Anti-theft detector responsive to a chemical agent

• US 4,603,326 A
• Filed: 09/14/1984
• Issued: 07/29/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3SI Security Systems, Inc. (3SI Holdco, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICI Americas Inc (Astrazeneca PLC)
• Inventors: Freed, Donald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rowland, James L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMM, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US06/650,276
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/632, 116/214, 73/23, 109/25, 109/29, 109/31, 109/39, 283/95
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/14 by lifting or attempted removal of hand-portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2425 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• 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

Abstract

Anti-theft device, tag assembly and article theft detection system. An anti-theft device having a thin elongated sealed container (e.g., a closed tube) containing a chemical agent is attached to each article to be protected. One or more detectors capable of detecting the chemical agent are placed in the area to be protected. Removal of the anti-theft device, which requires cutting or tearing, causes the chemical agent to be released and to be detected by a detector. This in turn registers an alarm. The anti-theft device may be combined with a tag to form a tag assembly. The tag may contain a passive transponder of a type used in electronic article surveillance systems. A transmitter and receiver placed near the exit from the protected area will cause an alarm to be activated if someone attempts to remove a protected article with tag attached from the protected area.

Claims

1. A tag assembly for attachment to an article to be protected, said tag assembly comprising, in combination

(I) a thin, essentially flat tag, said

(II) an anti-theft device comprising:

(a) a thin elongated sealed container for a chemical agent, said container being essentially non-breakable but capable of being cut;

(b) a volatile chemical agent in said container, said chemical agent being a gas, a volatile liquid or a mixture thereof which is capable of detection when released; and

(c) means for attaching said device to a protected article in such manner that the device cannot be readily removed without rupturing the container;

wherein said anti-thift device is associated with said tag in such manner than the two cannot be separated without rupturing the container of said anti-theft device.

2. A tag assembly according to claim 1 in which said container is flexible.

3. A tag assembly according to claim 1 in which said container is tubular.

4. A tag assembly according to claim 1 in which said tag contains passive transponder means for receiving and reradiating electromagnetic radiation.

5. A theft detection system comprising:

(a) a tag assembly according to claim 4,

(b) a detector for indicating the presence of said chemical agent,

(c) a receiver for receiving a reradiated signal from said transponder means, and

(d) alarm means responsive to said detector and said receiver.