GB2615783A

GB2615783A - Retail security apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2615783A
Application number: GB2202172.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pryce-Hall Timothy
Original assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Current assignee: Sekura Global IP LLP
Priority date: 2022-02-17
Filing date: 2022-02-17
Publication date: 2023-08-23
Also published as: GB202202172D0

Abstract

The security apparatus 100, particularly for use as an adjustable “safer” (e.g. including an EAS tag) in a retail store, comprises a first 102 and a second 104 housing component each having two side retainers extending perpendicular to a back plate and a front retainer parallel to the back plate. The first and second housing components also include a base retainer and a top retainer 148 respectively. A latch respectively permits and limits relative movement of the housing components in a first and a second direction. The top retainer includes at least two recesses 174 e.g. for a hang tag of a product pack. The back plates of the housing components may engage slidingly. One of the back plates may comprise a toothed ratchet track and the other a latch including a toothed pawl for engaging the rack. The pawl may be biased to engage the track and may be disengageable by applying magnetic force.

Description

Retail Security Apparatus

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of security apparatus for attachment to an object such as a carton, box or other packaging in a retail environment. The present invention, in particular, relates to the field of adjustable safers for securing around an object such as a carton or box.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to protect some products in a retail environment by placing them in a security safer box, commonly referred to as a safer. Safers comprises a plastic box or shell defining an interior space in which the product may be placed. A lid of the safer is lockable to prevent access to the interior space and to prevent removal of the product from the safer. The lid may be unlocked using a suitable detacher allowing the product to be removed from the safer when the product is purchased.

The safer typically includes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor. A retail store will have EAS detectors positioned at entrances and exits of the store which will detect the passage of an active EAS sensor past the detector. This will alert the retail store to the unauthorised removal of a product from the store.

Many prior art safers also fully surround the product in its packaging. This prevents 25 someone opening the product packaging to remove the product, even if the packaging remains within the store.

One known problem with many prior art safers is their bulkiness. While a retail business may utilise several different sizes of safers, to reduce the number of different sizes of safers that must be stocked, a single size of safer may be used to encase and protect many different sizes and shapes of product. In many cases, therefore, the dimensions of the safer can be significantly greater than the dimensions of the product contained within the safer. This can result is wasted space on a retail shelf or other retail display. Furthermore, when the safers are not in use they are bulky to store.

One solution to this problem has been the provision of adjustable or collapsible safers. These safers include two components that are slidably connected to each other. The two components may be slid away from each other to allow a product to be inserted between them and then moved towards each other to bring each of the components into contact (or into close proximity) with first and second ends of the product respectively. A latch is engageable to prevent the two components being moved apart, thereby preventing removal of the product from the safer. When a person purchases the product the latch is disengaged and the two components are moved apart to release the product.

In use, the two components of the adjustable safer overlie opposite ends of the product packaging such that the adjustable safer prevents a person opening the packaging and gaining access to the product. Furthermore, the configuration of the components of the adjustable safer prevent the product being removed from the safer while the latch is engaged.

It will be appreciated that because the two components may be moved with respect to each other, the adjustable safer can be adjusted to more closely fit the size of the product meaning that less shelf space is wasted.

However, the adjustable safer is only compatible with products in which the first and second components can be brought into close proximity to opposite first and second ends of a product. An adjustable safer is therefore generally used to protect generally cuboidal shaped products and packaging.

Against this background there is a desire to provide a security apparatus that has the benefits of an adjustable safer but which may be used to protect other shapes of products and packaging. -3 -

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides a security apparatus for attachment to an object in a retail environment, comprising: a first housing component comprising a back plate, two side retainers extending generally perpendicular to the back plate, a front retainer extending generally parallel to the back plate and a base retainer extending generally perpendicular to both the back plate and the side retainers; a second housing component comprising a back plate, two side retainers extending generally perpendicular to the back plate, a front retainer extending generally parallel to the back plate and a top retainer extending generally perpendicular to both the back plate and the side retainers, the second housing component being adjustably connected to the first housing component; and a latch configured to permit movement of the second housing component in a first direction with respect to the first housing component and limit movement of the second housing component in a second direction with respect to the first housing component, wherein, the top retainer comprises at least two elongate recesses, the recesses being offset but generally parallel to each other, and each of the recesses extending generally parallel to the back plate.

The security apparatus is preferably in the form of an adjustable safer. The adjustable safer is preferably configured to engage with and surround a hang tab 25 box such that the hang tab of the hang tab box extends through one of the elongate recesses.

In some embodiments the top retainer comprises two elongate recesses, both ends of each of the elongate recesses being a closed end, and each closed end being in line with an internal surface of a respective one of the two side retainers of the second housing. In other embodiments the top retainer comprises three elongate recesses, both ends of each of the elongate recesses being a closed end, and -4 -wherein each closed end is in line with an internal surface of a respective one of the two side retainers of the second housing.

In preferred embodiments the second housing component comprises: a first corner retainer comprising one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer; and a second corner retainer comprising a second one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer, wherein the top retainer of the first corner retainer comprises a first one of said elongate recesses and a second one of said elongate recesses, the top retainer of the second corner retainer comprises a third one of said elongate recesses and a fourth one of said elongate recesses, and wherein said first elongate recess is aligned with said third elongate recess and said second elongate recess is aligned with said fourth elongate recess.

In yet further embodiments the second housing component comprises: a first corner retainer comprising one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer; and a second corner retainer comprising a second one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer, wherein the top retainer of the first corner retainer comprises a first one of said elongate recesses, a second one of said elongate recesses and a third one of said elongate recesses, wherein the top retainer of the second corner retainer comprises a fourth one of said elongate recesses, a fifth one of said elongate recesses and a sixth one of said elongate recesses, and wherein said first elongate recess is aligned with said fourth elongate recess, said second elongate recess is aligned with said fifth elongate recess and said third elongate recess is aligned with said sixth elongate recess.

In embodiments including corner retainers, each of the elongate recesses preferably includes an open end and a closed end, and the closed end of each of the elongate recesses is preferably in line with an internal surface of a respective one of the two -5 -side retainers of the second housing. The open end may be disposed at an inner edge of the top retainer.

The back plate of the first housing component is preferably slidingly engaged with 5 the back plate of second housing component. In some embodiments a ratchet track comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth may be disposed on the back plate of one of the first and second housing components, and the latch may be associated with the back plate of the other one of the first and second housing components, the latch including a toothed pawl for engagement with the ratchet teeth. The toothed pawl is 10 preferably biased into an engaged position in which engagement of the toothed pawl with the ratchet teeth permits movement of the second housing component in a second direction with respect to the first housing component and limits movement of the second housing component in the first direction with respect to the first housing component. The toothed pawl is preferably moveable into a disengaged position in which the second housing component is able to move in both the first and second direction with respect to the first housing component. The pawl may be moveable into the disengaged position by application of a magnetic force to the latch.

A height dimension of the security apparatus may be defined between the top retainer or one of the top retainers and the base retainer. In some embodiments a length of the ratchet track is preferably greater than 50% of the height dimension of the security apparatus. In other embodiments a length of the ratchet track may be less than 50% of the height dimension.

In preferred embodiments one of the first housing component and the second housing component includes an EAS sensor. In some embodiments one of the first housing component and the second housing component includes two EAS sensors. Each of the EAS sensors may be disposed proximate a respective one of the side retainers.

A second aspect of the invention provides an assembly comprising: -6 -a security apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; and a container including a main body and a hang tag, the main body being retained between the base retainer of the first housing component and the or each top retainer of the second housing component, and the hang tag extending through one of the elongate recesses or an aligned pair of the elongate recesses.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of applying a security apparatus to a container, comprising: disposing a first panel of the container adjacent a base retainer of a first housing component of the security apparatus, such that a part of the container is received between a front retainer and a back plate of the first housing component and between two side retainers of the first housing component; moving a second housing component of the security apparatus in a first direction with respect to the first housing component such that a top retainer of the second housing component is adjacent a second panel of the container, a part of the container is received between a front retainer and a back plate of the second housing component and between two side retainers of the second housing component, and a hang tab of the container extends through an elongate recess in the top retainer; and engaging a latch of the security apparatus such that the second housing component cannot move with respect to the first housing component in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.

Preferred and/or optional features of each aspect and embodiment described above may also be used, alone or in appropriate combination, in the other aspects and embodiments also.

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 like reference signs are used for like features, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from a front side of a security apparatus in the form of an adjustable safer, according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, attached to a hang tab box in a first orientation; Figure 2 is a perspective view from a rear side of the adjustable safer and hang tab box of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the adjustable safer and hang tab box of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a front plan view of the adjustable safer and hang tab box of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable safer and hang tab box of Figure 1 along the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view from a front side of the adjustable safer of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a perspective view from a rear side of the adjustable safer of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a first perspective view of a first housing component of the adjustable safer of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a plan view from the rear of the first housing component of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the first housing component of Figure 8 along the line X-X of Figure 9; Figure 11 is a first perspective view of a second housing component of the adjustable safer of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a second perspective view of the second housing component of Figure -8 -11; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the second housing component of Figure 11 along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 11, Figure 14 is a perspective view from a rear side of the adjustable safer of Figure 1, attached to a hang tab box in a second orientation; Figure 15 is a perspective view from a front side of the adjustable safer and hang tab box of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a perspective view from a front side of a security apparatus in the form of an adjustable safer, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, attached to a hang tab box; Figure 17 is a perspective view from a front side of the adjustable safer of Figure 16; and Figure 18 is a perspective view from a rear side of the adjustable safer of Figure 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A security apparatus, or adjustable safer, according to the invention is configured to be attached to or secured around a container including a hang tab. Such a container may be referred to as a hang tab box. Such a hang tab box may include a main body having opposite front and rear panels, opposite side panels and opposite base and top panels. A hang tab or hang tab panel extends from the main body and provides an aperture which may be used to hang or suspend the container from a suitable peg or hook, for example in a retail display.

In some examples of a hang tab box, the hang tab extends from an edge of the main -9 -body, for example an upper edge extending between the rear panel and the top panel of the main body. In other examples, the hang tab may extend from a central position on the top panel.

The adjustable safer of the present invention is configured to be secured around the main body of the hang tab box to prevent a person accessing the contents of the hang tab box. The hang tab protrudes through and extends from the adjustable safer so that the hang tab box may still be suspended from a peg or hook of a retail display in the usual way. The adjustable safer is designed to take up minimal space around the hang tag box and to allow the hang tag box to be displayed in its usual way, thereby having minimal impact on a retail display.

A first embodiment of a security apparatus 100 in the form of an adjustable safer 100 is shown in Figures 1 to 5 attached to an example hang tab box 10. The hang tag box 10 includes a main body 12 having opposite front and rear panels (only the front panel 14 being visible in Figures 1 to 5), opposite side panels 16 and opposite top and base panels (only the top panel 18 being visible in the Figures). A hang tab 20 extends from the main body 12. In this example the hang tab 20 extends from an edge of the main body 12 between the rear panel and top panel 18. The hang tab 20 includes an aperture 22 through which a peg or hook may be received in use.

Figures 6 and 7 show the adjustable safer 100 with the hang tab box 10 removed.

The adjustable safer 100 comprises a first housing component 102 and a second housing component 104. The first and second housing components 102, 104 are connected to each other so that the first and second housing components 102, 104 are moveable with respect to each other. In this embodiment the first and second housing components 102, 104 are slidingly engaged with each other so that the first and second housing components 102, 104 are constrained to move in opposite first and second directions.

Figures 8 to 10 show the first housing component 102 on its own, disconnected from -10 -the second housing component 104. Figures 11 to 13 show the second housing component 104 on its own, disconnected from the first housing component 102.

The first housing component 102 comprises a back plate 106 haying opposite side edges 108, an upper edge 109 and a lower edge 110. A height of the back plate 106 is defined as a distance between the upper edge 109 and the lower edge 110. A side retainer or side wall 112 extends from each of the side edges 108. The side retainers 112 extend from the back plate 106 in a direction generally perpendicular to the back plate 106. Each of the side retainers 112 includes an internal surface 114, and a distance between the internal surfaces 114 defines an internal width of the first housing component 102. A base retainer or base wall 116 extends from the back plate 106 proximate the lower edge 110 of the back plate 106. The base retainer 116 extends from the back plate 106 in a direction generally perpendicular to the back plate 106 and generally perpendicular to the side retainers 112. The base retainer 116 includes an upper or internal surface 118.

A front retainer or front wall 120 extends between front edges of the side retainers 112. The front retainer 120 extends in a direction generally parallel to the back plate 106. A lower edge of the front retainer 120 may be joined to a front edge of the base retainer 116. The front retainer 120 includes an internal surface 121.

The back plate 106, side retainers 112, front retainer 120 and base retainer 116 together define a receptable of the first housing component 102.

The back plate 106 includes an internal surface 122 and an external surface 124.

The internal surface 122 forms part of an internal surface of the receptacle of the first housing component 102. A distance between the internal surface 122 of the back plate 106 and the internal surface 121 of the front retainer 120 defines an internal depth of the first housing component 102.

In this example a pair of elongate rails 126 is disposed on the external surface 124. Each of the rails 126 defines an elongate channel 128. The rails 126 are spaced apart across a width of the back plate 106 and extend parallel to each other in a direction generally perpendicular to the base retainer 116.

In this embodiment a ratchet track 130 is disposed on the external surface 124 of 5 the first housing component 102 between the two rails 126. The ratchet track 130 comprises a plurality of ratchet teeth 132. The ratchet track 130 is elongate and extends in a direction generally parallel to the rails 126.

The first housing component 102 further comprises a pair of sensor housings 134.

Each of the sensor housings 134 encloses an electronic article surveillance (EAS) sensor 136. In this example each sensor housing 134, and therefore each EAS sensor 136, is disposed adjacent a respective side edge 108 of the back plate 106.

The second housing component 104 comprises a back plate 138 having opposite side edges 140 and an upper edge 142. A side retainer or side wall 144 extends from each of the side edges 140. The side retainers 144 extend from the back plate 138 in a direction generally perpendicular to the back plate 138. Each of the side retainers 144 includes an internal surface 146, and a distance between the internal surfaces 146 defines an internal width of the second housing component 104.

Preferably the internal width of the second housing component 104 is substantially equal to the internal width of the first housing component 102.

In this embodiment a top retainer 148 extends from an upper edge of each of the side retainers 144. The top retainers 148 extend in a direction generally perpendicular to both the back plate 138 and the side retainers 144. Furthermore, a first one of the top retainers 148 extends from a first one of the side retainers 144 in a direction generally towards a second one of the side retainers 144. Similarly, a second one of the top retainers 148 extends from the second one of the side retainers 144 in a direction generally towards the first one of the side retainers 144.

Each of the top retainers 148 has a lower or internal surface 150.

A front retainer or front wall 152 extends from a front edge of each of the side -12 -retainers 144. The front retainers 152 extend in a direction generally parallel to the back plate 138. Each of the front retainers 152 includes an internal surface 154.

The back plate 138, side retainers 144. front retainers 152 and top retainers 148 5 together define a receptable of the second housing component 104.

The back plate 138 includes an internal surface 156 and an external surface 158. The internal surface 156 forms part of an internal surface of the receptacle of the second housing component 104. A distance between the internal surface 156 of the back plate 138 and the internal surfaces 154 of the front retainers 152 defines an internal depth of the second housing component 104.

In this example a pair of elongate grooves 160 is provided in the internal surface 156. The grooves 160 are spaced apart across a width of the back plate 138 and extend parallel to each other in a direction generally perpendicular to the top retainers 148. A projection 162 extends over each of the grooves 160. When the first housing component 102 is connected to the second housing component 104, each of the rails 126 of the first housing component 102 is received in a respective one of the grooves 160, and each projection 162 extends into a respective one of the channels 128. This engagement secures the first and second housing components 102, 104 together and facilitates the relative sliding movement of the first and second housing components 102, 104 in opposite first and second directions parallel to the rails 126 and grooves 160.

The second housing component 104 further comprises a latch 164. In this embodiment the latch 164 comprises a toothed pawl 166 including a plurality of teeth 168 configured to engage with the ratchet teeth 132 of the ratchet track 130. When the first housing component 102 is connected to the second housing component 104, the toothed pawl 166 is moveable between an engaged position in which the teeth 168 are engaged with the ratchet teeth 132 of the ratchet track 130 and a disengaged position in which the teeth 168 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 132 of the ratchet track 130.

-13 -The pawl 166 is preferably biased into the engaged position. In this embodiment the latch comprises a biasing member in the form of a spring 172 that acts between a part of a latch housing 170 and the toothed pawl 166.

Referring in particular to Figures 5 to 7, in use, the first housing component 102 is connected to the second housing component 104. In this embodiment the rails 126 are engaged with the grooves 160, as described above, to permit sliding movement of the first housing component 102 with respect to the second housing component 104. Sliding movement in a first direction decreases a distance between the internal surface 150 of the top retainer 148 and the internal surface 118 of the base retainer 116. Sliding movement in an opposite second direction increases a distance between the internal surface 150 of the top retainer 148 and the internal surface 118 of the base retainer 116.

To permit movement in the second direction the toothed pawl 166 is disengaged from the ratchet track 130 by, in this example, applying a magnetic force to the latch 164. It will be understood that at least a part of the toothed pawl 166 is preferably made of a suitable metal to enable movement of the pawl 166 in an applied magnetic field. The pawl 166 is moved against the biasing force of the spring 172 so that the teeth 168 of the pawl 166 disengage from the teeth 132 of the ratchet track 130.

It will be appreciated that with the pawl 166 in the engaged position the shape of the teeth 168 of the pawl 166 and the teeth 132 of the ratchet track 130 are such that the first housing component 102 is able to move in the first sliding direction with respect to the second housing component 104.

As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 11, in this embodiment the top retainer 148 includes three elongate recesses 174. Each recess 174 extends in a direction generally parallel to the back plate 138. Each recess 174 extends between an open end 176 at an inner edge of the top retainer 148 and a closed end 178 proximate the side retainer 144. Each of the closed ends 178 is preferably in line with the -14 -internal surface 146 of the respective side retainer 144.

A rear recess 174R in each top retainer 148 is disposed proximate the back plate 138. A front recess 174F in each top retainer 148 is disposed proximate the front retainer 152. A central recess 174C in each top retainer 148 is disposed between the rear recess 174R and the front recess 174F. The three recesses 174 extend generally parallel to each other and have the same length between each open end 176 and closed end 178. In this example, a width of the front and rear recesses 174F, 174R, between sides of the recesses 174, is greater at the open end 176 than at the closed end 178 such that each of the front and rear recesses 174F, 174R is tapered. The direction between the open end 176 and closed end 178 of each of these recesses 174 is, however, generally parallel to the direction between the open end 176 and closed end 178 of the central recess 174C, and generally parallel to the back plate 138.

The rear recess 174R of the first top retainer 148 is aligned with the rear recess 174R of the second top retainer 148. The central recess 174C of the first top retainer 148 is aligned with the central recess 174C of the second top retainer 148. The front recess 174F of the first top retainer 148 is aligned with the front recess 174F of the second top retainer 148 In this example, the three recesses 174 are formed between fingers 180 of each of the top retainers 148. The fingers 180 of the first one of the top retainers 148 extend in a direction towards the second one of the top retainers 148, and similarly, the fingers 180 of the second one of the top retainers 148 extend in a direction towards the first one of the top retainers 148.

To install the adjustable safer 100 around a hang tab box 10, the hang tab 20 is inserted through one of the aligned pairs of recesses 174. The top panel 18 of the main body 12 of the hang tab box 10 preferably contacts the internal surface 150 of the top retainers 148. The hang tab 20 extends through the recesses 174 and protrudes from a top side of the second housing component 104.

-15 -In this example, the hang tab 20 extends through the rear recesses 174R such that the rear panel of the main body 12 is adjacent the back plate 106 of the first housing component 102.

When the hang tab 20 is inserted through the aligned pairs of recesses 174 the first housing component 102 may be separated from the second housing component 104, or the first housing component 102 may be connected to the second housing component 104 such that there is sufficient distance between the internal surfaces 150 of the top retainers 148 and the internal surface 118 of the base retainer 116 to insert the hang tab box 10 between the top retainers 148 and the base retainer 116.

After optionally connecting the first and second housing components 102, 104 together, a force is applied to the first and second housing components 102, 104 to move them in the first direction to decreases the distance between the internal surfaces 150 of the top retainers 148 and the internal surface 118 of the base retainer 116. The first and second housing components 102, 104 are moved in the first direction until the internal surface 118 of the base retainer 116 contacts the base panel of the main body 12 of the hang tab box 10.

When the force is released, the engagement of the pawl 166 with the ratchet track 130 retains the adjustable safer 100 in a locked configuration around the hang tab box 10, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5.

In this locked configuration the top retainers 148 extend over a part of the top panel 18 of the main body 12 and the base retainer 116 extends over the base panel of the main body 12. Each of the side retainers 144 of the second housing component 104 and side retainers 112 of the first housing component 102 extend over a respective side panel 16 of the main body 12. The front retainer 152 of the second housing component 104 and the front retainer 120 of the first housing component 102 each extend over the front panel 14 of the main body 12. Furthermore, the internal width and internal depth of each of the first and second housing components 102, 104 is preferably such that there is (i) minimal gap between the front panel 14 and the internal surfaces 121, 154 of the front retainers 120, 152 of the first and second housing components 102, 104, (H) minimal gap between the rear panel of the main body 12 and the internal surfaces 122, 156 of the back plates 106, 138 of the first and second housing components 102, 104, and (iii) minimal gap between the side panels 16 and the internal surfaces 114, 146 of the side retainers 112, 144 of the first and second housing components 102, 104. This prevents access to the contacts of the hang tab box 10, as the main body 12 of the hang tab box 10 cannot easily be opened to remove its contents.

In this example each of the side retainers 144 together with the respective top retainer 148 and front retainer 152 may be considered to be a corner retainer 151 of the second housing component 104. In this way, the second housing component 104 comprises a first corner retainer 151 (including a first side retainer 144, a first top retainer 148 and a first front retainer 152) extending from a first side of the back plate 138 and a second corner retainer 151 (including a second side retainer 144, a second top retainer 148 and a second front retainer 152) extending from a second side of the back plate 138. In use, each of the corner retainers 151 extends over upper corners and an upper corner edge of the main body 12 of the hang tab box 10.

A height of the back plate 106 of the first housing component 102 is preferably such that the aperture 22 in the hang tab 20 is disposed above the back plate 106. This allows the aperture 22 to be used to suspend the hang tab box 10, together with the adjustable safer 100, from a suitable hook or peg for example.

To remove the adjustable safer 100 from the hang tab box 10, for example after purchase of the product, a magnetic force is applied to the latch 164 to disengage the pawl 166 from the ratchet rack 130, and a force is applied to the first and second housing components 102, 104 to move them in the second direction. The first housing component 102 may be fully separated from the second housing component 104 and then the hang tab 20 may be withdrawn from the recesses 174.

-17 -Alternatively, the first housing component 102 may be moved such that there is sufficient distance between the internal surfaces 150 of the top retainers 148 and the internal surface 118 of the base retainer 116 to withdraw the hang tab 20 from the recesses 174 and remove the hang tab box 10 from between the top retainers 148 and the base retainer 116.

As described above, in this example, the adjustable safer 100 has three pairs of aligned recesses 174 (front, central and rear). This allows the adjustable safer 100 to be used with several different types of hang tab box, and allows a hang tab box 10 to be placed in the adjustable safer 100 in different orientations.

Referring now to Figures 14 and 15, the same adjustable safer 100 is illustrated engaged with the same hang tab box 10, however, in this instance the hang tab box 10 has been inserted into the adjustable safer 100 such that the hang tab 20 extends through the front recesses 174F such that the front panel 14 of the main body 12 is adjacent the back plate 106 of the first housing component 102. In this orientation, the rear panel 24 of the main body 12 is in contact with or is adjacent to the internal surfaces 121, 154 of the front retainers 120, 152 of the first and second housing components 102, 104.

Whereas in the above example (Figures 1 to 5) the front panel 14 of the hang tab box 10 was visible, while the rear panel was hidden by the back plate 106 of the first housing component 102, in this example (Figures 14 and 15) the rear panel 24 of the hang tab box 10 is now visible, while the front panel is now hidden. The adjustable safer 100 therefore allows a user to choose which of the front and rear panels 14, 24 of the hang tab box 10 is visible in a retail display, for example. This may be useful when the rear panel 24 of the hang tab box 10 is a consumer panel including important information about the product contained within the hang tab box 10.

A further example is shown in Figure 16. In this example, a hang tab box 10' has a hang tab 20' that extends centrally from the top panel 18' of the main body 12' of -18 -the hang tab box 10'. The hang tab box 10' is otherwise substantially identical to the hang tab box 10 previously described, except that a height of the main body 12' (a distance between the top panel 18' and base panel of the main body 12') is greater in this hang tab box 10' than in the previous hang tab box 10.

To accommodate this increased height of the hang tab box 10', the adjustable safer 100' of this example is modified with respect to the above adjustable safer 100. This modified safer 100' is further illustrated in Figures 17 and 18.

The adjustable safer 100' includes a first housing component 102' and a second housing component 104. The second housing component 104 is identical to that described above. The first housing component 102' is substantially identical to the first housing component 102 described above, except that a height of a back plate 106' is increased with respect to the back plate 106 of the above embodiment. As such a distance between an upper edge 109' and a lower edge 110' of this back plate 106' is greater than a distance between the upper edge 109 and a lower edge 110 of the above back plate 106.

The first housing component 102' includes a ratchet track 130' that is identical to the ratchet track 130 of the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the ratchet track 130 extended along the back plate 106 over a majority of the height of the back plate 130. In particular, a length of the ratchet track 130 between an upper end 182 and a lower end 184, is greater than 50%, and more preferably greater than 70%, of the height of the back plate 106.

In this embodiment the first housing component 102' is designed to be secured to the same second housing component 104 as described above. To enable this connection, the ratchet track 130' is disposed proximate the upper edge 109' of the back plate 106'. Furthermore, a length of the ratchet track 130' between an upper end and a lower end 184', is less than 50%, and more preferably less than 30%, of the height of the back plate 106'. In this way, a distance between the lower end 184' of the ratchet track 130' and the lower edge 110' of the back plate 106' is greater -19 -than a distance between the lower end 184' of the ratchet track 130' and the upper edge 109' of the back plate 106'.

Because each of the first housing component 102 of the first embodiment and the first housing component 102' of this embodiment may be connected to the same second housing component 104, a user is able to attach a different first housing component 102, 102' to a single second housing component 104 depending on the size of the hang tab box 10, 10' to be protected. A user, therefore, only needs to store a single type of second housing component 104 and several first housing components 102, 102' having back plates 106, 106' with different heights to be able to protect many different sizes of hang tab box without the adjustable safer 100, 100' becoming too bulky.

Returning to Figure 16, in this example the hang tab 20' extends through the central recesses 174C of the second housing component 104. In this example, therefore, the hang tab box 10' may be placed in one of two different orientations in the adjustable safer 100', a first orientation with the rear panel of the main body 12' adjacent the back plate 106', and a second orientation with the front panel 14' of the main body 12' adjacent the back plate 106'.

In the above embodiments the first housing component is connected to the second housing component such that relative sliding movement of the first and second housing components is possible. In other embodiments the first and second housing components may be connected together differently. In some embodiments the first and second housing components may be hingedly connected together.

In embodiments in which the first and second housing components are connected together for relative sliding movement, the first and second housing components may include engagement features other than rails and grooves. In embodiments including rails and grooves, the rails may be disposed on the back plate of the second housing component and the grooves may be disposed on the back plate of the first housing component.

-20 -In the above embodiments the first housing component comprises a pair of sensor housings enclosing EAS sensors. In other embodiments the EAS sensors may be disposed in sensor housings in the second housing component. In further examples the adjustable safer may include only one EAS sensor enclosed in a housing in either one of the first and second housing components.

The latch may be of any suitable configuration that permits movement of the second housing component in a first direction with respect to the first housing component and limits movement of the second housing component in a second direction with respect to the first housing component when the latch is engaged. Accordingly, in some embodiments the adjustable safer does not include a toothed ratchet track or a toothed pawl. In some embodiments the latch may comprise a biased pin that is arranged to engage in one of a plurality of holes. Each of the holes may include a sloped edge to allow the pin to move out of the hole when the pin is moved in a first direction with respect to the hole.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment the latch is disposed on the second housing component. In other embodiments the latch may be disposed on the first housing 20 component. For example, the second housing component may comprise the ratchet track and the first housing component may comprise the toothed pawl.

In the above embodiments the second housing component includes a pair of corner retainers each having a top retainer. Each top retainer includes three elongate recesses, and each elongate recess of a first one of the top retainers is aligned with a respect one of the elongate recesses of a second one of the top retainers. To accommodate a hang tab, the corner retainers are provided at opposite side edges of the back plate such that a first side edge portion of the hang tab locates in a first elongate recess and a second side edge portion of the hang tab locates in a second, aligned elongate recess. A gap is provided between the inner edges of the top retainers to (i) reduce the amount of material used in the adjustable safer, (ii) provide visibility to at least a central portion of the top panel of the hang tab box, and (iii) -21 -make it easier to insert the hang tab into the required recesses.

In other embodiments the top retainers, and in particular the fingers of the top retainers may extend across the second housing component so that they join. In this way, the second housing component may include a single top retainer extending between the two side retainers. The top retainer may include three elongate recesses, each extending between closed ends, and each closed end being proximate a respective one of the side retainers.

In further embodiments each of the top retainers On embodiments including two top retainers) or the top retainer may include two elongate recesses. In other embodiments each of the top retainers (in embodiments including two top retainers) or the top retainer may include more than three elongate recesses.

Other modifications and variations not explicitly disclosed above may also be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

-22 -CLAIMS1. A security apparatus for attachment to an object in a retail environment, comprising: a first housing component comprising a back plate, two side retainers extending generally perpendicular to the back plate, a front retainer extending generally parallel to the back plate and a base retainer extending generally perpendicular to both the back plate and the side retainers; a second housing component comprising a back plate, two side retainers extending generally perpendicular to the back plate, a front retainer extending generally parallel to the back plate and a top retainer extending generally perpendicular to both the back plate and the side retainers, the second housing component being adjustably connected to the first housing component; and a latch configured to permit movement of the second housing component in a first direction with respect to the first housing component and limit movement of the second housing component in a second direction with respect to the first housing component, wherein, the top retainer comprises at least two elongate recesses, the recesses being offset but generally parallel to each other, and each of the recesses extending generally parallel to the back plate.
2. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the top retainer comprises two elongate recesses, both ends of each of the elongate recesses being a closed end, and each closed end being in line with an internal surface of a respective one of the two side retainers of the second housing.
3. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the top retainer comprises three elongate recesses, both ends of each of the elongate recesses being a closed end, and wherein each closed end is in line with an internal surface of a respective one of the two side retainers of the second housing.
A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the second housing -23 -component comprises: a first corner retainer comprising one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer; and a second corner retainer comprising a second one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer, wherein the top retainer of the first corner retainer comprises a first one of said elongate recesses and a second one of said elongate recesses, the top retainer of the second corner retainer comprises a third one of said elongate recesses and a fourth one of said elongate recesses, and wherein said first elongate recess is aligned with said third elongate recess and said second elongate recess is aligned with said fourth elongate recess.
5. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the second housing component comprises: a first corner retainer comprising one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer; and a second corner retainer comprising a second one of the two side retainers, a front retainer and a top retainer, wherein the top retainer of the first corner retainer comprises a first one of said elongate recesses, a second one of said elongate recesses and a third one of said elongate recesses, wherein the top retainer of the second corner retainer comprises a fourth one of said elongate recesses, a fifth one of said elongate recesses and a sixth one of said elongate recesses, and wherein said first elongate recess is aligned with said fourth elongate recess, said second elongate recess is aligned with said fifth elongate recess and said third elongate recess is aligned with said sixth elongate recess.
6. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which each of the elongate recesses includes an open end and a closed end, and wherein the closed end of each of the elongate recesses is in line with an internal surface of a respective one of the two side retainers of the second housing.
7. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the back plate of the first housing component is slidingly engaged with the back plate of second housing component.
8. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, in which a ratchet track comprising a plurality of ratchet teeth is disposed on the back plate of one of the first and second housing components, and the latch is associated with the back plate of the other one of the first and second housing components, the latch including a toothed pawl for engagement with the ratchet teeth.
9. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, in which the toothed pawl is biased into an engaged position in which engagement of the toothed pawl with the ratchet teeth permits movement of the second housing component in a second direction with respect to the first housing component and limits movement of the second housing component in the first direction with respect to the first housing component, and wherein the toothed pawl is moveable into a disengaged position in which the second housing component is able to move in both the first and second direction with respect to the first housing component.
10. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, in which the pawl is moveable into the disengaged position by application of a magnetic force to the latch.
11. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which a height dimension of the security apparatus is defined between the top retainer or one of the top retainers and the base retainer, and wherein a length of the ratchet track is greater than 50% of the height dimension.
12. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which a height dimension of the security apparatus is defined between the top retainer or one of the top retainers and the base retainer, and wherein a length of the ratchet track is less than 50% of the height dimension.
13. A security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one of the first housing component and the second housing component includes an EAS sensor.
14. A security apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, in which one of the first housing component and the second housing component includes two EAS sensors, each of the EAS sensors being proximate a respective one of the side retainers.
15. An assembly comprising: a security apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim; and a container including a main body and a hang tag, the main body being retained between the base retainer of the first housing component and the or each top retainer of the second housing component, and the hang tag extending through one of the elongate recesses or an aligned pair of the elongate recesses.
16. A method of applying a security apparatus to a container, comprising: disposing a first panel of the container adjacent a base retainer of a first housing component of the security apparatus, such that a part of the container is received between a front retainer and a back plate of the first housing component and between two side retainers of the first housing component; moving a second housing component of the security apparatus in a first direction with respect to the first housing component such that a top retainer of the second housing component is adjacent a second panel of the container, a part of the container is received between a front retainer and a back plate of the second housing component and between two side retainers of the second housing component, and a hang tab of the container extends through an elongate recess in the top retainer; and engaging a latch of the security apparatus such that the second housing component cannot move with respect to the first housing component in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.