Antitheft label and process for its deactivation, in particular for clothing articles

• US 5,926,094 A
• Filed: 07/28/1997
• Issued: 07/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Mamou
• Original Assignee: Patrick Mamou
• Inventors: Mamou, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/849,026
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/551, 340/693, 340/501
• US Class Current: 340/572.3
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/242 Tag deactivation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details

Abstract

A deactivation method for an antitheft adhesive label used with clothes and the like is disclosed. The method involves applying mechanical pressure on the label to release gel in the anti-theft device, thus modifying its physical characteristics and deactivating the device.

Claims

1. A process for neutralizing an influence means included in an antitheft device, said means being capable of a proximity influence on detector means placed at the exit of a controlled area, the antitheft device comprising neutralization means activated by mechanical action, wherein the mechanical action is transmitted from the outside to the inside of the device with the device'"'"'s integrity maintained when the influence means is deactivated, and wherein by said mechanical action, at least one substance having the property that it eliminates influence phenomenon between the influence device and the detector means is associated with the influence means for neutralization.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein before the association of the substance with the influence means for the neutralization, said substance is kept directly next to the influence means so that the association can be carried out at any moment via said mechanical action.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein the substance is associated with the influence means by mechanical pressure action ensuring the transfer of the substance into contact with the influence means starting from a standby position next to the influence means.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein a colloidal substance is used which may at least partially cover the influence means.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the influence means is of the oscillating coil circuit type, and the substance comprises a colloidal substance having the property of short-circuiting the turns of the coil.

6. The process according to claim 5, wherein a hydrogel or a gel in particular containing water is used as the colloidal substance.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein the influence means is of the magnetic type and the substance comprises a colloidal substance having the property that it polarizes the device.

8. The process according to claim 7, wherein a gel in particular containing a ferromagnetic material is used as the colloidal substance.

9. The process according to claim 1, wherein a colloidal substance is used having the property that it chemically degrades the influence means.

10. The process according to claim 9, wherein a gel with acid properties or a gel containing an acid type compound is used as the colloidal substance.

11. An antitheft device comprising a label in which an influence means is integrated capable of influencing by proximity a detector placed at an exit of a controlled area, said device also containing neutralization means for the influence means operated by mechanical action applied to the label, wherein the neutralization means are arranged in the label and are responsive to mechanical action transmitted from outside the label to the inside, the integrity of the antitheft device being maintained during the neutralization process and once it is completed, and wherein the neutralization means comprise:

(a) at least one substance capable of altering the influence properties of the influence means; and

(b) at least one means forming a reserve containing the substance in a standby position precluding said alteration and which is responsive to a mechanical action on the outside of the label thereby to allow the substance to reach an alteration position where it alters the properties of the influence means.

12. The antitheft device according to claim 11, wherein the influence means is an oscillating coil circuit connected to a capacitator, the substance is electrically conductive, and in the alteration position, the substance short-circuits turns of said coil.

13. The antitheft device according to claim 11, wherein the influence means is a magnetic marker and the substance has the property that it polarizes said magnetic marker when it is in the alteration position.

14. The antitheft device according to claim 11, wherein the substance has the property that it chemically degrades said influence means when it is in the alteration position in contact with the magnetic means.

15. The antitheft device according to claim 11, wherein the means forming a reserve comprises at least one pocket containing the substance and is capable under said mechanical action exerted at least indirectly in the form of a pressure on said pocket of releasing said colloidal substance in order to allow it to move to the alteration position next to the influence means.

16. The antitheft influence system according to claim 11, wherein the means forming the reserve comprise at least two layers of a protective material at least one of which is pierced with at least one orifice allowing said substance to move to the alteration position after a mechanical pressure action.

17. The antitheft device according to claim 11, wherein the means forming a reserve for the substance are connected to at least one means forming a conduit for guiding the substance from its standby position to its alteration position after said mechanical action has occurred.

18. The antitheft device according to claim 11, comprising a second neutralization means.

19. An antitheft device comprising a label in which an influence means is integrated capable of influencing by proximity a detector placed at an exit of a controlled area, said device also containing neutralization means for the influence means operated by mechanical action applied to the label, wherein the neutralization means are arranged in the label and are responsive to mechanical action transmitted from outside the label to the inside, the integrity of the antitheft device being maintained during the neutralization process and once it is completed, and wherein the label is at least partially covered with a flexible protective layer having a function selected from at least one of thermal insulation, waterproofing, and shock absorption.

20. The antitheft device according to claim 19, characterized in that the protective layer is made of a lacquer.

21. The antitheft device according to claim 19, characterized in that the protective layer is made of a silicone material.

22. An article having an antitheft device comprising a label in which an influence means is integrated capable of influencing by proximity a detector placed at an exit of a controlled area, this device also containing neutralization means for the influence means operated by mechanical action applied to the label, wherein the neutralization means are arranged in the label and are responsive to mechanical action transmitted from outside the label to the inside, the integrity of the antitheft device being maintained during the neutralization process and once it is completed, and wherein the neutralization means comprise:

(a) at least one substance capable of altering the influence properties of the influence means; and

(b) at least one means forming a reserve containing the substance in a standby position precluding said alteration and which is responsive to a mechanical action on the outside of the label thereby to allow the substance to reach an alteration position where it alters the properties of the influence means.

23. The article according to claim 22, wherein said article is a piece of clothing or similar article.

24. An article having an antitheft device comprising a label in which an influence means is integrated capable of influencing by proximity a detector placed near an exit of a controlled area, this device also containing neutralization means for the influence means operated by mechanical action applied to the label, wherein the neutralization means are arranged in the label and are responsive to mechanical action transmitted from outside the label to the inside, the integrity of the antitheft device being maintained during the neutralization process and once it is completed, and wherein the label is at least partially covered with a flexible protective layer having a function selected from at least one of thermal insulation, waterproofing, and shock absorption.

25. The article according to claim 24, wherein said article is a piece of clothing or similar article.