Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-02-13
Wu, Daniel J. (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S572100, C340S571000, C340S568100, C340S568400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188320
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to article identification and protection and pertains more particularly to tags having size-adaptiveness to articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One type of article identification device having security aspects and having virtual universal applicability to articles is the so-called “seal”, such as is shown in Mainetti U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,055. The seal of the '055 patent comprises a plastic body having a flexible cord passing through and secured in the body and extending outwardly of the body to a cord free end which has hooks secured thereto and of configuration providing for irreversible insertion in the plastic body. In addition to the body and the cord, the seal of the '055 patent has plates bearing logo/article indication applied to the plastic body to close the same. In use, the hook and cord are passed through an opening of, e.g., a watch band, and the hook is then inserted into the plastic body.
A widespread further practice in article security is the use of so-called anti-theft tags which incorporate electronic article surveillance (EAS) markers. Such tags are secured to articles and are removed or rendered inactive at checkout. Where fraudulent avoidance of checkout (shop-lifting) occurs, the markers are sensed by EAS systems, e.g., at store exits, and suitable alarm is generated.
One form of EAS marker in widespread use is in the form of a flat, thin, flexible, rectangular member which is applied adhesively to flat or curved surfaces of articles.
In pending, allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/088,839, commonly-assigned herewith, there is shown a seal incorporating therewithin an EAS marker.
Known seals, such as those above discussed, have a common shortcoming in that they are not adaptive to the size of articles with which they are assembled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the subject invention is to provide tags which are adaptive to the size of articles with which they are assembled.
In broad aspect, the invention provides tags, the article engaging elements of which can tightly circumscribe articles of different sizes. To this end, the tag body of tags in accordance with the invention supports the article engagement element or elements in the form of a loop which can take on a diameter adaptive to the size of an article inserted through the loop. To ensure maintenance of tight engagement between the encircling loop and the article, applicants embody means for precluding or substantially limiting movement of the article engagement element once tight engagement is achieved.
More particularly, the invention provides a tag comprising a body having a tail with one tail end peripherally continuous with a first end of the body and defining a loop exteriorly of the body, the tail extending from the loop into the body, the body including means for precluding tail movement or substantially limiting movement of the tail relative to the body to a single direction of movement.
The body defines an interior compartment and the tag further may include an EAS marker situated in the body interior compartment.
The body preferably defines an interior channel opening into the body first end, the movement precluding/limiting means being disposed in the channel and preferably being a one-way clutch.
The body may comprise first and second body members closable upon one another, the first body member defining the interior compartment and the second body member defining the channel.
The invention will be further understood from consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof and from the drawings where like reference numerals identify like parts throughout.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4708306 (1987-11-01), Mitomi
patent: 5079540 (1992-01-01), Narlow et al.
patent: 5513421 (1996-05-01), Wells
patent: 5945909 (1999-08-01), Kolton
patent: 5949336 (1999-09-01), Deschenes et al.
patent: 6052876 (2000-04-01), Hogan et al.
Kolton Chester
Norman Michael
Peruzzo Roberto
B&G Plastics, Inc.
Nguyen Tai T.
Robin Blecker & Daley
Wu Daniel J.
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