EP1623395A1

EP1623395A1 - Method and installation for securing articles by tightening straps around them

Info

Publication number: EP1623395A1
Application number: EP04731363A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Detlef Duschek
Original assignee: Checkpoint Systems International GmbH
Current assignee: Meto International GmbH
Priority date: 2003-05-14
Filing date: 2004-05-06
Publication date: 2006-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-06
Also published as: EP1623395B1; CN1823354A; CA2525528A1; AU2004239401B2; WO2004102497B1; US20070056248A1; ATE343832T1; ES2274452T3; KR100742136B1; CN100562904C; AU2004239401A2; JP2007533555A; DE502004001857D1; DE10321687A1; WO2004102497A1; KR20060038373A; AU2004239401A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for securing articles against theft. According to the inventive method, at least one strapping means ( 10 ) is tightened around an article ( 2 ) to be secured, whereby overlapping areas of the strapping means ( 10 ) are linked with each other. At least one electronically detectable securing element ( 21 ) is fed to the strapping means ( 10 ) in such a manner that the securing element ( 21 ) is included between the overlapping areas. The invention also relates to an installation ( 1 ) for securing articles against theft by tightening around them at least one strapping means ( 10 ) comprising a locking installation ( 18 ) for locking the overlapping areas of a strapping means ( 10 ) enclosing the article ( 2 ) to be secured. The installation further comprises a device for applying at least one electronically detectable securing element ( 21 ) to the strapping means ( 10 ) before the latter is closed.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SECURING OBJECTS BY STRAPPING

description

The invention relates to a method for securing objects against theft, in which an object to be secured is strapped with at least one strapping means, overlapping regions of the strapping means being connected to one another, and a device for securing objects against theft by strapping with at least one strapping means , with a closing device for closing overlapping areas of a strapping means surrounding the object to be secured.

Goods for sale in sales rooms are increasingly secured against theft by strapping the packaging of the goods with plastic straps in order to prevent the goods from being removed from the packaging and being passed unnoticed past the cash register.

A method and a device for securing objects by means of strapping are known, for example, from DE 195 16 043 A1. In a strapping machine described there, a plastic belt is shot at high speed into a belt guide, which partially surrounds the object to be secured, by means of a belt conveyor. This creates a loop that wraps around the object. The free end of the band is caught and fixed by a band holder. The belt is then pulled back in the opposite direction by the belt conveyor. This pulls the loop around the object so that it lies close to the surface of the object. The band is tensioned by means of a tensioning device and then closed in the tensioned state by a closing device in a section of overlapping regions of the band.

It is also known to protect goods against theft with the aid of electronically detectable security elements, which are generally attached to the packaging or directly to the object to be secured. Such security elements contain electrical, electronic and / or magnetic means for emitting an electronically detectable signal. The securing element is made by appropriate Detection devices are excited by magnetic alternating fields generated by them to emit a characteristic signal. This characteristic signal is then captured by the detection devices, whereby an alarm is triggered in these.

A security label is known from EP 0 446 910 A1, for example, which consists of an electronically detectable, deactivatable security element and a self-adhesive cover layer covering it. The deactivatable securing element consists of a soft magnetic strip element which can be excited to emit the characteristic signal and to which rectangular elements made of hard magnetic material are applied. The hard magnetic material can be driven into saturation by a strong magnetic field and its magnetization can prevent the reaction of the soft magnetic material, so that the securing element can be deactivated if the goods are properly paid for. This securing element is glued to a pull-off strip for storage and transport purposes. If the peel strip is removed, the securing element with the then exposed adhesive layer can be glued to an object to be secured. However, such a security label has the disadvantage that it can be detached relatively easily from the object to be secured or from its packaging.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset which enable the objects to be secured to be effectively secured in an economical manner.

Based on a method of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved in that at least one electronically detectable securing element is fed to the strapping means in such a way that the securing element is enclosed between the overlapping regions.

This procedure according to the invention ensures that the securing element can no longer be removed from the secured object in a simple manner. According to the invention, the securing element is enclosed between overlapping areas of the strapping means, so that the entire strapping would have to be removed in order to also remove the securing element. A securing element glued onto the packaging of the goods would be as easy to remove as a securing element attached to the strapping means. However, the strapping means is in a section of overlapping areas which in this are connected to one another, invisibly and firmly closed, so that a securing element enclosed according to the invention in this section of the strapping means cannot be removed. The overlapping areas can be connected, for example, by welding, so that a very firm connection is produced. In addition, the strapping of the object to be secured can be combined with the attachment of a securing element for electronic article surveillance in one work step, so that overall it is a very quick and inexpensive method for article surveillance.

The security elements can be, for example, electromagnetic (EM), acustomagnetic (AM), radio frequency (RF) or radio frequency identification (RF-ID) elements. Different types of securing elements can therefore be used according to the invention, with flat securing elements such as strip-shaped securing elements or thin-film elements being preferred. These can be designed so that they can be deactivated so that they can be deactivated at the checkout if the goods are properly paid for. The use of strip or thin film elements also has the advantage that there is only a small layer thickness so that they can be integrated into the strapping without any problems.

If EM or electromagnetic elements are used as securing elements, the EM material can be co-extruder material, a strip element (“simple strip”) being located as a deactivatable element or only active material in the interior of a plastic casing. The plastic casing consists of commercially available, co-extrudable plastics that can be fused with a plastic band from which the strapping can be made.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the securing element is fed to the strapping means before the strapping and is applied to one of the overlapping areas. The securing elements can therefore already be fastened on the strapping means if this is provided for the strapping process. In this case, the securing elements must be applied to the strapping means at a predetermined spacing at suitable points, so that they are each arranged between the overlapping regions of the strapping means when they are connected to one another.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention it is provided that the securing element to the strapping means during strapping fed and positioned between the overlapping areas. As a result, the feeding of the securing elements is directly combined with the strapping process, so that the object is fully secured in one work step and an extremely economical process is thus created.

It is preferably provided that at least one loop made of a weldable, band-shaped strapping material is arranged around the object as the strapping means, the overlapping regions of the band-shaped strapping material forming a welding zone, and a securing element at least partially encased by a meltable material between the overlapping ones Areas of the band-shaped strapping material is guided in the welding zone and then the strapping material and the sheathed securing element are welded together in the welding zone and the loop is thereby closed. The welding of the securing element to the strapping material creates a very firm connection, so that removal of the securing element is practically impossible. The welding can be done by friction welding or ultrasonic welding.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, it is further provided that the strapping means is fed by a conveyor device to a tape guide, which at least partially surrounds the object, and is guided through this and / or that the strapping means is pulled off a supply roll and the loop before or after Joining is separated from the remaining strapping material.

The securing elements can be pulled off a supply roll, on which they are wound up as an endless strip, and fed to the strapping means. A single securing element is separated from the endless strip before or after being enclosed in the strapping means.

Alternatively, the securing elements can be in the form of tailored strip elements and can be fed individually to the strapping means.

If the object to be secured is strapped with two strapping means and at least two securing elements are attached to the object at an angle of 90 ° to one another, then the detection rate of the antennas of the detection device at the outlet of the sales area can be increased, so that the effectiveness of the invention Procedure can be further increased. Starting from a device of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved according to the invention in that it has a device for applying at least one electronically detectable securing element to the strapping means before the same is closed. By means of this application device, the function of a conventional strapping machine can advantageously be further developed such that a combination of the feeding of securing elements with the strapping process, ie the attachment of mechanical and electronic securing devices, is possible within one device.

In this case, the application device can have a dispensing device with which a securing element to be integrated into the strapping means can be applied to one of the overlapping regions. By means of such a dispensing device, for example a simple dispensing edge, the securing elements can be applied to the strapping means before it is fed to the strapping process, i.e. is shot into the strap guide of the strapping machine. In this case, the device according to the invention must be controlled by means of a control unit in such a way that the securing elements are applied to the strapping means at a predetermined distance at suitable locations, so that they are each arranged between the overlapping regions of the strapping means when they are connected to one another.

Alternatively, the application device can have a positioning device with which a securing element to be integrated into the strapping means can be positioned between the overlapping regions. This positioning device is arranged and adjustable in such a way that a securing element is inserted between the upper and lower layers of the strapping means immediately before the connection of the two overlapping areas of the strapping means, so that the securing element is included between and during the connection between the two overlapping areas of the strapping means is.

The device according to the invention preferably has a conveyor device by means of which a weldable, band-shaped strapping material can be fed as a strapping means to a strap guide. The strap guide is arranged such that it at least partially surrounds the object, so that the strapping means forms a loop around the object to be secured. The securing elements can be arranged individually and cut to size in a storage magazine or wound up as an endless strip on a storage roll. In both cases, they can be fed to the application device quickly and at short intervals.

In an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, a pull-in device for receiving the securing elements can also be provided, which feeds the securing elements to the application device.

If a separating device, preferably a cutting unit, is provided, which cuts the securing elements to a measure approximately corresponding to the length of the overlapping areas, then the securing elements are of a size in which they can be completely enclosed by the overlapping areas.

The locking device can be, for example, a friction welding device or an ultrasonic welding device. If in these cases the securing element is at least partially encased by a meltable material, then the strapping material can be welded to the securing element, so that a very firm connection is created and the securing element can practically no longer be removed.

The securing elements are preferably in the form of strips and / or are arranged on a carrier tape. The security elements can be, for example, electromagnetic (EM), acustomagnetic (AM), radio frequency (RF) or radio frequency identification (RF-ID) elements.

If the application device comprises at least one deflection roller and a dispensing edge, then the securing elements can be applied or supplied reliably and quickly.

A particularly effective and trouble-free operation of the device according to the invention is ensured if the strapping means is wound up as a tape supply on a supply roll and a separating device is provided which separates the strapping means from the tape supply after its overlapping regions have been connected to one another. The invention is explained in more detail below using the figures as an example. Show it:

1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device according to the invention,

2 shows a schematic illustration of a further embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for performing a

Embodiment of the method according to the invention,

4 is a perspective view of a strapped object,

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the object of FIG. 4 with double strapping and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view as in FIG. 5 of an object with double sheathing, wherein a securing element consists of co-extruded EM material, which according to the detailed illustration A is applied to a plastic band of a strapping.

1 shows an embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention for securing an object 2 against theft. The device 1 has a belt guide 3, which is provided on its lower rail 4 with a storage table 5. The lateral rails 6, 7 and the upper rail 8 of the belt guide 3 are arranged around the storage table 5, so that an object 2 deposited on the storage table 5 is arranged within the belt guide 3. The device 1 according to the invention also has a supply roll 9 for the strapping means 10. The strapping means 10 is a band 11, which can be made of a weldable material, for example plastic. The strapping means 10 is pulled from the supply roll 9 by a pull-in device 12 via a deflection roller 13 and fed to a belt magazine 14. The tape 11 is shot into the tape guide 3 from the tape magazine 14 at high speed by means of a conveyor device 15. The free end of the band 11 is captured and fixed in the closure zone 16. The direction of travel of the conveyor 15 is then reversed, so that the belt 11 is pulled back and wraps around the object 2 in the form of a loop 17. The strapping means 10 is finally by means of a Tensioning device, not shown here, which can be an arrangement of tensioning rollers, firmly tensioned around the object 2, so that the loop

17 fits closely to the object 2. In the closure zone 16 there are now two mutually opposite and overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. A positioning device 20 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the intermediate space 19 lying between the two overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. The positioning device 20 is used to feed electronically detectable securing elements 21 into the closure zone 16. The positioning device 20 is designed to be adjustable and thus adjustable such that the securing elements 21 can be positioned between the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. The securing elements 21 are applied by means of an adhesive layer on a carrier tape 22 which is wound on a supply roll 23. The carrier tape 22 provided with the securing elements 21 is pulled off from the supply roll 23 by means of a pull-in roller 24 and is thereby guided over the positioning device 20. The positioning device 20 has at its end arranged in the vicinity of the intermediate space 19 a dispensing edge at which the securing elements 21 are detached from the carrier tape 22 and applied to the lower of the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10, on which they remain adhered by means of the adhesive layer ,

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the securing elements 21 can, however, also be applied to the upper of the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. In any case, the securing elements 21 are fed to the strapping means during the strapping by the embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 and thereby positioned between the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. After a securing element 21 is now arranged between the overlapping areas of the strapping means 10, these areas are closed by means of the locking device

18 connected to each other. The locking device 18 can be, for example, a friction welding device or an ultrasound welding device with which the weldable strapping material can be welded, so that the loop 17 or the strapping means 10 is closed.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the securing elements 21 can additionally be encased with a meltable material, which melts when the overlapping regions are welded and thus forms a firm connection with the material of the strapping means 10. After the strapping means 10 has been closed, the securing element 21 is in any case between the overlapping lapping areas of the strapping 10 are not visibly enclosed from the outside and can practically no longer be separated from the strapping. The closing device 18 preferably also has a separating device which separates the now closed strapping means 10 or the loop 17 from the remaining strapping material or the tape supply. After the method according to the invention has been carried out, the object 2 is strapped with the loop 17, the loop 17 containing a securing element 21 which is invisibly enclosed between the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. In a further embodiment of the invention, the object 2 can now be rotated by 90 degrees and then strapped again, so that two loops arranged at right angles to one another secure the object 2. Since two security elements are thus also arranged perpendicular to one another, the detection rate can be increased again by this embodiment. The device 1 according to the invention can also have a separating device, for example a cutting device, which cuts the securing elements 21 so that their length corresponds approximately to the length of the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10. The length of the securing elements should be somewhat less than the length of the overlapping areas so that the securing elements 21 are completely, ie invisibly, enclosed between the overlapping areas.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a device 25 according to the invention for securing an object 2. The device 25 differs from the device 1 according to FIG. 1 in that the device for applying securing elements here essentially consists of a dispensing device 26 by means of which the securing elements 27 are applied to the corresponding areas of the strapping means 10 before the actual strapping process. The securing elements 27 are also arranged here on a carrier tape 28 which is unwound from a supply roll 30 by means of a pull-in roll 29. The carrier tape 28 with the securing elements 27 is guided over the dispensing device 26, which has a dispensing edge 31 at one end. At the dispensing edge 31, the securing elements 27 are detached from the carrier tape 28 and applied to the strapping means 10 or tape 11. The device 25 must be controlled in such a way that the securing elements 27 are applied to a region of the strapping means 10 which overlaps with another region of the strapping means 10 during the strapping process, so that a securing element 27 is enclosed between the overlapping regions of the strapping means 10 can be. By means of the device 25 according to the invention, the securing elements 27 are thus fed to the strapping means 10 before the strapping, wherein the securing elements 27 are applied to one of the overlapping areas. To adhere to the carrier tape 28 and the strapping means 10, the securing elements 27 can be provided, for example, with an adhesive layer. Alternatively, the securing elements 27 can also be encased with a meltable material that connects to the strapping material when the overlapping areas are connected, so that the securing elements 27 are enclosed very firmly and practically inseparably between the overlapping areas.

FIG. 3 shows a conventional strapping machine 35, which likewise has a strap guide 36 which surrounds an object 2 arranged on a storage table 37. The strapping machine 35 also has a supply roll 38 for the strapping means 10, from which the strapping means 10 is fed to a belt magazine 40 by means of a pull-in device 39. Here, too, the strapping means 10 is injected from the band magazine 40 into the band guide 36 via a conveying device 41 and then closed by means of the closing device 42. As in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the securing elements 43 are also fed to the strapping means 10 before strapping and applied to areas of the strapping means 10 which overlap and are connected to one another during the strapping process. For this purpose, in the present exemplary embodiment, the securing elements 43 have already been applied to the strapping means 10 at predetermined intervals and wound up on the supply roll 38 with this. The advantage of this embodiment is that a conventional strapping machine 35, which may already be available, can be used to carry out the method according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an object 45 according to the invention, which is strapped in a loop shape with a strapping means 46. The strapping means 46 has a section 47 in which two regions 48, 49 of the strapping means 46 overlap. These areas 48, 49 are firmly connected to one another, preferably welded, the strapping means 46 preferably consisting of a weldable plastic. A strip-shaped securing element 50 is arranged between the regions 48, 49 (shown in dashed lines), which is completely enclosed between the overlapping regions 48, 49 and is therefore not visible from the outside. The item 45 is the packaging 51 of a sales item. The strapping secures the sales item on the one hand against opening of the packaging 51 and a subsequent removal of the sales item and on the other hand by means of the securing element 50 against unauthorized removal from the sales area. FIG. 5 shows the object 45 according to FIG. 1, which in the present exemplary embodiment is additionally secured by a further strapping means 52. A further securing element 55 is enclosed in the strapping means 52 between two overlapping regions 53, 54. The fact that the securing elements 50 and 55 are arranged perpendicular to one another results in a higher detection rate when crossing a monitoring zone.

In all the cases described above, a strip-shaped securing element can consist of co-extruded EM material, which is provided in a certain amount in the longitudinal direction of the strapping means from a separate supply roll. The EM material can also be fed in any direction. In any case, the EM material is inserted between the upper and lower layers of the strapping means, preferably a plastic strap. A welding head, for example an ultrasound head, melts the strapping material and the EM material.

FIG. 6 shows an object 45 which, as in FIG. 5, is secured by two strapping means 46, 52. A locking element 55, which consists of co-extruded EM material, is enclosed in the strapping means 52 between the overlapping regions 53, 54. FIG. 6 also shows that the individual securing element 55 can not only be enclosed in the overlap area, but can also protrude beyond it, as can be seen easily from the illustration in FIG. 6. If it is stated above that the securing element is enclosed between the overlapping regions 53, 54 or between other overlapping regions, this does not mean that the securing element cannot protrude beyond the overlapping region.

The EM-Co extruder material has the following structure:

Inside a plastic casing there is either a single element ("simple strip", as known from EP 0 921 942 B1) as a deactivatable element or only the active material. The plastic casing consists of commercially available, co-extrudable plastics and can have any desired color or have shape.

The EM material can either be provided by a supply roll and cut to the appropriate length after being introduced into the welding zone, or the securing elements that have already been cut to length are individually cut to that Welding head fed. For this purpose, conventional strapping machines can be modified accordingly for this process.

LIST OF REFERENCES

contraption

object

tape guide

rail

tray table

rail

supply roll

strapping

tape

retractor

idler pulley

tape magazine

Conveyor

closing zone

loop

closing device

gap

positioning device

fuse element

carrier tape

supply roll

delivery roller

contraption

Spend device

fuse element

carrier tape

delivery roller

supply roll

dispensing edge

strapping

tape guide

tray table

supply roll

retractor tape magazine

conveyor

closing device

fuse element

object

strapping

section

Area

fuse element

packaging

strapping

Area

fuse element

Claims

claims

1. A method for securing objects against theft, in which an object to be secured is strapped with at least one strapping means, overlapping regions of the strapping means being connected to one another, characterized in that at least one electronically detectable securing element (21, 27, 43 , 50, 55) is fed to the strapping means (10, 46, 52) in such a way that the securing element (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) is enclosed between the overlapping regions (48, 49, 53, 54).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element (27, 43, 50, 55) is fed to the strapping means (10, 46, 52) before strapping and onto one of the overlapping regions (48, 49, 53, 54 ) is applied.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing element (21, 43, 50, 55) is fed to the strapping means (10, 46, 52) during the strapping and between the overlapping regions (48, 49, 53, 54) is positioned.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one loop (17) made of a weldable, band-shaped strapping material is arranged around the object (2, 45) as the strapping means (10, 46, 52), the overlapping regions (48 , 49, 53, 54) of the band-shaped strapping material form a welding zone, and a securing element (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) at least partially encased by a meltable material between the overlapping regions (48, 49, 50, 55) of the band-shaped Strapping material is guided in the welding zone and then the strapping material and the sheathed securing element (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) are welded together in the welding zone and the loop (17) is thereby closed.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the welding is carried out by friction welding or ultrasonic welding.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the strapping means (10, 46, 52) by means of a conveyor (15) of a belt guide (3, 36) which at least partially surrounds the object (2, 45), is fed and passed through it and / or that the strapping means (10, 46, 52) is pulled off a supply roll (9, 38) and the loop (17) is separated from the remaining strapping material before or after the connection.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) from a supply roll (23, 30) on which they are wound as an endless strip, and the strapping means ( 10, 46, 52) and that a single securing element (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) is separated from the endless strip before or after integration into the strapping means (10, 46, 52).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the securing elements (43, 50, 55) are present as cut strip elements and the strapping means (10, 46, 52) are supplied individually.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the object to be secured (2, 45) is strapped with two strapping means (10, 46, 52), and that at least two securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) at an angle of 90 ° to one another on the object (2, 45).

10.Device (1, 25) for securing objects against theft by strapping with at least one strapping means, with a closing device for closing overlapping regions of a strapping means surrounding the object to be secured, characterized by a device for applying at least one electronically detectable securing element (21 , 27, 43, 50, 55) on the strapping means (10, 46, 52) before closing the same.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the application device has a dispensing device (26) with which a securing element (27, 50, 55) to be integrated into the strapping means (10, 46, 52) on one of the overlapping areas ( 48, 49, 53, 54) can be applied.

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the application device has a positioning device (20) with which a securing element (21, 50, 55) to be integrated into the strapping means (10, 46, 52) between the overlapping regions (48 , 49, 53, 54) can be positioned.

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that a conveyor device (15) is provided, by means of which a belt guide (3), which is arranged such that it at least partially surrounds the object (2, 45) weldable, band-shaped strapping material can be supplied as strapping means (10, 46, 52).

14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) are arranged individually and cut in a storage magazine or are wound up as an endless strip on a storage roll (23, 30).

15. Device according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that a pull-in device for receiving the securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) is provided, which the securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) of Application device feeds.

16. Device according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that a separating device, preferably a cutting unit, is provided, which the securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) on one of the length of the overlapping areas (48, 49 , 53, 54) cut to approximately the appropriate size.

17. Device according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the closing device (18, 42) is a friction welding device or an ultrasonic welding device and that the securing element (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) is at least partially of a meltable Material is encased.

18. Device according to one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the securing elements (21, 27, 43, 50, 55) are strip-shaped and / or are arranged on a carrier tape (22, 28).

19. Device according to one of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the application device comprises at least one deflection roller and a dispensing edge (31).

20. Device according to one of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the strapping means (10, 46, 52) is wound as a tape supply on a supply roll (9, 38) and that a separating device is provided which the strapping means (10, 46, 52), after the overlapping regions have been connected to one another, from the tape supply.