GB2424863A

GB2424863A - Hidden antitheft device in outer surface of a container

Info

Publication number: GB2424863A
Application number: GB0507008A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicholas Charles Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-06
Filing date: 2005-04-06
Publication date: 2006-10-11
Also published as: GB0507008D0

Abstract

A container 20 and a method for the prevention of theft thereof, for which said container has at least one recess 22 formed in an outer surface thereof, wherein all or part of an antitheft and/or tracking device 4 is disposed. A covering 8 extends over the recess 22 and at least a portion of the outer surface of the container 20 making the antitheft and/or tracking device obscured and it cannot be removed from the container without first removing or damaging the covering.

Description

0 2424863

CONTAINER

This invention relates to a container and particularly but not exclusively relates to a container having an antitheft device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic tagging of retail goods is a known method of preventing theft of such goods.

For example, retail stores regularly apply electronic tags to valuable items that are at a high risk of theft, such as multimedia products, batteries, razors, pharmaceuticals, electronic goods and alcoholic drinks bottles. Although electronic security tagging assists in reducing retail theft, applying such tags in store carries several disadvantages for retailers, including additional labour costs (for application and removal) , complication of stock management, increased delay in getting products to shelf and inconsistency of application. In addition, many in store tagging systems comprise reusable tags, which must be removed at the checkout, collected and returned to a storage area for reapplication. Examples of such tags include rigid transparent "Retail Safer" cases and bottleneck tags commonly applied to spirits bottles. The removal of such devices at the checkout is time consuming, thus increasing customer waiting time at checkouts.

Due to the above mentioned disadvantages of in store tag application, retailers are increasingly looking to manufacturers to include disposable electronic tags in products or their packaging during manufacture, a process known as "source tagging".

However, current methods of source tagging, for example of bottled products such as beers wines and spirits (BWS), also have associated disadvantages. For example, a common form of source tagging involves the application of acousto-magnetic (AM) Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags encapsulated in a plastics material and bonded to the surface of a bottle. Tags are encapsulated to protect their functionality from shoplifter tampering, they also provide a secure means of attachment to the bottle and improve their appearance on products in a retail environment. Disposable encapsulated tags offer major advantages to retailers over previous bottle neck tags applied in store. However, the tag encapsulation process remains costly and brand owners who are sensitive to changes in the appearance of their product may object to the permanent addition of the tag capsule to the product. Although the encapsulated tags offer a significant level of deterrence, the adhesion of the tag to the outside surface of the bottle offers an opportunity for determined thieves to remove the tag before leaving the store without damaging the bottle or its branding. Furthermore, the tagging process results in a bottle having a protrusion, which can snag on the production line, cause damage to bottle labels with which it comes into contact, and takes up unnecessary space in packing containers.

A further disadvantage of the encapsulation process is the generation of a significant amount of waste plastic that must be recycled or otherwise disposed of when the bottle reaches the end of its useful life.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a container having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof, wherein all or part of an antitheft and/or tracking device is disposed within the recess. A covering may extend over the recess and at least a portion of the outer surface of the container. It is an advantage of the invention that the antitheft device is obscured by the covering and may not be removed from the container without first removing or damaging the covering.

The container may comprise a bottle and the recess may be formed in a sidewall of the bottle. Alternatively, the container may comprise product packaging, such as a packing box. The size of the recess may be sufficient to accommodate the antitheft and/or tracking device with only a small clearance and the depth of the recess may be such that the antitheft and/or tracking device does not protrude past the level of the surface of the container. In this manner, the antitheft and/or tracking device is protected from accidental damage during production and transportation of the container. Additionally, the antitheft and/or tracking device does not affect the external dimensions of the container, and thus does not impact upon the packaging of the container.

The recess may be rectangular. However, the recess may also be of any other shape, and may be adapted to suit the dimensions of the antitheft and/or tracking device. The recess may comprise at least two recessed portions, a first recessed portion to accommodate a first antitheft and/or tracking device and a second recessed portion that is less deep than the first recessed portion, which may accommodate a second antitheft and/or tracking device. For example, the recess may be adapted to accommodate two differently shaped antitheft or tracking devices, one above the other.

The covering may comprise a label, which may be a conventional manufacturer's label and may carry branding and other information. Advantageously, the branding and other information carried on the label is not obscured or otherwise affected by the presence of the antitheft device, as the device is disposed within the recess, behind the label. Furthermore, the label may be applied over the antitheft device without any apparent deformation which may otherwise detract from the aesthetic appearance of the container or its labelling. The label may carry a machine-readable code, such as a barcode, and the area of the label that carries the code may extend over the recess.

In this manner, the machine-readable code and the antitheft device may be brought into proximity with appropriate sensing and deactivation devices simultaneously. The label may carry prominent branding information and the area of the label that carries this branding information may extend over the recess. In this manner, removal of the antitheft device from the recess may only be accomplished by removing the area of the label that carries the prominent branding information.

The container may further comprise a protective covering disposed between the antitheft and/or tracking device and the covering. The protective covering may be made from a plastics material.

The antitheft and/or tracking device may comprise a security tag, which may be an electronic tag. For example, the antitheft device may be an Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tag. In particular, the antitheft device may be an Acousto-Magnetic (AM) EAS tag. Alternatively, the tag may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The antitheft device may also comprise an imitation security tag, which is less expensive than an operational security tag, but nonetheless has theft deterrent value.

The container may further comprise a second recess, which may be remote from the first recess. An additional or alternative antitheft device may be disposed in the second recess. For example, a container may have two recesses and may be covered by a label having both prominent branding information and a machine-readable code. The label may be applied to the container such that the antitheft devices may only be removed from the container by first removing areas of the label carrying the machinereadable code and the branding information.

The container may further comprise an additional security device that indicates the only authorised point or channel of sale. The additional security device may comprise a security label, which may be transparent and/or holographic. The security label may be applied over the covering. If the covering is a label having a machine-readable code, such as a barcode, the security label may be applied over the machine-readable code.

The additional security device may be a device as described in United Kingdom patent application number 0402900.5.

The container may be made from glass or plastics material and may comprise a container for alcoholic beverages, perfume or disposable goods. For example, the container may be a wine or spirits bottle or a jar or perfume bottle. The container may also be a glass or plastic bottle such as is used in the pharmaceutical industry for containing medicines and other drugs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of preventing the theft of a container, the method comprising: a) forming a recess in an outer surface of the container, b) disposing an antitheft device within the recess. The method may include the further step C) of applying a covering over the recess and antitheft device. According to this method, the antitheft device is hidden from a prospective thief and may not be removed from the container without removing or damaging the covering.

The covering may comprise a label. The label may carry a machine-readable code and the label may be applied such that the area of the label that carries the code extends over the recess. Step b) of the method may comprise disposing an imitation antitheft device within the recess.

The method may further comprise: d) affixing an additional security device over the covering that indicates the only authorised point or channel of sale.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof, wherein an antitheft device is disposed within the recess and a covering extends over the recess and at least a portion of the outer surface of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a prior art container and antitheft device.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a prior art container and alternative antitheft device.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a container having an antitheft device.

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial front view of a container having an antitheft device and a security label.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a recess and two antitheft devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figure 1, a conventional bottle may be protected by an antitheft device 4 that is attached to the bottle. A label 8 covers an outer surface 10 of the bottle and may carry branding and other marketing material. The device 4 is attached to a sidewall 6 of the bottle 2, over the label 8. The device 4 thus obscures a part of the label 8 and is easily accessible to thieves who may remove the device 4 without significantly damaging the label 8. The device 4 also protrudes out of the surface 10 of the bottle, increasing the chance of the device being caught or snagged during transportation and handling of the bottle.

Referring to Figure 2, a conventional bottle may also be protected by a larger, reusable security device 12. The security device 12 is cylindrical and is fitted over the neck 14 of the bottle 2. The security device 12 may not obscure the label 8 but it does significantly alter the appearance of the bottle 2. The security device 12 is also time consuming to apply and must be manually removed by an operator at a checkout when the bottle 2 is purchased.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a bottle 20 comprises a recess in a sidewall 6 of the bottle 20. An EAS tag 4 is fixed within the recess 22. The recess 22 is dimensioned such that the tag 4 is received within the recess 22 with a small clearance 24 and the depth of the recess 22 is such that the tag 4 does not protrude past the level 26 of the surface of the bottle 20. A label 8 is wrapped around the circumference of the bottle 20 and extends over the recess 22 and tag 4. Referring particularly to Figure 4, the label 8 carries a barcode 28, which is passed in front of a sensor (not shown) when the bottle is purchased at a checkout. The label 8 is arranged such that the barcode 28 is positioned directly over the recess 22 and tag 4. An additional security label 30 is applied over the label 8. The label 30 is transparent and may be holographic. The transparent label 30 indicates the only authorised point or channel of sale for the bottle 20.

A plastic protective covering (not shown) may be disposed between the tag 4 and the label 8 in order to provide additional protection from tampering for the tag 4.

The recess 22 is formed in the bottle 20 during production. The tag 4 is then positioned within the recess 22 and may be fixed within the recess using adhesive or other fixing means. The label 8 is applied to the bottle 20 and extends over the recess 22 and tag 4. The additional security label 30 may then be applied over the label 8.

The recess 22 may comprise a double recess having a first recessed portion 32 and a second recessed portion 34, as illustrated in Figure 5. In this instance, two antitheft devices or an antitheft device and a tracking device are disposed within the same recess. In the illustrated embodiment, an EAS tag 4a is fixed within the first recessed portion 32 and an RFID tag 4b is fixed within the second recessed portion 34. The label 8 extends over the double recess 22 covering the tags 4a and 4b.

In an another embodiment, the tag 4 comprises an imitation security tag. The imitation tag 4 has the shape and size of a security tag but does not contain the antitheft mechanism within the tag and may be purchased at a reduced cost compared to a genuine security tag. Once the imitation tag 4 is covered by the label 8, a consumer is not able to tell from the appearance or feel of the bottle 20 whether the bottle 20 is protected by a genuine security tag or not. The benefits of the method of the present invention are thus achieved at a reduced cost to the manufacturer.

In another alternative embodiment, the tag 4 comprises a tracking device such as a GPS tracking device or an identification device suitable for use in stock management.

The tracking device may be passive or may be active, with its own power supply.

Claims

CLAP MS

1 A container having a recess formed in an outer surface thereof, wherein all or part of an antitheft and/or tracking device is disposed within the recess and a covering extends over the recess and at least a portion of the outer surface of the container.

2 A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises a bottle.

3 A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the recess is formed in a sidewall of the bottle.

4 A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container comprises product packaging.

5 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the size of the recess is sufficient to accommodate the antitheft and/or tracking device with only a small clearance.

6 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth of the recess is such that the antitheft and/or tracking device does not protrude past the level of the surface of the container.

7 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess is rectangular.

8 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recess comprises at least two recessed portions, a first recessed portion to accommodate a first antitheft and/or tracking device and a second recessed portion that is less deep than the first recessed portion to accommodate a second antitheft and/or tracking device.

9 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the covering comprises a label.

10 A container as claimed in claim 9, wherein the label comprises a conventional manufacturer's label and carries branding and other information.

11 A container as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the label carries a machine- readable code and the area of the label that carries the code extends over the recess.

12 A container as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the label carries branding information and the area of the label that carries the branding information extends over the recess.

13 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective covering disposed between the antitheft and/or tracking device and the covering.

14 A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the protective covering is made from a plastics material.

A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further comprises a second recess.

16 A container as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second recess is remote from the first recess.

17 A container as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein an additional antitheft and/or tracking device is disposed in the second recess.

18 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antitheft and/or tracking device comprises a security tag.

19 A container as claimed in claim 18, wherein the tag comprises an electronic tag.

20 A container as claimed in any one of claims I to 17, wherein the antitheft and/or tracking device comprises an imitation security tag.

21 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further comprises an additional security device that indicates the only authorised point or channel of sale.

22 A container as claimed in claim 21, wherein the additional security device comprises a security label.

23 A container as claimed in claim 22, wherein the security label is transparent and holographic.

24 A container as claimed in claim 22 or 23, wherein the security label is applied over the covering.

25 A container as claimed in claim 24, when appendant to claim 11, wherein the security label is applied over the machine-readable code.

26 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is made from glass.

27 A container as claimed in any one of claims I to 25, wherein the container is made from a plastics material.

28 A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a container for alcoholic beverages, medicines, perfume or disposable goods.

29 A method of preventing the theft of a container, the method comprising: a) forming a recess in an outer surface of the container, b) disposing an antitheft device within the recess, c) applying a covering over the recess and antitheft device.

A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the covering comprises a label.

31 A method as claimed in claim 30, wherein the label carries a machinereadable code and the label is applied such that the area of the label that carries the code extends over the recess.

32 A method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 31, further comprising: d) affixing an additional security device over the covering that indicates the only authorised point or channel of sale.

33 A method as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 32, wherein the step b) comprises disposing an imitation antitheft device within the recess.

34 A container substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

A method of preventing the theft of a container substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.