Anti-theft hang tag

• US 6,724,311 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: B & G Plastics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: B & G Plastics Incorporated
• Inventors: Kolton, Chet, Norman, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US09/989,863
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/572.5, 340/572.6, 340/572.8, 340/572.9
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• 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 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

An anti-theft hang tag comprises a substrate of a continuous strip of material, such as plastic, cardboard or plastic, the substrate having a first substantially planar portion and a second portion foldable relative to the first portion about a fold line. An electronic article surveillance (EAS) device is permanently adhesively secured to the substrate first portion. A separate cover portion having a substantially planar portion overlies and is permanently secured to the substrate first portion, the EAS device being permanently sealably sandwiched between the separate cover portion and the substrate first portion. In one arrangement of the anti-theft hang tag, the foldable portion is folded over the cover portion and is releaseably secured thereto by a pressure sensitive adhesive. In another arrangement of the anti-theft hang tag, the substrate foldable portion is folded under the substrate first portion and is releaseably secured thereto by a pressure sensitive adhesive. In either arrangement, a through hole is provided for receipt of a plastic tie or the like by which the hang tag may be attached to goods to be protected. Promotional and/or instructional information are provided on one or more surfaces of the hang tag.

Claims

1. An anti-theft hang tag, comprising:

a substrate having a first substantially planar portion and a second portion foldable relative to said first portion about a fold line;

an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device on said substrate first portion; and

a separate substantially planar cover portion overlying and permanently secured to said substrate first portion, said EAS device being permanently sealably sandwiched between said separate cover portion and said substrate first portion, defining a sealed tag portion, said substrate second portion being foldable about said fold line for releaseable securement with said sealed tag portion.

2. An anti-theft tag according to claim 1, wherein a permanent adhesive is disposed between said cover portion of said substrate first portion and about said EAS device.

3. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein said substrate first portion and said substrate second foldable portion are formed as a continuous strip.

4. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein said cover portion is formed to be of size and shape approximately the same as the size and shape of the substrate first portion.

5. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein indicia is provided on a surface of said cover portion.

6. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein indicia is provided on a surface of said substrate foldable portion.

7. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein indicia is provided on a surface of said substrate first portion.

8. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein said hang tag has a through hole for receipt of an attachment device for hanging said tag.

9. An anti-theft tag according to claim 8, wherein said through hole extends through said substrate first portion, said substrate second foldable portion and said cover portion.

10. An anti-theft tag according to claim 2, wherein said substrate and said cover portion are formed from the group of materials consisting of paper, plastic, fabric and cardboard.

11. An anti-theft tag according to claim 10, wherein said materials of said substrate and said cover portions are provided with a protective coating.

12. An anti-theft tag according to claim 1, wherein said substrate foldable portion is foldable over said cover portion, and wherein a releaseable, pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed between said cover portion and said substrate foldable portion.

13. An anti-theft tag according to claim 1, wherein said substrate foldable portion is foldable over said substrate first portion, and wherein a releasable, pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed between said substrate first portion and said substrate foldable portion.

14. An anti-theft apparatus, comprising:

a substrate being formed of a continuous strip of material having a first substantially planar portion and a second substantially planar portion being foldable relative to said first portion about a fold line,

a separate cover portion formed to have a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of said substrate first portion and overlying said first portion;

an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device permanently secured between said substrate first portion and said cover portion by a permanent adhesive,

said substrate second foldable portion being folded over said cover portion and releaseably secured thereto by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

15. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 14 adapted for use as a hang tag or label for attachment to goods to be protected, further comprising a through hole for receipt of an attachment device for hanging said tag or label.

16. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 15, wherein indicia of promotional or institutional information is disposed on a surface of said cover portion and on a surface of said substrate foldable portion.

17. An anti-theft hang apparatus, comprising:

a substrate being formed of a continuous strip of material having a first substantially planar portion and a second substantially planar portion being foldable relative to said first portion about a fold line,

a separate cover portion formed to have a size and shape substantially the same as the size and shape of said substrate first portion and overlying said first portion;

an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device permanently secured between said substrate first portion and said cover portion by a permanent adhesive,

said substrate second foldable portion being folded over said substrate first portion and releaseably secured thereto by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

18. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 17 adapted for use as a hang tag or label for attachment to goods to be protected, further comprising a through hole for receipt of an attachment device for hanging said tag or label.

19. An anti-theft apparatus according to claim 17, wherein indicia of promotional or institutional information is disposed on a surface of said substrate first portion and on a surface of said substrate foldable portion.

20. A method for making an anti-theft hang tag, comprising the steps of:

providing a substrate of a continuous step of material having a first substantially planar portion and a second substantially planar portion foldable relative to said first portion about a fold line,

placing an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device on a surface of said substrate first portion;

depositing on said substrate first portion and substantially around said EAS device a permanent adhesive;

placing a separate cover portion over said substrate first portion in permanently secured relation with said permanent adhesive sealably sandwiching said EAS device between said cover portion of said substrate first portion in a sealed tag portion;

providing a through hole at least through said substrate for receipt of an attachment device for hanging said tag on goods to be protected;

folding said substrate second foldable portion over said sealed tag portion; and

releaseably securing said substrate second foldable portion to said sealed tag portion by depositing a pressure sensitive adhesive between said substrate second foldable portion and said sealed tag portion.