EP3469174B1 - Anti-theft device for cans, tins or bottles - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of anti-theft product. It is intended to protect items available for free distribution, for example on supermarket shelves.

Such articles are well known and generally comprise a plastic body which can be fixed on the article to be protected against shoplifting. This body contains a means of detection interacting with a gantry disposed at the exit of the point of sale. A magnetic locking system prevents the body from being opened and the anti-theft device removed from anyone who does not have the appropriate unlocker.

The invention relates more particularly to the field of anti-theft devices intended for packaging having a groove for a peripheral rib such as a drink can, a can, or even a bottle whose neck is provided with an annular ring.

Different solutions are known for such articles.

A first family of solutions relates to anti-theft devices having a strap which can surround part of the article to be protected. European patent application EP 2734696 describes an anti-theft device comprising a ring, means for locking the ring in the closed position, and anti-theft detection means. The ring comprises a body which has a first end close to which the locking means are associated, a second free opposite end intended to be introduced into the locking means, and at least one circular part extending from the second end and intended to cooperate with said locking means.

The body of the ring comprises a linear part arranged as an extension of the circular part opposite the second end. The linear part imposes an additional elasticity on the device participating in the ejection of the second end of the ring from the locking means.

The resistance of such solutions is very limited because it is easy to force the opening by engaging a blade between the article and the ring to widen it or cause it to break.

The patent has been a precursor in another approach where the anti-theft device is in the form of a hollow body having a cavity of complementary shape to a part of the article to be protected in order to cap it. The French patent FR2735751 describes such an anti-theft device for an article having a substantially cylindrical end provided with a substantially annular bulge, for example a bottle or a vial. It consists of a removable body comprising means capable of enclosing, in the closed position, said cylindrical end and a locking means to prevent the opening of said means without the use of a specific tool. The body is formed by a substantially tubular element having a diameter greater than the diameter of the annular bulge provided with a member movable relative to the tubular element between a closed position in which it delimits a section smaller than the section of the annular bulge and an unlocking position in which it defines a section greater than the section of the annular bulge.

This solution is much more robust. It is however limited to articles of small diameter, having a very marked shoulder.

On the other hand, it is not well suited to the protection of articles without a neck, such as a drink can or a can.

State of the art

For the protection of such articles, a solution has been proposed in the prior art described in the American patent. US7583195 .

This patent relates to a reusable security label intended for use with containers. The security tag includes two sections which are pivotally connected to first section ends and the sections include outwardly extending semicircular flanges. One of the two sections has a security label. A removable pin of a locking mechanism locks the respective pin receptacles of each section together. The flanges are coupled to the lower edge of one of the ends of a container on which the closure of the free ends of the two sections on a hinge causes the pin to be locked via the pin receptacles. The only way to remove the pin and therefore free the security label from the container is to position the security label / container assembly near a suitable size magnet available at a point of sale in a retail store. retail. Failure to remove the security tag before leaving the retail store will result in the integrated electronic components detecting the security tag and triggering an alarm or other warning device.

We also know the Chinese patent CN201439407 concerning an anti-theft device for plastic bottles having a neck, having two arched arms provided with elastic radial tabs. A locking system extends radially. Detection means are provided in a peripheral zone of the arcuate arms.

We also know the international patent application WO2010 / 055449 relating to an electronic article surveillance device comprising at least one marker housed inside an internal cavity and a retaining formation which is attached to the body so as to hold or release the article under surveillance, for example hold and drop the neck of a bottle under surveillance. The retaining formation can pivot between a locking position in which it keeps the neck of the bottle captive against the body and a free orientation in which the bottle neck can be withdrawn from the retaining formation. The body further defines, against the retainer, a recess in which a portion of the neck of the bottle is received when the neck of the bottle is held by the retainer.

We also know the patent application US2015 / 137977 describing a surveillance tag for electronic anti-theft articles having first and second components hingedly attached to each other. The two articulated components can pass from the numerous open positions from an open state to the closed position from a closed state. When in the closed position, the two components combine to form a passage that can close around the neck of a wine bottle or similar bottle. The first component has a housing and a first locking component. The second component has a second locking component. When the first and second components are in the closed position and the first and second locking components are engaged, the locking components hold the first and second components in the closed position. The locking components are releasable so that the anti-theft tag can be removed from an object by an authorized person. The housing may also contain a locking component for locking the locking components in position to prevent their disengagement without authorization. This blocking component is also releasable.

The patent application WO2016 / 034748 d writes another example of an anti-theft device consisting of two elements hinged together and capable of being brought into the closed position, which comprises a first half-ring provided with a closing part or end, a second half-ring provided with a housing for the closing part or end of the first half-ring; an axis of articulation between the first half-ring and the second half-ring, a toothing produced in the surface of the closing part of the first half-ring and a closing trigger housed in the second half-ring, which comprises a ferromagnetic body and which adopts substantially two positions, a first rest position in which the closing trigger retains the teeth of the closing end of the first half-ring and a second position in which the ferromagnetic body is attracted by a magnetic field and the trigger releases the teeth from the closing end of the first half-ring.

Disadvantages of the prior art

These solutions are not satisfactory for several reasons.

They generally have a vertical or horizontal gap in which it is easy to introduce a blade to separate the two constituent parts of the lock and therefore allow the forced removal of the article. These devices are not therefore not robust enough to seriously resist an attempted fraudulent withdrawal.

They are also not suitable for protecting metallic articles because the detection means is disturbed by the proximity of the metallic mass of the article.

Solution provided by the invention

In order to remedy these drawbacks, the invention relates to an anti-theft device intended for the protection of articles, in particular metal, having a peripheral shoulder, of any shape: tubular with circular, rectangular, polygonal section, or even provided with a neck. . The device according to the invention has great resistance and allows use on metal articles.

The invention relates, in its most general sense, to an anti-theft device for an article having a peripheral shoulder, consisting of two articulated parts. Each of these parts has a peripheral skirt provided with a border capable of coming to bear under the peripheral shoulder of the article to be protected.

• une position fermée où les deux parties viennent entourer une zone périphérique de l'article, et
• une position ouverte où les deux parties sont écartées pour permettre le retrait de l'article.

These two parts are articulated with respect to a peripheral pivot between:

• a closed position where the two parts surround a peripheral zone of the article, and
• an open position where the two parts are separated to allow removal of the article.

The device further comprises a magnetically deactivable locking means blocking the two articulated parts in the closed position and a detection means.

These two parts are constituted by a fixed shell and a movable shell connected by a pivot.

The fixed shell has a cavity opening laterally to allow the introduction of the movable shell when the device is in the closed position.

The movable shell is constituted by a body having a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the article to be protected extended on the side of the article to be protected by a skirt extending over a first half of the periphery of the article to be protected. protect and with a peripheral shoulder.

The movable shell can consist of a single molded part having a skirt and an insert forming said transverse extension whose configuration is complementary to that of the cavity provided in the fixed shell.

It can also be constituted by an assembly formed by a molded part having a skirt and a housing for receiving an additional transverse extension, whose configuration is complementary to that of the cavity provided in the fixed shell on the one hand and said housing somewhere else. In this latter variant, the anti-theft device then consists of a fixed shell articulated with respect to a movable shell, and an additional insert.

Preferably, the fixed shell has, on the side opposite the article to be protected, a protuberance in which the detection means is housed.

Advantageously, the fixed shell has two transverse walls defining between itself said cavity, the two walls being closed, on the side opposite to the movable part by a peripheral border.

Alternatively, the movable shell has a transverse body reinforced by stiffeners.

According to another variant, the fixed shell has a hollow extension guiding a locking rod whose end is engaged in a housing provided in the movable shell.

Advantageously, the movable shell has an arcuate guide path leading to said housing.

Preferably, the movable shell and the fixed shell have peripheral protrusions respectively traversed by said pivot, said protrusions being disposed on the side opposite to the locking means.

According to a particular variant, the protuberance has an upper surface complementary to the lower surface of the articles to be protected to allow stacking of protected articles.

Advantageously, the movable shell has a tooth engaging, in the closed position, in a complementary cavity provided on the protuberance.

According to a particular variant, the protuberance and the housing form a bearing surface of the lower surface of the articles to be protected.

Detailed description of a nonlimiting example of the invention

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective de trois-quart du dessus du dispositif en position ouverte
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective de trois-quart du dessous du dispositif en position ouverte
• la figure 3 représente une vue éclatée du dispositif en position ouverte
• la figure 4 représente une vue éclatée d'un empilement de deux articles gerbés avec les dispositifs en position fermée
• les figures 5 à 8 représentent des vues d'une variante de réalisation respectivement en vue éclatée et en perspective de dessous, de dessus en position ouverte, et en position fermée.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a nonlimiting example of the invention which follows, referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 shows a three-quarter perspective view from above of the device in the open position
• the figure 2 represents a three-quarter perspective view of the bottom of the device in the open position
• the figure 3 represents an exploded view of the device in the open position
• the figure 4 shows an exploded view of a stack of two stacked items with the devices in the closed position
• the Figures 5 to 8 represent views of an alternative embodiment respectively in exploded view and in perspective from below, from above in the open position, and in the closed position.

The anti-theft device according to the invention is described in the following according to a particular example of implementation for the protection of metal cans.

It consists of a movable molded shell (100) and a fixed molded shell (200). The two shells are joined by a pivot (250) engaged in protrusions (131, 241) provided at the peripheral edge of the shells (100, 200).

The two shells (100, 200) each have a skirt respectively (101, 201) of semi-tubular shape, to match the outer surface of the article (1) to be protected. Each of these skirts (101, 201) has on its inner surface a peripheral shoulder respectively (102, 202) capable of coming to bear against a shoulder surrounding the upper part of the article to be protected. These shoulders can be formed by molding. They can also be formed by attachments intended to be placed in a housing provided for this purpose in the skirts (101, 201).

Description of the fixed shell

The fixed shell (200) has a generally cylindrical shape, the cross section of which corresponds to the cross section of the article (1) to be protected.

The fixed shell (200) has two transverse walls (203, 204) which are full in the example described. They may also have lights to lighten the anti-theft device. The upper transverse wall (204) is however preferably full in order to completely seal the device and prevent access to the can cover and to the opening ring.

These two transverse walls (203, 204) define between them a cavity (205) with a height of 5 to 10 millimeters, closed on the side opposite to the movable shell (100) by a peripheral border and open on the side of the movable shell (100) by a slot allowing the penetration of the movable shell.

In the closed position, the movable shell (100) is housed in this cavity (205).

The fixed shell (200) has a skirt (201) extending over half of the periphery of the article (1) to be protected, on the side opposite to the movable shell (100). This peripheral skirt (201) has on its inner surface a peripheral shoulder (202) which engages under the shoulder (2) surrounding the upper edge of the article (1). This shoulder (2) may be constituted by a peripheral groove or by the upper surface of a peripheral groove.

The upper surface of the fixed shell (200) has a protuberance (210). This protuberance (210) defines a housing for receiving the detection means (211), in the present example a tuned ferrite. Of course, any means known detection, magneto acoustic, electromagnetic or radio frequency can be used, for example a label carrying a tuned LC circuit or an RFID label.

The detection means is distant from the surface of the article to be protected by a distance of more than 5 millimeters and preferably more than 10 millimeters. This distance limits the disturbances caused by the metallic mass on the operation of the radio frequency detection. This distance results from the height of the cavity (205) and the plates (203, 204) and possibly from a base provided in the protuberance (210).

The protuberance (210) is closed by a cover (213) welded or glued, or even snapped. It is also possible to inject a coating resin after introduction of the detection means.

The upper part of the protuberance has a groove (224) complementary to the lower surface of the articles to allow stacking of several protected articles as illustrated by the figure 4 .

The protuberance (210) forms a stud covering a little more than half of the upper surface, with a groove (22 ') to ensure the stability of the next article during stacking.

The upper surface of the fixed shell (200) comprises, in addition to the protuberance (210) having a groove (224), a shoulder having a bearing surface (225) to provide an additional bearing surface for the bottom of the stacked article.

The extension (220) guides a plastic cage (214) closing the housing of the counterweight and its spring by non-removable snap-fastening. This plastic cage also guides the flyweight.

This cage (214) actuates a locking rod (216) whose end (217) engages in a complementary housing (136) provided on the movable shell (100) to block the relative movement of the two shells (100, 200) when they are in the closed position, with the movable shell (100) engaged in the cavity (205) of the fixed shell (200).

Description of the mobile shell

The movable shell (100) has a transverse body formed by a transverse plate (103) which can be solid or perforated, and which has stiffeners (104, 105) extending diametrically. The transverse plate (103) is surrounded by a peripheral border, the height of which corresponds to the height of the cavity (205) of the fixed shell, on the side facing this fixed shell (200). This border has a slightly higher height to cover the field of the plates (203, 204) of the fixed shell (200) and to prevent an interstitial slot allowing the introduction of a blade.

This border is extended by a tooth (120) defining a shoulder directed towards the article (1). This tooth (120) engages, in the closed position, in a complementary cavity (235) to improve the resistance against an attempt to separate the two shells in the locked position.

The movable shell (100) has a skirt (101) extending over half of the periphery of the article (1) to be protected to form, with the skirt (201) of the fixed shell (200), a belt completely surrounding the upper peripheral edge of the article (1) to be protected. This skirt (201) also has a shoulder (202) which engages in the peripheral rib (2) of the article to be protected (1).

The connection between the shells (100, 200) is ensured by a pivot (250). A spring (132) surrounding this pivot (250) causes the movable shell (100) to open relative to the fixed shell (200) when the latter are unlocked.

The plate (103) also has an arcuate protuberance (135) having a groove in which the end (217) of the locking rod (216) engages. This groove leads to the housing (136) in which the end engages (217) to ensure the locking of the two shells in the locked position.

Furthermore, the end (128) of the skirt (101) of the movable shell (100) has a shape of a tenon which is embedded in the closed position in the end (228) complementary to the skirt (201) of the fixed shell, in the form of a mortise. This configuration prevents the penetration of a blade to force the separation of the two skirts (101, 201).

The device described by way of example is not limited to articles of circular section. It can be configured for articles of rectangular, polygonal or arbitrary section. It can also be configured for the protection of a bottle having a neck with a ring.

Variants of realization

The Figures 5 to 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment where the locking means is not disposed on the upper part of the fixed shell (100) but laterally.

The fixed shell (200) has a tubular housing (210) for housing the detection means (211). It is closed by a disc cover (213) having a rib (224) intended to receive the bottom of the next can. The fixed shell (200) has a lateral extension (300) in which is housed the magnetic locking / unlocking mechanism, in particular the counterweight (214).

The arched guide path (135) has a hole (260) in which the end of the locking rod is housed. Alternatively, the arcuate guide path (135) may have notches for locking by the beveled end of the locking rod. This solution makes it possible to adapt the section of the device to different sections of articles to be protected.

The fixed shell (200) also has a tooth (270) extending radially to engage in a complementary lumen (271) provided in the movable shell (100).

Claims (9)

1. Anti-theft device for an item having a peripheral shoulder, consisting of two articulated parts each having a peripheral skirt (101, 201) provided with an edge capable of providing support beneath said peripheral shoulder (102, 202), the parts being articulated with respect to a peripheral pivot (250) between a closed position in which the two parts surround a peripheral region of the item, and an open position in which the two parts are separated to allow the item to be withdrawn, the device further comprising a magnetically deactivable locking means, locking the two articulated parts in the closed position, and a detection means; a device in which said parts consist of a stationary shell (200) having a generally cylindrical shape, the cross section of which corresponds to the cross section of the item (1) to be protected, and a movable shell (100) which are connected by a pivot (250), the stationary shell (200) having a cavity (205) which opens laterally to allow the introduction of the movable shell (100) in the closed position, the movable shell (100) consisting of a body having a cross section which corresponds to the cross section of the item to be protected and is extended on the side of the item (1) to be protected by a skirt (101) which extends over a first half of the periphery of the item to be protected and having a peripheral shoulder (102), the stationary shell (200) having, on the side opposite the item to be protected, a projection (210) in which the detection means is housed.
2. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stationary shell (200) has two transverse walls (203, 204) defining said cavity (205) therebetween, the two walls (203, 204) being closed, on the side opposite the movable part (100), by a peripheral edge.
3. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable shell (100) has a transverse body (103) reinforced by stiffeners (104, 105).
4. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stationary shell (200) has a hollow extension (220) ensuring the guidance of a locking rod (216) of which the end (217) is engaged in a recess (136) provided in the movable shell (100).
5. Anti-theft device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the movable shell (100) has an arcuate guide path (135) leading to said recess (136).
6. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable shell (100) and the stationary shell (200) have respective peripheral projections (131, 241) through which said pivot (250) passes, said projections (131, 241) being arranged on the side opposite the locking means.
7. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection (210) has an upper surface complementary to the lower surface of the items to be protected to allow stacking of protected items.
8. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable shell (100) has a tooth (120) which engages, in the closed position, in a complementary cavity (235) provided on the projection (210).
9. Anti-theft device according to claim 7, characterized in that the projection (210) and the recess (220) form a support surface of the lower surface of the items to be protected.

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