MXPA97010405A - Special anti-theft device for bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for an article having an end provided with a bulge (5) for example a bottle or a bottle, the device comprises an interior element having at least one protrusion directed towards the central axis and a tubular outer element (1), the two elements are movable with respect to each other according to the central axis between the position in which they cooperate to push the protrusion in the direction of the central axis and an unlocking position in which the element The exterior (1) releases the inner element to allow the protrusion to move radially apart, the device has a lock means to prevent said means from being opened without resorting to a specific tool, characterized in that the passage in the unlocking position is not possible after the displacement of a metal sheet that can move radially under the action of an im

Description

SPECIAL TI-RQBO DEVICE FOR BOTTLES The present invention concerns a security device, especially anti-theft for an article having a substantially cylindrical end endowed with a bulge substantially in the form of a ring, for example a bottle or a bottle. Such a device is intended to prevent theft in the display and also to prevent access to unauthorized persons to dangerous, expensive or toxic products. Different solutions for protecting these articles are known in the state of the art. A first solution, disclosed by patent FR8615285 is constituted by a collar integrated to a lock plate. This collar forms a loop that can be squeezed to tighten the neck of the bottle. Locking in a narrow position is ensured by a magnetic lock. A variant of this solution is described in patent FR9305159. The device disclosed in this document concerns a clip capable of being placed around the neck of the bottle and which can be locked in the closed position. These prior art devices also contain an appropriate component for interacting with an external terminal located at the exit from the customer area.

When an article equipped with a security device, especially anti-theft is detected by said terminal, an alarm signal is triggered. Theoretically, only the cashier is in a position to remove the security device, specifically anti-theft of the item. In practice, the efficiency of the state of the art is limited. Indeed, its design is based on parts that can be used as a lever arm or that offer a socket that allows, without much difficulty, the separation of the bottle. On the other hand, the means of protection are clearly visible and that is why it is very easy for a person with little delicacy to understand how the lock is made and find the counter measure. Bottle lock means constituted by safety caps have also been proposed in the state of the art. British Patent 677311 discloses a certain stopper containing nails blocked by a movable ring. This ring is mechanically closed and needs the use of a key to allow the release of the plug. This solution does not present a high degree of security since, unless a true lock is used whose cost is not adapted for a large scale use, the mechanical lock means does not resist a malicious perona even when it shows little dexterity. Another patent published in France under the number FR2696999 discloses a lock device containing releasable lock elements by axial displacement of a controlled magnetic core under the action of an identification code detector. This device is adapted for small scale, but not for the systematic security of products marketed for example in the mass distribution. In this case, the profit margins and unit prices are low, and do not allow spending significant budgets on security equipment. The object of the invention is to propose a lock device resistant to primary frauds, whose manufacturing cost is low and whose deactivation is very simple and fast for an authorized operator. The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a device that guarantees a better resistance to the unauthorized dismantling of the lock. Its purpose is, on the other hand, to make the contents of a bottle inaccessible when the device is in place, in particular preventing the cap from being removed. For this purpose, the device according to the invention is constituted by a removable body containing means for tightening, in the closed position, said cylindrical end and a locking means to prevent the opening of said means without resorting to a specific tool, characterized in that the body is formed by a substantially tubular element having a diameter greater than the diameter of the bulge in the form of a ring, provided with a movable member with respect to the tubular element between a closed position in which a lower section is delimited. the section of the bulge in the form of a ring and an unlocking position in which a section superior to the section of the bulge in the form of a ring is delimited. According to a first variant, the security device, especially anti-theft, is constituted by an internal element having at least one protrusion directed towards the central axis and a tubular outer element, the two elements are movable with respect to each other in relation to the central axis between a position in which they cooperate to push the protrusion towards the central axis and an unlocking position in which the outer element releases the inner element to allow the protrusion to depart radially. According to a general embodiment, the inner body and the outer body cooperate by at least partially conical surfaces ensuring the narrowing of the part of the inner body located below the bulge of the neck when they are displaced axially in the closed position, and is allowed, by the opposite the widening of this part when they move in the opposite direction; a lock element prohibits axial displacement until it is deactivated. Conveniently it is constituted by an inner element having at least one protrusion directed to the central axis and a tubular outer element, the two elements are movable with respect to each other with respect to the central axis between a position in which they cooperate to push the protrusion towards the central axis and an unlocking position in which the outer element releases the inner element to allow the protrusion to depart radially. According to a particular embodiment, the inner element is constituted by a radially deformable tubular body, having at its lower end at least one protrusion directed towards the central axis. According to another embodiment, the inner element has a substantially tubular deformable part radially prolonged by longitudinal legs having at its lower end a protuberance directed towards the central axis. Advantageously, the inner element and the outer element can be blocked by sinking into one another by a metal sheet radially movable and releasable under the action of a magnet. According to a variant, the inner element and the outer element can be blocked when they sink into each other by a lock hook. According to a second variant embodiment, the device according to the invention is constituted by an inner element and an outer element tubular and movable with respect to each other in rotation and by a resistant tape where one of the ends is integrated with the outer element and the another end is integrated with the inner element, the tape forms a loop of a section superior to the tubular bulge in the form of a ring at rest, and whose section can be reduced by the relative rotation of the elements, the exterior and the interior. According to a particular embodiment, the outer and inner elements are also movable axially between a position allowing relative rotation and a position prohibiting relative rotation. By way of example, the outer and inner elements have appropriate complementary notches to prevent rotation when the elements are in proximity position. The invention will be better understood with the reading of the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment, after placing it in its place in the bottle that is going to to protect. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of a first embodiment, before being placed in the bottle to be protected. Figures 3 and 4 represent an embodiment variant respectively in the closed position and in the open position. Figure 5 represents a third embodiment variant. Figure 6 represents a sectional view of another variant embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 represents a perspective view of said variant on a larger scale. The security device, especially anti-theft, according to Figure 1 has an outer tubular body (1) made of rigid plastic material or metal. The tubular body is closed at one of its front ends (2) and has a circular hole (4) on the opposite front end (3). It encloses an electromagnetic radio-frequency label. This detection label (10) can be placed on the front part or on the lateral part of the outer body. It can be included in the materials or be sealed in an open housing in the sealed outer or inner cap. In the case of an inner plug, the label is inaccessible from the outside of the device. In the case of an external cap, it can serve as an advertising support.

The section of this hole (4) is slightly greater than the section of the bulge in the shape of a ring (5) of the article to be protected, in the example described, a bottle. The edges of the hole (4) have a chamfer (6) that converges towards the sealed front face (2). This chamfer (6) facilitates the placement of the device on the neck of the bottle, guiding the location of the front face towards the passage of the face (3) on the bulge (5). It also allows the provision of a hole (4) of a section slightly lower than the bulge section (5) since the material constituting the tubular body allows a slight elastic deformation. A second tubular element (7) is housed inside the outer body (1). It has an interior cavity (9) whose depth corresponds substantially to the distance separating the lower edge of the bulge (5) from the upper edge of the neck (8). The inner cavity (7) has at its lower end a constriction or narrowing (11) so that the lower front end presents, in closed position, an opening more similar to the section of the neck, below the bulge (5). The edge of this opening also has a chamfer (22) which forms an angle of approximately 45 ° whose edges converge towards the upper part of the device. The upper part of the element (2) has ring-shaped grooves (13) whose upper edges converge downwards, and whose lower edges are substantially in radial planes. These grooves cooperate with a metal part (14) housed in a cavity (15) of the outer tubular element (1) and push, at rest, towards the center of the device under the action of a leaf spring (16). This metal part has complementary grooves so that the two series of grooves allow the inner tubular element (2) to sink into the outer tubular element (1), but do not allow relative displacement in the reverse direction since the metal part (14) it is retracted, for example under the effect of the magnetic force of a magnet placed against the outer wall of the tubular element (1). A spring (17) disposed between the front face (18) of the inner element and the front face of the outer element (1) tends to separate the two elements according to the main axis (19). The inner surface of the lower front face of the outer element (1) has a ring-shaped board (20) forming an upwardly convergent chamfer, suitable for cooperating with the lower edge having a chamfer (22) substantially complementary. When a pull is exerted on the outer tubular element (1), the chamfers (21) and (22) fit together. The traction with tendency to radially move away the lower edge of the inner element, is what allows the passage to the level of the bulge (5). The inner element (1) presents in its upper part (23) a reduced section in a manner that prevents radial widening of the lower edge of the inner element. The inner element (1) has at its lower part (24) an enlarged section so as to allow radial widening of the lower edge of the inner element. When the inner element is sunk in the outer element (l), it is impossible to remove the device, the section of the lower edge prevents the passage to the level of the bulge (5). The two elements are held in this position by the cooperation of the lock part (14) and the grooves (13). In this position, the inner part (7) and the outer element (1) have a degree of freedom in the rotation, but are blocked in the translation. The outer element "goes crazy" with respect to the inner element, which prevents a person trying to force the device from exercising a torque capable of destroying the device. On the contrary, when the piece of the lock (14) is attracted to the outside with the help of a magnet, the two inner and outer elements can be displaced according to the axis (19). The spring (17) then untenses to separate the two inner and outer elements, as shown in Figure 2. The two chamfers (21) and (22) come to be in contact, and when a traction is exerted on the outer element ( l) the cooperation of the chamfers causes the lower edge of the inner element to be separated, until it allows the passage above the bulge (5). The use is the following. At rest, the inner and outer elements are set apart as shown in Figure 2. The upper part of the inner part holds the lock piece in the off position. When the device is sunk in the neck of a bottle, the upper front part of the inner element makes contact with the edge of the bottle and slows down the movement of the inner element. By continuing to exert pressure on the outer element, compression of the spring (17) is caused. The piece of the lock (14) comes to engage in the grooves (13). When the pressure is relaxed, the piece of the lock blocks the relative displacement in the translation of the interior and exterior elements. Unlocking occurs when a magnet approaches the wall of the outer element, at the level of the position of the metal part of the lock. To facilitate the retraction of the lock part, it is recommended to rest slightly on the outer element (1).

This first variant is described by way of non-limiting example. It is foreseeable to obtain the same functions with different means, for example, replacing the piece of the lock with a metal sheet. It can also be envisaged that deformable tongues having the cutting section of the lower part of the inner element instead of a deformable tubular part are provided. Figures 3 and 4 represent a variant embodiment, respectively in the closed position and in the open position. The device according to this variant has an outer body (30) of tubular shape and an inner body (31) of tubular shape. The outer body (30) has a cylindrical cavity (32) inside of which an inner body (31) is arranged. The inner wall (33) has a groove (34). A tape (35) of a flexible and resistant material, for example a steel strip or a band of NYLON, is fixed on one side on the inner body (31) and on the other side on the outer body (30) and passes through the wall (33) at the level of the groove (34). This tape forms a loop that tightens the neck of the bottle below the bulge. Notched crowns (36,37) respectively provided on the lower edge of the inner body and at the bottom of the cavity, prohibit relative rotation when the two bodies are sunk into each other. A latch (47) for example of the known type for the protection of cassettes, and integrated to the outer body (30) has a movable hook (38) which prevents, in the closed position, the relative movement of the two bodies according to the axis longitudinal. When the bolt is released as shown in Figure 4, a spring (40) tends to separate the two bodies (30, 31). The notched crowns (36, 37) are now decoupled and it is possible for the inner body to rotate with respect to the outer body. By doing this, the ribbon (35) is extended, and the loop that forms is lengthened to allow passage through the bulge (5). To put in place the device the outer body is rotated with respect to the inner body so that the loop formed by the tape is lengthened. The device is placed on the neck of the bottle as a hat, and the inner body, which is provided with a bracket (48), is rotated until the tape is blocked. It is then supported on the inner body to engage the grooves and closed with the crochet hook. Unlocking is done using a standard tool used for anti-theft of cassettes, for example. The hook is released and the inner body is projected under the action of the spring. The tape can then be released with a rotation of the inner body, and the device removed from the neck of the bottle. Figure 5 represents a third embodiment. The inner body (40) has a conical shape, the side walls converge upwards. The outer body has a conical cavity of complementary shape. A cavity (42) oriented longitudinally of the width of a sheet (43) capable of being attracted by a magnet is accommodated in the wall. The end of this magnet cooperates with the notches (44) or the ring-shaped grooves provided in the surface of the inner body. At rest, the sheet comes to engage in the notches to prevent relative movement of the two bodies (40, 41) along the longitudinal axis. When the sheet (43) is attracted by a magnet placed in the vicinity of the wall, the spring (45) tends to axially move the two bodies apart, and the lips (46) provided on the inner surface of the body (42) can be moved away to allow passage to the level of the bulge (5). A stop not shown limits the relative movement of the two bodies and allows to exert traction on the outer body in order to force the passage to level of the bulge. The right part of the figure presents a variant of lock by putting into operation a metal mallet (47) housed in a cavity (49) arranged in the wall of the outer body. An elastic sheet (48) comes to rest radially to push the nozzle inwardly so that its end comes to be accommodated in a ring-shaped groove (50) provided on the outer surface of the inner body. In this embodiment, the two bodies "go crazy" in closed position, which makes it difficult to force the anti-theft device. Figures 6 and 7 refer to a preferred embodiment. The anti-theft device consists of three main parts: a clamp (60), a clamp holder (61) and an outer case (59). These parts can be made of a molded plastic material. The clamp, seen in perspective, on a slightly larger scale, forms Figure 7, presents the general shape of a bell. The clamp (60) has a plurality of side fingers (62 to 66) each having a radial protuberance (72 to 76) directed towards the interior of the part. These side fingers (62 to 66) are separated by free intervals and gathered by a disk-shaped bottom (77). This disk-shaped bottom (77) has a cylindrically shaped housing (78) in which the end of a spring (79) is located. The fingers (from 62 to 66) have a certain elasticity that allows the extremities opposite the disc-shaped bottom (77) to be slightly moved apart in a radial direction, either to tighten the protuberances (72 to 77) or vice versa, to move them apart. This clamp (60) also has a ring-shaped groove (80) in its upper part which ensures the connection with the clamp holder (61). The clip holder (61) is formed by a piece of plastic material molded in a substantially cylindrical shape and having, in its upper part, inside the cylindrical cavity, a ring-shaped protrusion (81) which comes to be hooked to the force with the ring-shaped groove (80). The clip holder also has a lateral extension (82) whose end has a slot (83) for inserting an elastic metal sheet (84). This sheet (84) at rest occupies (running line) a position parallel to the middle axis (85). Under the action of a magnet applied on the outer surface of the device, this sheet is deformed as indicated in the dotted line, its free end moving away from the center of the device. The outer box (63) is formed by two complementary parts (87 and 88), to reduce the manufacturing cost. The two complementary parts (87 and 88) are assembled with an HF weld or glue, after the clamp and the clamp holder have been placed inside. The box has an overall shape of a cylinder with a conical end (90). This conical bottom end (90) has an opening (91) whose section allows the passage over the neck of a bottle, but is less than the bulge of the neck increased by the thickness of the opposite fingers (62 to 66) of the clip (60). ). The device also contains a spring (79) which is supported, on the one hand on the outer surface of the disk-shaped bottom (77), of the clip-holder (61), and on the other side on the inner surface from the box (59). Optionally, the box (59) has an inner housing (95) in which a label H.F. (92). This housing is closed by a washer (93) whose inner surface has a housing (94) to receive the end of the spring (79). The box also has an inner parapet (101) disposed toward the free end of the sheet (84). This parapet (101) is terminated with a projecting peak (102) which allows the free end of the sheet (84) to be held radially in the working position. The height of this peak (102) is reduced so as to allow the disengagement of the sheet (84) by the axial displacement of the box with respect to the clip holder. The operation of the device is as follows. At rest, the spring (79) tends to push the clip (60) towards the opening (91) of the box (59). The fingers (62 to 66) of the clip are pushed radially inwardly by the conical bottom surface (100) of the box. The protuberances (72 to 76) thus come to narrow the section of the device. When the device is supported on the neck of a bottle, the upper edge again pushes the clip (60) inside the box, which by the effect of allowing radial separation of the protuberances (72 to 76) provided at the ends of the fingers (62 to 66). The ring-shaped bulge of the neck of the bottle now comes to be placed inside the clip. And then it is no longer possible to remove the device. If traction is exerted on the box, the only part accessible to the outside, the conical inner edge (100) of the inner part of the box comes to rest against the fingers (62 to 66), which tend to tighten the lower end of the box. the clamp, preventing further the passage of the bulge in the form of a ring. If pressure is exerted on the outer box, one is content to sink the device further into the bottle. To remove the device, it is convenient to support the bottle and bring a magnet to the outer surface of the box. This in order to attract the sheet (84) against the inner wall of the box. Since the box is in a lower position with respect to the clip and the clip-holder, the free end of the sheet (103) passes below the peak (102), even if the magnet has already been removed. If a traction is exerted immediately on the box, the axial displacement of the clamp with respect to the box is prevented by the sheet (84), and the fingers remain in the open position. It is then possible to make the bulge of the neck of the bottle out of the clip. The invention described in the foregoing is by way of non-limiting example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art can imagine different variants reproducing the basic characteristics of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. Anti-theft device for an article having an end provided with a bulge (5) for example a bottle or a bottle, the device comprises an internal element having at least one protrusion directed towards the central axis and an outer element (1) tubular, the two elements are movable with respect to each other according to the central axis between the position in which they cooperate to push the protrusion towards the central axis and an unlocking position in which the outer element (1) releases the element inside to allow the protrusion to be radially separated, the device has a lock means to prevent said means from being opened without resorting to a specific tool; characterized in that the passage in the unlocked position is not possible except after the displacement of a metallic sheet that can be moved radially under the action of a magnet. The anti-theft device according to claim 1 characterized in that the inner element is constituted by a tubular body that has at least one radially deformable part, has at its lower end at least one protrusion directed towards the central axis, 3. Anti-theft device. the theft according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the inner body and the outer body cooperate on their surfaces at least in conical portions ensuring the capture of the part of the inner body located below the bulge of the neck when they are displaced axially in the closed position, and allowing on the contrary the broadening of this part when they are displaced in the opposite direction. 4. Anti-theft device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the inner element has a substantially tubular deformable part radially prolonged by longitudinal legs having at its lower ends a protuberance directed towards the central axis. The anti-theft device according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the inner element and the outer element (1) can be blocked when they sink into each other by a lock hook. Anti-theft device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted by an inner element and an outer tubular element (1) movable one with respect to the other in rotation and by a resistant tape in which one of its ends is integrated to the element outer (1) and the other of its ends is integrated to the inner element, the tape forms a loop of a section superior to the bulge (5) in the form of a ring when it is at rest and whose section can be reduced by a relative rotation between the outer element (1) and the inner element. 7. Anti-theft device according to the claim 6 characterized in that the external elements (1) and the interior are also movable axially between a position that allows relative rotation and a position that prohibits relative rotation. 8. Anti-theft device according to the claims 6 or 7 characterized in that the outer elements (1) and the interior have appropriate complementary notches to prevent rotation when the elements are in close position. 9. Anti-theft device according to the claim 7 characterized in that the elements the exterior (l) and the interior can be blocked with the aid of a crochet hook.