EAS ready paperboard

• US 6,275,156 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2000
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Meadwestvaco (WestRock Company)
• Original Assignee: Westvaco Corporation (Meadwestvaco Corporation)
• Inventors: Rasband, Paul Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/499,117
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572, 340/572.8, 340/571, 428/40
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/42 Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2414 using inductive tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2437 Tag layered structure, processes for making layered tags
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for combining RF-EAS circuits with paperboard for producing disposable RF-EAS security tags, or to a method for manufacturing paperboard packaging, such as trays, lids, cartons containers or combinations with an integral RF-EAS security tag.

Claims

1. A method for producing EAS security tags or packaging blanks with integral security circuits in which such circuits are completely hidden, comprising:

a) selecting a first sheet of paperboard material having an outer surface and an inner surface;

b) printing graphics substantially over the outer surface of said first sheet;

c) applying to the inner surface of said first sheet a plurality of EAS circuits comprising inductor/capacitor elements tuned to resonate at a specified frequency when exposed to electromagnetic energy;

d) bonding a second sheet of paperboard material to the first sheet so as to sandwich the EAS circuits therebetween; and

e) converting the bonded sheets of step (d) into separate EAS tags or packaging blanks.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sheets of paperboard comprise bleached board or kraft board.

5. A security tag formed according to the method of claim 1.

6. A packaging blank formed according to the method of claim 1.

3. An EAS security tag comprising an EAS circuit sandwiched between two bonded sheets of paperboard material such that the EAS circuit is completely hidden.

4. The security tag of claim 3 wherein the sheets of paperboard material bleached board or kraft board.