WO2015051913A1 - Polymer film comprising rfid tags - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a film comprising a first and a second film layer and one or more RFID tags provided between the first and the second film layer. Said film is used to produce large-format cards and deep-drawn packaging for the identification, storage and tracking of semi-finished products, spare parts, intermediate products and consumer goods.

Description

 Polymer film with RFID tags

The present invention relates to a film having a first and second film layer and one or more RFID tags disposed between the first and second film layers.

RFID tags and labels equipped with RFID tags are known in the art, for example from EP 1538559 AI. RFID tags comprise an antenna and an integrated electronic circuit (hereinafter referred to as IC) connected to the antenna, which is usually based on conventional semiconductor technology with silicon as the substrate. Alternatively, the IC is manufactured by printing and / or lithography using electrically conductive and semiconducting polymers and inks. The antenna usually consists of a thin metallic layer, preferably of aluminum. The antenna structure is produced by printing or deposition of metallic substances from the gas phase on a substrate, followed by lithography and chemical etching or by laser etching. The substrate used is usually a band-shaped polymer film, for example a film of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) with a thickness of less than 100 μm. In most cases, these substrate films are biaxially stretched or oriented. The IC is provided with two or more pads that are electrically connected to the antenna by bonding wires or preferably by so-called "gold bumps" and a conductive adhesive. The conductive connection between the IC and the antenna is susceptible to damage by mechanical stress, such as tensile or bending moments, as well as due to corrosion, particularly moisture, which may diffuse from the environment and cause delamination of the conductive adhesive. After mounting and contacting, the antenna and the IC are sealed by means of an adhesive and a cover made of paper or a polymeric film. After sealing, the back side, ie the surface of the strip-shaped substrate opposite the antenna and the IC, is coated with an adhesive, the RFID tags are separated by cutting or punching the strip-shaped substrate and applied to a band-shaped release liner. The release liner is usually equipped with an abhesive coating, such as polysiloxane, on which the RFID tags adhere well and can be solved with a low peel force (peel force). Rolls with the tape-shaped, RFID-tagged release liner are used in known labeling devices to produce various items such as access control cards, payment cards, theater tickets, packaging from - -

Equip drugs or electronic devices, each with an RFID tag. In some applications, such as payment cards, the RFID tag is sandwiched between two or more laminated polymer layers. The format of such cards equipped with RFID tags invariably corresponds to the format of credit cards. Accordingly, such cards have an area of about 46 cm.

The object of the present invention is to provide films with integrated RFID tags for the marking, storage and tracking of semi-finished products, spare parts, intermediate products and consumer goods. The films according to the invention have one or more of the following properties: an area greater than 60 cm;

- protection of the RFID tags against damage due to mechanical action, thermal stress and corrosive environmental conditions, such as high humidity;

- Describability and printability of the film surface;

- Suitability for deformation processes, such as thermoforming or deep drawing.

This object is achieved by a film comprising a first and second film layer and one or more RFID tags arranged between the first and second film layer, with film regions regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern having an area of 60 to 2500 cm ² each having an RFID tag. Day included. Zeckmäßig further developments of the film according to the invention are characterized in that:

Periodically arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern foil areas

0 0 0 with an area of 80 to 2500 cm, from 100 to 2500 cm, from 120 to 2500 cm, from 140 to 2500 cm ² , from 160 to 2500 cm ² , from 180 to 2500 cm ² , from 200 to 2500 cm ² , from 300 to 2500 cm ² , from 400 to 2500 cm ² , from 500 to 2500 cm ² or from 600 to

2500 cm each contain an RFID tag;

- The film has an area of 0.5 to 15 m ² ; - -

- The film has an area of 0.5 to 10 m;

- The film has an area of 0.5 to 20 m;

- The film has an area of 0.5 to 100 m;

- The film has an area of 15 to 38000 m ² ; - The first and second film layer independently of one another consist of a polymeric material;

the first and second film layers are independently of one another more than 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the first or the second film layer, of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene , Polyamide,

polyethylene;

- The film comprises a disposed between the first and second film layer adhesive layer;

- The film comprises a third film layer, wherein the third film layer between the first and second film layer and the at least one RFID tag between the third and first film layer or between the third and second film layer is arranged and the third film layer consists of a polymeric material;

- The film comprises a third film layer, wherein the third film layer between the first and second film layer and the at least one RFID tag between the third and first film layer or between the third and second film layer is arranged and the third film layer to at least 60 wt. %, based on the total weight of the third film layer, of a material selected from the group consisting of polyester, vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene; - The film comprises a third film layer, wherein the third film layer between the first and second film layer and the at least one RFID tag between the third and first film layer or between the third and second film layer is arranged and the third film layer to at least 60 wt. %, based on the - -

Total weight of the third film layer, made of a material based on polyethylene;

an adhesion layer is arranged between the third and first film layer or an adhesion layer is arranged between the third and second film layer; - an adhesion layer is arranged between the third and first film layer or an adhesion layer between the third and second film layer and said adhesion layer consists of ethylene vinyl acetate;

the film comprises an adhesive layer arranged between the third and first film layer or between the third and second film layer; the film comprises a third film layer and a fourth film layer, wherein the third and fourth film layers are arranged between the first and second film layers and the at least one RFID tag is interposed between the third and fourth film layers and the third and fourth film layers are made of a polymeric material independently of one another Material consist; - The film comprises a third film layer and a fourth film layer, wherein the third and fourth film layer between the first and second film layer and the at least one RFID tag between the third and fourth film layer is arranged and the third and fourth film layer independently of each other to at least 60th Wt .-%, based on the total weight of the third, respectively the fourth film layer, consist of a material which is selected from the group comprising

Polyester, vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene;

- The film comprises a third film layer and a fourth film layer, wherein the third and fourth film layer between the first and second film layer and the at least one RFID tag between the third and fourth film layer is arranged and the third and fourth film layer independently of each other to at least 60th Wt .-%, based on the total weight of the third, respectively the fourth film layer, made of a material based on polyethylene;

an adhesion layer is arranged between the first and third film layers and / or an adhesion layer is arranged between the second and fourth film layers; - -

- a hafite layer is arranged between the first and third film layers and / or a hafit layer is arranged between the second and fourth film layers and said adhesive layers consist of ethylene vinyl acetate;

the film comprises an adhesive layer arranged between the third and fourth film layers;

- The at least one RFID tag is connected by means of an adhesive with the first, second, third or fourth film layer;

- The at least one RFID tag is connected by means of an adhesive with a, disposed between the first and second film layer adhesive layer; - The at least one RFID tag is connected by means of an adhesive with a, disposed between the third and first film layer adhesive layer;

- The at least one RFID tag is connected by means of an adhesive with a, disposed between the third and second film layer adhesive layer;

- The at least one RFID tag is connected by means of an adhesive with an arranged between the third and fourth film layer adhesive layer;

- The at least one RFID tag and the first film layer are mechanically decoupled and the RFID tag is laterally displaceable relative to the first film layer;

- The at least one RFID tag and the second film layer are mechanically decoupled and the RFID tag is laterally displaceable relative to the second film layer; - The at least one RFID tag and the third film layer are mechanically decoupled and the RFID tag relative to the third film layer is displaceable;

- The at least one RFID tag and the fourth film layer are mechanically decoupled and the RFID tag relative to the fourth film layer is displaceable;

- The film regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern pockets having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm and each having an RFID tag in one

Bag is arranged and displaceable within the bag; - -

- The film arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern zones having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm ² and a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C, preferably greater than 110 ° C, the RFID tags are arranged in said zones and the film has a Vicat softening temperature of less than 100 ° C in the area surrounding said zones;

- The film is monoaxially or biaxially stretched with a draw ratio of 1.3 to 6;

- The first film layer is monoaxially or biaxially stretched with a draw ratio of 1.3 to 6;

- The second film layer is monoaxially or biaxially stretched with a draw ratio of 1, 3 to 6;

- The third film layer is monoaxially or biaxially stretched with a draw ratio of 1.3 to 6;

the fourth film layer is monoaxially or biaxially stretched with a draw ratio of 1.3 to 6; - The film is provided on one or two of its outer surfaces with a coating that is printable or writable with water or solvent-based inks;

the RFID tags contained in the film comprise an elastically deformable, in particular extensible, antenna which is made of an electrically conductive, polymeric material which preferably comprises carbon nanotubes (carbon nanotubes or

CNT) as an electrically conductive additive;

- The RFID tags contained in the film include a substrate made of a polymeric material having a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C;

the RFID tags contained in the film comprise a substrate made of a polymer fiber-reinforced material; and or

- The RFID tags contained in the film comprise a substrate with a ceramic filler. - -

In the context of the invention, the term "RFID tag" includes a substrate, an integrated circuit (IC) and an electrically conductively connected to the IC antenna and optionally a cover and / or an adhesive layer on an outwardly facing surface of the substrate or the cover is arranged. The substrate and the cover of the RFID tag consist of the same or mutually different, in each case film-shaped materials, in particular of materials based on paper and / or polymers.

The first and second film layers of the film according to the invention contain, in addition to a material from the group polyester, vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene optionally other polymers and / or one or more additives selected from the group comprising color pigments and modifiers, such as waxes.

When polyester is used as the material for the first and second film layers, copolyesters of the type APET, PETG (eg PETG 6763 from Eastman Chemical Company) and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol or neopentyl glycol-modified copolyesters (eg Embrace from Eastman Chemical Company or XCEL from US Pat Artenius SLU) with a crystallization half-life of greater than 5 min in the molten state. The crystallization half-life of the respective copolyester is determined by means of a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a standard method for the measurement of thermal properties, in particular the phase transition temperatures of solids. In the present invention, the crystallization half-life is determined by heating 15 mg of the copolyester to be measured to 290 ° C, then subsequently cooled in the presence of helium at a rate of 320 ° C per minute to a predetermined temperature of 180 to 210 ° C and the Time period until reaching the isothermal crystallization temperature or the crystallization peak of the DSC curve detected. Based on the time-dependent course of the crystallization, the crystallization half-life is determined. The crystallization half-life corresponds to the time required at the predetermined temperature of 180 to 210 ° C after the initial phase of the crystallization, in order to obtain 50% of the maximum achievable crystallinity in the sample.

In the context of the invention, the term "polyethylene" includes homopolymers and copolymers of ethene and α-olefins, such as butene, hexene or octene, in particular PE-LD (LDPE) and PE-LLD (LLDPE) having a density of 0.915 to 0.935 g / cm ³ , PE-HMW and PE-UHMW - - with a density of 0.93 to 0.94 g / cm ³ , and PE-HD (HDPE) with a density of 0.94 to 0.97 g / cm ³ .

The first and second film layers each independently have a thickness of 50 to 1000 μm, from 50 to 400 μm, preferably from 50 to 350 μm, and in particular from 50 to 250 μm.

The third and fourth film layers contain, in addition to a material from the group polyester, vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene optionally other polymers and / or one or more additives selected from the group comprising color pigments, modifiers and adhesion promoters.

Preferably, the third and fourth film layers are independently more than 60 wt .-% of a material based on polyethylene.

In the context of the present invention, the term "polyethylene-based material" denotes homopolymers and copolymers of ethene and α-olefins, such as butene, hexene or octene, in particular PE-LD (LDPE) and PE-LLD (LLDPE) having a density from 0.915 to 0.935 g / cm ³ , PE-HMW and PE-UHMW having a density of 0.93 to 0.94 g / cm ³ , and PE-HD (HDPE) having a density of 0.94 to 0.97 g / cm ³ .

The third and fourth film layer independently have a thickness of 50 to 1000 μm, from 50 to 400 μm, preferably from 50 to 350 μm, and in particular from 50 to 250 μm.

The optional adhesive layer disposed between the first and second film layers, between the first and third film layers, between the third and second film layers, or between the third and fourth film layers consists of a contact adhesive or a heat-activatable adhesive. Contact adhesives and heat-activatable adhesives are known to the person skilled in the art and are commercially available from various manufacturers.

The arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern film areas with an area of 60 to 2500 cm ² , in each of which an RFID tag is arranged, within the above lower and upper limits may have the same or different area measurements.

The same applies to the optional zones in a two-dimensional periodic pattern with an area of 0.5 to 50 cm and a Vicat softening temperature of greater than 100 ° C., preferably greater than 110 ° C., in each of which an RFID tag is arranged; the zones may have the same or different surface measures within the above lower and upper limits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for the production of films with integrated RFID tags.

 This object is achieved by a method comprising the steps:

 (A) providing a monolayer or multilayer carrier film of polymeric materials, a single or multilayer cover film of polymeric materials and RFID tags;

 (b) optionally monoaxially or biaxially stretching the carrier film and the coversheet independently with degrees of elongation of from 1.3 to 6;

(c) optional local annealing of the carrier film and the cover film in regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern areas with a surface area of 0.5 to 50 cm ^2, such that the said zones of the support film and the cover film after annealing has a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C;

 (d) optionally coating the carrier film with an adhesive layer;

 (e) arranging the RFID tags on the optionally provided with an adhesive layer carrier film within regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern areas with an area of 60 to 2500 cm;

 (f) laminating the coversheet and the carrier sheet to a film such that the RFID tags are trapped between the carrier sheet and the coversheet;

 (g) optionally, monoaxial or biaxial stretching of the laminated film having degrees of elongation of from 1.3 to 6; and

(h) optionally, locally annealing the film obtained in step (f) or (g) in zones regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern each having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm ² such that said zones of the film after annealing have a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C.

Zeckmäßig further developments of the method according to the invention are characterized in that: - -

- The RFID tags are arranged in step (e) by means of a coating device on the carrier film; the RFID tags are placed on the carrier sheet in step (e) by means of a stamp or punch blowing device;

the carrier foil and the cover foil in step (c) or the foil laminated in step (f) are tempered in step (h) by means of structured infrared irradiation;

- The carrier film in step (f) has a temperature of greater than 100 ° C; and or

- The cover sheet in step (f) has a temperature of greater than 100 ° C.

The quasi-continuous process according to the invention is distinguished from the manufacturing methods known in the prior art, in which small-format film sheets are processed in batches, by increased economic efficiency. Preferably, the inventive method is operated in inline mode, wherein a single or multi-layer, optionally stretched carrier film and a single or multi-layer, optionally stretched cover sheet produced on a first, respectively second film system and then equipped with RFID tags and laminated, Optionally, the carrier film and the cover film are tempered zone-wise before being loaded with RFID tags or after lamination.

In the method according to the invention, the carrier film and the cover film are optionally independently monoaxially or biaxially stretched with the same or different degrees of stretching in the range of 1.3 to 6. A stretching of the carrier film and the cover sheet with divergent degrees of stretching may prove to be useful the materials, the structure and / or thickness of the carrier film and the cover film are different from each other. If, for example, the carrier film consists of more than 60% by weight of polyethylene and the cover film consists of more than 60% by weight of vinyl chloride polymer, the degrees of shrinkage of the carrier and cover films differ from one another. By means of suitably chosen, optionally different degrees of stretching for the carrier and cover film, the shrinkage degrees of the carrier and cover film can be adjusted. - -

When the carrier film and the cover sheet are biaxially stretched, the machine direction (MD) and transverse direction (TD) stretch rates may be the same or different from each other.

Optionally, the carrier film is coated with adhesive before loading with RPID tags (process step (e)) (optional process step (d)).

Due to the optional, zone-wise tempering of the carrier and cover foil or the laminated film containing the RFID tags, film areas with an increased degree of crystallization and correspondingly increased mechanical and thermal stability are produced. The RFID tags arranged in the annealed zones are thus better protected against damage due to mechanical action or processing processes, such as thermoforming and thermoforming.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. 1 shows a cross section of a film 10 having a first and second film layer (1, 2) and an RFID tag 7 arranged between the first film layer 1 and the second film layer 2. The first film layer 1 and the second film layer 2 can be made from the same or consist of mutually different materials. The material of the first film layer 1 and the material of the second film layer 2 consist independently of more than 60 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the first film layer 1, respectively the second film layer 2 of a polymer selected from the group comprising polyester, Vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene is selected.

One or both surfaces of the RFID tag 7 may be equipped with an adhesive layer not shown in FIG. Preferably, only one surface of the RFID tag 7 is provided with an adhesive layer. In the production of the film 10, the first and second film layers (1, 2) are laminated at elevated temperature and pressure such that the first and second film layers (1, 2) are permanently bonded together. Preferably, the lamination is carried out such that the temperature of the surface to be laminated of the first film layer 1 and / or the second film layer 2 is 5 ° C to 80 ° C above the Vicat softening temperature of the first film layer 1, respectively the second film layer 2. - -

2 shows a cross section of another film 10A according to the invention, in which at least one RFID tag 7 and one adhesive layer 1A are arranged between the first and second film layers (1, 2). The adhesive layer 1 A has the function of connecting the first and second film layers (1, 2) with each other.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the adhesive layer 1 is originally A, i. before laminating the first and second film layers (1, 2), disposed on the surface of the first film layer 1. Alternatively, the adhesive layer 1A may be originally, i. before laminating the first and second film layers (1, 2), be arranged on the surface of the second film layer 2.

One or both surfaces of the RFID tag 7 may be equipped with an adhesive layer, not shown in FIG. 2. In particular, only one surface of the RFID tag 7 is provided with an adhesive layer, the RFID tag 7 being arranged in the film 10A such that the surface of the RFID tag 7 equipped with the adhesive layer faces the adhesive layer 1A.

In another expedient embodiment of the film 10A according to the invention, none of the surfaces of the RFID tag 7 is provided with an adhesive layer.

In the production of the film 10A, one or more RFID tags 7 are applied to the surface of the first film layer 1 equipped with the adhesive layer 1A or to the surface of the second surface provided with the adhesive layer 1A prior to lamination of the first and second film layers (1, 2) Foil layer 2 applied and fixed 1 A due to the adhesion of the adhesive layer.

The first film layer 1 and the second film layer 2 may consist of the same or mutually different materials. Preferably, the material of the first film layer 1 and the material of the second film layer 2 independently of each other to more than 60 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the first film layer 1, respectively the second film layer 2 of a polymer selected from the group comprising polyester , Vinyl chloride polymer, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene.

In a preferred embodiment of the film 10A according to the invention, the first film layer 1 comprises more than 60% by weight of polyethylene and the second film layer 2 more than 60% by weight of vinyl chloride polymer. The adhesive layer 1A is original, ie before - -

Laminating the first and second film layers (1, 2) disposed on the surface of the first film layer 1. Accordingly, the RFID tag 7 is adhesively bonded by means of the adhesive layer 1A to the film layer 1 consisting of more than 60% by weight of polyethylene. In contrast, the RFID tag 7 with the film layer 2, which consists of more than 60 wt .-% of vinyl chloride polymer, not mechanically rigidly coupled. Rather, apart from surface friction, the RFID tag 7 is freely displaceable relative to the second film layer 2. This configuration provides the ability to form the film as a shrink film, thermoforming film or thermoforming film.

In order to form the film according to the invention as a shrink film, the first and second film layers (1, 2) are monoaxially or biaxially stretched with a degree of stretching of 1.3 to 6. Optionally, the film layers (1, 2) before lamination independently or after Laminating stretched together. The shrinkage or shrinkage stress occurring in polyethylene is only a fraction of the shrinkage force or shrinking stress occurring in vinyl chloride polymer. Accordingly, when the film shrinks by the first, more than 60 wt .-% of polyethylene existing film layer 1 no significant tension in the RFID tag 7 is introduced. Of the second, more than 60 wt .-% of vinyl chloride polymer film layer 2, the shrinking process, apart from a negligible surface frictional force, due to lack of rigid mechanical coupling with the RFID tag 7 no voltage entered in the RFID tag 7.

In order to form the film according to the invention as a thermoforming film or thermoforming film, the first and second film layers (1, 2) or the laminated film are not stretched. During thermoforming, the film according to the invention is heated completely or zone by zone and shaped by means of a thermoforming or deep-drawing tool. The thermoforming tool comprises, for example, a mold and a stamp, wherein the mold and / or the stamp are equipped with lines and openings for applying an overpressure or underpressure. In the same way as in shrinking, it is advantageous if the RFID tags with the second, consisting of more than 60 wt .-% of polyvinyl chloride film layer 2 are not mechanically rigidly coupled and accordingly in thermoforming, apart from a negligible surface friction force of the second film layer 2 no force is introduced into the RFID tags. In contrast, the force applied to the RFID tags by the first film layer 1 consisting of more than 60% by weight of polyethylene is not critical due to the relatively low plastic modulus of polyethylene. - -

FIG. 3 shows the cross section of a further film 20 according to the invention comprising first and second film layers (1, 2), third and fourth film layers (3, 4) interposed between the first and second film layers, and one between the film layers third film layer 3 and the fourth film layer 4 embedded RFID tag. 7

FIG. 4 shows the cross-section of a further film 30 according to the invention with first and second film layers (1, 2), third and fourth film layers (3, 4) interposed between the first and second film layers, and one between the film layers In addition, between the first and third film layer (1, 3) and the second and fourth film layer (2, 4) each have an adhesive layer 5, respectively an adhesive layer 6 is arranged. The adhesive layers 5 and 6 are preferably made of ethylene vinyl acetate.

In the context of the invention, it is additionally provided that at least one RFID tag 7 and an adhesive layer (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) are arranged between the third and fourth film layers (3, 4). Such a film has a structure of the type: [first film layer / third film layer / adhesive layer / RFID tag / fourth film layer / second film layer] or [first film layer / adhesive layer / third film layer / adhesive layer / RFID tag / fourth film layer / adhesive layer / second film layer]. The adhesive layer in the above layer sequences is shown in a correspondingly transferable manner in FIG. 2.

An inventively particularly preferred film has a structure or layer sequence of the type [first film layer / adhesive / RFID tag / second film layer], wherein the first film layer to more than 60 wt .-% of a material based on polyethylene and the second Film layer to more than 60 wt .-% of a material based on vinyl chloride polymer, in particular polyvinyl chloride or based on polyester. Such films which are particularly preferred according to the invention have a structure or layer sequence of the type [first film layer of material based on polyethylene / adhesive / RFID tag / second film layer of material based on vinyl chloride polymer] or [first film layer of material based on polyethylene / Adhesive / RFID tag / second film layer of polyester-based material].

FIG. 5 shows a top view of a film 10, 10A, 20, 30 according to the invention with film areas 8 arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern with an area of - -

60 to 2500 cm ² , each containing an RFID tag 7. The RFID tags 7 are preferably arranged in the middle of the film regions 8.

6 shows a film region 8 of an expedient development of the film 10, 10A, 20, 30 according to the invention with pockets 9 arranged regularly in a two-dimensionally periodic pattern and having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm ² , in each of which an RFID tag is arranged and is freely movable. The pockets 9 are each arranged within the film regions 8. In the context of the present invention, the term "pocket" designates a region of the film 10, 10A, 20, 30 in which the first and second film layer or the third and fourth film layer are not laminated together, in contrast to the regions surrounding the pockets 9 , The term "freely displaceable" denotes the fact that the RFID tags 7 are not laminated, glued or otherwise adhesively bonded to the film 10, 10A, 20, 30. Accordingly, a movement of the RFID tag 7 within the pocket 9 in a direction parallel to the surface of the film 10, 10A, 20, 30 acts only the frictional force between the two opposite surfaces of the RFID tag 7 and the adjacent thereto, the inside of the Bag 9 forming surfaces of the film layers 1 and 2, perspective 3 and 4 opposite.

Generally, in the context of the present invention, the term "pocket" refers to an area of the film in which the first and second film layers, the third and second film layers, the third and first film layers or the third and fourth film layers are not laminated together the pockets surrounding areas. Furthermore, the term "freely movable" refers to the fact that the RFID tags with the film are not laminated, glued or otherwise adhesively bonded. Accordingly, movement of the RFID tag within the pocket in a direction parallel to the surface of the film will only affect the frictional force between the two opposing surfaces of the RFID tag and the respective adjacent, inner side pocket forming surfaces of the first, second, third, and second or fourth foil layer.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, the RFID tags contained in the film have an increased mechanical and / or thermal stability, which is achieved in that - -

- The RFID tags include an elastically deformable, in particular expandable antenna, which is made of an electrically conductive, polymeric material, which preferably contains carbon nanotubes (carbon nanotubes or CNT) as an electrically conductive additive;

the RFID tags comprise a substrate of a polymeric material having a Vicat softening temperature of greater than 100 ° C, such as a polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate film which is put into a semi-crystalline state by stretching and annealing;

the RFID tags comprise a substrate of a material reinforced with fibers, such as glass, aramid or carbon fibers; and or

- The RFID tags include a substrate with a ceramic filler, such as silica, bentonite or alumina particles.

7 shows a film region 8 of another expedient development of the film according to the invention with zones 11 which are regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern and have an area of 0.5 to 50 cm. The zones 11 have a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C, while the surrounding areas of the film have a Vicat softening temperature of less than 100 ° C. The RFID tags 7 are arranged within the zones 11.

Fig. 8 shows schematically a device 100 and a quasi-continuous process for the production of the film according to the invention. A single-layer or multi-layer carrier film 12 and a single-layer or multi-layer cover film 13 are unwound from rolls not shown in FIG. 8 and fed to the apparatus 100. The running direction of the carrier film 12 and the cover film 13 is indicated by the movement arrows 1 10, respectively 120. In an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the carrier film 12 and / or the cover film 13 are fed directly from a film system not shown in FIG. Film plants for the production of single- or multilayer films are known in the art and comprise one or more extruders, one or more take-off rolls or a calender roll mill and optionally a drawing unit for uniaxially or biaxially stretching the film in a direction transverse to the machine direction (TD ) or parallel direction (MD). Optionally, the - -

Device 100 one or two, not shown in FIG. 8 heating devices for heating the carrier film 12 and / or the cover film 13 to a temperature above the glass transition temperature TQ of the carrier film 12, respectively the cover film 13. Preferably, the carrier film 12 and the cover film 13 on a temperature of 100 to 130 ° C heated. By means of a labeling device known in the art, such as a coating, stamp or stamp blowing device, RFID tags 7 are arranged on the carrier film 12 in a regular, two-dimensionally periodic pattern. Of the labeling device, only mechanical actuators 40 are shown in FIG. 8. The mechanical actuators 40 are, for example, application rollers of a painting device or stamping elements of a stamp blowing device. After arranging the RFID tags 7 on the carrier foil 12, the carrier foil 12 and the cover foil 13 are laminated together by means of a laminator and the RFID tags 7 are enclosed between the carrier foil 12 and the cover foil 13. The laminator is preferably designed as a roller mill with two or more, optionally heatable rollers 50 and 51. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the carrier film 12 and the cover film 13 are annealed in zones 11 (see FIG. 6) arranged regularly in a two-dimensionally periodic pattern with an area of 0.5 to 50 cm such that the said zones 1 1 (see FIG. 6) of the carrier film 12 and the cover film 13 after tempering have a Vicat softening temperature of greater than 100 ° C. Alternatively, in the film formed by laminating the carrier sheet 12 with the RFID tags 7 and the cover sheet 13, there are regularly zones 11 (see FIG. 6) each having a surface area of 0.5 to 50 cm and one in a two-dimensional periodic pattern Vicat softening temperature of greater than 100 ° C generated. Preferably, the zones are annealed by means of structured infrared radiation. FIG. 8 shows an example of a device for structured infrared irradiation of the film with infrared radiators 60 and a mask 61 arranged between the infrared radiators 60 and the film. The mask 61 has transparent apertures 62 for infrared radiation and is incidentally impermeable to infrared radiation. The mask 61 is preferably equipped with electronic or electromechanical shutters (not shown in FIG. 8) for closing the apertures 62. In order to limit the annealed zones 11 in the running direction 110 or 120 of the film, the infrared radiators 60, the apertures 62 and / or the feed of the carrier film 12 and the cover film 13 and the laminator (50, 60) are operated in a clocked manner. The Vicat softening temperature of the films according to the invention and of the annealed zones II is measured according to DIN EN ISO 10350-1 / 201 1 (VST / B50) on suitably cut specimens from the respective film, provided that a sufficiently large area is available for this purpose. In the event that the area of the film region to be examined, in particular the annealed zones 11, is too small to carry out the measurement according to DIN EN ISO 10350-1 / 201 1 (VST / B50), a sufficiently large film test specimen is used for this purpose has identical structure and composition to the film area to be examined and is produced and tempered under identical conditions.

Claims

claims A film (10, 10A, 20, 30) comprising first and second film layers (1, 2) and one or more RFID tags (7) disposed between the first and second film layers (1, 2), characterized in that regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern foil areas (8) with an area of 60 to 2500 cm each containing an RFID tag (7). 2. foil (10, 10A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the Film (10, 10A, 20, 30) has an area of 0.5 to 15 m ² . 3. film (10, 10 A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, characterized in that the film (10, 10 A, 20, 30) has an area of 15 to 38000 m ² . 4. film (10, 10A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the first and second film layer (1, 2) independently of each other to more than 60 wt .-%, based on the total weight of first, respectively second film layer (1, 2), consist of a material which is selected from the group comprising polyester, vinyl chloride polymer, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene. 5. The film (10, 10A) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the first film layer (1) to more than 60 wt .-%, based on the total weight of the first film layer (1), made of polyethylene and the second film layer (2) is more than 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the second film layer (2), of polyester or vinyl chloride polymer. 6. film (20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the film (20, 30) comprises a third and fourth film layer (3, 4), wherein the third and fourth film layer (3, 4) between the first and second film layers (1, 2) and the at least one RFID tag (7) is arranged between the third and fourth film layers (3, 4) and the third and fourth film layers (3, 4) independently of one another at least 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the third or fourth film layer (3, 4), of a material based on polyethylene. 7. film (30) according to claim 6, characterized in that between the first and third film layer (1, 3) an adhesive layer (5) and between the second and fourth film layer (2, 4) an adhesive layer (6) is arranged and the said adhesive layers (5, 6) consist of ethylene vinyl acetate. 8. foil (10, 10 A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that between the first and second foil layer (1, 2) or between the third and fourth Foil layer (3, 4) an adhesive layer is arranged. 9. film (10, 10 A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the at least one RFID tag (7) by means of an adhesive with the first , second, third or fourth film layer (1, 2, 3, 4) is connected. 10. film (10, 10A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the film (10, 10A, 20, 30) regularly in one two-dimensional periodic pattern arranged pockets (9) having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm and each one RFID tag (7) in a pocket (9) and within the pocket (9) is displaceable. 11. film (10, 10A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the film (10, 10A, 20, 30) regularly in a two-dimensional periodic pattern arranged zones (1 1) having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm and a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C, the RFID tags (7) are arranged in said zones (11) and the film (10, 10A, 20, 30) in the area surrounding said zones (1 1) has a Vicat softening temperature of less than 100 ° C. 12. The film (10, 10A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the film (10, 10A, 20, 30, 30) is stretched monoaxially or biaxially with a degree of stretching of 1.3 to 6. 13. A method for producing a film (10, 10A, 20, 30) according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 or 12, characterized in that it comprises the steps includes: (A) providing a single-layer or multi-layer support film (12) made of polymeric materials, a single-layer or multi-layer cover film (13) of polymeric materials and RFID tags (7);  (b) optionally, monaxially or biaxially stretching the carrier sheet (12) and the cover sheet (13) independently with degrees of stretch of from 1.3 to 6; (c) optionally locally annealing the carrier foil (12) and the cover foil (13) in zones (1 1) regularly arranged in a two-dimensionally periodic pattern with an area of 0.5 to 50 cm ² such that said zones (1 1) of the carrier film (12) and the cover film (13) after annealing have a Vicat softening temperature of greater than 100 ° C; (d) optionally coating the carrier film (12) with an adhesive layer; (e) arranging the RFID tags (7) on the optionally provided with an adhesive layer carrier film (12) within regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern film areas (8) having an area of 60 to 2500 cm ² ; (f) laminating the cover film (13) and the carrier film (12) into a film (10, 10A, 20, 30) such that the RFID tags (7) are enclosed between the carrier film (12) and the cover film (13) become; (g) optionally monoaxially or biaxially stretching the laminated film (10, 10A, 20, 30) with degrees of elongation of 1.3 to 6; and (h) optionally, locally annealing the film (10, 10A, 20, 30) obtained in step (f) or (g) in zones (11) regularly arranged in a two-dimensional periodic pattern, each having an area of 0.5 to 50 cm such that said zones (11) after annealing have a Vicat softening temperature greater than 100 ° C. 14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the RFID tags (7) are arranged in step (e) by means of a coating device on the carrier film (12). 15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the RFID tags (7) in step (e) by means of a stamp or stamp blowing device on the carrier film (12) are arranged. 16. The method according to claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the Carrier film (12) and the cover film (13) in step (c) or the in step (f) laminated film (10, 10 A, 20, 30) in step (h) are annealed by means of structured infrared radiation. 17. The method of claim 13, 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the carrier film (12) in step (f) has a temperature of greater than 100 ° C. 18. The method of claim 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, characterized in that the cover film (13) in step (f) has a temperature of greater than 100 ° C.