EAS tag package

• US 5,790,029 A
• Filed: 11/29/1995
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Curnutte, George E., Gerstle, Donald E., Gillette, Dennis C., Hansen, Norman B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/564,898
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/551, 340/573, 340/870.17, 342/51, 342/239, 604/362, 128/653.1, 426/231, 426/87, 426/383
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2442 Tag materials and material properties thereof, e.g. magnetic material details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

An EAS tag package in which an EAS tag is enclosed within a sealed, thin-walled flexible bag.

Claims

1. In combination:

one of a food and drug container;

an EAS tag package inserted in said container comprising;

a sealed, thin-walled bag, said bag comprising an FDA-approved material;

and a detectable EAS tag disposed within said bag.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said EAS tag comprises a magneto-mechanical element.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein:

said EAS tag further comprises a housing for said magneto-mechanical element.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

said EAS tag further comprises a bias element for biasing said magneto-mechanical element.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a plastic material.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a cellophane material.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein:

;

said sealed package comprises one of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET, nylon, polyester, polystyrene and ionomer.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said EAS tag comprises a magnetic element.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 8 wherein:

said EAS tag further comprises a support for said magnetic element.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a plastic material.

11. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a cellophane material.

12. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises one of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET, nylon, polyester, polystyrene and ionomer.

13. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said EAS tag comprises a resonant circuit adapted to be responsive to microwave frequency signals.

14. The combination in accordance with claim 13 wherein:

said EAS tag further comprises a support for said resonant circuit.

15. The combination in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a plastic material.

16. The combination in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a cellophane material.

17. The combination in accordance with claim 14 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises one of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET, nylon, polyester, polystyrene and ionomer.

18. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a plastic material.

19. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises a cellophane material.

20. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein:

said sealed bag comprises one of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET, nylon, polyester, polystyrene and ionomer.

21. An EAS tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said EAS tag comprises a resonant circuit adapted to be responsive to radio frequency signals.

22. An EAS tag in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said EAS tag comprises a resonant circuit adapted to be responsive to radio frequency and microwave frequency signals.

23. An electronic article surveillance device for use in a food or drug container, said device comprising:

(a) an electronic article surveillance tag; and

(b) a sealed, thin-walled package comprising an FDA-approved material for contact with food or drugs surrounding said tag.