detailed description of various embodiments of the invention As used herein "non sole-fabric" means pieces of clothes made of metal, rubber, PVC, hard plastic or comprising seams.

As used herein "damage" means any alteration or damage of fabric, such as holes in the fabric and stains on the fabric.

As used herein "use" may include re-use.

As used herein "standardized pieces of fabric" means pieces of fabric that are cut in standard shapes of pieces, such as rectangular, square, diamond, oval or round shapes pieces of fabric. As used herein "customized pieces of fabric" means pieces of fabric cut using a stored cutting pattern, i.e. a predefined shape in which the fabric will be cut, e.g. a glove. A customized piece of fabric may have the same shape as a standardized piece of fabric.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an example of the system of the invention. The system comprises a machine 9 for cutting fabric 1 into pieces of fabric 2. The system comprises a server unit 3 comprising a memory location 4 for storing a plurality of patterns of fabric to be dissected, each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics and a memory location 5 for storing one or more characteristics of fabric based on predetermined parameters associated with the fabric. The system comprises an image processing module 6, adapted to determine the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics ofthe fabric and at least one characteristic of the fabric, and a cutting module 7 adapted to determine the size and shape of areas 2 of the fabric 1 to be cut and to generate instructions to the machine 9. A digital image device 8 is adapted to capture images of the fabric. The digital image device 8 may be a camera or a scanner. A display unit 11 may be used for displaying a user interface to provide information about a straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics of the fabric and at least one characteristic and allowing the user to choose and/or correct the chosen pattern. An operator interface unit 10 may be present having a display unit and a keyboard adapted to display an interface to allow an operator to communicate with the system, such as the cutting module and to adjust the size and shape of the one or more areas before the instructions for cutting the fabric are generated. The operator interface unit 10 may comprise the digital image device 8. ln this case the display unit 11 is incorporated in the operator interface unit 10.

The system further comprises a tag module 12 adapted to receive information about the characterization of the one or more areas of fabric, to program one or more tag 14 with said information, and a tag attaching machine 13 for attaching the one or more tag 14 to the one or more pieces 2 corresponding to said one or more areas. Further information may be added to the tags, such as manufacturer, etc..

The communication between the different parts of the system like image device, units, machines and server may be wireless or via a wire using a network, such as internet.

The digital image device 8 includes a software module for generating and displaying a user interface and to communicate with the server unit 3. The software module is run on the device 8. Software applications (Apps) may be used for downloading such software on the device 8. These can be in the form of .net, Java, Flash, and the like.

The server unit 3, the memory locations 4 and 5, the image processing module 6, the cutting module 7 and the tag module 12 may be run on a computer unit. The modules are software modules run on the server unit 3. The server unit 3 comprises hardware, such as a processing unit, e.g. a CPU, memory, data storage, etc., for running the software modules and to communication with the display unit 11 and/or the operator interface unit 10.

The cutting machine 9 may comprise a suction table adapted to suck the fabrics on a table. A suction table facilitates capturing of images of the fabric and sorting of the fabrics.

Cutting ay be performed in any manner, such as laser cutting, punch cutting, etc.

The tags may be wireless identification devices. The tags may be selected from the group comprising or consisting of active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, or passive RFID tags, micro-RFID, E-thread, bar codes, near-field communication (N FC) tag and a QR code. The information on the tags may further com prise information about the manufacturer, customer, etc..

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an upcycling method for use of fabric from clothes.

Clothes may be provided by a client. The clothes may be working clothes or any other clothes or garments. The clothes may be provided by a laundry service or any clothing producer or user of clothes in large quantities. ln a first sorting step, the clothes are sorted using predetermined parameters. These parameters may be type of garment, such as trousers, shirts, jackets, different sizes and colours and dyes, wear and tear, and composition and environmental data. The first sorting may result in piles of for example trousers having the same colour and size and a certain degree of wear.

The sorted clothes are then deconstructed in a next step. During this step the non-fabric parts, such as zippers, buttons and seams are removed from the garment. Some of the separated parts, e.g. zippers and buttons may be re-used and may thus be a source of income. Deconstruction results in parts of fabrics 2. The parts of fabric are sorted in a second sorting step using predetermined parameters. These parameters may be the same or different from the parameters used in the first sorting step. The parameters may be type of garment, such as trouser, shirt, jacket, different sizes, colours and dyes, wear and tear and composition and environmental data or brand. The second sorting may result in piles of, for example legs from trousers having the same colour/dye and size and a defined degree of wear. ln a next step, the sorted fabrics are dissected to separate pieces of the fabric that can be re- used and to discard the pieces that cannot be used due to damage to the fabric. The dissecting step is done automated using the system described above. The dissecting step may comprise or consist of - Storing a plurality of patterns of fabric to be dissected, each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics in the memory location 4. Manufactures of clothes produce fabrics having a defined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics. These patterns can be used for identification of the fabric and to determine damage to the fabric by comparing the original predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics with the pattern of the fabric that is to be dissected.

Storing one or more characteristics of fabric based on the predetermined parameters associated with the fabric in the memory location 5. The parameters may be selected from the group comprising or consisting of straight threads, thickness of fabric, thickness ofthreads, colour/dye, and composition and environmental data, etc.. Capturing a digital image of the sorted fabric using the image device 8, such as a camera or scanner.

Determining the pattern of the fabric based on the digital image using the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics. The image processing module is adapted to determine the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics of the fabric. The image processing module may be present in the image device 8 or a computer unit.

Displaying information about the determined predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics and allowing the user to choose and/or correct a chosen pattern or structure on the display unit 11.

Receiving information about the chosen pattern.

Determining one or more characteristics of the fabric associated with the determined predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics based on the digital image. Figure 4 shows different characteristics of wear, where W1 may stand for no or almost no damage, W2 for some damage but straight threads still present, W3 for areas in the fabric where a percentage of the straight threads is no longer present, W4 for holes in the fabric where straight threads are absent. Figure 5 shows another example of fabrics with different characteristics related to colour, where Cl may stand for no or almost no change in colour, C2 for some fading of the colour and C3 illustrates stains on the fabric. The image processing module is adapted to determine at least one characteristic of the fabric. The image processing module may be present in the image device 8 or a computer unit. Determining a size and shape ofone or more area ofthe fabric to be cut in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric. The rules may be selection criteria of the characterized areas. For example, a rule for an identified hole/no presence of fabric = discard piece from 2 cm distance from the edge ifthe hole. The rules may be combined, and the server unit provides a selection on which areas of the fabric are to be discarded and which areas are to be used. A combination of rules may be W1 + Cl = use for production of second hand clothes, W2 + C2 = use for production of third hand clothes, W3 + C2 = waste, etc..

Generating instructions based on the determined size and shape of the one or more areas for cutting the fabric into pieces. Once the areas of the fabric have been defined using the characteristics of the parameters, the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structu res for non-woven fa brics and the rules, instructions can be generated.

Generating instructions for programming a tag 14 in the tag module 12 based on the determined of size and shape of the one or more areas, to be added to at least one piece of fabric 2.

Transferring the instructions to a machine 9 for cutting the fabric in the determined pieces 2.

Transferring instructions to a machine 13 for programming one or more tags 14. Attaching the one or more tag to at least one piece of fabric 2. Tags 14 may be added to each individual piece of fabric or tags can be added to each batch of pieces of fabric. After cutting, the pieces of fabrics may be sorted in categories, such as second hand or third hand depending on the determination used for cutting the different areas. After sorting, a batch of the pieces from one category may provided and tags.

The first and/or second sorting of the fabrics may be done automated using the system described above. Predetermined parameters may be used for this sorting comprising or consisting of Storing a plurality of parameters of fabric to be sorted, each associated with characteristics of the fabric, such as type of garment, such as trouser, shirt, jacket, different sizes, colours and dyes, wear and tear and composition and environmental data or brand, etc.

Capturing a digital image ofthe sorted fabric, Determining the parameters of fabric based on the digital image, Displaying information about the determined parameters and allowing the user to choose and/or correct chosen parameters, Receiving information about the chosen parameters, Determining one or more characteristics of the fabric associated with the determined parameters and based on the digital image, Determining sorting of the fabric in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for how to sort the fabric, Generating instructions based on the determined sorting, Transferring the instructions to a machine for sorting the fabric according to the chosen determination.

The method and system may be used for partial removal of pieces of fabrics from clothes, whereby the cloth or garment is only partially deconstructed and dissected. Some clothes may be designed to be used in the method and system of the invention. Such information about a predefined next life can be stored in a tag and used during sorting. For example, areas in the knees of a trouser may need to be replaced, while the rest of the fabric of the trouser can be reused. ln this case, the trouser may contain information, the trouser may be sorted, deconstructed, where needed, dissected where needed (for example by removing a knee part ofthe trouser only) and then sent to the manufacturing to add a new knee part to the trouser.

Tags present on cloths provided to be used in the method or system. These tags can be removed or reprogrammed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed but may be varied and modified within the scope ofthe following claims.

Claims

1. An upcycling method for use of fabric (1) from clothes comprising the following steps - a first sorting of clothes using predetermined parameters, such as size, wear, tear, colour, composition and environmental data, and brand, - deconstructing the clothes in parts of fabric by removing all non-sole-fabric parts, such as seams, zippers, buttons, - a second sorting of the fabrics obtained after deconstruction using predetermined parameters, such as size, wear, tear, colour, composition and environmental data, and brand, - dissecting the sorted fabrics to obtain pieces of fabric (2) for use of said pieces of fabric, characterized in that, the dissecting comprising Storing a plurality of patterns of fabric (1) to be dissected, each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics, Storing one or more characteristics of fabric (1) based on the predetermined parameters associated with the fabric, Capturing a digital image ofthe sorted fabric, Determining the pattern of the fabric (1) based on the digital image using the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics, Displaying information about the determined predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics and allowing the user to choose and/or correct a chosen pattern, Receiving information about the chosen pattern, Determining one or more characteristics of the fabric (1) associated with the determined predefined based on the digital image, Determining a size and shape ofone or more area ofthe fabric to be cut in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric (1), Generating instructions based on the determined size and shape of the one or more areas for cutting the fabric into pieces, Generating instructions for programming a tag based on the determined of size and shape of the one or more areas, to be added to at least one piece of fabric (2), Transferring the instructions to a machine for cutting the fabric in the determined pieces, Transferring instructions to a machine for programming one or more tags, Attaching the one or more tag to at least one piece of fabric (2).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or second sorting of the fabrics (1) using predetermined parameters, comprises Storing a plurality of parameters of fabric to be sorted, each associated with characteristics of the fabric (1), such as customer, a size, wear, tear and colour, and composition and environmental dataCapturing a digital image ofthe sorted fabric, Determining the parameters of fabric (1) based on the digital image, Displaying information about the determined parameters and allowing the user to choose and/or correct a chosen parameter, Receiving information about the chosen parameters, Determining one or more characteristics of the fabric associated with the determined parameters and based on the digital image, Determining sorting of the fabric in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for how to sort the fabric, Generating instructions based on the determined sorting, Transferring the instructions to a machine for sorting the fabric (1) according to the determined sorting.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises Generating instructions for programming one or more tag based on the determined sorting to be added to the sorted fabric (1), Transferring instructions to a machine for programming one or more tags, Attaching the one or more tag to the sorted fabric (1).

4. A system for cutting fabric (1) into pieces suitable for use of the fabric (1), characterized in that the system comprises A machine (9) for cutting fabric (1), A memory location (4) for storing a plurality of patterns of fabric (1) to be dissected, each associated with a predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics, A memory location (5) for storing one or more characteristics of fabric (1) based on predetermined parameters associated with the fabric, An image device (8) for capturing a digital image of at least a part ofthe fabric (1), An image processing module (6) adapted to determine the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non-woven fabrics of the fabric (1) and at least one characteristic ofthe fabric, A display unit (11) for displaying a user interface for providing information about the predefined straight thread pattern for woven fabrics or pattern or structures for non- woven fabrics and at least one characteristic and allowing the user to choose and/or correct the chosen pattern, A cutting module (7) adapted to receive information about the chosen straight thread pattern or structure and to select a size and shape of one or more area of fabric (1) to be cut based on the chosen straight thread pattern or structure and to determine one or more areas of the fabric in dependence on the determined characteristics of the fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric, to generate instructions for cutting the fabric based on the determined size and shape of one or more area of fabric and to transfer the instructions to the machine (9) for cutting the fabric (1).

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the system further comprises - a tag module (12) adapted to receive information about the characterization of the one or more areas of fabric (1), to program one or more tag (14) with said information, and - a tag attaching machine (13) for attaching the one or more tag to the one or more pieces corresponding to said one or more areas.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the machine for cutting fabric (1) comprises a suction table adapted to suck the fabrics on a table.

7. The system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the system comprises an operator interface (10) adapted to allow an operator to communicate with the cutting module (7) and to adjust the size and shape of the one or more areas before the instructions for cutting the fabric (1) are generated.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 7, or the system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein one of the predetermined parameters is defined as an average percentage of straight threads in the fabric (1), whereby determining one or more characteristics based on said parameter comprises determining the average percentage of straight threads in the fabric, determining a size and shape of one or more area to be cut in dependence on the average percentage of straight threads in the fabric and one or more predefined rules for where to cut the fabric (1).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 7, 8, or the system according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein determining a size and shape of one or more area to be cut comprises determining values of parameters based on the determined characteristics defined for the fabric (1) and said predefined rules, and determining the size and shape of the area based on the selected characteristics and determined values ofthe parameters.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or 7 to 9, or the system according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the tags (14) are wireless identification devices selected from the group comprising active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, or passive RFID tags, micro-RFID, E-thread, bar codes, near-field communication (NFC) tag and a QR code.