WO1999037186A1

WO1999037186A1 - Anti-theft device for perfume testers

Info

Publication number: WO1999037186A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/009371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Kardonski
Original assignee: Steve Kardonski
Priority date: 1998-01-23
Filing date: 1998-05-14
Publication date: 1999-07-29
Also published as: AU7474398A

Abstract

An anti-theft device includes a device (1) for securing at least one container or dispenser (P) in place. The device includes a frame on or within which the container or dispenser (P) is positionable, the frame including a plurality of vertically upstanding walls (2) and flanges (3, 4). A slide mechanism (5) is provided which is vertically slidably adjustable with respect to the walls which has an opening formed therein through which a dispensing portion of the container or dispenser (P) is positionable. Also provided is a securing mechanism (9) mounted on the frame and engageable with the slide mechanism (5), the securing mechanism (9) securing the slide mechanism (5) in place to prevent removal of the dispenser or container. A method of securing at least one container or dispenser in place is also provided.

Description

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR PERFUME TESTERS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present application is based on provisional application Serial No. 60/072,337, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Field of the Invention:

The present invention is directed to an anti-theft device for securing at least one container or dispenser on or within a frame so as to prevent the theft of said container or dispenser while permitting operation of the dispensing member mounted on the container or dispenser. In addition, a corresponding method of operation on the device is provided.

Description of the Background:

Anti-theft devices are known which prevent perfume bottles and other similar containers from being stolen while, at the same time, permitting the materials contained within the container or dispenser to be sampled by a potential customer. These conventional devices are exemplified by the bottle display stand in U.S. Patent 1,236,085, the sampling case for perfumes shown in U.S. Patent 454,772 and the anti-theft cosmetic tester display stand shown in U.S. Patent 5,312,000, the disclosure of each which is also incorporated herein by reference. These devices are, however, plagued by the fact that they are unable to secure the containers in an easy and convenient manner nor do they permit the ability to position containers having different heights within a frame to permit individual adjustment of the heights of the mechanism securing the containers within the frame. This requires each of the containers to be of similar height which is not always practical, and which limits the ability to sell containers containing different quantities of materials.

It is for this reason that a need has arisen to provide an anti-theft device which permits perfume bottles, containers or dispensers of different heighths to be utilized within the same anti-theft device and which permits easy adjustability of the securing mechanism so the containers of different sizes can be placed in the same anti-theft device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the forgoing drawbacks of conventional devices, an object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device for securing at least one container or dispenser on or within a frame, the frame including a plurality of vertically upstanding walls and flanges; a slide mechanism which is vertically slidably adjustable with respect to the walls and which has an opening formed therein through which a dispensing portion of the container or dispenser is positionable; and a securing mechamsm mounted on the frame and engageable with a slide mechanism, the securing mechanism securing the sliding mechanism in place to prevent removal of said at least one dispenser or container from the frame.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft device wherein the securing mechanism comprises a securing bar or device which is engageable with the slide mechamsm to prevent movement of the slide mechanism with respect to the frame once secured in place but which permits each slide mechanism of the anti-theft device to be of an adjustable height so that the containers secured by each slide mechamsm is variable in terms of height.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of securing at least one container or dispenser per frame which comprises placing the container or dispenser on or within a frame having a plurality of upstanding walls and flanges guiding and positioning a slide mechanism having an opening therein so as to be vertically slidably adjustable with respect to the walls wherein a dispensing portion of the container or dispenser is passed through the opening of the slide mechanism and mounting a securing mechamsm on the frame to secure the slide mechanism by engaging the securing mechanism with the slide mechamsm.

A further object of the method is to pivotably mount the securing mechamsm to the

-2- frame and lockably secure the securing mechamsm to the frame, the securing mechanism engaging the slide mechanism and keeping it immovably positioned.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide guides on the frame or slide mechanism to permit the slide mechanism to be vertically guided by the guide mechanism so as to permit adjustability of the height of the slide mechamsm with respect to the frame and/or container positioned on or within the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily understandable with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 shows the anti-theft device, a method of securing at least one container or dispenser within a frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Illustrated in Figure 1 attached hereto is an anti-theft device for perfume testers. The device includes a frame 1 which includes a plurality of vertically upstanding walls 2 from which laterally project front and rear flanges 3,4. The adjacent flanges 3,3 and 4,4 located at the front and back of the device, respectively, are spaced apart so as to provide openings within which slidable securing mechanisms 5 are positionable. The slide mechanisms 5 are each provided with slots 15 in the edge surfaces thereof for cooperating with the flanges 3,4. Slide mechanism 5 is also provided with an opening 6 in which is positionable the spraying member of a perfume bottle P any other bottle/container in which a spray dispenser can be located. Opening 6 can be an aperture or a slot formed in the upper surface of the slide mechanism. The present invention is not limited to securing perfume bottles but can be used to secure any other type of dispenser whose owner does not wish it to be removed from the frame 1.

In addition, it is understood that the location of the flanges 3,4 could be reversed with respect to the slots 15 such that the slots 15 are formed in the walls 2 while the flanges are provided on the slide mechanism. Attached to the slide mechamsm 5 are downwardly extending plates 7 which have a plurality of teeth or pawls 8 formed thereon. Pivotably tiltably connected at pivot 10 is a securing bar 9. The end of the bar 9 opposite the pivot pin 10 provided with an aperture which cooperates with a member projecting from the frame 1 so as to permit a lock 11 to be secured thereto. The securing bar 9 is also provided with a plurality of engagement members 12 which have sharp edges 14 which cooperate with the teeth or pawls 8 so as to secure the downwardly extending plate 7 in position and not permit the same to be moved upwardly. This therefore effectively prevents the perfume bottle P from being removed from the frame. The foregoing structure also permits the slide mechamsm 5 to be adjustable with respect to its height so as permit perfume bottles or other dispensers of any determined height to be positioned within the various slots formed in the frame that are illustrated in Figure 1. As can be appreciated from Figure 1 , a plurality of flange members 13 are provided on the frame to hold the securing bar 9 in place and to make certain that such is not easily removed in the event someone wishes to remove the bar from the frame and remove the perfume bottle P without authorization.

While it is envisioned that the frame would be transparent or to be tinted with an aesthetically pleasing color, the same could be metal or any other solid material for the purpose of permitting proper sliding engagement of the slide mechanism 5 with the corresponding flanges 3, 4. The anti-theft device therefore permits proper viewing of the perfume bottles within the frame from the side opposite that shown in Figure 1 and would permit potential purchasers to easily read the label of the perfume bottle. In addition, in view of the fact that the pump dispenser can be properly pushed downwardly while the perfume bottle is within the frame, an individual wanting to purchase the perfume after sampling the same can easily do so while permitting the owner of the perfume bottle to make certain that the bottle is not improperly removed from the frame.

Slide mechanism 5 includes a flange which cooperates with an opening 16 between the adjacent rear flanges 4,4 and guides the slide mechanism when vertically moved. It is understandable that the slot may instead be provided within the slide mechamsm while an extension extends from the flanges 4,4 to guide the slide mechamsm since this would be

-4- understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The rear flanges 4,4 and opening 16 permit vertical movement of a portion of the slide mechanism 5 and assist in vertically guiding the slide mechamsm so as to permit the slide mechanism to be adjustable with respect to the container positioned under the slide mechamsm to permit containers or dispensers of different sizes to positioned on or within the frame by utilizing the same anti-theft device.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An anti-theft device for securing at least one container or dispenser in place, which comprises: a frame on or within which the container or dispenser is positionable, the frame including a plurality of vertically upstanding walls and flanges; a slide mechanism which is vertically slidably adjustable with respect to the walls and which has an opening formed therein through which a dispensing portion of the container or dispenser is positionable; a securing mechanism mounted on the frame and engageable with the slide mechanism, said securing mechanism securing said slide mechanism in place to prevent removal of the dispenser or container from the frame.

2. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said securing mechamsm comprises a securing bar which is engageable with said slide mechanism to prevent movement of said slide mechanism with respect to said frame.

3. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said slide mechanism includes a plurality of teeth with pawls which are engageable with said securing mechamsm.

4. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said slide mechamsm includes a plurality of teeth or pawls which are engageable with said securing mechamsm.

5. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said walls have at least one flange extending therefrom and said slidable securing mechanism has an opening formed therein for cooperating with said at least one flange.

6. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said securing mechanism has

-6- a plurality of teeth or pawls which are engageable with said securing bar.

7. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said securing bar has an edge member which is engageable with one of said teeth or pawls of said securing mechanism and which comprises a lock mechamsm locking said securing bar to said frame.

8. An anti-theft device for securing at least one container or dispenser in place, which comprises: a frame on or within which the container or dispenser is positionable, said frame including a plurality of vertically upstanding walls and flanges; slide means which is vertically slidably adjustable with respect to said walls and which has an opening formed therein through which a dispensing portion of the container or dispenser is positionable; and securing means mounted on said frame and engageable with said slide means, said securing means securing said slide means in place for preventing removal of the dispenser or container from the frame.

9. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said securing mechanism comprises a securing bar which is engageable with said slide means for preventing movement of said slide means with respect to said frame.

10. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said slide means includes a plurality of teeth or pawls which are engageable with said securing means.

11. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said slide means includes a plurality of teeth or pawls which are engageable with said securing mechanism.

12. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said walls have at least one flange extending therefrom and said slidable securing means has an opening formed therein

-7- for cooperating with said at least one flange.

13. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said securing means has a plurality of teeth or pawls which are engageable with said securing bar.

14. An anti-theft device as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said securing bar has an edge member which is engageable with one of said teeth or pawls of said securing means and which comprises lock means locking said security bar to said frame.

15. A method of securing at least one container or dispenser in place, which comprises: placing the container or dispenser on or within a frame having a plurality of upstanding walls and flanges; positioning a slide mechanism having an opening formed therein so as to be vertically slidably adjustable with respect to said walls such that a dispensing portion of the container or dispenser is positionable in the opening of the slide mechanism; and mounting a security mechanism on the frame and securing said slide mechanism by engaging said securing mechanism with said slide mechanism.

16. A method as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said mounting of said securing mechanism to said frame comprises pivotably mounting said securing mechanism to said frame and securing said securing mechanism to said frame.

17. A method as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said slide mechanism includes a plurality of teeth or pawls and said engaging of said securing mechanism comprises engaging said securing mechanism with said teeth or pawls.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 15, which comprises vertically adjusting the height of said slide mechamsm for positioning said container or dispenser on or within the

-8- frame.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 15, which comprises positioning a guide on one of said walls and said slide mechanism for guiding said slide mechamsm when vertically sliding with respect to said frame.

-9-