Flexible merchandise security element

Details Flexible merchandise security element Flexible merchandise security element

2000-05-23

2004-04-20

Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)

Communications: electrical

Condition responsive indicating system

Specific condition

C340S572400, C340S572500, C340S572600, C340S572700, C340S572800, C340S551000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06724307

ABSTRACT:

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to a flexible merchandise security element that is intended for use in connection with acoustomagnetic merchandise security systems.
In the technology for the security of merchandise, the entryways of certain areas are scanned by transmitting/receiving units. The security elements generate a defined reflection of the transmitted frequencies that is registered by the receivers and then made available for evaluation. During the evaluation, signals can be generated or access to certain areas can be blocked or granted.
Merchandise security elements of this type which are used in so-called acoustomagnetic systems and also referred to as AM labels are generally known and broadly used. They are used to identify merchandise that has been applied with such labels or that have such labels incorporated into the merchandise.
Previously known AM labels-consist of a plastic housing, a metal plate and a magnetic plate. The magnetic plate has a north-south polarization, and the metal plate is positioned at a precisely defined distance from the magnetic plate. The dimensions of both plates are also exactly defined. Tolerances are on the order of tenths of a millimeter.
Acoustomagnetic system locks which consist of transmission and reception units detect the resonance of such labels at a frequency of approximately 58 kHz and are triggered. In order to prevent the triggering caused by these labels, high a.c. currents are generated by large copper coils that erase the north-south pole structure on the magnetic strip. Consequently, the acoustomagnetic system locks no longer respond.
However, labels of this type can be very easily manipulated. Such a manipulation may, for example, consist of a malicious deactivation.
Merchandise security elements which are used in acoustomagnetic merchandise security systems usually consist of a permanent magnet and a pivotable metal plate, so-called Metglass. Conventional merchandise security elements are available in the form of so-called labels that, for example, have dimensions of approximately 1×4 cm and are resistant to bending. Labels of this type are stiff and not suitable for use on soft, flexible merchandise, e.g., textiles and the like. In addition, it is easy to ascertain the position of these known labels, i.e., these labels can be manipulated. For example, the magnetic properties can be purposefully altered or the labels can be mechanically destroyed. When used in the textile industry, labels of this type must be removed because they would otherwise affect the intended use of the textiles.
Based on this state of the art, it is according to an object of the present invention to provide merchandise security elements that are flexible, that preferably can remain on the merchandise, that are difficult to locate, that can be incorporated into the merchandise during its manufacture and that have a simple design, i.e., and which can be economically produced and used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other objects of the present invention can be attained with a merchandise security element that is intended for use in connection with acoustomagnetic merchandise security systems, and which comprises a flat section of a swingable metal foil and a flexible, magnetic metal foil which are arranged in an overlapping fashion within a predetermined surface region and which are fixed relative to one another by means of a non-conductive spacer that cannot be magnetized and is arranged in between the two metal foils within the overlapping surface region.
The merchandise security element according to the invention is formed exclusively of flexible materials. The term “flexible” in the sense of the present invention pertains to the ability to bend the materials. The merchandise security element comprises two foil sections that are arranged at a predetermined distance from one another, where one overlaps the other within a predetermined region. In order to ensure the overlapping region and the mutual distance between the two foils, a spacer is arranged between the two foils, and the foils are fixed in this position.


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