ANTIFRAUD DEVICE FOR GARMENTS AND OTHER CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND DEVICES AND SYSTEM AND METHOD RELATED THERETO

• US 20100050487A1
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Inventors: WEIGHTMAN, Barbara A., BELLIFEMINE, Jean C., BELLIFEMINE, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 9,466,233 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/299.10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/02 by a carrier person or animal
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/02 Forms or constructions layered products B32B

Abstract

The present invention relate to an anti-fraud return device that deters persons from temporarily using garments and or other consumer goods for a short period of time and then returning them to a merchant for a refund, exchange or credit. The present invention includes a strip of material formable into a fixed loop that may be provided with one or more security features.

Claims

1. A wardrobing prevention system for a consumer good for single use applications, comprising;

an elongated destructible strip of material having a tear resistance of greater than about 5 pound, the strip is planar has a central portion and is sized and configured to fit through an opening in a garment;

the destructible strip having first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending edges with at least one of the edges having an attachment feature;

a consumer good having at least one opening; and

wherein the strip is placed through the at least one opening and the first and second ends are secured to one another by the attachment feature.

2. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1 wherein the strip of material is selected from the group consisting of a flat woven material, a flat non-woven material, a plastic film and a tubular material.

3. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1, wherein the attachment feature is selected from a group including pressure sensitive adhesive, hot melt adhesives, cohesives and mechanical fasteners

4. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1 wherein the strip of material includes at least one reinforcing strip.

5. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1 wherein the consumer good is selected from a group including garments, apparel, shoes, and accessories.

6. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1 wherein the strip includes indicia selected from at least one of a group including serial number, bar code, brand identifier, advertisement, warning message, repetitive pattern or combinations thereof.

7. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1 wherein the strip includes at least one coupon.

8. The wardrobing prevention system of claim 1 wherein the strip of material contains at least one electronic or security device selected from a group consisting of a RFID circuit, EAS device, ink cartridge, alarm, anti-counterfeiting measure or combinations thereof.

9. An auditioning prevention device for consumer goods comprising:

a. a destructible strip of material for single use applications having first and second ends, first and second sides and a central portion between the first and second ends; and

b. each of the first and second ends being configured to attach to one another permanently to form a locked loop;

c. wherein the strip of material is positioned so as to be interoperatively engaged with a consumer good to form a secured consumer good having the locked loop.

10. The auditioning prevention device of claim 9 wherein the strip of material is selected from a group consisting of a flat woven material, a flat non-woven material, a plastic film and a tubular material.

11. The auditioning prevention device of claim 9 wherein the material possesses tear resistance of greater than 5 pounds.

12. The auditioning prevention device of claim 9 wherein the strip of material contains indicia.

13. The auditioning prevention device of claim 12 wherein the indicia includes at least one of a warning message, serial number, bar code, brand identifier, advertisement or coupon.

14. The auditioning prevention device of claim 9 wherein the strip of material contains at least one device selected from a group including a RFID circuit, EAS circuit, ink cartridge, anti-counterfeiting measure, alarm or combinations thereof.

15. A method for reducing return fraud, comprising the steps of:

providing a garment having at least one opening;

providing a strip of material the strip of material having first and second ends, first and second sides and an attachment feature disposed on at least one of the first and second ends and a central portion;

printing the central portion of the strip of material with at least human readable indicia and machine readable indicia to provide a deterrent;

placing a strip of material through the at least one opening;

forming a loop by bringing the first and second ends of the strip of material toward one another; and

securing the first and second ends of the strip of material to one another to create a return fraud prevention device.

16. A method for reducing return fraud as recited in claim 15, including a further step of placing a warning device on the strip of material after the step of providing the strip of material.

17. A method for reducing return fraud as recited in claim 16, wherein the warning device is selected from a group including a RFID circuit, EAS circuit, ink cartridge, anti-counterfeiting measure, alarm or combinations thereof.

18. A method for reducing return fraud as recited in claim 15, wherein the attachment feature is selected form a group including pressure sensitive adhesive, hot melt adhesives, cohesives and mechanical fasteners.

20. A method for reducing return fraud as recited in claim 15, wherein the strip of material has a tear resistance of greater than about 5 pounds.