The object of the present invention is a method and an apparatus for applying RFID modules on a laminar support.

More particularly, the invention is aimed at the realization of RFID devices consisting of an RFID module in the form of an integrated circuit provided with at least one antenna in the form of a copper wire or other conductive material, enclosed between a flat support, for example in the form of a paper sheet or other material, and a laminar coverage layer.

The manufacture of RFID devices by means of productive plants comprising various work stations in which a laminar support, for example made of paper material, is sequentially subjected to the respective operations required for the simultaneous completion of a plurality of RFID devices, is known.

At the end of processing, the RFID devices formed on the laminar support lend themselves to be individually separated from each other to be destined to their final use.

In the production lines of the type indicated above the use a module application station which provides for the application of a plurality of RFID modules on a laminar support in the form of adhesive sheet, suitably moved through the station itself, is known.

The adhesive sheet bearing the RFID modules then reaches an antenna application station by which each of the RFID modules is associated to an antenna, for example in the form of metal wire.

Downstream of the antenna application station other operating stations can be provided for the execution of further operations such as for example the fixing of the ends of the antenna on the RFID module terminals, the coupling of a protective layer to the laminar support, and more.

The Applicant believes that the current systems for the realization of RFID devices may be significantly improved in many aspects, for example in terms of structural simplicity, productivity, operational flexibility and qualitative precision of the final product. In this respect, the Applicant has noted that, for the purposes of a correct execution of the processing, the application of components of each RFID module according to a particularly precise and accurate positioning is of decisive importance.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a new method and an apparatus usable in a work station forming part of a plant for the production of RFID devices, in order to allow the application of RFID modules on a laminar support in a reliable and precise way.

In particular, the Applicant wants to propose an apparatus in which the RFID modules can be applied quickly and accurately on a laminar support in the form of a sheet or of a continuous tape, moved longitudinally through work stations arranged according to a linear path along a processing line, for example for the effect of a pulling exerted downstream of the processing line.

More particularly, the object of the present invention is a method for applying RFID modules on a laminar support according to claim 1 .

In accordance with a further aspect, the invention proposes an apparatus for applying RFID modules on a laminar support according to claim 2. The invention allows to manage the handling of the tape element and the application of the modules substantially in a vertical plane orthogonal to the support plane of the laminar support.

The limitation of the overall dimensions achieved by the invention simplifies the installation of a plurality of apparatuses consecutively side by side, which can operate simultaneously for the simultaneous deposition, with each deposition cycle, of a plurality of respectively aligned RFID modules, to the benefit of productivity.

In at least one of the above aspects, the invention can also advantageously comprise one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably, during the cutting action, the laminar support is pressed against said applicator and/or against an abutment block placed immediately upstream of the cutting zone. Preferably, during the cutting action and/or during the movement of the applicator towards the release position, the RFID module is retained on the applicator by means of a suction action exerted through the applicator. Preferably, the RFID module is released on the laminar support as a result of a blowing action exerted through the applicator.

Preferably, the process according to the invention is feasible in the context of a method for the production of RFID devices, comprising the actions of: translating longitudinally a continuous laminar support according to mutually subsequent handling steps intercalated by shut-down phases, along a processing line; applying, at every handling step, at least one RFID module in correspondence of at least a module application station; applying, at every handling step, at least one antenna in correspondence to at least an antenna application station.

Preferably, in at least said module application station, the position of a reference index provided on the laminar support is detected, in conjunction with each of said shut-down phases. Preferably, said at least one RFID module is applied in a predetermined position with respect to said reference index.

Preferably, said feed devices comprise a support for a supply reel.

Preferably, said feed devices comprise guide rollers disposed according to respectively parallel axes of rotation and configured to engage said ribbonlike element on respectively opposite edges.

Preferably, each of the guide rollers has a circumferential groove having an axial width corresponding to the width of the ribbon-like element.

Preferably, at least one of said guide rollers has a circumferential groove for housing, preferably in the absence of contact, a portion of each RFID module protruding from one side of said ribbon-like element.

Preferably, said pulling means comprise a pair of pulling rollers, of which at least one is motorized, operating in thrust relationship to each other on respectively opposite sides of the ribbon-like element. Preferably, at least one of said pulling rollers has a circumferential groove for housing, preferably in the absence of contact, a portion of each RFID module protruding from one side of said ribbon-like element.

Preferably, said circumferential groove has a greater amplitude of a transverse dimension presented by the RFID modules on the ribbon-like element.

Preferably, said circumferential groove has a greater depth of the measure according to which said RFID modules protrude from the respective side of the ribbon-like element.

Preferably, said cutting unit comprises a blade movable transversely to said feed path between a rest position, in which it presents one of its ends which faces toward said ribbon-like element, and a cutting position, in which it extends across the feed path in order to cut the ribbon-like element.

Preferably, at least in the cutting position, the blade is inserted in a slot defined between an abutment block and said applicator in the gripping position.

Preferably, at least in the cutting position, the blade is slidably guided in the guide slot.

Preferably, said slot slidingly guides the blade during the movement from and towards the cutting position.

Preferably, said blade is carried by a slider movable toward the feed path and comprising at least one presser movable together with said blade between a working position in which it operates in contrast relation against said abutment block and a rest position in which it is spaced from the abutment block.

Preferably, said blade is carried by a slider movable with a reciprocating motion towards the feed path.

Preferably, said blade is carried by a slider movable toward the feed path and comprising at least one presser movable together with said blade between a working position in which it operates in contrast relation against said applicator in the gripping position and a rest position in which it is spaced from the applicator.

Preferably, said at least one presser is slidably engaged to the slider and movable resiliently away with respect to the feed path.

Preferably, said applicator is movable in alternate angular rotations between the gripping position and the release position.

Preferably, said applicator is movable around an axis of rotation parallel to said support surface.

Preferably, said applicator is movable according to angular rotations alternate along an arc of circle of predetermined amplitude, for example equal to about 90°.

Preferably, said applicator comprises a gripping arm rotatably bound according to said rotation axis and having an end portion positioned in the gripping position, substantially against the ribbon-like element.

Preferably, said end portion has two lateral appendages located on opposite sides with respect to a recess.

Preferably, said gripping devices are activated selectively to engage said ribbon-like element to the applicator in the position for gripping and disengaging said RFID module in the release position.

Preferably, said gripping devices comprise at least one pneumatic conduit opening on a surface of the applicator facing said ribbon-like element in the gripping position.

Preferably, the pneumatic conduit is led by a pair of openings 51 a which open respectively on said lateral tabs of the end portion.

Preferably, said pneumatic conduit is controlled by a switching valve configured to selectively connect it to a suction conduit.

Preferably, said switching valve is configured to selectively connect the pneumatic conduit to the intake conduit and to a blow conduit.

Also preferably provided is at least one detector operating along the feed path for commanding deactivation of the pulling means as a result of the passage of one of the RFID modules in a predetermined reading point. Preferably, said detector is slidably engaged along a sliding guide extending parallel to the feed path.

Preferably, said sensor is positionable along the sliding guide by means of a register element.

Preferably, at least said pulling means, said cutting unit, and said applicator are carried by a support plate lying substantially in a plane orthogonal to said support surface.

Preferably, said support surface carries one or more shoes slidably engaging the sliding guide apparatus.

Preferably, said support surface carries at least an abutment element to be operatively engaged in at least one engagement seat carried by an interchangeable positioning template.

Preferably, the apparatus according to the present invention can be used in a plant for the production of RFID devices, comprising a plurality of work stations disposed consecutively along a processing line; a pulling assembly for pulling longitudinally a continuous laminar support, according to subsequent handling steps mutually intercalated by stopping phases, along said processing line; at least one of module application station comprising at least one apparatus according to the present invention, configured to apply, at every handling step, at least one RFID module, and

at least one antenna application station configured to apply, at every handling step, at least one antenna coupled to said RFID module.

Preferably, at least one of said module application stations and antenna application stations comprises sensing devices to detect the position of at least one reference index carried by the laminar support, and at least one handling device to adjust the position of at least one of said applicators with respect to said reference index.

Preferably, said translation devices include a pulling assembly operating downstream of the work stations. Preferably, at least one of said work stations comprises a respective handling device for translating the applicator along at least three mutually orthogonal handling axes.

Preferably, at least said module application station comprises a plurality of module application apparatuses.

Preferably, said module application apparatuses can be placed transversely to the longitudinal development of the laminar support, preferably along a supporting arm being part of said handling device.

Preferably, said at least one module application station comprises an interchangeable positioning template rigidly engageable to said support arm and bearing insertion seats cooperating with respective abutment members carried by said support plate, in order to fix the positioning of the module application apparatus along the support arm.

Further features and advantages will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method for the application of RFID modules on a laminar support, and of an apparatus operating according to said method, in accordance with the present invention.

Such description will be set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings given only for illustrative purposes and not by way of limitation, in which:

- Figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c show diagrammatically in a side view, respectively, consecutive portions of a plant formed in accordance with the present invention;

- Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show in plan the portions of the plant of Figure

1 ;

- Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 show in interrupted side view an embodiment of a module application apparatus according to the invention, in different operating phases provided in the application method;

- Figure 7 shows in top view and in enlarged scale a detail of a guide roller forming part of the module application apparatus; - Figure 8 shows in side view and in enlarged scale a detail of a cutting unit forming part of the module application apparatus;

- Figure 9 shows in top view and in enlarged scale a detail of an abutment block forming part of the module application apparatus; - Figure 10 shows in top view and in enlarged scale a detail of a gripping arm forming part of the module application apparatus;

- Figures 1 1 and 12 are schematic representations respectively illustrating an antenna application station and a fixing station in a side view;

- Figure 13 shows an RFID device obtainable in accordance with the present invention.

In Figures 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, 2a, 2b and 2c a plant for the realization of RFID devices is generally illustrated, integrating at least an apparatus for the application of RFID modules in accordance with the present invention. The system includes a processing line 1 defined by a plurality of work stations 2 consecutively aligned in mutual juxtaposition, preferably along a substantially rectilinear direction.

Upstream of the processing line 1 is a feed assembly 3 carrying, for instance, a coil or other storage element 4 from which a continuous laminar support 5 is progressively withdrawn and made to advance along the processing line 1 by a pulling assembly 6 disposed downstream.

The laminar support 5 may for example be realized in form of a sheet of paper, plastic or other material, preferably provided with an adhesive layer applied on its upper surface. A protective film 7 on the previously applied adhesive layer is removed upon the action of a rewinding assembly 8 located in the proximity of the feed assembly 3, in conjunction with the advancement of the laminar support 5.

The advancement of the laminar support 5 by the pulling assembly 6 preferably occurs according to a step-by-step movement. In other words, the continuous laminar support 5 is moved longitudinally along the processing line 1 in subsequent handling steps, mutually intercalated by stopping phases. The amplitude of each handling step is substantially equal to the distance between two consecutive work stations 2, or to a submultiple of said distance.

The work stations 2 may for example include at least one module application station 9 and at least one antenna application station 10a, 10b and, preferably, at least one fixing station 1 1 . In the example shown, a first and a second antenna application station 10a, 10b, respectively contiguous, are provided.

In the accompanying drawings, 12 generally indicates handling devices present in one or more of the work stations 2, to apply on the laminar support 5, at each working cycle, at least a constructive component of an RFID device.

In the illustrated example, the handling devices 12 are installed on the module application station 9, on each of the antenna application stations 10a, 10b and on the fixing station 1 1 .

Each handling device 12 is positioned above a support surface 13 on which the laminar support 5 shifts, and rigidly engages one end of a support arm 14 extending and projecting above the support surface 13. The support arm 14, spaced in parallel from the support surface 13, carries at least one operating head 15 specifically configured for the application of the respective constructive component by means of a respective applicator 16. In a preferential embodiment, the support arm 14 is associated to a plurality of operating heads 15, for example four, each carrying a respective applicator 16.

It may be advantageously provided that the operating heads 15 belonging to a same work station 2 are removably positionable along the respective support arm 14, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the laminar support 5. To this end, the support arm 14 is preferably provided with one or more sliding guides 18, operatively engaged by respective shoes 19 carried by each of the operating heads 15. An interchangeable positioning template 20 can also be fixed to the support arm 14 carrying a plurality of engagement seats 21 , each of which cooperates with a respective abutment element 22 carried by one of the heads, to fix the positioning along the support arms 14. Setting operations of the work station 2 are thus simplified, since the number and positioning of the operating heads 15 can be easily changed depending on the needs, through eventual replacement of the positioning template 20.

Each handling device 12 provides the movement each operating head 15 and of the respective applicator 16 preferably according to at least three axes Y, X, Z, respectively orthogonal. For the purposes of the present description, it is possible identify a longitudinal-movement axis Y, parallel to the longitudinal extension of the continuous laminar support 5, a transverse- movement axis X, perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laminar support 5, and a vertical-movement axis Z, with respect to support surface 13 of the laminar support 5. The longitudinal-movement axis Y and transverse-movement axis X are coplanar with each other or arranged on parallel planes, respectively.

The handling devices 12 of the different work stations 2 may be substantially identical to each other. On the contrary, the operating heads 15 and the respective applicators 16 are each specifically configured according to the operation to be performed in the respective work station 2.

In this respect, it is provided that the handling device 12 installed in the module application stations 9 are associated to one or more first operating heads 15 each of which incorporates at least one module application apparatus 23 configured to apply on the laminar support 5, at each handling step, a respective RFID module 24.

In accordance with the present invention, each module application apparatus 23 includes a support plate 25 lying substantially in a plane parallel to the longitudinal development of the laminar support 5, and perpendicular to the respective support surface 13. The support plate 25 can rigidly bring said shoes 19 for sliding engagement apparatus 23 to the guide rails 18, as well as at least one of said abutment elements 22 to be operatively engaged in corresponding engagement seats 21 .

The support plate 25 supports the feed devices 26, for example comprising a supply reel 26a rotatably engaged to the top of a rod 27 rising from the support plate 25.

On the supply reel 26a, a continuous ribbon-like element 28 bearing a plurality of RFID modules 24 is wound. The RFID modules 24 are for example arranged on one of the opposite sides of the ribbon-like element 28, and preferably distributed according to a constant pitch along a direction of longitudinal extension of the ribbon-like element 28 itself. Each RFID module 24 comprises for example a microchip, eventually projecting from the respective side of the ribbon-like element 28 carrying respective electrical connection terminals 24a substantially coplanar to the ribbon-like element 28 itself.

On the support plate 25 pulling means 29 are mounted which lend themselves to operate on the ribbon-like element 28 for individually transferring the RFID module 24 toward a cutting unit 30.

Preferably, the pulling means 29 comprise a pair of rollers 29a, 29b, of which at least one is motorized, operating in thrust relationship to each other on respectively opposite sides of the ribbon-like element 28. Preferably, the pulling rollers 29a, 29b are rotatably engaged relative to the support plate 25 according to respectively parallel rotation axes. More particularly, for example, a motorized pulling roller 29a and an idle pulling roller 29b are provided. Preferably, the motorized pulling roller 29a is carried by a drive shaft rotatably engaged through the support plate 25, which can be activated in rotation by a motor 31 fixed to the support plate 25 itself. The idle pulling roller 29b is preferably carried by a lever 32 hinged to the support plate 25. A spring 33 or other resilient means operating on the lever 32 cause the idle pulling roller 29b to operate in elastic thrust relation against the motorized pulling roller 29a.

The feed devices 26 may also include one or more guide rollers 34, which operatively engage the ribbon-like element 28 in a portion between the supply reel 26a and the pulling means 29. Preferably, the guide rollers 34 are rotatably coupled to the support plate 25 according to respectively parallel rotation axes. As best viewed in Figure 7, the guide rollers 34 are configured to engage opposite side edges 28a of the ribbon-like element 28, respectively, so as to guide it accurately along a feed path P, for example rectilinear, which extends from the feed devices 26 up to beyond the cutting unit 30. In particular, it may be provided for this purpose provided that each of the guide rollers 34 present a circumferential groove 35 whose axial width corresponds to the width of the ribbon-like element 28, defined by the distance between the side edges 28a.

Preferably, at least one of the guide rollers 34 and/or of the pulling rollers 29a, 29b also has a circumferential groove 36 configured to house, preferably in the absence of contact, the microchip or other portion of the RFID module 24 projecting from the side of the ribbon-like element 28 on which the same RFID module 24 is applied. More particularly, there is a circumferential groove 36 in each of the guide rollers 34, in a coaxially centred position within the respective circumferential groove 35. A circumferential groove 36 is also provided on each of the pulling rollers 29a, 29b. Each circumferential groove 36 preferably has a greater depth of the measure according to which the microchip of the RFID modules 24 protrude from the respective side of the ribbon-like element 28. Each circumferential groove 36 may also exhibit a greater axial width than a transverse dimension presented by RFID modules 24 on the ribbon-like element 28. Along the feed path P a detector 37 can operate, for example of the type with photoelectric cells, arranged to detect the passage of one of the RFID modules 24 in a predetermined reading point, to command the deactivation of the pulling means 29. The detector 37 is preferably engaged with a sliding guide 38 integral with the support plate 25, and extending parallel to the feed path P. A threaded shaft 39 or other register element allows to adjust the positioning of the detector 37 along the sliding guide 38, and therefore the position of the reading point P along the feed path, to optimize the stop position of the end of the ribbon-like element 28 with respect to the cutting unit 30 and the applicator 16 of RFID modules 24.

The cutting unit 30 is selectively operable to separate from the ribbon-like element 28 each RFID module 24 together with a length of the same ribbonlike element 28, making it available for the applicator 16 of RFID modules 24. The applicator 16 of RFID modules 24 may for example comprise a gripping arm 40 alternately movable between a gripping position, located along the feed path P immediately downstream of the cutting unit 30, and a release position located above the support surface 13, to release the RFID module 24 on the underlying laminar support 5.

More particularly, the cutting unit 30 comprises at least one blade 41 , preferably arranged in a plane parallel to the bearing surface 13 and substantially orthogonal to the ribbon-like element 28 coming from the pulling means 29.

The blade 41 is fixed to at least a cursor 42 slidably guided on one side of the support plate 25, and is movable towards the feed path P of the ribbonlike element 28, preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the latter. A fluid-dynamic control actuator 43, for example fixed to the support plate 25 on the opposite side with respect to the slider 42, operates on the latter to move the blade 41 transversely to the feed path P, between a rest position and a cutting position. In the rest position, the blade 41 has one end which faces towards the ribbon-like element 28, at a short distance from it. In the cutting position, the blade 41 extends across the feed path P so as to cut the ribbon-like element 28 along a cutting line extending between two contiguous RFID modules 24.

Preferably, as best seen in Figure 8, at least in the cutting position, the blade 41 is slidably inserted in a slot 44, defined between the applicator 16 placed in the gripping position and an abutment block 45 integral with the support plate 25.

The slot 44 is configured to slidably guide the blade 41 during the movement from the cutting position and towards the cutting position, so as to inhibit unwanted lateral bending. To this end, it is preferably provided that the slot 44 present a width substantially equal to the thickness of the blade 41 . The abutment block 45 may be provided with a guide portion 46 facing the feed path P, configured to slidably engage the ribbon-like element 28 in correspondence of the cutting unit 30 or at a point immediately upstream of the same, in order to fix precisely the lateral positioning. To this end, as best viewed in Figure 9, the guide portion 46 is preferably provided with a groove 46a extending parallel to the feed path P and having a width substantially equal to that of the ribbon-like element 28, so as to engage it in correspondence of its opposite side edges 28a impeding lateral movement, that is to say in a direction transverse to its longitudinal development. Inside the groove 46a, an auxiliary groove 46b parallel to it may be formed, arranged to accommodate in the absence of contact the microchip or other part that is projecting the RFID module 24, similarly to what described with reference to the circumferential grooves 36.

At least on presser 47a, 47b facing towards the abutment block 45 and/or to the applicator 16 in the gripping position can be advantageously engaged to the slider 42. In the example shown a first presser 47a and a second presser 47b are provided, respectively aligned to the block and to the applicator 16.

Each presser 47a, 47b is movable with a reciprocating motion, together with the blade 41 , towards a working position in which it operates in contrast relationship against said abutment block 45 or, respectively, against the applicator 16 in the gripping position, starting from a rest position in which it is spaced by the same fixed abutment and applicator.

Preferably, the first and/or the second presser 47a, 47b are slidably engaged to the slider 42 and resiliently movable towards the cursor 42 itself, that is to say away from the feed path P, for example along respective guide rods 48 and in contrast to respective return springs 49. The gripping arm 40 can be rotatably coupled to the support plate 25 around an axis of rotation parallel to the support plane 13, and can be activated according to alternate angular rotations along an arc of circle of predetermined amplitude, for example equal to about 90°, for example upon command of a rotary actuator 50, fixed to the support plate 25 on the opposite side with respect to the gripping arm 40.

Gripping devices 51 operate on the applicator 16, preferably in correspondence to an end portion 52 of the gripping arm 40. Said gripping devices 51 may for example comprise at least one pneumatic conduit opening on the terminal portion 52, or other surface of the gripping means facing towards the ribbon-like element 28 when the gripping arm 40 is placed in the gripping position.

As best viewed in Figure 10, in the illustrated example, the pneumatic conduit 51 is led by a pair of openings 51 a which open on respective lateral appendixes 52a of the end portion 52, arranged on opposite sides with respect to a recess 52b arranged to accommodate, preferably in the absence of contact, the microchip or other projecting part of the RFID module 24, similarly to what described with reference to the circumferential grooves 36 and the auxiliary groove 46b.

The gripping devices 51 can be selectively activated for retaining a RIFD module 24 at least in the gripping position and during translation of the applicator 16 towards the release position.

To this end, the pneumatic conduit 51 can be operatively connected with a switching valve operable to selectively connect with a suction conduit. When not connected to the suction conduit, the pneumatic conduit 51 can be connected to a blow pipe, for example of action of the same switching valve. The suction and blowing conduits, as well as the switching valve, are not depicted as they are pneumatic circuitry components achievable in known manner. A pressure sensor 53 may be arranged on the gripping arm 40 to emit an alarm signal upon detection of excessive pressure within the pneumatic conduit 51 , in particular during translation towards the release position.

In accordance with a process according to the present invention, the operation of each module application apparatus 23 provides that, upon operation of the pulling means 29, the ribbon-like element 28 is made to advance along the feed path P until the RFID module 24 placed on the end portion of the tape 28 itself reaches the front of the end portion 52 of the gripping arm 40, predisposed in the gripping position (Figure 3).

The advancement of the ribbon-like element 28 is stopped at a predetermined point upon command from the detector 37 at the passage of one of the RFID modules 24 at the point of reading of the photocells.

Air suction can then be commanded through the pneumatic conduit 51 and the openings 51 a which open on the lateral appendages 52a of the end portion 52 of the gripping arm 40. The depression consequently produced in the pneumatic conduit 51 and the suction effect through the openings 51 a bring the end portion of the ribbon-like element 28 to adhere to the end portion 52 of the gripping arm 40. The end of the ribbon-like element 28 is thus retained by the gripping means, while the control actuator of the cutting unit 30 is actuated.

The consequent advancement of the slider 42 brings each of the pressers 47a, 47b against the ribbon-like element 28, into thrust relationship against the abutment block 45 and, respectively, against the end portion 52 of the gripping arm 40 (Figure 4). At the same time, the blade 41 advances towards the ribbon-like element 28, until they reach the cutting position (Figure 5) to cut it according to a transverse cutting line extending between two contiguous RFID modules 24.

When pressers 47a, 47b and the blade 41 are shown in the rest position, the RFID module 24 on the cut length of the ribbon-like element 28 remains in engagement with the gripping arm 40, for the effect of suction produced through the pneumatic conduit 51 . The rotary actuator 50 can be then actuated, which brings the gripping arm 40 in the release position (Figure 6), in which the end portion 52 is facing towards the support surface 13 carrying the laminar support 5.

If required, a simultaneous translation of the operating heads 15 along the vertical-movement axis Z can be controlled, to bring the gripping arm 40 to the support plane 13 and apply the RFID module 24 against the laminar support 5. Preferably, the approach of the gripping arm 40 to the support plane 13 is stopped when the end portion 52 is located at a short distance, approximately between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm from the upper surface of the laminar support 5. The transfer of the RFID module 24 on the laminar support 5 can be accomplished by means of a pneumatic thrust produced through the pneumatic conduit 51 , obtained by connecting the latter to said blow conduit. Mechanical interferences with the applicator 16 are thus eliminated both during the translation of the gripping arm 40 towards the release position and at the end of the descent along the vertical-movement axis.

After completing the application, the gripping arm 40 can be shown in the gripping position in order to start a new operating cycle.

The module application apparatuses 23 installed on the same module application station 9 are preferably operated in a simultaneous and synchronized manner, so as to determine, for each cycle of application, the application of an array of RFID modules 24 respectively aligned along a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the laminar support 5. Each of the operating heads 15 that equip the handling device 12 installed in each antenna application station 10a, 10b is in turn configured to apply on the laminar support 5, at each handling step, at least one antenna 54. Each antenna 54 is preferably formed by depositing on the laminar support 5 a metallic wire or other conductive material 55, preferably copper treated with an external insulation coating. To this end, as illustrated in Figure 1 1 , each of the operating heads 15 installed in the application station antennas

10a, 10b may for example comprise guide means (not shown) operating on the conductive wire 55 coming from a respective supply reel, in order to lead in correspondence of the applicator 16 of antennas 54, made for example in the form of idler roller 56, rotatable about a horizontal axis. The idler roller 56 may be carried by a pivot 57 pivoting around a vertical axis of rotation R. A cutting member 58 cuts the conductive wire 55 in the vicinity of the idle roller 56, at the end of the application.

Each of the antennas 54 applied on the laminar support 5 is coupled to one of the RFID modules 24. For example, each antenna 54 may have its opposite ends 54a placed in contact relationship with respective terminals 24a carried by the RFID module 24.

Each of the operating heads 15 that equip the handling device 12 installed in the fixing station 1 1 , arranged downstream of the or of application stations of antennas 10a, 10b, is configured to stably fix each antenna 54 to the respective RFID module 24, for example by welding the terminals 24a of the same RFID module 24. To this end, as illustrated in Figure 12, each operating head 15 can, for example, comprise a dispenser 59 of the filler material and the heating bodies, for example a laser emitter 60, for applying and melting a predetermined quantity of filler material in correspondence of each of the terminals 24a of the RFID module 24, where the ends 54a of the antenna 54 were previously placed.

There may also be at least one cap unit 61 located downstream of the fixing station 1 1 and configured to apply at least a cover layer 62 on the laminar support 5. Similarly to the laminar support 5, also the cover layer 62 can be realized in the form of continuous sheet made of paper or plastic, and is for example coupled to the laminar support 5 itself by means of a respective applicator in the form of roller 63.

Work stations 2 can be intercalated by auxiliary stations 64, 65 configured for performing additional machining operations on the RFID modules 24 in processing. For example, downstream of the cover unit 61 there may be a test station 64, upon the action of which the operation of the obtained RFID devices 17 is tested, and a possible print station 65 for imparting identifying graphic motifs on the same RFID devices 17. The printing station 65, if located downstream of the test station 64, can also be used to mark the RFID devices 17 that have not passed the tests carried out in the test station itself.

Downstream of the cover unit 61 at least one die-cut station 66 can be also provided, configured for performing separation or pre-breaking notches 67 in the mutually coupled laminar support 5 and in the cover layer 62, so as to facilitate the mutual separation of RFID devices 17 at a later time.

In the illustrated example, the pulling assembly 6 is disposed downstream of the processing line 1 . It can be also envisaged that one or more of the work stations 2 and/or auxiliary stations, for example the test station 64 and/or the print station 65 and/or the die-cut station 66, are placed upstream of the pulling assembly 6. A collection unit 68 disposed downstream of the processing line 1 receives the RFID devices 17, e.g. wrapping them in the form of one or more ribbons on respective gathering coils 69 after any possible longitudinal cutting operation.

On the continuous laminar support 5, reference indexes 70 may be placed, mutually spaced apart according to a substantially constant distribution pitch, preferably equal to the pitch of the laminar support 5 handling the same with the processing line 1 . At each handling step, at least one of the reference indexes 70 it is therefore stopped at each of the work stations 2. In a preferred embodiment example, represented in the accompanying figures, the reference indexes 70 are realized by means of a marking station 71 operatively interposed between the feed assembly 3 and the module application station 9, preferably upstream of the rewinding unit 8. The marking station 71 can for example comprise at least one punch 71 a movable alternately through the laminar support 5 to derive the reference indexes 70 in the form of shaped openings, for example of square shape, distributed along at least one of its longitudinal edges. Alternatively, the marking station 71 can for example be configured to carry the reference indexes 70 in the form of graphic patterns printed on the laminar support 5.

In conjunction with each of said shut-down phases, the position of each applicator 16 can be advantageously adjusted with respect to at least one of the reference indexes 70 carried by the laminar support 5.

To this end, it is possible to use detection devices comprising for example at least a digital video camera 72 directed towards the support plane 13, or other suitable reading device (for example of the electromechanical type) operatively associated to one or more of the work stations 2 to detect the position of the reference index 70 on the laminar support 5, when the latter is stopped at the respective work station 2.

Each video camera 72 can be for example fixed to one end of the support arm 14 carried by the respective handling device 12. The position of the reference index 70 detected inside the reading area can be used as a reference for positioning and/or moving the applicators 16 for the proper positioning of the RFID component.

To this end, following the execution of each handling step of the pulling assembly 6, portions of the laminar support 5 each carrying at least one of said reference indexes 70 are stopped in correspondence of each one of the work stations 2.

Each of the video cameras 72 attached to the application stations 9, 10a, 10b, 1 1 detects the position of the reference index 70 on the portion of the laminar support 5 in the stopping phase on the respective support plane 13, and sends information indicative of that position to an electronic command unit.

On the basis of the information received from the video camera 72, the electronic control unit controls the moving device 12 installed in each application station 9, 10a, 10b, 1 1 , by translating the respective operating heads 15 parallel to the longitudinal- and/or transversal-movement axes Y and X, in a geometrical plane parallel to the bearing plane of the laminar support 5. Each applicator 16 is thus given a predetermined positioning in relation to the reference index 70 carried by the respective portion of the laminar support 5.

It is therefore possible to control, in each application station, the actuation of the operating heads 15 and 16 of the applicators so as to determine, with a descent of the applicator 16 along the vertical-movement axis Z, the application of the RFID device components (RFID modules 24, antennas 54, weldings) in respective predetermined points in relation to each of the respective reference indexes 70.