Deactivatable security tag

• US 4,835,524 A
• Filed: 12/17/1987
• Issued: 05/30/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. (CCL Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gill, Peter L., Lamond, Lee T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, III, Glen R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US07/134,467
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 343/895, 361/402
• US Class Current: 340/572.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/242 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2442 Tag materials and material properties thereof, e.g. magnetic material details

Abstract

A resonant circuit which forms part of a security tag for use in an electronic security system includes a fusible link which opens the circuit in response to radio frequency at the resonant frequency. The fusible link opens at a lower signal intensity than otherwise, because the substances of which it is made include at least one accelerator that promotes the fuse action.

Claims

1. For use in an electronic security system in which radio frequency signals are transmitted and received and in which distortions of said received signals by the presence of a resonant circuit are detected, a security tag including such a resonant circuit, characterized in that said resonant circuit includes a fusible link portion comprising at least one substance which responds to current induced in said circuit by said transmitted signals to act as a circuit interrupting fuse and at least one other substance which promotes said fuse action, whereby said fuse action takes place at a lower induced current than in the absence of said other substance.

2. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said at least one other substance is exothermically reactive in response to an induced current of sufficient intensity.

3. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said at least one other substance is explosively reactive in response to an induced current of sufficient intensity.

4. The security tag of claim 3, wherein said other substance is potassium permanganate.

5. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said at least one other substance is electro-chemically reactive in response to an induced current of sufficient intensity.

6. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said circuit includes at least one capacitor and one inductor, said capacitor having plates disposed on opposite sides of a dielectric substrate, and said fusible link being connected in series with said inductor.

7. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said one substance is selected from the group of graphite, carbon, black, silver, copper, aluminum and gold.

8. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said other substance is selected from the group of potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium dichromate and potassium nitrate.

9. The security tag of claim 1, wherein said substances are present in the form of a mixture.