EP2443302B1 - Device for protecting an article against theft - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a set of protection against theft, including shoplifting, of an article.

To fight effectively against shoplifting and especially against theft of certain products such as textile products (shirts, sweaters, underwear, pants, lingerie, ties, socks, t-shirts, dresses, coats, hats, shoes, polos, skirts among others), traders use in known manner anti-theft badges (also called beeps, macaroons or "EAS tags" in English terminology). These anti-theft tags trigger an anti-theft gantry or an RFID-type surveillance system arranged at the access points (inputs / outputs) of a point of sale such as a super or hyper store, a shop, a specialized store, a duty-free, a big-store, a museum, a video club, a pharmacy, as well as any other store or entity that sells or displays self-service items that are likely to be stolen or removed without authorization.

• un corps qui contient un système de verrouillage et un organe actif ou passif qui déclenche les antennes ou portiques de détection communément installés aux points d'accès des magasins,
• un clou qui traverse l'article à protéger (par exemple le tissu d'un vêtement) ou bien le carton ou le plastique des blisters.

These badges are usually formed of two parts:

• a body that contains a locking system and an active or passive device that triggers the antennas or gantries commonly installed at the access points of the stores,
• a nail that crosses the article to be protected (for example the fabric of a garment) or the cardboard or plastic blister.

Some companies offer to print on the body or on the nail of the badge a logo or a particular inscription. Generally, this impression is made by pad printing. Pad printing is an intaglio printing process using an acid-etched flat steel plate, called the plate, which is filled with ink. An elastic and smooth pad of non-absorbent silicone rubber is then used to collect a layer of ink from the plate and transfer it to the substrate to be printed.

This method, widely used in the industry, does not allow for photographic quality prints or prints that involve multiple colors mixing with each other and overlapping. It is generally limited to non-complex shapes with one or two colors (a logo, a mark, a company name), even if, in principle, a pad printing machine can print five or more colors.

This method achieves prints that resist mechanical wear, but is quite expensive.

Other printing methods, such as screen printing, can be used to make very complex prints such as photocopies, multicolored images, etc., but can not print on rigid and thick media such as anti-theft tags. either on the nail or on the body of the badge.

Users of anti-theft badges that have been pre-printed by pad printing or by a similar process printing a single or multicolored image on the body or on the nail of the anti-theft badge face another problem: these users have been able to observe a rapid deterioration of the pre-printed image because anti-theft tags are recycled many times in stores because of their lifetime (5 to 10 years) and are therefore subject to frequent handling that causes wear. Indeed, the badges are in contact with the unlocking mechanism installed in the box and they are then subjected to various mechanical friction in contact with each other in the bins where they are collected before being reinstalled on other commercial items.

• deux pointes destinées à traverser l'article à marquer,
• une tête ayant deux faces opposées, les pointes s'étendant à partir d'une première des deux faces et la tête présentant du côté de la deuxième face opposée une zone imprimée qui est protégée par un capot de protection transparent.

Document is known US 2,411,987 a device for marking an article for identification, comprising:

• two points to cross the article to mark,
• a head having two opposite faces, the points extending from a first of the two faces and the head presenting on the side of the second opposite side a printed area which is protected by a transparent protective cover.

• un dispositif de marquage de l'article, en vue de son identification, présentant une zone imprimée qui est protégée par une gaine de protection transparente,
• une pointe destinée à traverser l'article à protéger,
• une tête ayant deux faces opposées, la pointe s'étendant à partir d'une première des deux faces,
• et un corps de protection pourvu, d'une part, d'un orifice pour y insérer la pointe du dispositif et, d'autre part, de moyens de verrouillage pour empêcher le retrait de la pointe après son insertion.

Document is also known US 3,942,829 a set of protection of an article against theft, comprising:

• a device for marking the article, for identification, having a printed area which is protected by a transparent protective sheath,
• a point intended to cross the article to be protected,
• a head having two opposite faces, the tip extending from a first of the two faces,
• and a protective body provided, on the one hand, with an orifice for inserting the tip of the device and, on the other hand, locking means to prevent withdrawal of the tip after insertion.

• un dispositif de marquage de l'article, en vue de son identification, comprenant:
• une pointe destinée à traverser l'article à marquer ou un emballage contenant cet article,
• une tête ayant deux faces opposées, la pointe s'étendant à partir d'une première des deux faces,
  la tête présente du côté de la deuxième face opposée une zone imprimée qui est protégée par un capot de protection transparent,
• et un corps de protection pourvu, d'une part, d'un orifice pour y insérer la pointe du dispositif et, d'autre part, de moyens de verrouillage pour empêcher le retrait de la pointe après son insertion.

The invention aims to remedy at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a set of protection of an article against theft, comprising:

• a device for marking the article, for its identification, comprising:
• a point intended to cross the article to be marked or a package containing this article,
• a head having two opposite faces, the tip extending from a first of the two faces,
  the head has on the side of the second opposite side a printed area which is protected by a transparent protective cover,
• and a protective body provided, on the one hand, with an orifice for inserting the tip of the device and, on the other hand, locking means to prevent withdrawal of the tip after insertion.

The printed area is thus mechanically protected (wear of dirt, dust, splashing of liquids, humidity, etc.) by the presence of the hood opposite the second face of the head, which, because of its transparent nature, makes it possible to view the printed inscriptions.

Insofar as the printed area is protected, especially against wear, the material of the printing area can be chosen to lend itself particularly satisfactorily to printing processes which provide varied, complex impressions, involving many colors and high quality.

It is therefore no longer necessary to be limited only to printing techniques whose impressions are resistant to wear, such as pad printing.

However, provide that the second face of the head is directly printed by pad printing and that the area thus printed is protected by the cover vis-à-vis can significantly extend the life of inscriptions (text, drawings ,. ...) in the print area.

According to an alternative embodiment, the inner face of the cover which is oriented vis-à-vis the second face of the head carries the printed area or zones. Thus, the inscriptions are printed upside down on this face so that they are visible from the outside of the hood when viewed through its outer face.

It should be noted that the device briefly described above is particularly suitable for protecting one or more articles against theft.

However, it can be used more generally to mark items that are not necessarily for sale.

According to one characteristic, the head comprises at least one carrier element of the printed area and which is arranged vis-à-vis the protective cover.

Thus, the one or more elements carrying the printed area or zones are interposed between the second face of the head and the transparent cover.

The inscriptions present in the printed area (s) are therefore visible from the outside and protected against external aggressions, which increases their lifetime.

According to one embodiment, a single printed element is interposed between the second face of the head and the cover, this element having, for example, dimensions similar to those of the cover.

However, several printed elements of reduced dimensions may alternatively be arranged in place of a single element and, for example, in the same plane.

According to one characteristic, the head has a housing on the side of its second face, said at least one carrier element of the printed zone being positioned in the housing.

This housing whose dimensions are adapted to those of the printed element or all the printed elements can accommodate or accommodate and maintain or in a fixed position before placing the cover over.

According to one characteristic, said at least one element carrying the printed area is in the form of a token.

Such a shape is particularly simple to handle.

According to one characteristic, said at least one carrier element of the printing zone is removably arranged on the second face of the head.

The printed element or elements are thus interchangeable according to the circumstances, the needs and the intended applications.

According to one characteristic, the printed area is directly carried by the head and, for example, by the second opposite face of the head.

According to one feature, the protective cover is removably attached to the head, for example by clipping, screwing or interlocking.

Thus, the hood can be removed and replaced at leisure.

This feature has the advantage of being able to replace the printed element or elements positioned between the cover and the second face of the head by one or more other printed elements.

According to one characteristic, the protective cover is fixed permanently on the head, for example by welding or gluing.

According to one characteristic, the protective cover has an outer face opposite to an inner face which faces the second face of the head, the outer face having one of the following geometries: plane, convex, concave, convex and concave.

The outer face of the hood which is visible from the outside may have different geometries depending on the desired effects.

The outer face can be flat, convex or concave or both convex and concave.

The desired visual effect may consist in deforming the printed inscriptions (text and / or image) that are carried by the element or elements carried directly by the second face of the head, for example by enlarging them.

Note that the cover may alternatively be filled with a viscous liquid or gel that flows slowly when moved and can be colored.

This liquid / gel colored or not may include one or more floating decorative objects that move according to the movements imposed on the hood.

According to an alternative embodiment, the tip and the cap extend axially respectively relative to the first and second faces of the head, at least one axially extending extension element, from the second face, beyond the protective cover, to protect the cover from contact with an external object.

Said at least one extension element has an axial dimension or height greater than that of the cover so that in case of contact with an external object (other marking device, object forming part of the environment of use of the device. .) it is said at least one extension element that comes into contact with the object and not the hood.

The cover is thus mechanically protected vis-à-vis the outside, which prevents it from being damaged (for example scratched) for example when the device falls on a surface or is rubbed against a surface (table, floor,. ..).

To protect the hood one or more extension elements are provided whose dimensions and arrangement are to be adjusted.

Thus, if several elements are envisaged they can be distributed at the periphery of the hood. They may for example be arranged to surround all together at least partially the hood.

A single extension element can alternatively, on its own, be arranged at the periphery of the cover and for example, partially or completely surround the cover.

According to one characteristic, said at least one extension element takes the form of a peripheral rim arranged around the hood.

According to one characteristic, the device comprises at least one active or passive member which is able to emit electromagnetic waves towards the outside of the device or to receive them.

Thus, the body or bodies that are likely to cooperate with a complementary system of protection / anti-theft detection (example: anti-theft gantry) and to trigger an alarm are housed in the device.

The organ carried by the device is, for example, a passive member which receives electromagnetic waves when it is located near the complementary system.

Such a passive member is, for example, a resonant electrical circuit which resonates, in known manner, under the action of excitatory waves emitted at the resonance frequency of the circuit.

According to one variant, the protection device according to the invention does not comprise any active or passive member, only the protective body with which it mechanically cooperates, comprising such a member.

According to one characteristic, the device comprises at least one cartridge filled with liquid that is capable of being perforated. This feature is used in conjunction with a locked guard to trap the item to be protected.

In case of an attempt to separate the device and the body, the envelope of the cartridge which contains the liquid, such as an ink, is pierced, which spreads the liquid on the article.

The body or protective housing is designed to cooperate with the tip protection device when the tip has passed through the article to protect or the packaging that contains it.

The two constituent parts of the protection assembly are then assembled and locked so that the assembly is inseparable from the article to be protected.

The only way to remove the protection package of the article is then to use an unlocking means which is conventionally installed at the crates of the store where the article is offered for sale.

• les Figures 1a et 1b sont des vues schématiques éclatées d'un dispositif selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• les Figures 2a et 2b sont des vues schématiques éclatées d'un dispositif selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la Figure 3a est une vue schématique en perspective de dessus montrant un capot en cours de montage sur un dispositif selon l'invention ;
• la Figure 3b est une vue schématique en coupe axiale du capot de la Figure 3a ;
• la Figure 4a est une vue schématique partielle en perspective montrant l'intérieur du dispositif sur lequel est monté le capot des Figures 3a et 3b ;
• la Figure 4b est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif complet selon l'invention après montage du capot ;
• la Figure 5a est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un ensemble de protection comprenant un dispositif associé à un corps de protection ;
• la Figure 5b est une variante de réalisation de l'ensemble de protection de la Figure 5a mais qui ne fait pas partie de l'invention ;
• la Figure 5c est une vue schématique éclatée de l'ensemble de protection illustré à la Figure 5b ;
• la Figure 6 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif selon une première variante de réalisation ;
• la Figure 7a est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif selon une deuxième variante de réalisation ;
• les Figures 7b et 7c sont des vues schématiques représentant d'autres variantes de réalisation de dispositif selon l'invention ;
• La Figure 8 illustre une variante d'un dispositif comportant deux cartouches d'encre ;
• les Figures 9 à 11 illustrent l'association d'un dispositif de marquage selon l'invention avec plusieurs corps différents ;
• la Figure 12 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif selon encore une autre variante de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figures 1a and 1b are schematic exploded views of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 2a and 2b are schematic exploded views of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• the Figure 3a is a schematic perspective view from above showing a hood being mounted on a device according to the invention;
• the Figure 3b is a schematic view in axial section of the hood of the Figure 3a ;
• the Figure 4a is a partial schematic perspective view showing the inside of the device on which is mounted the hood of Figures 3a and 3b ;
• the Figure 4b is a schematic view in axial section of a complete device according to the invention after mounting the cover;
• the Figure 5a is a schematic view in axial section of a protection assembly comprising a device associated with a protective body;
• the Figure 5b is an alternative embodiment of the protection set of the Figure 5a but which does not form part of the invention;
• the Figure 5c is an exploded schematic view of the protection assembly illustrated in Figure 5b ;
• the Figure 6 is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to a first embodiment;
• the Figure 7a is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to a second embodiment;
• the Figures 7b and 7c are schematic views showing other alternative embodiments of the device according to the invention;
• The Figure 8 illustrates a variant of a device comprising two ink cartridges;
• the Figures 9 to 11 illustrate the association of a marking device according to the invention with several different bodies;
• the Figure 12 is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

As schematically represented in Figure 1a a device 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention comprises a head 12 having two opposite faces, a first face 12a visible on the Figure 1b and a second opposite face 12b.

The device 10 also comprises a tip 14 having two opposite ends, namely a first end 14a which is intended for be held inside the head 12 and an opposite end 14b tapered so as to perforate different materials such as fabric, cardboard ...

As shown on Figures 1a and 1b , the tip 14 is provided at its end 14a with a shoulder. The tip is mounted inside the head 12 from the second face 12b of the latter and emerges from the first opposite face 12a through an orifice 12c whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the shoulder provided for in FIG. end 14a of the tip.

Thus arranged, the tip extends from the first face 12a of the head substantially perpendicular to the latter.

In this embodiment, the head has on the side of its second opposite face 12b a surface 12d which has a printed area.

This surface is for example made of plastic as the head 12 itself.

The area of the surface 12d is for example printed by a printing process such as pad printing, or even by other printing techniques.

Note that the surface 12d on which the printing is performed is fixed on the face 12b of the head after the tip 14 has been installed.

Note that, according to a variant not shown, the second face 12b of the head is printed directly without the need to provide the surface 12d.

The head has an internal housing which we can see the 12th edge on the Figure 1a .

The head further comprises a transparent protective cover 16 which is intended to be mounted on the head 12 to protect the printed area 12d, while allowing to see it.

This cover 16 which forms a kind of protective window is fixed removably or permanently on the head 12 of the device according to the intended use and the possibilities of reuse of the printed area.

The hood can be screwed, clipped, fitted or welded or glued to the head.

The cover can be made of a transparent plastic-type material such as polycarbonate or glass or, more generally, in any other transparent material to provide protection against wear, moisture and various other attacks.

Note that the device 10 can mark an article such as a commercial merchandise (for example textile products such as shirts, sweaters, underwear, pants, lingerie, ties, socks, T-shirts, dresses, coats, hats, shoes, polos, skirts ...) for identification purposes.

Indeed, the tip 14 of the device 10 is intended to pass through the article to be marked or, when this article is contained in a package, to cross the package itself.

After having crossed the article or the packaging, the device is held in position on the latter by means of a body disposed on the side of the article or the package where the tip is extended in order to lock it in said body .

Such a body is for example represented on the Figure 5a which will be described later but which can, in a very simple version, include only means for mechanically lock the tip of the device to prevent its removal.

The device illustrated in Figures 1a and 1b can be used as an anti-theft device for an article when associated with a protective body such as that shown in the Figure 5a or the like.

The Figures 2a and 2b schematically illustrate exploded views of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The device 20 comprises, just like the device 10 Figures 1a and 1b , a head 22 having two opposite faces 22a and 22b, and a tip 24 extending from the first face 22a substantially perpendicular thereto.

The mounting of the tip 24 in the head 22 is identical to that explained with reference to Figures 1a and 1b for the tip 14 installed in the head 12.

The same is true of the other features and advantages related to the head and the tip illustrated on the Figures 1a and 1 b.

As shown on the Figure 2a the device 20 comprises, on the side of its second opposite face 22b, a housing 26 defined by a peripheral rim 26a and by a bottom which constitutes the second face of the head.

Like the device 10, the head 22 of the device 20 has a substantially circular shape although other shapes are possible (square, hexagonal, oblong ...).

The device 20 also comprises at least one element 28 which carries a zone printed on one of its faces.

The printed area may constitute the whole of the considered face or only a part thereof.

The printing of inscriptions (text, image, drawing ...) by a known printing method is carried out directly on the face of the element. One could however consider that the printing is performed on an intermediate piece which would then be reported on the face of the element.

This separate element which is unique in the illustrated example on Figures 2a and 2b is disposed between the second opposite face of the head 22 and a transparent protective cover 30 similar to the cover 16 of the Figures 1 a and 1 b.

The printed element 28 carries the printed area on a first face 28a which is intended to be arranged vis-à-vis the protective cover 30.

Element 28 has a second opposite face 28b ( Figure 2b ) which is intended to be arranged vis-à-vis the second face 22b of the head and, more particularly, vis-à-vis the bottom of the housing 26 when the element 28 is positioned inside this latest.

Note that the element 28 has for example the shape of a chip or a chip that has the distinction of being very easy to handle and lightweight.

This element 28 can be placed in the housing 26 without being fixed, so as to remove it if necessary.

This removable nature of the element 28 is particularly useful when it is desired to replace it with another element which is for example carrying a different printed area.

Note that the element 28 may alternatively be replaced by several elements each carrying a fraction of printed area and, when all these elements are placed in position on the head 22, the set of fractions of the printed areas reconstitutes the printed area of item 28 of the Figure 2a .

These elements may take complementary shapes with respect to each other so as to reconstitute the shape of the element 28, or even take different forms.

Note that according to a variant not shown several elements similar to the element 28 can be superimposed on top of each other and placed in the housing 26.

For this purpose, the depth of the housing and the thickness of each element are adapted.

This arrangement makes it possible, for example, to provide a device with a plurality of printed elements and to be able to change everything at leisure the printed element according to the circumstances and the needs without having to constitute a separate stock of such elements with all the disadvantages that this includes.

The device thus contains several interchangeable elements.

When the carrier element of the printed area is installed in the housing, the cover 30 is fixed on the head 22 at least temporarily.

Indeed, when the printed element 28 is removably placed in the head 22, the protective cover must be removably attached to the latter to have easy access to the printed element.

In an alternative embodiment where it is not necessary to have access to the printed element 28, the protective cover is for example permanently fixed to the head, either by bonding, by welding, or by any other fixing means known to those skilled in the art.

Note that the token-shaped element 28 can be made of different types of materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard or, more generally, any material that is likely to be printed by any printing process and, for example, by typography, by a Offset printing technique, flexographic printing, screen printing, digital printing technique, ....

The Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b schematically illustrate the mounting of a protective cover on a head of a device according to the invention.

It will be noted that such a cover equips the device 20 with Figures 2a and 2b .

The hood 30 shown on the Figures 3a and 3b comprises a body 30a for example of substantially circular shape from which extends perpendicularly a skirt 30b and which gives the entire hood a hollow plug shape.

The cover is provided with fastening means intended to cooperate with the head 22. More particularly, fastening means are provided on the skirt 30b, for example on the external face thereof, and have the shape of protrusions or projections. pins.

The cover comprises for example four projections of which only two, noted 30c and 30d, are shown on the Figure 3a , the Figure 3b illustrating a third projection 30e.

These projections are for example arranged two, marked in two diametrically opposite.

The head 22 comprises, in the peripheral rim 26a (the Figure 4a , schematically illustrates in perspective an internal partial view of the peripheral flange 26a of the head 22), a plurality of openings corresponding to those of the projections of the cover 30 and arranged correspondingly to the latter as shown in FIG. Figure 3a where two openings 32 and 34, forming somehow notches in the rim, are provided.

It will be noted that the opening 32 made in the rim extends over the entire height of the latter and that a recess 36 is provided at the base of the rim, peripheral 26a, in order to arrange between the latter and the bottom of the housing 22b a space of dimensions corresponding to those of the protrusions of the hood.

When the cover 30 is positioned as shown on the Figure 3a with the projections facing the openings of the head, the hood can be introduced in the housing following a vertical thrust to come into contact with the bottom 22b of the latter.

Thus positioned, the projections of the cover are arranged against the bottom of the housing 22b and facing the recesses 36 illustrated on the Figure 4a .

Thus, a simple rotation of the hood by a few degrees makes it possible to engage the projections inside these recesses and to lock the hood in this position, thus preventing any axial withdrawal of the latter.

The Figure 4b illustrates the arrangement obtained when the printed element 28 (for example the token) is positioned in the housing 26 provided in the head 22 and the transparent cover 30 is removably secured to the head 22 as previously described.

Note that the cover can be secured temporarily by other fastening means than that shown in the Figures and, for example, by screwing.

Thus, a thread can be arranged on the outer surface of the bonnet skirt and a complementary thread may be provided on the inner face of the flange 26a of the head.

As shown on Figures 3b and 4b , the protective cover has an outer face 30f opposite an inner face 30g which is arranged vis-à-vis the printed element 28 and, in particular, the face thereof which is printed.

Note that in the example shown in Figures the outer face 30f is flat, as the inner face 30g.

However, in other embodiments the outer face may be convex, concave, or both convex and concave, which results in an alternation of convex and concave zones and for example by an undulating face.

It will also be noted that the arrangement illustrated on the Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b is perfectly suited to the device 10 Figures 1a and 1b which does not have separate printed element (s).

Furthermore, according to another variant not shown in the figures, the area carrying the printed data (texts, drawings ...) can be the face 30g inside the cover and the data is then printed upside down so that a person placed on the side of the outer face 30f can legibly see the printed data.

In this case, the data is not printed on the second face of the head as on the device of the Figure 1a .

This data can be for example a logo or a mark of a commercial article or a company.

The Figure 5a schematically illustrates in axial section a marking assembly 40 of an article according to the invention.

This assembly further comprises appropriate means to make it a set of protection against theft of an item and, in particular, against theft shoplifting.

The assembly 40 comprises in particular a device for marking an article 42 similar to the devices mentioned above with reference to the Figures 1 to 4 .

The device 42 may indeed take the form of any of the previously described devices.

Thus, the device 42 comprises a head 44 equipped with a tip 46 and a transparent cover 48 for protecting a printed area placed behind the cover or on the inner face of the latter.

As shown on the Figure 5a a carrier element of the printed area 50 is interposed between the cover 48 and the head 44. This element is for example similar to the element 28 of the Figures 2a and 2b .

Note that the hood or protective window 48 has a convex outer face in this embodiment.

The assembly 40 further comprises a body 52 forming a housing and which comprises means provided to cooperate at least mechanically with the device 42.

In particular, the body 52 is provided with an orifice 54 through which the tip 46 of the device 42 is inserted.

As shown on the Figure 5a , the housing 52 has for example a substantially hemispherical shape and has a substantially flat face 52a arranged in an equatorial plane, the orifice 54 being arranged in this face.

The housing 52 encloses a cavity 56 in which ball-locking means are arranged. Several balls are placed in a funnel inside the cavity, in the same plane and form between them a space to receive the tip 46.

When the tip is inserted into the space between the balls, the balls are wedged in the convergent portion of the funnel. Any attempt at axial withdrawal of the tip tends to further depress the balls in the converging portion of the funnel and thus block the tip.

Note that the balls are metallic and, more particularly, are made of a magnetic material, which allows to extract them from the convergent portion of the funnel under the action of an external magnetic field.

The housing 52 also comprises, at the periphery of the cavity 56, an annular chamber 58 in which is arranged an organ, or even several organs, for example passive, that is to say which is able to receive electromagnetic waves originating from a source outside the set 40.

Such a member may for example take the form of a resonant circuit LC type.

Alternatively, the housing may contain one or more active organs, that is to say that are capable of emitting electromagnetic waves to the outside of the device.

It will be noted that such active or passive members are, for example, coils with ferrite, with or without a capacitor, LCR circuits, magnetic filaments, RFID type circuits equipped with an active or passive memory chip ...

This or these bodies cooperate, via the transmission of electromagnetic waves, with a detection system, such as a gantry or an antenna, placed at an access point of the store where the item or articles to be protected are put on sale, to trigger a detection alarm of the protection set at the access point.

The housing 52 also comprises stiffening means (eg ribs) arranged between the chamber 58 and the cavity 56 to strengthen the body.

We have shown on the Figure 5 an article such as a garment 60 which is marked by the assembly 40, thereby identifying the article.

This assembly is attached to the article 60 in a particularly simple manner by passing the tip 46 the device 42 through this article, for example through an opening such as a buttonhole. The tip is then inserted inside the body 52 placed on the other side of the article and the two elements of the assembly are brought together so as to grip the article together, as shown on the drawing. Figure 5a .

The tip being locked inside the body 52, the assembly 40 is inseparable from the article 60.

Note that the assembly 40 equipped with the aforementioned active or passive organs forms a set of protection against theft of this item which is also called the anti-theft badge or identification badge.

It is possible to separate the entire article by unlocking the locking means of the rod 46, an operation that is performed during the checkout of the buyer of the article.

Indeed, the boxes are equipped with unlocking means, for example in the form of particularly powerful magnets, to act on the ball mechanism that has been described above.

Note that existing mechanical unlocking means are also possible.

The figures 5b and 5c illustrate a variant embodiment of the protection assembly of the Figure 5a in which Article 60 has been omitted for the sake of clarity. This variant embodiment is not part of the invention.

In this variant the elements unchanged with respect to the Figure 5a retain the same references.

The protection assembly 61 comprises two parts 63 and 65 assembled together.

Part 63 is a head 62 having a general shape of overturned mushroom or parasol and having two opposite faces 62a and 62b.

The tip 46 whose end 46a is embedded inside the head 62 extends perpendicularly from the face 62a and away from it.

The portion 65 is a substantially hemispherical body or guard which is provided with an insertion hole 64 for the insertion of the tip 46 into the body and locking means arranged in the central cavity 56 and preventing the withdrawal of the tip after insertion.

These means are identical to those described in relation to the Figure 5a .

The housing 65 also comprises an annular chamber 66 surrounding the central cavity 56 and in which are arranged the member or bodies participating in the detection of the passage of the assembly 61 within range of a detection system.

The description of the Figure 5a also applies here.

The housing 65 has a plate 65a substantially flat on its outer face 65b and surmounted by a central portion 65c protruding to cooperate mechanically by interlocking with the central arrangement 67 defining the cavity 56.

The orifice 64 is arranged in the plate 65a.

The domed housing has an opposite face 65d.

This face has a recessed portion in which an element 68 carrying a printed zone and cap-shaped is inserted.

This element has the same features and functionality as element 50 in Figure 50a.

A transparent protective cover 69 also having a cap shape is superimposed on the element 68 to fill the recessed portion of the housing and thus be mounted flush with respect to the outer face 65c of the housing.

This arrangement adds no bulk to the protection assembly.

This arrangement even makes it possible to install the head 62 behind the article to be protected (for example article 60 of the Figure 5a ) instead of placing the case that is larger.

This allows for example to avoid deforming the article such as a garment.

The assembly of the head and the housing is facilitated since it is possible to put the article or the packaging behind the head, to cross the article or the packaging by the point and then to bring the case against the tip which appears from the article or packaging to insert it.

The figure 6 schematically illustrates in axial section a device 70 for marking an article according to an alternative embodiment.

The device comprises a point 72 surmounted by a head 74 at the top of which is provided a housing 75 open upwards.

A transparent cover 76 is fixed to the head by insertion into the housing provided therein.

As shown on the Figure 6 , a passive member that is adapted to receive electromagnetic waves from outside the device is installed in the housing.

This member 78 takes for example the form of a resonant circuit LC type and is shown schematically in section in this Figure a plurality of electrical conductors constituting this circuit.

Note that the circuit is arranged at the bottom of the housing 75 and an element 79 having a shape substantially similar to that of the cover 76 but of reduced dimensions to be housed inside the latter is installed in the housing.

More particularly, this carrier element 79 of the printed area is in contact, on the one hand, via it with the inner face 76a of the cover and is in contact, on the other hand, with the bottom of the housing via a skirt extending from the face carrying the printed area.

The printed element 79 rests by its central part on a central protuberance in which is installed the shoulder 72a of the tip 72.

The transparent cover 76 has an outer face 76b which is concave and reveals the printed area of the element 79.

It will be noted that the various forms imparted to the cover make it possible to obtain different visual effects, for example of magnification or even deformation of the inscriptions present in the printed area.

Note that the protection offered by a transparent cover such as that shown on the Figure 6 or on the other Figures makes it possible to use a printing technique that is less expensive than tampographic printing and of better quality.

Indeed, the printed area being protected from mechanical contact with external objects, it is not necessary that the print is particularly resistant to mechanical friction and generally to wear.

According to a variant not shown, one or more active members, capable of emitting electromagnetic waves towards the outside of the device can equip the head 74 in place of the passive circuit 78.

The emission of these waves can be performed on reception of electromagnetic waves from an external source.

It should be noted in this regard that it is necessary to have a power supply for example in the form of a battery or an electronic circuit called waking which can be energized particularly simple when it is subject to electromagnetic waves.

Note that the cover 76 according to a variant not shown may alternatively have a convex outer face similar to that illustrated on the Figure 5a .

According to an embodiment variant represented in Figure 7a , a device 80 comprises a transparent protective cover 82 mounted on a head 84. The cover has for example a generally hollow bowl shape turned open and the head 84 is placed in the opening so as to close it.

An element 86 carrying at least one zone printed on an upper face 86a is disposed in the hollow of the cap between the inner surface 82a of the latter and the head.

He is thus stuck in position.

The printed area or areas are visible through the outer face 82b of the cover.

The device also comprises a tip 88 which passes successively through the element 86 and the head 84 to emerge through the face 84a thereof. The cap thus covers the widened end 88a of the tip which is visible from the outside and rests against the face 86a of the element 86.

A recess is provided in the inner face 82a to accommodate the widened end 88a of the tip.

Such a device is particularly simple to implement: the element 86 and the head are threaded successively on the tip 88, then brought into contact with one another and abut against the shoulder of the widened end 88a, the assembly then being introduced into the recess formed in the cover 82 and for example removably fixed by clipping between the head and the inner rim of the cover.

It will be noted that, according to another variant represented in Figure 7b , the printed element 86 is omitted, the printed area or areas being directly carried by the upper face 84b of the head. The impression is indeed made directly on the face 84b.

The arrangement of the device 81 of the Figure 7b is thus further simplified.

Note that the head 84, which is, for example, in the form of a disk or a token is inserted and kept nested or wedged in the central part of the hood 82.

This arrangement makes it easy to manipulate the device.

The two elements 82 and 84 can optionally be glued or fixed to one another in another way, or even simply arranged against each other without being fixed.

The Figure 7c the same elements and references as those used in the Figure 7b .

However, in the device 83, the head 85 which has, for example, the shape of a disc or a token extends along the largest dimension of the cover (which is for example in the form of a cupola or bowl turned upside down ). The cover 82 thus rests with a peripheral edge 82c against a peripheral zone 85c of the printed head.

The printed area is for example in the central zone of the head which is surrounded by the peripheral zone 85c.

The head 85 and the cover 82 may or may not be fixed to each other since the tip 88 already allows their assembly.

This arrangement is particularly simple to manufacture.

Note that the head 85 and the cover 82 may alternatively have different shapes for arranging the printed area carried by the head behind the transparent cover or, at least, behind the transparent part thereof if it was not necessary. to be transparent only in one part. This possibility of partial transparency of the cover applies to all the other embodiments and variants presented above and below.

The Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a marking and protection device 90 incorporating two liquid cartridges 92 and 94, for example made in the form of glass ampoules filled with ink.

The device 90 comprises, as already described and illustrated in other figures, a head 95 having an open housing 96 and a cover or transparent protective window 97 which closes the housing from above.

An element 98 carrying information / inscriptions printed on the top face 98a is inserted between the cover and the bottom of the housing.

A tip 99 is fixed in the raised central portion 95a of the head.

The cartridges 92 and 94 are installed in two cavities of suitable shapes located on either side of the tip 99, in the central portion 95a. These cartridges are arranged flush with the wall at the bottom face 95b of the head so that they are easily perforated or broken when an unintentional person tries to introduce an object between the device 90 and the protective body. with which it is locked (as in the layout of the Figure 5a ) to separate them.

Note that the element 98 may be omitted in a variant, the printed area being that of the underside 97a of the hood.

The Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate different embodiments of assemblies according to the invention involving a marking / protection device according to the invention.

Such a device can thus cooperate with housings of various shapes existing commercially.

The assemblies 100, 110 and 120 shown in these Figures serve not only to mark an article, but also to protect it from theft as already mentioned above.

The Figure 12 illustrates yet another variant embodiment of a marking / protection device according to the invention.

The device 130 shown schematically in axial section comprises a head 132 equipped with a tip 134 extending axially from a first face 132a.

On the side of the second opposite face 132b, the head comprises a wall 136 extending perpendicularly to this face in a direction of axial extension represented by the vertical axis Z in the figure.

The wall 136 constitutes a peripheral rim, for example of annular shape, which defines a central internal cavity 138.

The face 132b forms, in the central part of the cavity 138, a projection or protuberance 140 in which is arranged the head of the tip 134.

This projection 140 serves to support an element 142 carrying a printed area and which has for example a disc shape.

The element 142 is for example similar to one of the elements 28 of the Figure 2a, 2b , 79 of the figure 6 or 98 of the figure 8 .

A transparent protective cover or transparent window 144, for example similar to that of Figures 3a, 3b, 4a and 4b is removably mounted inside the central cavity 138 and is totally in the volume defined by this cavity.

The wall 136 forming a peripheral flange extends axially beyond the hood (the height of the wall is thus greater than that of the hood) and thus constitutes an axial extension element for protecting the hood.

The device 130 provided with the protection element 136 protects the transparent cover 144 from most external mechanical contacts (for example in the event of a fall to the ground or friction on a surface or against another device) and avoids many scratches and degradations on the upper surface 144a of this hood.

Indeed, in case of contact, or shock of the device with an external object is the element 136 which comes into contact with this object and not the hood which is placed axially recessed. The device 130 is thus endowed with a longer life.

At least the portion 136a which is generally the part intended to come into contact with the external environment of the device may be designed from the outset to withstand, over time, wear and friction and / or be coated with a specific material for this purpose.

Note that in other variants not shown the wall 136 may be replaced by wall portions, disjointed or not, or even by other elements distributed around the periphery of the cover 144 and remote from each other.

Other protection elements, extending axially from the face 132b of the head may alternatively be considered to preserve the transparent cover external mechanical attacks (shocks, friction, ...).

The number of these elements, their arrangement, their shapes and their dimensions are adapted to effectively protect the hood. One can thus provide for example three arranged at 120 ° around the hood. For example, they can each have a niche form.

Note that a protective element of the transparent cover can also be provided when the cover and the printed area are arranged on a protective body and not on the head equipped with the tip.

Claims (12)

1. An assembly (40) for protecting an item from theft, characterized in that it comprises:

   - a device (10; 20) for marking the item, for its identification,

   comprising:

   - a tip (14; 24) intended to traverse the item to be marked or a package containing that item,

   - a head (12; 22) having two opposite faces (12a, 22a; 12b, 22b), the tip (14; 24) extending from a first (12a, 22a) of the two faces (12a, 22a; 12b, 22b), said head (12; 22) having, on the side of the first opposite face (12b, 22b), a printed zone that is protected by a transparent protective cover (16; 30), and

   - a protective body (52) provided on the one hand with an orifice (54) to insert the tip (46) of the device therein, and on the other hand with locking means to prevent the removal of the tip after it has been inserted.
2. The assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the head (22) includes at least one element (28) bearing the printed zone and that is arranged across from the protective cover (30).
3. The assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the head (22) has a housing (26) on the side of its second face (22b), said at least one element (28) bearing the printed zone and being positioned in the housing (26).
4. The assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said at least one element (28) bearing the printed zone is in the form of a token.
5. The assembly according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said at least one element (28) bearing the printed zone is arranged removably on the second face (22b) of the head (22).
6. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the printed zone is directly supported by the head (12; 22).
7. The assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the printed zone is directly supported by the second opposite face (12b; 22b) of the head (12; 22).
8. The assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the protective cover (16; 30) is removably or permanently fastened on the head (12; 22).
9. The assembly according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tip (134) and the cover (144) extend axially relative to the first and second faces (132a, 132b), respectively, of the head (132), at least one extension element (136) extending axially, from the second face (132b), beyond the protective cover (144), so as to protect the cover (144) with respect to contact with the outside object.
10. The assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that said at least one extension element (136) at least partially surrounds the cover (144).
11. The assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it includes at least one active or passive member (78) that is able to emit electromagnetic waves toward the outside of the device or to receive them.
12. The assembly according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it includes at least one cartridge (92, 94) filled with liquid and that may be perforated.

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