Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B73/00—Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices
  • E05B73/0017—Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops
  • E05B73/0023—Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor

Definitions

• This invention relates to a security device for attachment to a container, for example to a container housing a disk such as a CD or DVD, to help in preventing or deterring its theft from a retail outlet.
• EAS Electronic Article Surveillance
• AM acoustic magnetic
• RF Radio Frequency
• RFID Radio Frequency ID
• RF tags comprising flat coils can be used but as they are relatively large it is difficult to mount them in a position when used with a container such as a CD or DVD box where they do not suffer from shielding.
• the present invention aims to provide an arrangement of a security device which helps avoid or reduce this problem.
• a security device for attachment to a container having external walls such that at least a signal receiving and/or transmitting portion thereof is located externally of or adjacent to one of said external walls, the security device being arranged to trigger an alarm signal if the container is moved within the range of an alarm unit with the security device attached thereto, the security device having a releasable locking mechanism to secure it to the container such that release of the locking mechanism requires the use of authorised release means.
• a security device for attachment to apparatus adapted to hold one or more articles which includes a layer which is non-transparent to electromagnetic radiation, the security device having a portion for receiving and/or transmitting electromagnetic radiation so as to trigger an alarm signal if the apparatus is moved within the range of an alarm unit with the security device attached thereto, said portion being located on the device such that it lies in the vicinity of a window in said layer or a gap between two such layers so as to be able to receive and/or transmit electromagnetic radiation through said window or gap when the device is attached to said apparatus.
• the security device is of a type such as described and claimed in WO 02/39451 with a non-planar RF transponder mounted thereon, preferably on (or within) a portion thereof which remains externally of a container to which the device is mounted.
• a security device may simply have a locking mechanism to releasably secure it within the container but preferably also serves to secure the contents of the container, e.g. a disk, to the container and/or to secure the container in a closed configuration.
• the invention also relates to such a security device in combination with a container adapted to receive the device.
• the invention also relates to a device arranged to receive signal receiving and/or transmitting means such that, when said signal receiving and/or transmitting means is mounted therein, a security device such as that detailed above is provided.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a security device according to a first embodiment of the invention
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view corresponding to that shown in figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view from another direction of the part shown in figure 1 ;
• Figure 4 is a plan view illustrating the use of a device as shown on Figures 1-3 with a CD or DVD container;
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI - VI of Figure 4 (with the security device inserted further into the container);
• Figure 6 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention showing the security device being installed in a DVD container (with the DVD omitted for clarity);
• Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 6 but shows the position of the security device when fully inserted into the container;
• Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line A-A of Figure 7 (but also showing a disk held on the apparatus);
• Figure 9 is a similar cross-sectional view through a different kind of DVD container.
• the embodiment of the security device illustrated in Figures 1-5 is designed for use with a CD or DVD container of the type described in WO 02/39451 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
• the security device may, however, be used with other types of container.
• the security tag 1 shown in Figures 1-3 comprises a long arm 2 and a short arm 3 both arms projecting from a head portion 4.
• the long and short arm 2,3 may be similar to those described in WO 02/39451.
• the long arm 2 is designed to be inserted through an aperture or slot 5 in a side wall 6 of a base portion of a DVD container. Preferably, it extends across the base portion 7 and interacts with disk-holding means 8 on the base portion 7 to lock the disk (not shown) onto the base portion 7 as described in WO 02/39451.
• the short arm 3 is designed to be inserted through an aperture or slot 9 in a side wall of a lid portion 10 of the container which is hingedly attached to the base portion 7 along an edge thereof so as to hold the lid portion 10 in a closed position relative to the base portion.
• the arms 2, 3 and the head portion 4 are preferably formed of a plastics material.
• the long arm 2 is provided with a releasable locking mechanism which, once the long arm has been inserted into the container, locks the device to the container until it is released therefrom, e.g. by a magnetic release apparatus, such as may be provided behind the counter in a retail outlet.
• the locking mechanism comprises a metal pivot arm 11 which, once the security tag 1 has been inserted into the container, engages a detent 12 within the base portion 7 so providing a snap-fit which prevents withdrawal of the security device 1 from the container until the pivot arm 11 is moved, e.g. by a magnetic release device or a specially shaped key, out of engagement with the detent 12 (the metal pivot arm 11 is not shown in Figs 1-3).
• This and other locking mechanisms are described further in WO 02/039451.
• the locking mechanism is preferably arranged to be capable of repeated locking and unlocking so the device can be re-used many times.
• the security device described in WO02/39451 holds an AM flatstrip type security tag within a recess towards the distal end of the long arm 2 thereof.
• the security device illustrated in Figures 1-5 has a non-planar RF type security tag in the form of a coil 13 wound around a magnetic core 14, e.g. a ferrite rod, mounted within the head portion 4.
• the coil 13 is connected to a capacitor (not shown) located adjacent thereto.
• WO 02/39451 discloses a head portion which is essentially planar and which has a metal plate therein to assist in withdrawal of the security tag from the container by magnetic means once the locking mechanism securing it within the container has been released.
• the security device described herein comprises an enlarged head portion 4 which is shaped to accommodate the ferrite rod 14 with a coil 13 wound thereabout.
• the ferrite rod 14 typically has a length in the range 15- 20mm and a diameter (including the coil) of around 5-10mm.
• This ferrite rod 14 and coil 13 act as a transponder for receiving a radio frequency signal from an alarm unit and transmitting a signal back to the alarm unit.
• By mounting the transponder externally of the container it is well positioned to communicate with the alarm unit.
• the transponder when mounted in the position shown adjacent a narrow edge of the container, it is located substantially within the plane occupied by a CD or DVD (or other contents of the container) held within the container.
• the transponder is thus located substantially co-planar with the metal layer within the CD or DVD (or other contents of the container) so is not shielded by the metal layer whatever the orientation of the container relative to the alarm unit.
• the transponder is located remote from the contents of the container. As the transponder include a magnetic member this may be desirable to avoid damaging the contents of the container if they are susceptible to magnetic fields.
• transponder externally also avoids occupying space within the container so it does not interfere with the contents or reduce the volume available for housing contents within the container.
• the security device can also be installed in the container when the latter is in a closed configuration.
• the enlarged head portion 4 projects from the container and thus increases its external dimension but only in a localised area along the opening side of the container so has a negligible effect upon the storage or shelving requirements for displaying the product within a retail outlet.
• the head portion 4 is also preferably mounted within a finger recess 15 provided along the opening edge of the container to reduce the distance by which it projects beyond the external dimensions of the container.
• the transponder may be mounted externally in other locations on the container or mounted adjacent an external wall of the container. In the latter case, it may be housed within the container and/or so that it does not project beyond the external dimensions thereof. An example of this is described further below with reference to Figure 6.
• the ferrite rod 14 performs two functions. First, it forms part of the RF transponder and, secondly, as it is magnetic, it can be used to assist in withdrawal of the security device from the container by magnetic means so performs the role of the metal plate provided in the head portion 4 such as described in WO 02/39451. As ferrite is less strongly attracted by a magnetic force than a metal insert, to enable reliable functioning of the release apparatus in withdrawing the device from a container, the type of ferrite used preferably has high ferromagnetic properties and it is preferably located as close as possible to the outermost facing surface of the head 4. If the security device is intended to be re-used, the ferrite rod 14 is also preferably magnetically saturated so that it retains its magnetism and is not deactivated in the presence of a magnetic field.
• the head portion comprises a cover 16 which fits onto the security device to locate the transponder and hold it in place within the head portion 4.
• the cover 16 is preferably a snap-fit onto the device so that once it is located in place it cannot be removed without breaking open the head portion 4 or by the application of a specialised release tool or key.
• the outer wall of the cover 16 is thin, e.g. 1 mm or less or 0.5mm or less in thickness, so the ferrite rod 14 is located as close as possible to the external surface thereof to maximise the magnetic force applied thereto when the head 4 is brought up to a magnet in the release apparatus.
• Figures 2 and 3 show a cover 16 having four projecting arms 16A, 16B, 16C and 16D which snap-fit into sockets or recesses (not shown) provided in the head portion 4 of the security device.
• the cover 16 and the outer end 4A of the head portion 4 are shaped to locate the cylindrical ferrite rod and secure it within the head portion 4.
• the ends 14A and 14B of the ferrite rod 14 are exposed on each side of the head portion 4 to enable the length of the rod to be maximised within the limited space available.
• the ferrite rod 14 may be completely concealed within the head portion 4.
• the head portion 4 is preferably shaped so as to make it difficult to obtain a purchase thereon to try to pull the security tag out of the container without authorised release of the locking mechanism. To this end, it preferably has a curved outer surface as shown which, in use, faces outward from the container. This curved form also helps minimise the amount of plastic shielding the ferrite rod 14 from a magnetic field applied thereto when magnetic release apparatus is used to withdraw the device from the container. In another embodiment (not shown) the ends of the head portion 4 adjacent the ends of the ferrite rod 14 may also have a curved form for the same reason.
• RF security tags may be designed to be deactivated by a deactivation unit behind the counter in a retail outlet in which case there is no need to remove the security tag from the container when a customer purchases the container.
• the security tag may be designed for a single use only and disposed of by the customer.
• security tags can be deactivated and then reactivated so they can be re-used.
• the retail outlet may deactivate the tag and then remove it before the customer takes the container away.
• the preferred form of RF security tag for use with the arrangement described herein is a permanent form which cannot be deactivated as this increases the level of security provided by the tag.
• the tag must be removed from the container prior to the customer taking the container out of the store.
• security tags are designed for multiple re-use, there are less cost restraints on its design so higher quality components may be used.
• the RF security tag can be arranged to send an identification signal or other data to the alarm unit but a signal simply indicating its presence is sufficient to trigger an alarm.
• Magnetic release apparatus for releasing a security device such as that described herein is described in WO 02/39451 so will not be described further herein.
• the container with which the security device is used may typically be provided with an outer wrapping, e.g. a plastic shrink-wrapping.
• the security tag 1 is designed to pierce such a wrapping so the security device can be installed after application of the wrapping.
• the long and short arms 2 and 3 thus preferably have pointed ends 2A, 3A or are shaped so as to easily pierce such a wrapping. As the arms 2 and 3 are relatively thin and as the area in which they pierce the wrapping is, in use, concealed by the head portion 4 of the device, this does not prejudice the integrity of the wrapper nor its appearance and the shrink- wrapping remains intact. It thus still provides tamper evidence and provides reassurance to the customer that the contents have not been interfered with.
• the arrangement described above thus enables a non-planar form of security tag, such as an RF device with a cylindrical core, to be used in relation to a container in a manner which avoids, or significantly reduces, the problem of shielding, is small enough to be mounted on a security device which is used to inhibit removal of a product from the container, e.g. a security device such as that described in WO 02/39451 , without compromising the level of security provided by this device, yet whose performance is sufficient to provide reliable operation in triggering an alarm.
• a security device such as that described in WO 02/39451
• the arrangement described also has the advantage that it can still be used with existing release apparatus used to release a security device from the container, e.g. release apparatus such as that described in WO 02/39451.
• a component of the security tag e.g. a ferrite rod, is used both as part of the transponder and to assist in withdrawal of the security device from the container by magnetic release apparatus.
• the arrangement thus provides a practical way of using an RF-type EAS device in relation to security devices of the type described in WO 02/39451 so they can be used in retail outlets employing RF alarm systems as well as those using AM alarm systems.
• the security device may, if desired, be arranged to receive both an AM tag and an RF tag. The required form of tag can then be mounted thereon, or even both types if desired.
• Figures 6 and 7 illustrate another way of mounting an RF transponder 20 on a security device 2 of the type described in WO02/39451.
• This embodiment is based upon the realisation that another way to avoid, or reduce, the problem of shielding caused by the metal layer within a disk 21 such as a CD or DVD (see Figure 8) is to mount the RF transponder 20 in a position which is aligned with the central region of the disk 21.
• Such disks have an aperture 21 A in the centre thereof typically of a diameter of 15mm.
• a transponder 20 located in the vicinity of the aperture in such a disk will be able to receive and send signals in most directions as such signals can pass through the aperture 21 A in the disk so it can communicate with an alarm system located on either side of the disk 21.
• many such disks have a region 11 B around the central aperture 21 A which is not provided with a metal layer 21 C.
• the aperture in the metal layer 21 C of a disk is often greater than the aperture 21A in the plastic layers between which the metal layer 21 C is sandwiched.
• the diameter of this substantially metal free area 21 B may be up to 38mm in diameter but, more typically, is around 30mm in diameter. There is, therefore, window of appreciable size in the centre of the disk 21 through which signals can be received by and sent from an RF transponder 20 located in that vicinity.
• the RF transponder 20 is also highly desirable for the RF transponder 20 to be carried by the security device 2 so that it can be locked within the container and once removed can be re-used in another container.
• the RF transponder 20 is thus mounted on the security device 2 in a position such that, in use, when the security device 2 is installed within the container 7, it lies in the vicinity of the window described above in the metal layer 21 C of the disk 21.
• the security device 2 typically has a width similar to the diameter of the central hole 21 A of the disk.
• a transponder 20 with a width of 15mm and a length of 15 to 30 mm can be mounted on the long arm of the security device 2 in a position such that, when installed, it lies under the central area of the disk 21. This means that it also lies under the disk-holding means 8 but as this is typically formed of plastic, it is transparent to the RF signals.
• An RF transponder 20 of the above dimension can be provided either in the form of a flat coil of wire (or other electrical conductors) similar to that described above but wound in elongate loops rather in circles so as to fit within a 15 x 30mm area on the security device 2 or in the form of a coil wound around a thin, substantially flat, ferrite core.
• Figure 8 shows a cross-section on line A-A of Figure 7 through the disk holding means 8, a disk 21 held thereon and a security device 2 located under the disk holding means 8 with an RF transponder 20 mounted thereon so as to be located adjacent the disk 21 and in the vicinity of the central aperture 21 A of the disk.
• Figure 8 also shows the typical extent of a metal layer 21 C embedded within the disk 21.
• Figure 9 shows a similar cross-section through another form of disk holding means 8' which provides more space between the above the security device 2 in the vicinity of the central hole 21 A of the disk 21 and which would thus enable the invention to be implemented with an RF transponder 20" of slightly greater thickness (perpendicular to the plane of the disk) although, in cases where the security device 2 is inserted through a slot in the extended wall of the container (e.g. slot 5 shown in Figure 6), this would require the slot to be made slightly larger too.
• the container may be adapted to hold two or more such articles, e.g. side by side, in which case the security device is arranged so that the RF transponder lies in the vicinity of a gap between the articles.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Packaging For Recording Disks (AREA)
• Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)

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• 2002
  • 2002-07-04 GB GBGB0215397.1A patent/GB0215397D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2003
  • 2003-07-04 EP EP03762792A patent/EP1532336B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-07-04 WO PCT/GB2003/002885 patent/WO2004005654A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-07-04 AU AU2003253105A patent/AU2003253105B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-07-04 AT AT03762792T patent/ATE458110T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-07-04 DE DE60331318T patent/DE60331318D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

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