Antenna device

Abstract

The present invention facilitates the manufacturing of devices comprising printed circuits on flexible substrates. The objects of the invention are obtained by a device for feeding items to a manufacturing machine, where said device comprises a long flexible film arranged in a roll, said film comprising a first protective layer for carrying each of said items. An adhesive agent, applied between said item and said protective layer, attaching said item to said protective layer, said first protective layer and said agent cooperating so that when said item is detached from said first protective layer substantially all of said adhesive agent is disposed on said item and where said item comprises a printed circuit.

1 . Dispensing device for feeding items for use in an automatic assembly process, said device comprising: 
 a band of flexible composite film ( 101 ) arranged in multiple turns forming a roll ( 102 ) having essentially a circularly cylindrical shape,    said film including a plurality of items to be fed, and a continuous carrier layer ( 107 ) for carrying each of said items,    characterized in that, 
 said items include a first conductive circuit ( 103 ), forming a radiator for transmitting/feeding information-carrying radio signals in the UHF range.  
   
     
     
         2 . Device of    claim 1   , wherein 
 said items are stickers, and    said conductive circuits are disposed on said stickers.    
     
     
         3 . Device of    claim 1   , wherein 
 an adhesive agent, located between said items and said carrier layer, attaching said items to said carrier layer,    said adhesive agent having a greater adhesion to each of said items than to said carrier layer, so as to attach to each of said items as it is separated from said carrier layer.    
     
     
         4 . Device of    claim 1   , wherein said conductive circuit is composed of at least one element in a group consisting of: a dried conductive paint, an etched metal plate pattern produced in a positive pattern printing process, an etched metal plate pattern produced in a photo process, a punched metal plate pattern.  
     
     
         5 . Device of    claim 1   , wherein said items further include at least one further conductive circuit forming at least one element selected from a group consisting of: a radiator, a parasitic resonator, an inductor, a capacitor, a connector, a marking.  
     
     
         6 . Device of    claim 5   , wherein said at least one further conductive circuit being conductively coupled to said first conductive circuit.  
     
     
         7 . Device of    claim 5   , wherein said at least one further conductive circuit being capacitively coupled to said first conductive circuit.  
     
     
         8 . Device of    claim 5   , wherein said at least one further conductive circuit being inductively coupled to said first conductive circuit.  
     
     
         9 . Device of    claim 3   , wherein said items are arranged to be adhesively attachable to a cylindrical surface.  
     
     
         10 . Device of    claim 3   , wherein said items are arranged to be adhesively attachable to a spheroid surface.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to    claim 3   , wherein 
 said item comprises a flexible substrate,    that said adhesive agent is disposed on a first side of said flexible substrate facing said protective layer,    that said first conductor is disposed on a second side of said flexible substrate opposite said first side.    
     
     
         12 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein 
 said first conductive circuit comprises a first contact area arranged for being in electrical contact with RF circuitry in a radio communication device,    said radiator having radio frequency characteristics so as to be operative in at least a first frequency band.    
     
     
         13 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein 
 said first conductive circuit comprises at least a first part having radio frequency characteristics so as to match said radiating member to a predetermined impedance.    
     
     
         14 . A device according to    claim 1   , wherein 
 said items are arranged for receiving at least a first discrete component conductively connectable to said first conductive circuit.    
     
     
         15 . Method for manufacturing a roll of sticker items including a radiator, said method being characterized by the steps of: 
 screen printing a long flexible first carrier having a metallic layer disposed thereon according to a first pattern with a protective paint,    said long flexible first carrier being arranged in a roll,    etching away the part of said conductive substrate, not covered by the protective paint, is etched away so that a printed circuit is obtained,    a long flexible protective layer, an adhesive agent and said first carrier are laminated together, with said adhesive agent.    
     
     
         16 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 a first contour is cut on said first carrier    
     
     
         17 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 excess material of said first carrier is removed so that a long flexible film is formed with said long flexible protective layer carrying items comprising said printed circuit having said first form.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 said screen paint is removed,    
     
     
         19 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 at least two patterns are screen printed side by side on said first carrier,    said long flexible film is cut in at least two parts with one of, said at least two patterns, on each part.    
     
     
         20 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 said first carrier is arranged in a first roll,    said long flexible protective layer is arranged in a second roll,    said painting, said etching, said washing, said laminating of said protective layer and said punching is continuously performed while unrolling said first carrier from said first roll to a third roll.    
     
     
         21 . A method according to    claim 15   , wherein 
 said first carrier is arranged in a first sheet,    said long flexible protective layer is arranged in a second sheet,    said painting, said etching, said washing, said laminating of said protective layer and said punching is performed on one sheet at a time producing a third sheet,    said third sheet is arranged in a roll.    
     
     
         22 . A method for manufacturing an antenna device, characterized in the steps according to    claim 15   , 
 said printed circuit having a pattern operative in at least a first radio frequency band and further comprising the steps of: 
 unrolling said long flexible film over a first edge so that said items, comprising said printed circuit, is detached from said protective layer and protruding over said edge,  
 fetching of said protruding item by a mounting machine,  
 mounting of said fetched item on an antenna device support structure using said adhesive agent.  
   
     
     
         23 . Method for manufacturing a roll of sticker items including a radiator, said method being characterized by the steps of: 
 printing a long flexible first carrier according to a first pattern with a conductive paint and letting it dry so that a printed circuit is obtained,    said long flexible first carrier being arranged in a roll,    a long flexible protective layer, an adhesive agent and said first carrier are laminated together, with said adhesive agent.    
     
     
         24 . A method according to    claim 23   , wherein 
 a first contour is cut on said first carrier    
     
     
         25 . A method according to    claim 23   , wherein 
 excess material of said first carrier is removed so that a long flexible film is formed with said long flexible protective layer carrying items comprising said printed circuit having said first form.    
     
     
         26 . A method according to    claim 23   , wherein 
 at least two patterns are screen printed side by side on said first carrier,    said long flexible film is cut in at least two parts with one of, said at least two patterns, on each part.    
     
     
         27 . A method according to    claim 23   , wherein 
 said first carrier is arranged in a first roll,    said long flexible protective layer is arranged in a second roll,    said painting, said etching, said washing, said laminating of said protective layer and said cutting is continuously performed while unrolling said first carrier from said first roll to a third roll.    
     
     
         28 . A method according to    claim 23   , wherein 
 said first carrier is arranged in a first sheet,    said long flexible protective layer is arranged in a second sheet,    said painting, said etching, said washing, said laminating of said protective layer and said cutting is performed on one sheet at a time producing a third sheet,    said third sheet is arranged in a roll.    
     
     
         29 . A method for manufacturing an antenna device, characterized in the steps according to    claim 23   , 
 said printed circuit having a pattern operative in at least a first radio frequency band and further comprising the steps of: 
 unrolling said long flexible film over a first edge so that said items, comprising said printed circuit, is detached from said protective layer and protruding over said edge,  
 fetching of said protruding item by a mounting machine,  
 mounting of said fetched item on an antenna device support structure using said adhesive agent.