GB2554093A

GB2554093A - Method of attaching a security tag to an object

Info

Publication number: GB2554093A
Application number: GB1615928.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Napthine Chris
Original assignee: Sekura Global LLP
Current assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Priority date: 2016-09-19
Filing date: 2016-09-19
Publication date: 2018-03-28
Also published as: GB201615928D0

Abstract

A heat shrink sleeve 30 made of polymeric material, e.g. polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride, having an opening for receiving at least a part of an article 132. Secured to a surface of the sleeve is an electronic article surveillance tag, e.g. RF-ID or AM (accousto-magnetic) tag 36 such that the security tag 36 is located between a portion of the tubular sleeve and the article. Heat is then applied to shrink-wrap the tubular sleeve around the article. The article may be cosmetics. Preferably the EAS tag is adhesively bonded to the inner surface of the sleeve.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Sekura Global LLP

Aspen House, Stephenson Road,

Severalls Industrial Park, Colchester, CO4 9QR, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Chris Napthine (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2438300 A WO 2015/181761 A1 US 6401924 B1

EP 0698561 A1 WO 1997/015035 A1 US 20150353234 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B65D, E05B, G08B, G09F Other: Online: EPODOC TXTA WPI (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Dummett Copp LLP

The Square, Martlesham Heath, IPSWICH, IP5 3SL, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Method of attaching a security tag to an object Abstract Title: Attaching a security tag to an object (57) A heat shrink sleeve 30 made of polymeric material, e.g. polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride, having an opening for receiving at least a part of an article 132. Secured to a surface of the sleeve is an electronic article surveillance tag, e.g. RF-ID or AM (accousto-magnetic) tag 36 such that the security tag 36 is located between a portion of the tubular sleeve and the article. Heat is then applied to shrink-wrap the tubular sleeve around the article. The article may be cosmetics. Preferably the EAS tag is adhesively bonded to the inner surface of the sleeve.

IS2

Fig. 6

1/2

Fig.3 Prior Art

2/2

Fig. 6

- 1 Method of Attaching a Security Tag to an Object

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a method of securing a security tag to an object. In particular this invention relates to a method of securing a soft security tag to a small object by means of a sleeve. This method is particularly suited to securing security tags to objects such as lipsticks and mascara bottles.

Theft of small, desirable and relatively high value items such as cosmetics is a relatively common problem. The problem is that, due to the small size of the items, it can be difficult to attach a security tag to these items.

It is known to adhere a soft security tag, such as an RF (radio frequency) or AM (acousto-magnetic) label, to the object. These tags are detected by pedestals or gates at the exit of the retail store and will trigger an alarm if a non-deactivated tag passes through the exit.

One disadvantage, however, is that these small tags are difficult to adhere securely to the object. It is known to provide a larger label or sleeve to cover the tag after the tag has been secured to the object to prevent the tag being pulled off or to prevent the tag falling off. A further disadvantage is that the adhesive used to adhere the tags to the objects often leaves a residue on the object which is undesirable, especially for more expensive objects such as cosmetics and perfumes. The selection and use of an adhesive that does not leave a sticky or tacky residue is more expensive.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a method of attaching a security tag to an object that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of known methods.

-2SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a security tag to an object comprising:

aligning a wrap with said object, the wrap comprising a sleeve made of a polymeric material and having an opening for receiving at least a part of said object, and the wrap including an EAS tag secured to a surface of the sleeve;

inserting at least a part of the object into the opening of the sleeve so that the EAS tag is disposed between the part of the object and a region of the sleeve; and applying heat to the wrap to shrink-wrap the sleeve around the part of the object to secure the EAS tag to the object.

The sleeve may be in the form of a tube having a bore defined by an inner surface of the tube for receiving the part of the object. Alternatively the sleeve may be in the form of a band.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wrap for use in the method according to the first aspect of the invention, the wrap comprising:

a sleeve made of a polymeric material and having an opening for receiving at least a part of said object; and an EAS tag secured to a surface of the sleeve.

The EAS tag is preferably adhered to an inner surface of the sleeve by means of a suitable adhesive.

The sleeve will typically be made from a polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride. The sleeve may, for example, be made from a low density polyethylene.

The sleeve preferably has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm. That is, a distance between inner and outer surfaces of the sleeve is preferably less than 0.5 mm,

-3and more preferably less than 0.3 mm.

In preferred embodiments the EAS tag is an acousto-magnetic tag. Alternatively the EAS tag may be a radio frequency tag.

It is envisaged that the present invention will have particular advantages in securing security tags to objects such as cosmetics containers (mascara bottles, lipstick, eye liner). The present invention may, however, also be used to secure EAS tags to any other containers, bottles or objects.

In some embodiments the EAS tag is oblong and is aligned with the sleeve such that a longitudinal axis of the tag is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a prior art method of attaching and securing a security tag to a cosmetics object such as a mascara bottle;

Figure 4 illustrates a method according to the present invention of securing a security tag to an object using a shrink-wrap sleeve with a pre-adhered security tag;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shrink-wrap sleeve of Figure 4 along the line X-X; and

Figure 6 is an illustration of a shrink-wrap sleeve with security tag according to the present invention being applied to an object having an undulating outer surface.

-4DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a prior art method of securing a security tag 10 to a small object such as a mascara container 12. In a first step, shown in Figure 1, an EAS (electronic article surveillance) tag 10 is adhered to an outer surface 14 of the container 12. The EAS tag 10 is a soft tag and may include either RF (radio frequency) or AM (acousto-magnetic) technology. An advantage of RF technology is that it can be incorporated into relatively thin labels; however, a disadvantage is that they are more prone to ambient electric interference than AM systems. AM tags or labels are thicker than RF labels which can make them more difficult to apply to small objects or complex or curved surfaces.

In some examples, such as the illustrated mascara bottle 12, the container 12 is elongate and has a longitudinal axis extending between ends of the container. Furthermore, the EAS tag 10 is oblong and also has an axis extending along a length of the tag 10 between opposite shorter ends. It is generally desirable for the tag 10 to be adhered to the container 12 such that the axis of the tag extends parallel to the axis of the container.

To prevent the tag 10 becoming detached from the object 12 during transportation and storage before purchase, the object 12, together with the security tag 10, is wrapped in a polymeric sleeve or band 16. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the object 12 is inserted into the sleeve 16, which is then heated to shrink the sleeve 16 around the object 12. Often the sleeve 16 will include perforations 18 to allow the heat-shrunk sleeve 16 to be easily removed from the object 12 after purchase.

The polymeric sleeve or band 16, in addition to protecting the security tag 10, can also provide tamper evidence as the sleeve 16 often extends over a lid 20 or closure element of the object 12. The polymeric sleeve or band 16 will typically be made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or a suitable polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

-5Although illustrated in relation to a mascara container or bottle 12, security tags may be attached in a similar manner to other cosmetics items such as lipstick, eyeliner or nail varnish, as well as to any other containers or bottles.

The tag or label 10 is typically adhered to the surface 14 using a suitable contact adhesive. The adhesive is chosen to allow a user to peel off the security tag 10 after the object 12 has been purchased. Often, however, an adhesive residue remains on the surface 14 of the object 12 after removal of the tag 10, which is undesirable, especially for higher value items.

Another disadvantage with the known method of attaching the security tag 10 is that two distinct manufacturing steps are required. The first step includes adhering the tag 10 to the surface 14 of the object 12 and the second step includes heat shrinking the polymeric sleeve or band 16 around the object 16.

The present invention provides a wrap 30 for a container 32 that includes a polymeric sleeve 34 and a security tag 36 adhered to a surface of the sleeve 34. Pre-applying or pre-adhering the tag 36 to the polymeric sleeve 34 means that only one step is required to secure the tag 36 and the polymeric sleeve 34 to the container or object 32 being protected. It has been shown that this can save in the region of one third of the time that is currently required to adhere a security tag to the product and apply a shrink-wrap band or sleeve.

As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 the sleeve 34 is in the form of a polymeric tube 34 having an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40. The inner surface 38 defines a bore 42 of the tube 34 for receiving the object 32 to be protected.

In this embodiment the tube 34 is elongate and a longitudinal axis of the tube 34 extends between first and second ends 44, 46 of the tube 34. In other embodiments the length of the tube 34 may be shorter than illustrated. A length of the tube 34 may be substantially the same as a diameter of the tube 34 or only two or three times the diameter of the tube. In some embodiments, the sleeve 34 may

-6be in the form of a band; wherein a longitudinal length or width of the band is substantially less than a diameter of the band. It will be appreciated that the aspect ratio of the sleeve 34 may be of any suitable value depending on the size and shape of the object being protected. Furthermore, the sleeve 34 may have a circular cross-sectional shape or any other cross-sectional shape for surrounding an object to be protected. In embodiments in which the wrap is to surround a box, the sleeve 34 may have a substantially square or rectangular cross-sectional shape.

The sleeve 34 is made from a heat-shrinkable polymeric material. Typically the sleeve 34 will be made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or a suitable polyolefin, such as low density polyethylene or polypropylene. A thickness of the material from which the sleeve 34 is made is preferably less than 0.5 mm, and will typically be less than 0.3 mm. It will be understood that the sleeve 34 is manufactured from the polymeric material such that when heat is applied to the sleeve 34 the material shrinks more in a circumferential direction than in a longitudinal direction. This allows the sleeve 34 to be heat shrunk around an object.

An EAS tag 36 is secured to the inner surface 38 of the sleeve 34. The EAS tag 36 preferably comprises AM technology, but alternatively or additionally may include RF technology.

The tag 36 will typically be oblong having two opposite longer edges and two opposite shorter edges. In this embodiment the tag 36 is adhered to the tube 34 such that the two longer edges extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 34 and the two shorter edges extend circumferentially.

The tag 36 is preferably adhered to the sleeve 34 using a suitable adhesive. It will be appreciated that, unlike in the prior art systems described above, the adhesive does not have to allow subsequent separation of the tag from the surface to which it is adhered because the tag is only adhered to the polymeric tube and not to the object being protected. As such, the tag 36 will be removed from the object 32

-7 and disposed of together with the sleeve 34.

The tag 36 may be secured to the sleeve 34 in any other suitable way, for example by heat welding or by a mechanical or material connection. The tag may, for example, be received and retained in a pocket formed in the polymeric tube or the tag may be encapsulated between two layers of polymeric film used to construct the tube.

To secure the tag 36 to an object 32, such as a bottle of mascara, at least a part of the object 32 is inserted into an opening of the sleeve. In the illustrated example, the object 32 is inserted into the bore 42 of the tube 34. The object 32 is positioned in the sleeve 34 such that the tag 36 is located between a part of an outer surface of the object 32 and the part of the sleeve 34 to which it is secured. In other words, the sleeve 34 surrounds the object 32 and covers the security tag

36.

The sleeve 34 is then secured to the object 32 by heat-shrinking the sleeve 34 around the object 32 or a part of the object. Heat is applied to the sleeve 34 by suitable means such as a heat gun or heaters within a heat shrink tunnel. In preferred methods, the object 32 is located within the sleeve 34 and then the sleeve 34 and object 32 are placed on a conveyor through a heat shrink tunnel. This ensures that the correct temperature is applied to the sleeve 34 for the correct length of time during the heat shrinking process.

The polymeric sleeve or tube 34 may comprise a line of perforations 48 which allow a user to separate the heat shrunk sleeve 34 from the object 32 after purchase of the object 32. The line of perforations 48 may extend longitudinally along or circumferentially around the sleeve 34.

Attaching the security tag 36 to the sleeve 34 rather than to the surface of the object 32 being protected has a number of advantages, in addition to the time savings mentioned above.

-8Importantly, this method allows an EAS tag to be secured to an object having an outer surface to which the tag could not be directly adhered. For example, this method is suited to containers having an uneven or irregular surface. The surface may include undulations, ridges, or embossed or debossed features. The curvature of the surface may have too small a radius or may be curved in more than one direction such that a security tag, such as an AM tag, could not be readily and securely adhered. Furthermore, the method of the present invention allows a tag to be secured to a textured surface or to a fragile surface that would be damaged by the adhesion of the tag or by the subsequent removal of the adhered tag.

Figure 6 illustrates a wrap 30 including a polymeric sleeve in the form of a tube 34 and an EAS tag 36 according to the present invention surrounding a container 132 having end portions 150 with curved outer surfaces and a central section 152 with a ridged outer surface. The wrap 30 is positioned relative to the container 132 such that the tag 36 partially overlies one of the end portions 150 and partially overlies the ridged section 152. The tag 36 is held securely in this position by heat-shrinking the tube 34.

In prior art systems in which the tag is adhered to the object, the tag would not have been able to be located in this position because the tag would not have adhered securely to the surface of the object and would have become detached before the heat-shrink sleeve was applied. The present invention, therefore, allows an EAS tag to be positioned on an object in a location that was not previously possible.

The present invention therefore provides a method of attaching a security tag to an object that overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of known methods.

Claims

1. A method of securing a security tag to an object comprising:

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sleeve is in the form of a tube having a bore defined by an inner surface of the tube for receiving the part of the object.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sleeve is in the form of a band.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the EAS tag is adhered to an inner surface of the sleeve.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve is made from a polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sleeve has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the EAS tag is an acousto-magnetic tag.

8.

A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the object is a

-10cosmetics container.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising:

aligning an oblong EAS tag with the sleeve such that a longitudinal axis of the tag is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve; and securing the EAS tag to the sleeve.

10. A wrap for use in the method according to Claim 1, comprising:

11. A wrap as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the EAS tag is adhered to an inner surface of the sleeve.

12. A wrap as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, wherein the sleeve is made from a polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride.

13. A wrap as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the sleeve has a thickness of less than 0.5 mm.

14. A wrap as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the EAS tag is an acousto-magnetic tag.

15. A wrap as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 14, wherein the EAS tag is oblong and a longitudinal axis of the tag is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1615928.7 Examiner: Ben Munns