EP0810567B1 - Device and method for securing an article against theft - Google Patents

Abstract

The device includes a strip of easily magnetised material (3.1) inserted between an article (1) and its film covering, which is a laminate in which the strip can be embedded. Alternative embodiments are a thin-film security tag and one incorporating a resonant oscillatory circuit. When an attempt is made to carry the article through an alternating magnetic field in a monitoring zone, a characteristic signal is emitted and an alarm is triggered. The resonant-circuit variant may comprise two capacitor plates separated by a dielectric layer and interconnected by a spiral flat conductor.

Description

The invention relates to an apparatus and a method to electronically secure an article against Theft according to the preamble of claim 1 or 7, the features of EP-A-0 619 243 are known.

A wide variety of securing elements are already available electronic security of articles against theft known. A particularly advantageous embodiment a security element in the form of a "thin film" label is described in EP 0 295 028 B1. "Thin "Film labels consist of a thin, preferably in µm layer of soft magnetic layer Material. The soft magnetic layer is preferred by means of a physical deposition process Vacuum conditions applied to a carrier substrate.

In addition to the "Thin Film" labels, the Article security in the food sector, the so-called "strip" security elements deployed from a strip-shaped, soft magnetic material or from a consist of soft magnetic wire.

Furthermore, the article security Resonant resonant circuits used as security elements. Such security elements are e.g. in EP 285 559 B1 described in detail. From EP 0 093 281 B1 Fuse elements become known that when creating a magnetic alternating field in mechanical vibrations are offset and generate a detectable signal.

From EP 0 494 114 A2 so-called. 'intelligent' transponders have become known, which in addition to the Securing the goods to which they are attached, including the Possibility to clearly identify the goods in question identify. The structure is also in this patent a corresponding detection system described.

For the detection of security elements in a Query zones are a variety of different procedures known. In EP 123 586 B suggested, in addition to two query fields with the Frequencies f1 and f2 in the kHz range a field with an im Hz range frequency to send in the query zone. The two query fields with the frequencies f1 and f2 rain a security element in the query zone for Transmission of a characteristic signal with the Intermodulation frequencies n • f1 ± m • f2 (n, m = 0, 1, 2, ...) on. The low frequency query field causes the Securing element in time with this field of saturation in one direction to saturation in the other direction is driven. The characteristic signal therefore occurs periodically with the frequency of the low-frequency field on.

An alternative solution has also become known, merely a query field in the kHz range to excite the Use security element, the characteristic signal of the fuse element in turn in time with a low-frequency field that the soft magnetic material between the two saturations back and forth, occurs.

For the detection of security elements with Resonant circuits become a narrow-band alternating field radiated into the interrogation zone that the fuse element for sending a characteristic signal in the area excites its resonance frequency.

The invention has for its object a device or to propose a procedure that Removing a securing element from a secured one Article made considerably more difficult.

The task is accomplished with regard to the device the distinctive features of claim 1 solved.

According to advantageous developments of the invention The device is the securing element a strip or a thin film from one soft magnetic material or around a Resonant circuit, which has the capacitance C, the resistance R and the inductance L has or is a magnetomechanical Securing element by a magnetic Alternating field is excited to mechanical vibrations.

It has proven to be extremely cheap, as a protective film a film that contracts when the temperature changes (Shrink wrap) to use. Such films are well known and serve among others to an article against To protect damage. Find wide application they also, where applicable, products against unauthorized opening to protect. As a result, particularly in the case of packaging, which contain high quality products, ensures that no exchange or mixing of the original product can be done.

According to the invention, the protective films still meet the requirements additional function, the securing element with the to connect securing articles and any manipulation on the securing element in a simple way, but still to prevent extremely effectively. Through the device according to the invention is by a suitable Placement of the securing element and a subsequent one Secured by means of the protective film that the secured and protected items not before buying is opened. This meets the high demands on the Hygiene when selling food, but especially when selling cosmetic products (cream jars, Lipsticks, etc.). Will continue characterized in that the securing element by means of the protective film attached to the article, its unauthorized removal made considerably more difficult by the article.

Either the slide heated or attached to the item after attaching it already wrapped around the item when heated. at When they cool down, they shrink and adapt to the shape of the item to be protected.

It is particularly advantageous if the Protective film is present as a laminate, the Fuse elements embedded in the laminate and preferably in mutually parallel areas are arranged. By dividing the laminate the size of the protective film easily to the size of the vote on the securing article.

The task is carried out regarding the procedure the characterizing features of claim 7 solved. According to a first possibility, the securing element associated with the item, e.g. laid on or glued on; subsequently the protective film is at least in the area of Securing element wrapped around the article or on the Article raised.

In the invention Process is proposed using the securing element to connect the protective film; then the Protective film wrapped around the item or on the item mounted, so that the securing element between the article and the protective film. Here it is particularly cheap if the protective film with the integrated security elements made as laminate is, the securing elements parallel to each other are arranged; subsequently the laminate is in Dependence on the article to be saved on the cut required size.

By training the fuse element as an integral part of the protective film will attach the securing element and the Protective film on the article is considerably easier since none separate parts need to be handled more.

Fig. 1: eine schematische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2a: eine Draufsicht auf ein streifenförmiges Sicherungselement,

Fig. 2b: eine Draufsicht auf ein "Thin Film"-Sicherungselement,

Fig. 2c: eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Sicherungselementes mit einem Resonanzschwingkreis,

Fig. 3a: eine Draufsicht auf eine Schutzfolie,

Fig. 3b: eine perspektivische Ansicht einer schlauchförmigen Schutzfolie und

Fig. 4: eine perspektivische Darstellung einer vorteilhaften Weiterbildung der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. It shows:

1: a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device according to the invention,

2a: a plan view of a strip-shaped securing element,

2b: a plan view of a "thin film" fuse element,

2c: an exploded view of a securing element with a resonant circuit,

3a: a top view of a protective film,

3b: a perspective view of a tubular protective film and

4: a perspective view of an advantageous development of the device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a Embodiment of the device according to the invention. The Securing element 3 - in the case shown around a strip 3.1 made of a soft magnetic material - is firmly fixed between Article 1 and protective film 2.

In Fig. 2a is the strip-shaped securing element 3.1 shown separately. The figures Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c show a "thin film" label 3.2 and a label 3.3 with a resonant circuit. As from the exploded view 2c can be seen, there is Fuse 3.3 with resonant circuit from one spiral conductor element 4 (-> inductance L and Resistor R) and a capacitor 4 (-> capacitance C), the two capacitor plates 4 by one dielectric layer 6 are spaced apart.

3a shows a plan view of a flat piece of a Protective film 2, which is wrapped around an article 1, so that the securing element 3 between Article 1 and Protective film 2 is fixed. A particularly cheap one Design of the protective film 2 as a hose is in the 3b to see.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a advantageous development of the invention Contraption. The protective film 2 with securing elements 3.1 here has the form of a laminate 7. The securing elements 3.1 are in areas lying parallel to each other arranged. Depending on the size of the item to be backed up the laminate 7 in areas B of different sizes divided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

items

2

protector

3.1

strip-shaped securing element

3.2

"Thin film" security element

3.3

Securing element with resonant circuit

4

spiral conductor element

5

capacitor plate

6

dielectric layer

7

laminate

B

Area

C

capacity

L

inductance

R

resistance

Claims (8)

1. A device for the electronic surveillance of articles, consisting of a security element (3) connected to an article (1) to be protected and being excited by an alternating magnetic field generated within an inquiry zone to emit a characteristic signal by which an alarm is triggered, with a protective film (2) being provided which covers the security element (3) completely and the article (1) at least in the area of the security element (3),
   characterized in that
   the security element (3) is an integral part of the protective film (2) and that the protective film (2) is either tubiform and is drawn over the article (1), or the protective film (2) is a sheet formation which is wrapped around the article (1).
2. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the security element (3) is a strip-like element (3.1) made of a magnetically soft material.
3. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the security element (3) is a thin-film (3.2) made of a magnetically soft material.
4. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the security element (3) is an oscillating resonance circuit (3.3) having a capacitance C, a resistance R and an inductivity L.
5. The device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4,
   characterized in that
   the protective film (2) is a film which contracts with a change in temperature (shrink film).
6. The device according to claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the protective film (2) is in the form of a laminate (7), the security elements (3) being embedded in the surface of the laminate (7) and preferably arranged in areas lying parallel to each other.
7. A method for the electronic protection of articles, in which a security element is used which is connected to an article to be protected and which is excited by an alternating magnetic field generated within an inquiry zone to emit a characteristic signal by which an alarm is triggered, wherein
   a protective film (2) is connected at least in the area of a security element (3) to the article (1) to be protected, in such a way that the protective film can only be detached from the article (1) by destruction,
   characterized in that
   the security element (3) is manufactured as an integral part of the protective film (2), and
   that subsequently the protective foil (2) is wrapped around or drawn over the article (1) such that the security element (3) is fixed between the article (1) and the protective film (2).
8. The method according to claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the protective film (2) is manufactured as a laminate (7), with the security elements (3) being arranged parallel to each other on the surface of the laminate, and that the laminate (7) is cut to the necessary size depending on the article (1) to be protected.

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