IP Library Granted Patent US 11,836,564
Granted Patent B2
US 11,836,564 · App. 16/747,516 · Granted Dec 5, 2023

Methods and apparatus to secure communication devices to wristbands

Inventors: Mark M. Greer (Dardenne Prairie, MO); Michael S. Thieme (Lake St. Louis, MO)
Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
G06K19/07762G06K19/0723
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,836,564
App. No.
16/747,516
Granted
Dec 5, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An example disclosed sheet includes a first layer; a second layer; a first die cut in the second layer defining a first wristband section and a second wristband section separated by a fold line; a second die cut in the first layer defining an imaging area; and a third die cut in the second layer defining an aperture in the second wristband section; wherein the aperture is surrounded by an adhesive and the aperture has an aperture dimension, the aperture dimension is greater than an inner dimension of the communication device, and the aperture dimension is less than an outer dimension of the communication device.

Claims (41)

1. A carrier including a detachable wristband configured to receive a communication device, the carrier comprising:

a first layer;

a second layer;

a first die cut in the second layer defining a first wristband section and a second wristband section joined by and asymmetrically disposed about a fold line;

a second die cut in the first layer defining an imaging area; and

a third die cut in the second layer defining an aperture in the second wristband section, wherein when the second wristband section is folded over the fold line such that the second wristband section overlays the first wrist band section, the aperture aligns with a placement area adjacent to the imaging area on the first wristband section;

wherein:

the aperture is surrounded by an adhesive and the aperture has an aperture dimension,

the aperture dimension is greater than an inner dimension of the communication device, and

the aperture dimension is less than an outer dimension of the communication device.

2. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein, when the communication device is positioned on a placement area located on the first wristband section and the second wristband section is folded along the fold line, an insertion portion of the communication device passes through the aperture and a securing portion of the communication device is secured between the first and second wristband sections.

3. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein, when the first wristband section is folded along the fold line and brought into contact with the first wristband section, the first and second wristband sections are adhered together.

4. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the first wristband section has a first attachment section and the second wristband section has a second attachment section, and when the wristband forms a closed loop when the first attachment section contacts the second attachment section.

5. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device is an active radio frequency identification tag.

6. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device is a Bluetooth beacon.

7. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion and the securing portion are integrally formed.

8. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is shaped correspondingly with the communication device.

9. The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the aperture, inner, and outer dimensions are diameters.

10. A wristband configured to carry a communication device, the wristband comprising:

a first wristband section including an imaging area configured to receive indicia;

a second wristband section joined to the first wristband section by and asymmetrically disposed about a fold line, including:

an aperture of an aperture dimension, wherein the aperture dimension is greater than an inner dimension of the communication device and lesser than an outer dimension of the communication device; and

a lamination area, wherein when the first wristband section is folded onto the second wristband section about the fold line:

the lamination area laminates the imaging area and the aperture is disposed adjacent to the imaging area;

an insertion portion of the communication device passes through the aperture; and

a securing portion of the communication device is retained between the first and second wristband sections.

11. The wristband of claim 10 , wherein the aperture is circular.

12. The wristband of claim 10 , wherein the communication device is an active radio frequency identification tag.

13. The wristband of claim 10 , wherein the first wristband section has a first attachment section and the second wristband section has a second attachment section, wherein when the wristband forms a closed loop the first attachment section contacts the second attachment section.

14. The wristband of claim 10 wherein the imaging area is part of a first layer and the first and second wristbands sections are part of a second layer.

15. The wristband of claim 10 , wherein the first layer is a first layer and the second layer is a second layer.

16. The wristband of claim 10 , wherein the aperture, inner, and outer dimensions are diameters.

17. A communication device comprising:

an antenna;

an internal power source;

a housing including the antenna and the internal power source, the housing including an insertion portion and a securing portion,

the insertion portion having an inner dimension;

the securing portion having an outer dimension, wherein the insertion portion extends from the securing portion and the inner dimension is lesser than the outer dimension and an aperture dimension of an aperture formed in a wristband to which the communication device is configured to be secured, the wristband having a laminating portion including the aperture to laminate an image area of the wristband.

18. The communication device of claim 17 , wherein the insertion portion and the securing portion are integrally formed.

19. The communication device of claim 17 , wherein the communication device is an active radio frequency identification tag.

20. The communication device of claim 17 , wherein the inner dimension and the outer dimension are diameters.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2023
From: GREER, MARK M.; THIEME, MICHAEL S.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065704/0417 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2021
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 056471/0906 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST - 364 - DAY Recorded Mar 5, 2021
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056036/0590 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2020
From: ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; LASER BAND, LLC; TEMPTIME CORPORATION
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053841/0212 →