Electric sensor web, system and a method for its manufacture

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a sensor web. A metal foil attached to a surface of a release web is die-cut to form electrically conductive areas and conductors. A first protective film is attached to the release web so that the first protective film covers the electrically conductive areas and conductors. The release web is replaced with a backing film.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for manufacturing of a sensor web, the method comprising:
 die-cutting a metal foil attached to a surface of a release web to form electrically conductive areas and conductors,   attaching a first protective film to the release web so that the first protective film covers the electrically conductive areas and conductors, and   replacing the release web with a backing film.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 die-cutting the metal foil attached to the surface of the release web to form RF loops and conductors so that the RF loops and conductors are formed in a same process step as the electrically conductive areas and conductors, and   attaching the first protective film to the release web so that the first protective film covers the electrically conductive areas and conductors and the RF loops and conductors.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 die-cutting a metal foil attached to a surface of a second release web to form RF loops and conductors so that the RF loops and conductors are formed in a different process step as the electrically conductive areas and conductors, and   attaching a second protective film to the second release web so that the second release web covers the RF loops and their conductors.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 removing one of the release webs, and   superimposing the first protective film and the second protective film.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first protective film and the second protective film are laminated together. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the first protective film or the backing film comprises vias. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the vias are filled with electrically conductive ink during printing of conductive bridges. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 applying a top layer comprising a film of plastic material, paper, or board, or a dielectric coating.   
     
     
         21 . The method according  claim 11 , wherein the backing film is formed of a film comprising polymer material, paper, or board, nonwoven or textile material. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive area and conductors are formed of conductive carbon, or electrically conductive polymers. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive area and conductors are formed of a metallic layer, an electrically conductive plastic layer, or an electrically conductive fibrous layer. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the electrically conductive area and conductors are formed of a printed, coated, electrodeposited, evaporated, sputtered, etched, or laminated layer. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the backing film is formed of a continuous secondary sensor element for a common signal. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the conductors of the group are formed to sidestep in order to give space for the joining conductor. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the conductors are formed in at least one array to follow each other in a successive manner along a longitudinal direction and arranged on one side of the release web, wherein a group of conductors is formed on a same side of the release web, wherein each electrically conductive sensor area that is to be used for sensing is electrically connected to one conductor, wherein the conductors are adapted to join one by one the group of the conductors advancing in the longitudinal direction of the release web, and wherein the other conductors of the group are adapted to give space for the joining conductor. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the conductors are formed with first parts extending towards an output, wherein the first parts of the conductors are formed to form an angle to a longitudinal direction of the release web, and wherein the absolute value of the angle is greater than 0° but smaller than 90°. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28 , wherein the absolute value of the angle is greater than 0.1° but smaller than 5°.