GARMENT LIFE CYCLE TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A garment life cycle tracking system utilizes a Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, device to retrieve life cycle data about the garment. The RFID device may be scanned by an interactive device, such as a mobile phone, and the RFID identifier may be used to retrieve data from a database, such as through a website interface. A mobile phone or other computing device may have an application software that interfaces with the database or website. Life cycle data may include date of manufacture, former locations of purchase, date of purchase, cost of garment, date of return of garment, type of garment and the like. A customer may track a garment after returning a garment to see when and where the garment is subsequently purchased. This system may promote recycling of garments and reduce the environmental impact of garment production.

Claims

1. A method of tracking a garment life cycle comprising the steps of: a) providing a garment life cycle tracking system comprising: i) a garment provider for providing a garment to a customer; ii) said garment comprising a Radio Frequency Identification, RFID, device having a RFID identifier: iii) an interactive electronic device configured to read said RFID identifier from the RFID device; and iv) a database comprising life cycle data of said garment; b) wherein the garment provider inputs said life cycle data of said garment into the database; c) said customer purchasing said garment from said garment provider; d) said customer utilizing an interactive electronic device to read said RFID identifier; e) said interactive device retrieving said life cycle data of said garment from the database utilizing the RFID identifier; and f) said interactive device displaying to said user the life cycle data of said garment on a display.

2. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the user is a customer and the garment provider is a garment retailer.

3. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the life cycle data includes a date of receipt of a former customer.

4. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the life cycle data includes a location of purchase of a former customer.

5. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the life cycle data includes a date of return of said garment to said garment provider.

6. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, further comprising the steps of said customer returning said garment to said garment provider; and said customer utilizing the garment identifier to retrieve post returned life cycle data of the garment after the step of returning said garment.

7. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 6, wherein post return life cycle data includes a date of purchase of a subsequent customer.

8. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is a micro RFID device having a body portion dimension of no greater than 1000 microns.

9. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 8, wherein the RFID device is coupled to a thread of said garment and wherein said thread is an E-thread.

10. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 8, wherein the RFID device is coupled to a thread and wherein said thread comprises a plurality of yarns and wherein the RFID device is configured between said yarns.

11. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 10, wherein the thread comprises a carbon nanotube having an outer diameter of no more than 1000 nm.

12. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 11, wherein the micro RFID device comprises a body portion and an antenna and wherein the carbon nanotube forms part of said antenna of the micro RFID device.

13. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is a micro RFID device having a body portion dimension of no greater than 1000 microns and wherein the micro RFID device is configured within a hollow yarn that is part of the garment.

14. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the RFID device is configured in a garment tag.

15. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of: pants, shirt, jacket, coat, sports coat, suit, shoe, hat, vest, sock, dress, skirt, boot and scarf.

16. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein RFID identifier includes a garment identifier.

17. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the RFID identifier is used by the interactive device to retrieve life cycle data from the database.

18. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 17, wherein the interactive device interfaces with a website that is coupled with said database for retrieving life cycle data of the garment.

19. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the interactive device is a computer.

20. The method of tracking a garment life cycle of claim 1, wherein the interactive device is mobile electronic device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary RFID device coupled to a yarn.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary garment, a coat, having a micro RFID device attached thereto.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary garment, a dress, having a micro RFID device attached thereto.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system having a RFID device in a garment, an interactive device to read the RFID device, a computing device and a display to show life cycle data related to the garment, wherein the display shows previous location of purchase of the garment.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system comprising a portable computer display that shows location of purchase and duration of ownership of a garment having a RFID device.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system comprising a mobile telephone that has an interactive device to read the RFID device in a garment and a display to show life cycle data about the garment.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system having a RFID device in a garment, an interactive device to read the RFID device, a computing device having a display to show life cycle data related to the garment, wherein the computing device interfaces with a website that interfaces with a database to relay the life cycle data about the garment.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary multiwalled thread comprising an RFID device configured between the yarns and a hydrophobic coating on the thread.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a cross sectional view of a hollow yarn having a micro RFID device configured in the cavity of the hollow yarn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0030] As used herein, the terms comprises, comprising, includes, including, has, having or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of a or an are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0031] In cases where the present specification and a document incorporated by reference include conflicting and/or inconsistent disclosure, the present specification shall control.

[0032] Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications and improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary RFID device 12 is coupled to a thread or yarn 90 to produce an E-thread 22. The body portion 26 of the micro RFID device 20 is small enough to be woven into the thread or yarn and this E-thread can be woven into the fabric used to make garment. The micro RFID device has body portion 26 and two antennas 28, 28 that extend out from opposing sides of the body portion and are integrated into the yarn 90 or thread. The antennas may be wound with the thread or yarn or otherwise coupled to the thread or yarn. A RFID device may comprise a protective cover that extends over the device and in some cases over a portion of the thread, yarn or fabric that it is coupled to.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary RFID device 12 is coupled to the garment 19, a coat 94. A micro RFID device 20 is configured as an E-thread 22 and is woven into the fabric 98 of the garment. The E-thread is shown for the purposes of representation only and it is to be understood that the E-thread would not be easily detected in the garment.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary garment 19, a dress 96, has a micro RFID device 20 attached thereto. As described herein, a RFID device 12 may be coupled or woven into a garment tag 92, such as a label as shown.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system 10 comprises a RFID device 12 in a garment 19, an interactive device 14 to read the RFID device, a computing device 40 and a display 45 to show life cycle data related to the garment. The life cycle data 18, including the location of purchase 80 and date of purchase 82 are displayed on a geographical display 46, a display of a geographical area with associated information about the garment life cycle. The interactive device is a scanner configured to read a RFID device, such as a micro RFID device 22. The interactive device is coupled with the computing device, a computer 44 that provides the life cycle data to the customer. The computer may interface with a database and use the RFID identifier 24, AB89765ZZ, to retrieve the life cycle data for that RFID device, and garment. The garment was purchased in Baltimore, Md. in October 2012, and subsequently purchased in Austin, Tex. in February 2014, and finally purchased in San Jose, Calif. in February 2016. The computer has an interface 47, 47, a keyboard and a mouse, respectively. A user may use the interface to retrieve life cycle data and to manipulate the display as desired. In addition, a computing device has a controller, such as a microprocessor 41 for receiving inputs and controlling at least some of the function of the computing device. The location of purchase of a garment may be a physical store retailer location or a delivery location when the garment is ordered through a catalog, or from an online retailer, a retailer having a website for purchasing garments.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system 10 comprises a tablet computer 44 having a display 45 that is producing a geographical display 46 of the location of purchase 80, date of purchase 82, date of return 84 and duration of ownership 86 of a garment having a RFID device. The tablet computer is configured with an interactive device 14 for reading a RFID device. The initial point of purchased 60 was Baltimore, Md., and the garment was purchased in October 2012 and returned in June 2013. The garment was then returned to a recycle location 62. The second point of purchase was Austin, Tex. in February 2014 and the garment was returned in January 2016. Finally, the garment was purchased in San Jose, Calif. in February 2016. The duration of ownership may be an interesting data fact for a customer to look up about a garment that they have purchased, or are considering purchasing. The life cycle data 18 is provided in geographical display 46 having lines and arrows showing the transport of the garment from a first location to a second location. The tablet computer has a touch screen that is a user interface 47.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 6, an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system 10 comprises a mobile telephone 43 that has an interactive device 14 to read the RFID device 20 in a garment 19 and a display 45 to show life cycle data 18 about the garment. This mobile computing device 42 may be a convenient tool for customers to track life cycle data of a garment. A mobile telephone comprises a controller, such as a micro-processor 41 to control functions of the mobile telephone. The display provides points of purchase and dates of purchase information about the garment. The mobile telephone has a touch screen that is a user interface 47.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary garment life cycle tracking system 10 has a RFID device 20 in a garment 19 and an interactive device 14, a mobile telephone 43. The user or customer 48 has utilized the mobile telephone, a computing device, to read the RFID device attached to the garment. The mobile telephone has a display 45 to show life cycle data 18 related to the garment 19. The mobile telephone interfaces with a website 16 that interfaces with a database 15 to relay the life cycle data 18 about the garment. A garment provider 55 may also interface with the website and/or database to relay information about the purchase and/or return of a garment. A garment provider may be a store location, a distribution center that receives orders or an online store, for example. The mobile telephone has a touch screen that is a user interface 47.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, an exemplary multiwalled thread 30 comprises a RFID device 12 configured between the yarns 32 of the multiwalled thread and a hydrophobic coating 34 on the thread. The RFID device may be a micro RFID device 20 having a size of less than 1000 microns. As described herein, a multiwalled thread may comprise a plurality of individual yarns and these yarns may be micro sized having a diameter of no more than 1000 microns, or nano in size having a diameter of no more than about 1000 nm, or 1 micron. An exemplary nano such as a carbon nanotube type yarn having an outer diameter of no more than about 100 nm, no more than about 80 nm, no more than about 50 nm and any range between and including the outer diameters provided. The thickness of the wall of the nanotube may be about 40 nm or less, about 60 nm or less, about 80 nm or less and any range between and including the wall thicknesses provided. An exemplary RFID device, such as a RFID microchip may be configured between the individual yarns and may be substantially covered by the outer yarns to protect the RFID device from exposure to water, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the RFID device is completely covered by yarns and configured within the thread. The yarns may be twisted about each other to from a thread with an RFID device within the twists of the yarns. A hydrophobic coating 34, is applied to the exemplary thread to further prevent water exposure to the RFID device. A hydrophobic coating may be polymer such as a fluoropolymer, silicone, urethane and the like. This configuration of the RFID device within the interior of the thread and the application of a hydrophobic coating may enable the yarn and garment made therewith to be washed without damaging the RFID device. Note that an RFID device may be configured in a hollow yarn as well, thereby preventing exposure to the elements such as water when washing the garment.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, a yarn 32 may be hollow yarn 36 having a cavity 37 for retaining a micro RFID device 20. A hollow yarn may protect the RFID device from exposure to the elements. The ends of the hollow yarn may be closed to prevent the ingress of water into the cavity of the yarn. The hollow yarn may be made out of a material that is water resistant and preferably waterproof, whereby water does not penetrate through the wall of the hollow yarn. A hollow yarn may be made out of a polymer and may be a polymer film that is non-permeable, providing no flow of gas or water through the wall.

[0042] A thread is a twisted strand of two or more yarns.

[0043] An interactive device is an electronic device that is configured to read a RFID device identifier.

[0044] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.