EP3025323B1 - Labelling device having a hook, for a commercial item - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for marking a commercial article.

In the field of the sale of commercial items in the store, it is known to use two-part devices attached to articles to identify / mark and / or protect them against theft.

Such devices generally comprise two parts including a first portion which has a tip for insertion into an orifice of a second part. The second portion includes means for locking the tip to prevent its removal once it has been inserted into the orifice.

Such a device is more particularly used by piercing the commercial article with the tip of the first part and inserting this tip in the orifice of the second part to lock it there.

The article is thus imprisoned between the two parts of the device until it passes to the cash register of the store.

The device may carry identifying / marking information of the article such as information about the article and / or the trade mark under which it is sold.

The device may include one or more security devices against theft. This or these bodies cooperate for example with gantries located at the entrances and exits of the store to detect any attempt to exit the store article fraud and to issue an alarm.

Although satisfactory, these devices are not however adapted to be fixed to items that are not suitable for piercing or bit by a tip, such as sports shoes, leather goods such as belts, handbags. ..

US 6,052,876 discloses (the reference of the relevant passages in parentheses): a marking device (15) for a packaged or unpackaged commercial article, the device comprising an axial point (17) and a rigid fastening member (8) intended for the hooking the device to an article in its packaging, the fastening member comprising a body provided with a first free end (cf. Fig. 5 ) and an opposite second end (10, 11) hingedly but non-permanently attached to the device.

US 2008/3033670 discloses a device for marking a packaged or unpackaged commercial article, the device comprising an axial point (3) and a non-rigid fastening member (1) intended to hook the device to a commercial article or to its packaging , the fastening member comprising a body (10) provided with a first free end (15) and a second opposite end (12) fixedly and permanently fixed to the device, the first free end being able to pivot around the second end, between a first position in which the first free end is remote from the device and a second position in which the first free end is releasably connected to the axial tip (3) of the device.

It would therefore be interesting to have a device in two parts that can be attached to a commercial item that lends little or no piercing by a tip.

• une première partie qui comporte une pointe axiale,
• une deuxième partie qui comprend un orifice pour l'insertion axiale de la pointe et des moyens de verrouillage qui sont aptes à verrouiller la pointe de la première partie insérée axialement dans ledit orifice et à empêcher son retrait axial,

caractérisé en ce que l'une des deux parties, dite partie d'accrochage, comprend un organe d'accrochage rigide qui comporte un corps muni d'une première extrémité libre et d'une deuxième extrémité opposée fixée de manière articulée et permanente à la partie d'accrochage, la première extrémité libre étant apte à pivoter librement autour de la deuxième extrémité en l'absence de l'autre partie du dispositif, entre une première position dans laquelle la première extrémité libre est éloignée de la partie d'accrochage et une deuxième position dans laquelle la première extrémité libre est disposée dans un logement de la partie d'accrochage qui est éloigné de la pointe ou de l'orifice d'insertion axiale de la pointe, la partie d'accrochage étant configurée pour que la première extrémité libre de l'organe d'accrochage soit bloquée dans le logement et empêchée de pivoter par la présence de l'autre partie du dispositif qui est verrouillée à la partie d'accrochage par l'intermédiaire de la pointe et de ses moyens de verrouillage.The subject of the invention is thus a device for marking a packaged or non-packaged commercial article, the device comprising two parts separable from each other:

• a first part which has an axial point,
• a second part which comprises an orifice for the axial insertion of the tip and locking means which are able to lock the tip of the first portion inserted axially into said orifice and to prevent its axial withdrawal,

characterized in that one of the two parts, said attachment portion, comprises a rigid attachment member which comprises a body provided with a first free end and a second opposite end fixedly and permanently fixed to the gripping part, the first free end being able to pivot freely around the second end in the absence of the other part of the device, between a first position in which the first free end is away from the attachment portion and a second position in which the first free end is disposed in a housing of the attachment portion which is remote from the tip or the axial insertion hole of the tip, the attachment portion being configured so that the first free end of the attachment member is locked in the housing and prevented from pivoting by the presence of the other part of the device which is locked to the part d hooking via the tip and its locking means.

This device can thus retain the same principle of a two-part marking device of the prior art and be fixed or hooked in a locked manner to a commercial item without the tip does not perforate the article or its packaging. The part of the device which is not the attachment part may for example not be modified with respect to a device of the prior art, only the attachment part requiring specific means (fastener) to fill the aforementioned function. The attachment portion is relatively simple design because it does not use an additional mechanism to prevent the end of the fastener to leave the housing. Indeed, it is the other part of the marking device which, when positioned in front of the housing in position locked with the attachment portion (via conventional locking / holding means), prevents the free end of the latching member from coming out of the housing. Unlocking the two parts is done conventionally with a known tool such as a permanent magnet. Depending on the type of locking means of the tip, the tool or the unlocking system may be different from that mentioned above and of a type known in the field of anti-theft devices.

When the fastening portion is not yet assembled to the other part of the device, the body of the fastening member can surround a portion of an article (eg: belt buckle, bag strap, eyelet). 'a shoe, buttonhole ...) thanks to the first free end of the organ.

Once the body surrounds the portion of the article, the first free end of the member rotates relative to the attachment portion and, in particular, the second fixed end of the member, to enter the housing which it is reserved for him. This allows to imprison the portion of the article within the loop formed by the body of the member which is arranged externally to the attachment portion.

As the first free end of the member is pressed into its housing, the loop thus formed is closed, which prevents the portion of the article from emerging from the loop and to release.

The other part of the device is then approached to the attachment portion and the axial tip is inserted axially into the orifice until the tip locking means prevent axial removal of the inserted tip.

The device according to the invention is particularly simple to design and implement.

Indeed, it comprises only two parts since the fastening member which is rotatable relative to the attachment portion is permanently connected to the attachment portion by its second end. The user can not remove this second end which is mounted so as to be trapped inside the attachment part. The snap of an article can be done simply, with only one hand holding the hooking portion and the first free end in a position away from the latter (latching member in the open position).

Then, the user rotates the latching member by bringing the first free end against the latching portion with the article trapped in the loop formed by the body (closed position). Alternatively, it is the attachment portion which pivots alone, or even the attachment portion and the attachment member towards each other.

The implementation therefore requires few operations and these are particularly simple.

In addition, the pivoting movement of the fastening member is simply because it is guided by the design of the rigid fastening member and its mobility relative to the fastening member. The user does not have to aim the housing to introduce the free end of the fastener.

The user can simply manipulate the body of the external member to the attachment portion to ensure the pivoting movement with one hand. He does not have to put his finger near the point.

Moreover, the housing being remote from the tip, even if the user presses the free end of the body to introduce it into its housing, it is not likely to hurt on the tip.

It will be noted that the rigid coupling member is of purely mechanical design.

It thus has no electrical and / or electronic element and the closure of the latching member when the first free end is disposed at the bottom of its housing does not establish or interrupt any electrical contact.

The rigid member is for example made of a wire, for example hardened steel (such as hooks or padlock handles).

• l'organe d'accrochage a une forme générale de crochet ;
• la deuxième extrémité de l'organe d'accrochage est montée libre en rotation autour de son axe à l'intérieur d'une cavité de la partie d'accrochage et est retenue axialement en position dans ladite cavité ;
• le corps de l'organe d'accrochage qui est externe à la partie d'accrochage rejoint la deuxième extrémité à travers une ouverture de la partie d'accrochage qui débouche dans la cavité ;
• le logement pour la première extrémité et la cavité pour la deuxième extrémité sont agencés de façon parallèle ;
• le logement pour la première extrémité et la cavité pour la deuxième extrémité sont orientés respectivement suivant deux directions non parallèles ;
• le logement de la partie d'accrochage présente une ouverture par laquelle la première extrémité libre de l'organe d'accrochage est apte à pénétrer dans ledit logement et à en ressortir librement en l'absence de l'autre partie du dispositif ;
• l'ouverture du logement est aménagée sur une face de la partie d'accrochage, l'autre partie du dispositif étant disposée en vis-à-vis de ladite face lorsqu'elle est verrouillée à ladite partie d'accrochage ;
• l'axe de rotation de la deuxième extrémité de l'organe d'accrochage est contenu dans un plan sensiblement parallèle à celui dans lequel s'étend l'ouverture ;
• les deux parties du dispositif sont configurées pour que, lorsqu'elles sont verrouillées l'une à l'autre, l'interface entre lesdites parties qui est perpendiculaire à la pointe axiale soit protégé de l'extérieur par une extension axiale solidaire de l'une des parties et qui entoure ladite interface ; l'extension axiale, telle qu'un rebord annulaire, borde l'interface et empêche ainsi d'accéder à l'interface en glissant un outil entre les deux parties (plus particulièrement entre leurs deux faces en regard) pour les écarter en force et accéder ainsi à la pointe qui pourra être coupée ; on notera que dans la position verrouillée les deux faces en regard des deux parties du dispositif sont très proches l'une de l'autre, voire quasiment en contact l'une avec l'autre ;
• la pointe est émoussée ; ceci est permis en raison du fait que la pointe n'a désormais plus besoin d'être aussi fine que possible pour pouvoir traverser un article sans l'abîmer ; la pointe sert en effet uniquement à assembler les deux parties de manière verrouillée ; en émoussant la pointe on réduit ainsi les risques de piqûre aux doigts lors de la manipulation de la première partie munie de la pointe ;
• l'organe d'accrochage comprend une première portion incluant les première et deuxième extrémités opposées et une deuxième portion recourbée qui s'étend à partir de la première portion et forme le corps de l'organe d'accrochage ; la deuxième portion recourbée munie de la première extrémité libre procure une forme générale de crochet, de boucle ou d'anse à l'organe d'accrochage qui lui permet de s'insérer dans des trous, ouvertures, passages d'un article tels que les trous d'une ceinture, d'une boucle de ceinture ou des passants de celle-ci ou les oeillets d'une chaussure ou autour d'une sangle (d'un sac par exemple) ;
• la deuxième portion recourbée s'étend dans un plan qui est confondu avec le plan dans lequel s'étend la première portion ;
• la deuxième portion recourbée s'étend dans un plan qui est incliné par rapport au plan dans lequel s'étend la première portion ; cet agencement facilite la mise en place du dispositif sur certains articles ; cet agencement facilite également le déverrouillage du dispositif lors du passage à la caisse d'un magasin et son déverrouillage sur un découpleur notamment pour les articles volumineux/de grandes dimensions tels que des sacs à main ;
• la deuxième portion recourbée de l'organe d'accrochage a une forme d'arc de cercle ou d'anse ;
• la première extrémité libre de l'organe d'accrochage comprend une partie terminale recourbée de manière à former un élément de retenue destiné à coopérer avec le logement de la partie d'accrochage ;
• la partie d'accrochage est la première partie du dispositif qui est munie d'une pointe ;
• alternativement, la partie d'accrochage est la deuxième partie du dispositif qui comprend les moyens de verrouillage de la pointe ;
• le dispositif est un dispositif de protection contre le vol ;
• au moins une des deux parties comprend au moins un organe actif ou passif qui est apte à émettre vers l'extérieur du dispositif ou à recevoir de l'extérieur des ondes électromagnétiques ; ledit au moins un organe actif ou passif assure au moins une partie de la fonction antivol ; l'autre partie pouvant être assurée par un système complémentaire tel qu'un portique de détection placé à une sortie d'un magasin ;
• ledit au moins un organe actif ou passif est logé dans l'autre partie du dispositif ;
• l'une deux parties contient un réservoir d'encre qui est apte à libérer l'encre en cas de tentative de retrait axial de la pointe de la deuxième partie.

According to other possible characteristics taken separately or in combination with each other:

• the hooking member has a general hook shape;
• the second end of the fastening member is mounted free to rotate about its axis within a cavity of the fastening portion and is retained axially in position in said cavity;
• the body of the fastening member which is external to the fastening portion joins the second end through an opening of the fastening portion which opens into the cavity;
• the housing for the first end and the cavity for the second end are arranged in parallel;
• the housing for the first end and the cavity for the second end are respectively oriented in two non-parallel directions;
• the housing of the attachment portion has an opening through which the first free end of the hooking member is adapted to enter said housing and to come out freely in the absence of the other part of the device;
• the opening of the housing is arranged on one side of the hooking portion, the other part of the device being disposed opposite said face when it is locked to said hooking portion;
• the axis of rotation of the second end of the fastening member is contained in a plane substantially parallel to that in which the opening extends;
• the two parts of the device are configured so that, when they are locked to one another, the interface between said parts which is perpendicular to the axial point is protected from the outside by an axial extension integral with the one of the parts and which surrounds said interface; the axial extension, such as an annular flange, borders the interface and thus prevents access to the interface by sliding a tool between the two parts (more particularly between their two facing faces) to remove them in force and access to the point that can be cut; it will be noted that in the locked position the two facing faces of the two parts of the device are very close to one another, or almost in contact with each other;
• the point is blunted; this is allowed because the tip no longer needs to be as thin as possible to be able to to cross an article without damaging it; the tip serves only to assemble the two parts in a locked manner; blunting the tip thus reduces the risk of pricking fingers when handling the first portion provided with the tip;
• the hooking member comprises a first portion including the first and second opposite ends and a second curved portion extending from the first portion and forms the body of the fastening member; the second bent portion provided with the first free end provides a general form of hook, loop or handle to the fastening member which allows it to be inserted into holes, openings, passages of an article such as the holes in a belt, a belt loop or loops of it or the eyelets of a shoe or around a strap (of a bag for example);
• the second bent portion extends in a plane which coincides with the plane in which the first portion extends;
• the second bent portion extends in a plane which is inclined relative to the plane in which the first portion extends; this arrangement facilitates the implementation of the device on certain items; this arrangement also facilitates the unlocking of the device during the passage to the checkout of a store and its unlocking on a decoupler especially for large / large items such as handbags;
• the second bent portion of the hooking member has a shape of arc or loop;
• the first free end of the attachment member comprises an end portion bent to form a retaining member for cooperating with the housing of the attachment portion;
• the attachment part is the first part of the device which is provided with a tip;
• alternatively, the hooking part is the second part of the device which comprises the locking means of the tip;
• the device is an anti-theft device;
• at least one of the two parts comprises at least one active or passive element which is able to emit towards the outside of the device or to receive from the outside of electromagnetic waves; said at least one active or passive member provides at least part of the anti-theft function; the other part can be provided by a complementary system such as a gantry detection placed at an outlet of a store;
• said at least one active or passive member is housed in the other part of the device;
• one of two parts contains an ink reservoir which is able to release the ink in case of attempt to axial withdrawal of the tip of the second part.

According to another embodiment, the subject of the invention is a device for marking a packaged or non-packaged commercial article, the device comprising an axial point and a rigid fastening member intended to hook the device to a commercial article. or in its packaging, the attachment member comprising a body provided with a first free end and an opposite second end fixedly and permanently fixed to the device, the first free end being able to pivot about the second end; between a first position in which the first free end is remote from the device and a second position in which the first free end is disposed in a housing of the device which is remote from the axial point, the first free end being able to freely pass through position to another during its pivoting movement.

This device corresponds to the attachment portion of the marking device according to the invention and has the same characteristics and advantages which will not be repeated here.

According to another possible characteristic, the axial point is intended to cooperate and to lock with a complementary device of the marking device of known type for example, the first free end being able to move freely from one position to the other as long as the axial point does not cooperate with said complementary device.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un dispositif selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du dispositif de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de la partie d'accrochage du dispositif de la figure 1 avec l'organe d'accrochage en position ouverte ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face de l'organe d'accrochage de la partie d'accrochage de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un dispositif intégrant l'organe d'accrochage de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de la partie d'accrochage de la figure 3 avec l'organe d'accrochage en position fermée ;
• les figures 7a-c sont des vues schématiques illustrant l'accrochage du dispositif des figures 1 à 6 à une ceinture ;
• la figure 8 est une vue de face d'une partie d'accrochage selon un deuxième mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 9a et 9b sont des vues schématiques en perspective et de côté d'une partie d'accrochage selon un troisième mode de réalisation ;
• les figures 10a-d sont des vues schématiques selon différentes orientations d'une partie d'accrochage selon un quatrième mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 10e est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif formé à partir de la partie d'accrochage des figures 10a-d ;
• la figure 11 est une vue schématique illustrant l'accrochage du dispositif de la figure 10e à une chaussure.

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 figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of the attachment part of the device of the figure 1 with the latching member in the open position;
• the figure 4 is a front view of the fastening member of the fastening portion of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is an axial sectional view of a device incorporating the attachment member of the figure 4 ;
• the figure 6 is a perspective view of the hanging part of the figure 3 with the latching member in the closed position;
• the Figures 7a-c are schematic views illustrating the attachment of the device of Figures 1 to 6 to a belt;
• the figure 8 is a front view of a hooking portion according to a second embodiment;
• the Figures 9a and 9b are schematic perspective and side views of a hooking portion according to a third embodiment;
• the Figures 10a-d are schematic views according to different orientations of a fastening portion according to a fourth embodiment;
• the figure 10e is a perspective view of a device formed from the hooking portion of Figures 10a-d ;
• the figure 11 is a schematic view illustrating the attachment of the device of the figure 10e to a shoe.

• une première partie 12, dite partie d'accrochage, qui est pourvue d'une pointe axiale 14,
• une deuxième partie 16 qui comprend, d'une part, un corps 18 muni d'un orifice 20 pour l'insertion axiale de la pointe 14 à l'intérieur du corps et, d'autre part, des moyens 22 de verrouillage ou de retenue axiale de la pointe lorsque celle-ci est insérée dans le corps à travers l'orifice. Ces moyens de verrouillage 22 empêchent tout retrait axial de la pointe une fois insérée. Ces moyens sont conventionnels et sont par exemple des moyens de verrouillage à billes.

As shown on Figures 1 to 3 a device 10 to be lockably attached / hooked to a commercial article or the package containing it is formed of two parts which can be separated from each other:

• a first part 12, said attachment part, which is provided with an axial point 14,
• a second part 16 which comprises, on the one hand, a body 18 provided with an orifice 20 for the axial insertion of the tip 14 inside the body and, on the other hand, means 22 for locking or locking axial retention of the tip when it is inserted into the body through the orifice. These locking means 22 prevent any axial withdrawal of the tip once inserted. These means are conventional and are for example ball locking means.

The body 18 of the device 10 encloses a central cavity 19 in which are disposed the aforementioned ball locking means or other known locking means. Several balls 19a are placed in a funnel part 19b inside the cavity, in the same plane and form between them a central space for receiving the tip 14. The body also comprises a plate or plate 19c, for example substantially plane which closes the access to the inner portion of the body. The central insertion orifice 20 of the tip is formed in the plate 19c. When the tip is inserted in this hole and in the inter-ball central space, 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 convergent portion of the funnel and thus to lock the tip (locked position of the two elements of the device trapping between them a commercial item). The balls are mounted on a support 19d of non-magnetic material, which is mounted on elastic means of non-magnetic material, such as a spring 19e. The elastic means exert on the support 19d and thus on the balls an axial force which tends to push them further into the narrowest part of the funnel 19b. It will be noted that the balls are made of a magnetic material.

Unlocking the tip and thus the decoupling or disassembly of the two parts 12 and 16 can only be performed by an unlocking tool, called decoupler, which comprises at least one permanent magnet.

The balls can be extracted from the convergent portion of the funnel under the action of the external magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet when the alignment axis of the funnel, balls and elastic means coincides with the axis of the magnetic field.

In the position of the figure 1 , the two parts 12 and 16 are locked to one another and therefore inseparable without suitable tools.

In the present embodiment, the second part 16 is identical to that of a conventional device marketed by the company. EXAQTWORLD and which is for example described in the French patent application no. 2,947,087 .

The device 10 is for example a marking device or identification of the article to which it is attached and comprises, for this purpose, identification information of the article, or price. This information is carried by the device and have for example been registered / printed on it or on a reported element (eg label, film ...) on the device or integrated therewith. For example, the information may be protected by a transparent protective interface such as an adhesive film, a window or a hood mounted on the device.

An example of a marking device is described in French Patent No. 2,947,087 supra. The information is printed on a token-shaped element which is attached in the part of the device called the head and having the tip. The insert is protected by a transparent cover. The information of the article is therefore inaccessible from the outside, which is advantageous especially for price information and / or promotion that can not be falsified as a label.

Note that the device may, additionally or alternatively, include an optical reading code such as a flash code representative of information about the article, the trade mark under which it is sold, the store or the chain of stores where it is sold.

The code is for example representative of the address of a site or a web page in relation to the above information.

The identification information is for example carried by the attachment portion 12.

The device 10 is also, in the present embodiment, an anti-theft device or badge which is lockedly attached to an article to prevent its theft in the store.

Furthermore, the body 18 also comprises at the periphery of the central cavity 19 an annular chamber 19f in which is arranged a member 23, or more organs, for example passive. A passive member is adapted to receive electromagnetic waves from a source external to the device. Such a member may for example take the form of a LC type resonant circuit.

Alternatively, the body 18 may contain one or more active organs, that is to say which are capable of emitting electromagnetic waves to the outside of the device and to receive. Such active or passive elements are, for example, coils with ferrite, with or without a capacitor, LCR circuits, magnetic filaments, RFID or NFC circuits with an active or passive memory chip, electronic micro-sensors. ... This or these bodies cooperate, via the transmission of electromagnetic waves, with a detection system, such as a gantry or antenna, placed at an access point of the store where the article is sold. protect, to trigger an alarm when the device is detected at the access point. The presence of this or these organs provides an additional anti-theft function to the identification / marking device. However, this function is only optional for the implementation of the invention. Alternatively, this or these organs are arranged in the attachment portion 12 of the device.

As shown on Figures 1 and 2 , the body 18 has a generally hemispherical shape, that is to say curved on a face 18a and substantially flat on the opposite face 18b which is the outer face of the plate 19c.

The attachment portion 12 illustrated in perspective at the figure 3 (Separate from the portion 16) comprises a body 30, for example in the general form of disc, having two opposite faces 30a, 30b, of which only the inner face 30a is shown in this figure. The outer face 30b is represented on the figure 1 .

The head of the tip 14 is housed in the body 30 ( figure 1 ) and extends perpendicular to the face 30a away from it along the axis of said tip ( figure 3 ).

The body 30 has an axial extension or annular flange 30c which extends at the periphery of the face 30a so as to form a central recess 30d open around the tip 14 and which is bordered by the flange 30c.

The dimensions (eg diameter) of this recess 30d correspond to the external dimensions (eg diameter) of the second part 16 so as to allow the latter to be inserted into the recess as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 .

In the position of the figure 1 , the tip 14 is locked in the body 18 of the second part 16 and the two faces 18b and 30a are vis-à-vis and against each other or, in any case, as close as possible.

The annular rim or skirt 30c extends along a portion of the outer wall (face 18a) of the second portion 16 and therefore beyond the interface zone between the respective two faces 18b and 30a facing each other. two parts.

Thus, the annular rim 30c protects access to this interface zone and prevents the introduction of a tool / object between the two faces 18b and 30a and which would aim to break the tip.

Note that the axial extension 30c is optional.

The attachment part 12 illustrated at figure 3 also comprises a hooking member 32 which has a substantially hook-like appearance and is movably mounted on the body 30.

The attachment member 32 is shown in isolation to the figure 4 .

It comprises a body that has two opposite ends 32a and 32b.

More particularly, the member 32 comprises a first portion which is formed by the two opposite ends 32a, 32b substantially rectilinear and spaced apart from each other.

Both ends 32a and 32b are enclosed within the body 30 of the attachment portion 12 and inaccessible from the outside when the device is locked ( Figures 1 and 2 ).

The member 32 comprises a second curved portion 38 forming the body of the member and which extends from the two opposite ends 32a, 32b by bringing them together.

The second bent portion 38 has substantially an arcuate shape that extends over more than 180 ° and in the same plane as that of the two ends 32a, 32b.

On the figure 3 , the bent portion 38 has a substantially identical diameter to that of the body 30. However, this diameter can be reduced or increased as needed. The circular shape can also be modified and be for example elliptical or, in general, adopt a curved or non-curved shape, regular (eg rectangular or square) or not.

When the device is locked ( figure 2 ) only the body 38 of the member 32 which is disposed externally to the attachment portion 12 is visible from the outside.

The first end 32a ( figures 3 and 4 ), said free, mainly comprises a rectilinear section 32a1 which extends from the second curved portion 38 to an end portion 32a2. This end portion 32a2 is bent perpendicularly to the plane containing the two ends 32a, 32b and the bent portion 38.

As shown on the figure 4 , the second end 32b comprises a rectilinear section 32b1, parallel to the section 32a1, which extends from the second curved portion 38 to an end portion 32b2.

The end portion 32b2 is separated from the section 32b1 by a groove or necking 32b3.

The figure 5 (axial section of the attachment portion 12) shows the arrangement of the second end 32b in an axial cavity 40 of the body 30 of the attachment portion 12. This cavity is perpendicular to the axis of the tip 14 and is open at one end 40a for the passage of the end 32b1.

The cavity 40 is also laterally open, near its opposite end 40b, in a zone 40c of enlarged diameter which is provided to receive an axial retaining assembly of the end 32b in its cavity.

This assembly comprises a washer 42 arranged in the groove 32b3 and a sleeve 44 disposed around the end zone 32b which is adjacent to the groove 32b3 (this zone is disposed between the groove 32b3 and the end 40a) and therefore to the washer 42.

The assembly 42, 44 thus mounted is disposed opposite the lateral opening 40d which allows this assembly.

This set of very simple design prevents the withdrawal of the end 32b of the cavity 40 along the axis thereof (this axis also forms the axis of rotation of the member 32) but allows its rotation around it -Even within said cavity to allow pivoting of the attachment member (and its first end 32a) from one position to another.

The attachment member is for example made from a wire which is shaped by folding so as to adopt the desired hook shape. The metal is, for example, hardened steel of the type used for padlocks. The diameter of the wire varies from 2 to 3 mm and is for example equal to 2 mm.

A housing 50 is arranged in the body 30 of the attachment part 12 ( figure 3 ) at a distance from the axial point 14. This housing makes it possible to receive the first end 32a of the attachment member 32 (FIG. figure 6 ) after pivoting thereof about the second end 32b (this end constitutes a pivot axis) which is hingedly attached to the hooking portion ( figure 5 ). Pivoting is effected freely between a first position in which the first end 32a is moved away from the body 30 ( figure 3 ) and a second position in which the first end 32a is disposed in the housing 50 ( figure 6 ). Pivoting takes place in a plane perpendicular to the face of the attachment portion from which extends the axial point 14 (this plane contains the axial point). In the absence of the portion 16 the first end 32a can freely come out of its housing and return to leisure in its first position.

More particularly, the housing 50 is in the form of an axial notch formed over the entire thickness of the body and which opens out at its outer circumference ( Figures 1 and 3 ) by an open end 50a. The notch is also open on the inner face 30a so that the first end 32a can enter. The annular flange 30c is interrupted locally by this notch ( figures 3 and 6 ). The notch 50 has, near the opposite end 50b, in the bottom wall of the notch which is parallel to the inner face 30a, a recess 50c. This recess is intended to receive the curved end portion 32a2 in the second position of the attachment member 32 ( figure 6 ). This arrangement thus prevents the axial shrinkage (the axis here is the axis of the housing) in force from the first end 32a out of its housing 50.

In this embodiment, the cavity 40 and the housing 50 are mutually parallel to receive respectively the second end 32b and the first end 32a.

The attachment part 12 ( figure 1 ) also comprises a cover 52, for example transparent, which is inserted into the body 30, inside an inner zone delimited by a second annular rim 30e. The second flange 30e extends in a direction opposite that of the first flange 30c. The cover 52 defines with the rear face 30f of the body 30, opposite the inner front face 30a, a partially hollow space. The hood is nested or screwed or otherwise removably secured to the body 30 to access the rear face 30f, for example to assemble / disassemble the axial retention assembly of the figure 5 (the hood is not shown on the figure 5 for the sake of simplification).

The space behind the cover 52 (between the latter and the rear face 30f) makes it possible, for example, to house an insert carrying information as described in the French patent no. 2,947,087 .

When it is desired to hook the attachment portion 12 of the device to a commercial article such as a belt 60 partially shown in FIG. figure 7a , the free end 32a of the fastening member is spaced from the body 30 (first open position identical to that of the figure 3 ).

The first free end 32a is introduced for example inside the loop 62 of the belt to emerge on the other side to imprison, inside the curved portion 38 (body of the organ), loop 62 ( figure 7b ). The body 30 then pivots, as indicated by the arrow marked P, around the pivot axis marked in dotted lines by the axis A1 (second end 32b of the attachment member 32), so that the first free end 32a enters the housing 50.

The Figure 7c is a view taken from the opposite side to the view from the figure 7b after pivoting.

In this second position, the first free end 32a is not fixed and can freely come out of the housing 50.

This first phase (hooking) is particularly simple to perform and fast and can possibly be performed with one hand.

To lock the first attachment portion 12 of the device 10 to the article 60, the second part 16 of the device is brought against the first attachment portion 12. The axial insertion orifice 20 of the second part is positioned in position. vis-à-vis the axial tip 14 and is pressed on the tip until the locking of the tip through the conventional locking means 22 described above. This second phase (blocking) is also particularly simple and quick to perform.

In this locking position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , the second part 16 is fitted inside the hollow or recess 30d formed on the inner face of the first part 12. The face 18b of the second part is thus brought into abutment against the inner face (front) 30a of the first part part 12, at least in the region of the opening of the housing 50 which opens on the face 30a. The first free end 32a is thus locked in its housing by the face 18b of the second part 16 which is itself locked to the first part 12 by the locking means.

As the tip 14 is no longer used to perforate the articles but only to fit in the orifice 20 of the second part, this tip no longer needs to be as pointed as before. It can therefore be blunt while being as thin as before, which can be easily achieved from a second conventional portion 16 that would be "recycled" for the purposes of the present invention. The tip is blunt also to avoid scratching the article inadvertently during the various manipulations.

Alternatively, if the second part has to be specifically designed for this new use in combination with the new first part, the tip can be designed from the beginning by being thinner than before.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 , the presence of the annular flange 30c bordering the interface area between the two parts 12 and 16 of the device prevents access to this area and therefore the undesired separation of these parts. This arrangement reinforces the inviolable nature (inaccessible from the outside) of the device 10.

In a first embodiment not shown, the tip 14 is carried by the second portion 16, while the tip insertion hole is arranged in the first portion 12 which further carries the locking means of the tip. The structure of the first attachment portion is modified accordingly and, in particular, the thickness of the body 30 is increased to accommodate the tip and the locking means.

According to a second variant not shown, the annular rim 30c of protection of the interface between the two parts is arranged at the periphery of the second part 16 instead of the first part.

In this new configuration, the external dimensions of the first part 12 can be reduced so that the second part 16 caps the first part by the annular rim forming a skirt.

Alternatively, the outer dimensions of the first portion 12 are not modified but an annular trench is formed in the inner face 30a of the first portion to accommodate the annular flange of the second portion.

According to a third variant not shown, the antitheft organ (s) 23 are housed in the first attachment part 12 instead of the second part.

This provision may require changing the structure of the two parts.

The figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment in which the attachment portion 70 differs from the attachment portion 12 of the figure 3 over there form of the attachment member 72. The other elements are identical and retain the same references.

The bent portion 74 of the fastener has the appearance of a padlock loop with two parallel straight sections 74a, 74b and a circular arc-shaped section (eg semicircle) 74c.

The attachment member always has the general shape of a hook in the open position ( figure 8 ), which allows him to hang on for example the buckle of a belt, a strap / strap of a handbag, a handle of a suitcase ...

The difference in shape between the curved portions 38 and 74 of the respective figures 3 and 8 makes it possible to adapt to the shape of the commercial articles or, at least, to the shape of the portions of these articles to which the attachment parts of the devices must to be fixed.

The Figures 9a and 9b represent a third embodiment in which the attachment portion 80 differs from the attachment portion 12 ( figure 3 ) by the shape of the attachment member 82. The other elements are identical and retain the same references.

The bent portion 84 extends in a plane which is inclined relative to the plane in which extend the first and second opposite ends of which only the first free end 32a is shown.

The inclination relative to the body of the attachment portion 80 is more visible in profile view at the figure 9b . This inclination facilitates the establishment of the attachment part on certain articles according to the shapes of the latter.

Moreover, the bent shape of the hooking portion 80 can adapt more easily to an article which has external surfaces that are not necessarily flat. Thus, once the attachment portion 80 and its second complementary portion 16 installed on the article, the device is more close to the contours of the article than if the fastening member 82 was not inclined.

For example, when the device is attached to a belt that is suspended from a display, the attachment member 82 is inclined to cross and wrap around the loop, while the body of the device is arranged vertically along the vertically suspended belt.

Note that when the body of the device carries information to be read by customers of a store, the inclination of the attachment member 82 can facilitate the reading of information, especially when they are visible through the transparent hood (or glass) 52 of the figure 1 or through a protective film.

The inclination towards the front face 30a of the body, that is towards the tip ( figure 9b ), or to the opposite rear face depends on the article to which the device is to be locked, the presence or absence of information to be read on the device, as well as their location.

The angle of inclination of Figures 9a and 9b is for example 40 °. However, the value of this angle may vary, in particular according to the commercial article to which the device must be locked.

Note that the inclination of the attachment member 82 also facilitates the unlocking of the device on an unlocking device such as a magnetic decoupler (with permanent magnet) for large items such as handbags .

A fourth embodiment of a hooking part 100 is illustrated on the figures 10a-e .

The attachment portion comprises a body 102 to which is attached in a hinged manner a fastening member 104.

The fastening member 104 has a general hook shape but which is different from that of the figure 3 .

It essentially comprises a bent portion 106 (body) in the form of an axis of circle extending greater than 180 ° and two opposite ends of which only the first free end 104a is shown. The second end is identical to the second end 32b arranged in the cavity 40 of the figure 5 and which acts as a pivot axis.

The first free end 104a is shortened relative to the free end 32a of the figure 3 .

In general, the curved portion 106 is of a diameter smaller than that of the curved portion 38 of the figure 3 (the diameter of the recurved portion 38 corresponds substantially to that of the body 30). This smaller diameter (reduced size) allows to cling to a relatively small area of the article. Once hooked to the article, the device 100 occupies little space.

In addition, the bent portion partially penetrates inside the body 102 in the rotated / closed position ( figure 10c ). This is not the case in the Figures 1 to 6 where the bent portion 38 is fully arranged outside the body of the device, thereby to clear an enlarged space inside the bent portion.

On the Figures 10a-d the first free end 104a comprises a portion of the bent portion 106 and a curved end portion 106a1 identical to the end portion 32a2 of the figure 3 .

This first free end 104a is intended to be inserted into a housing or notch 108 of the body 102 ( figure 10c ) to close the hook / loop and to be able to trap / surround an item.

The housing 108 (remote from the tip 14) has an arcuate shape corresponding to the curvature of the first free end 104a to receive the latter.

The body 102 comprises an annular rim 102a (optional) similar to the rim 30c of the figure 3 , interrupted locally by the housing 108 and delimiting a hollow or internal recess 102b similar to the recess or recess 30d.

As shown schematically on the figure 10a , the orientation of the cavity materialized by the pivot axis A1 and the general or average orientation of the housing 108 are not parallel to each other but form a non-zero angle.

The curved portion 106 of the attachment member 104 is not flat and is not disposed in a plane perpendicular to the tip 14 but has a certain torsion visible at Figures 10d and 10e . In other words, the bent portion extends from one end to the other of the latter along the thickness of the body 102. This twist facilitates the introduction of the bent portion on certain items such as shoes. .

The almost round shape of the curved portion 104, its diameter smaller than the diameter of the body 102 and the twisted or twisted shape allow it to fit easily through the eyelets of a shoe.

The shape of this attachment member thus allows it to be easily hooked by its curved hook / loop position through two adjacent eyelets of a shoe, that is to say in a relatively small area relative to those of the attachment zone of the attachment part 12 ( Fig. 3 ).

The figure 10e illustrates a device 110 comprising the attachment portion 100 and the second portion 16 of the Figures 1 and 2 assembled with each other in a locked manner to lock the hooking member / hook 104 in the closed position (in a manner identical to that described for the previous embodiments and variants).

The figure 11 illustrates the device 110 fixedly secured to a shoe 120 (eg basket) by passing the curved position (loop or ring) 106 through two adjacent eyelets 120a, 120b.

The device 110 may also carry information 112 on the external face of the second part 16 ( figure 10e ) or protected behind a transparent interface.

It will be noted that the variants described in relation to the first embodiment also apply to the other embodiments.

The different embodiments can also be combined with each other.

Thus, for example, the bent portion 74 of the attachment member 72 ( figure 8 ) can be inclined relative to the body 30 of the attachment part, as for the mode of the Figures 9a and 9b .

Claims (15)

1. A device for marking a commercial item that may or may not be packaged, the device comprising an axial tip (14) and a rigid coupling member (32; 72; 82; 104) intended to couple the device to a commercial item or its packaging, the coupling member including a body provided with a first free end (32a; 74b; 104a) and an opposite second end (32b; 74a) fixed in an articulated and permanent manner to the device, the first free end being able to pivot around the second end, between a first position in which the first free end is separated from the device and a second position in which the first free end (32a; 74b; 104a) is arranged in a housing (50; 108) of the device that is at a distance from the axial tip, the first free end being able to go directly from one position to the other during its pivoting movement.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial tip (14) is intended to cooperate and lock with a complementary device of the marking device, the first free end being able to go directly from one position to the other while the axial tip does not cooperate with said complementary device.
3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises two parts (12, 16) that are separable from one another:

   - a first part (12; 70; 80; 100) that includes the axial tip (14),

   - a second part (16) that comprises an orifice (20) for the axial insertion of the tip and locking means (22) that are able to lock the tip of the first part inserted axially into said orifice and to prevent its axial removal,

   one of the two parts, called coupling part, comprising the quick coupling member (32; 72; 82; 104), the first free end being able to pivot freely around the second end in the absence of the other part of the device, the first free end being at a distance from the coupling part in the first position and, in the second position, being arranged in a housing (50; 108) of the coupling part that is at a distance from the tip or the axial insertion orifice of the tip, the second end being fastened to the coupling part, the coupling part being configured so that the first free end (32a; 74b; 104a) of the fastening member is blocked in the housing and prevented from pivoting (50; 108) by the presence of the other part of the device that is locked to the coupling part by means of the tip (14) and its locking means (22).
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second end of the coupling member is mounted freely rotating around its axis inside a cavity of the coupling part and is axially kept in position in said cavity.
5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the body of the coupling member that is outside the coupling part rejoins the second end through an opening of the coupling part that emerges in the cavity.
6. The device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the housing (50) of the coupling part has an opening (50a) by which the first free end (32a; 74b; 104a) of the coupling member is able to penetrate said housing and to emerge freely therefrom in the absence of the other part of the device.
7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening of the housing (50; 108) is arranged on a face (30a) of the coupling part, the other part of the device being arranged opposite said face when it is locked to said coupling part.
8. The device according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the two parts of the device are configured so that, when they are locked to one another, the interface between said parts that is perpendicular to the axial tip (14) is protected from the outside by an axial extension (30c) secured to one of the parts and that surrounds said interface.
9. The device according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the tip (14) is blunt.
10. The device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the first free end (32a; 74b; 104a) of the coupling member comprises an end part curved so as to form a retaining element intended to cooperate with the housing of the coupling part.
11. The device according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the coupling part is the first part (12) of the device.
12. The device according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the coupling part is the second part (16) of the device.
13. The device according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the device is a theft protection device.
14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one of the two parts comprises at least one active or passive member that is able to emit toward the outside of the device, or receive from the outside, electromagnetic waves.
15. The device according to one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that one of the two parts contains an ink reservoir that is able to release ink in case of an attempted axial removal of the tip from the second part.

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