Label/tag with embedded signaling device and method and apparatus for making and using

Abstract

A webstock device for providing a signaling function while being relatively camouflaged includes sheet-like webstock material, a cavity in the webstock material, a signaling device at least partly contained in the cavity, and means for retaining the signaling device at least partly in the cavity. The cavity in the webstock material is closed by respective layers of material and a cover layer can be printed with desired information, instructions, etc. The signaling device may be an accousto-magnetic signaling device, an RF device or other signaling device. The invention also includes methods and apparatus for making the webstock device and methods for using the device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A webstock signaling device, comprising 
 webstock material in sheet form,    a cavity in the webstock material,    a signaling device at least partly contained in the cavity, and    means for retaining the signaling device at least partly in the cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , said webstock material having opposite surfaces, said cavity comprising a hole through the webstock material from one surface to the other, and said means for retaining comprising a layer of material covering at least part of the hole at one surface of the webstock material.  
     
     
         3 . A signaling device, comprising 
 an internal layer;    the internal layer including a sheet of webstock material having a cavity therein,    a signaling device at least partly in the cavity,    a cover covering at least part of the cavity to retain the signaling device,    a further signaling device located relative to the webstock and outside the cavity in cooperative relation to the first signaling device to provide a signaling function.    
     
     
         4 . A webstock signaling device, comprising 
 first webstock material having an opening,    sheet material adhered relative to the webstock in relative proximity to one surface thereof at least partly covering the opening,    a first portion of a signaling device in the opening,    a film adhered relative to the webstock material in relative proximity to the other surface thereof at least partly covering the opening, and    a second portion of the signaling device outside the opening and located for cooperation with the first portion for signaling function.    
     
     
         5 . A webstock signaling device, comprising 
 first webstock material having an opening,    sheet material adhered relative to the webstock in relative proximity to one surface thereof at least partly covering the opening,    a first portion of a signaling device in the opening,    a film adhered relative to the webstock material in relative proximity to the other surface thereof at least partly covering the opening, and    a second portion of the signaling device outside the opening and located for cooperation with the first portion for signaling function.    
     
     
         6 . A signaling device, comprising 
 a coextruded sheet-like material of respective layers,    a cavity in one of the layers, the cavity closed at one side and open at the other side,    a signaling device at least partly in the cavity, and    a cover over at least part of the open side of the cavity.    
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the cover is sheet material.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the signaling device is an accousto-magnetic device having plural parts, one part fully in the cavity and the other part outside the cavity.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the signaling device is an magnetorestrictive device having two parts, one part in the cavity and the other part separated from the one part by the cover.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the signaling device is a radio-frequency device.  
     
     
         11 . A signaling device, comprising 
 coextruded sheet material having plural layers, a cavity in one of the layers covered at one side by another of the layers and at the other side, and a signaling device at least partly in the cavity.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the signaling device is a two part signaling device, one part in the cavity and one part outside the cavity.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a layer of sheet material covering the other side of the cavity and separating one part of the magnetostrictive device from the other part.  
     
     
         14 . A label/tag with an embedded signaling device, comprising 
 a multiple layer coextruded material, one layer of the coextruded material having a deformed portion forming a cavity having an open side facing away from a second layer of the coextruded material, one part of a multiple part signaling device in the cavity, a cover over the open side of the cavity, and a second part of the multiple part signaling device on the opposite side of the cover relative to the side of the cover facing the cavity.    
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a layer of material retaining the second part of the multiple part signaling device to the cover.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising sheet material retaining the second part of the multiple part signaling device to the cover.  
     
     
         17 . Webstock material for a security tag, comprising a coextruded sheet having a number of layers, a number of cavities in one of the layers in sequentially spaced-apart locations, the cavities being open at one side and closed at a side facing a second of the layers, a covering over the open side of at least a number of the cavities retaining at least one part of a signaling device in the cavity.  
     
     
         18 . The webstock material of  claim 17 , further comprising a second part of the signaling device spaced from the one part by the cover and retained in position relative to the cavity.  
     
     
         19 . The webstock device of  claim 18 , further comprising a further layer of sheet material attached to the cover and retaining the second part of the signaling device in fixed position relative to a respective cavity.  
     
     
         20 . The webstock device of  claim 17 , wherein the coextruded sheet comprises a relatively soft material capable of deformation by hot stamping.  
     
     
         21 . The webstock device of  claim 17 , wherein the coextruded sheet comprises a relatively soft material capable of deformation by pressing.  
     
     
         22 . The webstock device of  claim 17 , wherein the second of the layers provides a protective covering for the area beneath the cavity.  
     
     
         23 . A signaling device, comprising 
 a multi-layer sheet-like material having one layer of relatively easily deformable material and a second layer of relatively integral material protecting one side of the one layer,    a cavity in said one layer of relatively easily deformable material, the cavity closed at said one side and open at the other side,    a signaling device at least partly in the cavity, and    a cover over at least part of the open side of the cavity.    
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the cavity is a pressed opening in said one layer of relatively easily deformable material.  
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , where said second layer comprises an integral material.  
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said signaling device comprises a two part accousto-magnetic device, one part in the cavity and one part separated from the other part by said cover.  
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein said one layer and said second layer of said multi-layer sheet-like material comprise are a coextruded sheet material.