Series 7A: Tan Cloth – Molded Plastic Back (1990 - 2002)
Molded backs are labeled molded backs because of the look of the plastic on the back of the emblem. Once the cloth was embroidered with multiple emblems the worker simply turned the cloth square of badges upside down placed a sheet of plastic over the back and put them on the conveyor of the mini oven, figure A, and waited for the cloth square to drop onto a table. As the cloth passed through the oven the plastic sheet melted and adhered to be back of the cloth. The soften plastic conforms to the embroidery giving it a molded look and feel. The individual medallions are then die cut out of the cloth sheet and set to the merrowing machine for bordering.
Molded plastic back patrol medallions are found with and without gauze reinforcing under the molded plastic and with and without pellon fusible interfacing under the molded plastic. During interviews with a embroiders it became apparent that the application of gauze was not consistent. Based on this information molded plastic backs with and without gauze reinforcing are considered one group.
Series 7B: Tan Cloth – Molded Plastic Back with Scout Stuff Logo (2002 - 2009)
During the 2000 meetings of the Committee on Badges, Awards and Requirements the committee determined that all scout badges should have an imprint on the back that that prevents other organizations from using Boy Scouts of America badges. The imprint idea was based on the imprint used on badges from 1911 – 1935. It took approximately a year to determine the new imprint design and to have plastic printed and distributed to embroidery suppliers. The first badges with the new imprinted plastic appeared in 2002. The plastic with Scout Stuff imprint is applied to the back of the medallion utilizing the same process as described in Series 7A.
Scout Stuff back patrol medallions are found with and without gauze reinforcing under the molded plastic and with and without pellon fusible interfacing under the molded plastic. During interviews with a embroiders it became apparent that the application of gauze was not consistent. Based on this information molded plastic backs with and without gauze reinforcing are considered one group.
Series 7C: Tan Cloth – BPA Free Clear Plastic Back – NO Logo (2009)
Based on information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 the BSA ordered suppliers to stop using Scout Stuff logoed plastic backing with Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA in plastic was determined to have adverse health effects. Due to the FDA order, the BSA did not have time to have BPA free plastic printed so for a few months suppliers had to use a plain (no imprint) Bisphenol A (BPA) free plastic backing. The emblems have a smooth or slick feel. The clear BPA free plastic did not mold to the back but remained smooth.
Series 7D: Tan Cloth – Molded Plastic Back with 100th Anniversary Logo (2010 - 2013)
The BPA event gave The Committee on Badges, Awards and Requirements the opportunity to create a new imprint that commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the BSA. During the BPA crisis in 2009 the design was determined, plastic imprinted and distributed to embroiders. The first 100th Anniversary imprinted molded plastic back badges appeared in 2010. <
100th Anniversary plastic back patrol medallions are found with and without gauze reinforcing under the molded plastic and with and without pellon fusible interfacing under the molded plastic. During interviews with a embroiders it became apparent that the application of gauze was not consistent. Based on this information molded plastic backs with and without gauze reinforcing are considered one group.
Series 7E: Tan Cloth – Molded Plastic Backwith Since 1910 Logo (2010 - 2013)
Like the BPA event that cause the creation of Series 7D another event cause the BSA to one again rethink the imprint design on all emblems. Congress passed a ruling that all imports must have identification of the country of origin and when the same item is manufactured in the U.S. the items must be distinguishable. At first stickers were used to satisfy the requirement, however stickers fell off and were sometimes removed. The long term solution was to redesign the imprint on the badge back. Two designs were created, a U.S. version and a China version. The new design has the words “Since 1910” as part of the imprint. Badges made in China use the version that has a large stylized FDLs. Badges made in the U.S. use the version that has a small stylized FDLs.
Since 1910 logoed plastic back patrol medallions are found with and without gauze reinforcing under the molded plastic. During interviews with a embroiders it became apparent that the application of gauze was not consistent. Based on this information molded plastic backs with and without gauze reinforcing are considered one group.