Hard cover product with concealed security device

• US 20050237202A1
• Filed: 04/14/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartguard LLC
• Original Assignee: Smartguard LLC
• Inventors: Nichols, Dale Hunt Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,411,499 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/045 comprising centre hole locking means
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0488 in boxes or containers comprising additional sound reproducing or activating means

Abstract

A hard cover product having an outer liner attached to a pair of sheet members disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap. One of the hard sheet members defines a receiving zone that receives a security tag. An inner liner attaches overlying the pair of hard sheet members and concealing the security tag within the receiving zone. The gap between the pair of sheet members defines a spine for the hard cover product, whereby the opposing hard sheets defining a front cover and back cover that move together foldably. Methods of making a hard cover product and of making an intermediate board for use in a hard cover product are disclosed.

Claims

1. A hard cover product, comprising:

an outer liner;

a pair of hard sheet members disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap and attached to a major surface of the outer liner,

one of the hard sheet members defining a receiving zone;

a security tag received within the receiving zone;

an inner liner attached overlying the pair of hard sheet members and concealing the security tag within the security tag receiving zone; and

the gap between the pair of hard sheet members defining a spine for the hard cover product, whereby the opposing hard sheet members defining a front cover and back cover that move together foldably.

2. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer line further defines a coded indicia displayed on a portion of the exterior surface.

3. The hard cover product as recited in claim 2, wherein the receiving zone is in substantial alignment with the coded indicia on the exterior surface of the outer liner.

4. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the receiving zone is a slot defined in one of the hard sheet members.

5. The hard cover product as recited in claim 4, wherein the slot is of a depth such that the security tag is recessed relative to a major surface that attaches to the inner liner.

6. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the security tag is a sheet-like electronic response device.

7. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer liner has an exterior surface that includes graphics images.

8. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein a perimeter portion of the outer liner overlaps and attaches to laterally outward edge portions the pair of sheet members.

9. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, further comprising an interior body attached to the spine.

10. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the interior body comprises a shell configured for receiving a disc.

11. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the interior body comprises a plurality of pages that define a loose-leaf book.

12. The hard cover product as recited in claim 1, wherein the interior body comprises a ring member for receiving sheets.

13. A hard cover product, comprising:

an outer liner having an exterior surface that includes graphics images and a coded indicia;

a pair of opposing hard sheet members disposed in spaced-apart relation to define a gap and attached to an inner surface of the outer liner, a perimeter portion of the outer liner overlapping laterally outward edge portions of the pair of hard sheet members;

one of the hard sheet members defining a open slot in substantial alignment with the coded indicia on the exterior surface of the outer liner;

a security tag received within the slot, the slot of a depth such that the security tag is recessed relative to a major surface of the one of the hard sheet members;

an inner liner overlying the pair of hard sheet members and concealing the security tag within the slot; and

the gap between the pair of hard sheet members defining a spine for the hard cover product.

14. The hard cover product as recited in claim 13, further comprising an interior body attached to the spine.

15. The hard cover product as recited in claim 14, wherein the interior body comprises opposing matingly engageable shells for receiving a disc, each one of the shells attached to a respective interior surface of the front and back covers.

16. The hard cover product as recited in claim 14, wherein the interior body comprises a plurality of pages that define a loose-leaf book.

17. The hard cover product as recited in claim 14, wherein the interior body comprises a ring member for receiving sheets.

18. A method of making a hard cover product, comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a recess in a first sheet;

(b) attaching an outer liner to a major surface of the first sheet and to a second sheet spaced apart therefrom to define a gap therebetween, the first sheet and the second sheet defining a front and back cover;

(c) depositing a security tag within the recess;

(d) attaching an inner liner in overlying relation to the first and second sheets, the gap defining a spine on which the opposing front and back covers pivot towards each other.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of (e) attaching an interior body to the spine.

20. A method of making an intermediate board for a hard cover product, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a continuous feed of a first layer of a sheet material;

(b) attaching a security device to a selected position on a first surface of the sheet material;

(c) applying an index mark to an opposing second surface of the sheet material in alignment with the security device;

(d) applying an adhesive to the first surface;

(e) providing a continuous feed of a second layer of sheet material in overlying relation to the first surface of the first layer;

(f) laminating the first and the second layers to sandwich the security device therebetween; and

(g) cutting discrete boards each containing at least one security device from the continuous feed of the first and the second layers of sheet material.