Anti-theft holder

• US 7,321,308 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2005
• Issued: 01/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Display Technologies, Inc. (Rhode Island)
• Original Assignee: Display Technologies, Inc. (Rhode Island)
• Inventors: Feibelman, Jeffrey A
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fan; Hongmin
• Application Number:
  US11/217,992
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/571, 235487-495, 402/990.1, 401/240.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.8
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2445 Tag integrated into item to be protected, e.g. source tagging

Abstract

An anti-theft security holder for cylindrical articles includes a support member, and EAS marker and an outer sleeve is disclosed. The support member is preferably shaped to receive the cylindrical item in a seated position and the EAS marker may be supported within the support member such that is sandwiched between the support member and the cylindrical article during use. An outer sleeve, for example a plastic shrink-wrapped sleeve, may be used to secure the support member to the cylindrical article. In one embodiment, the side walls are rigid and are supported at an angle such that a gap is formed between a portion of the article and the base so that the EAS member fits with the gap.

Claims

1. An anti-theft holder for supporting an article, comprising:

an electronic article surveillance marker;

a base sized to support the electronic article surveillance marker;

at least one side wall extending from the base at an angle of at least approximately 90 degrees with the base and less than about 180 degrees, and including an inner surface constructed and arranged to support a portion of an outer surface of the article such that a gap is formed between the article and the base; and

wherein when assembled, the electronic article surveillance marker is supported by the base in the gap between the article and the base, the article being positioned in contact with the inner surface of the side walls and spaced from the base.

2. The anti-theft holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall is fixed at the angle relative to the base, so as to support the article.

3. The anti-theft holder of claim 1, wherein the at least one side wall includes a pair of side walls constructed and arranged to support a portion of the outer surface of the article.

4. The anti-theft holder of claim 3, wherein the height of each of the pair of side walls decreases along a portion of each of the side walls.

5. The anti-theft holder of claim 4, wherein each of the pair of side walls has a stepped configuration.

6. The anti-theft holder of claim 3, further comprising a first end wall extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second end wall spaced from the first end wall and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall.

7. The anti-theft holder of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve constructed and arranged to secure the article to the holder.

8. The anti-theft holder of claim 7, wherein the article includes at least one cylindrical surface.

9. The anti-theft holder of claim 1, further comprising a hanger constructed and arranged to receive a support member of a display.

10. The anti-theft holder of claim 9, wherein the holder includes a tab extending from the base and an opening sized to receive the support member of the display therethrough.

11. An anti-theft holder for supporting an article, comprising:

an electronic article surveillance marker;

a base sized to support the electronic article surveillance marker;

a pair of side walls extending from the base at an angle and including an inner surface constructed and arranged to support an outer surface of the article such that a gap is formed between an outer surface of the article and the base;

a first end wall supported by the base and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second end wall spaced from the first end wall and extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the first and second end walls being constructed and arranged to support a portion of the outer surface of the article;

a sleeve constructed and arranged to secure the article to the holder; and

wherein when assembled, the electronic article surveillance marker is supported in the gap between the article and the base the article being positioned in contact with the inner surface of the side walls but spaced from the base such that the marker is concealed by the holder and is not visible to a consumer.

12. The anti-theft holder of claim 11, wherein the electronic article surveillance marker is sandwiched between the base and the article.

13. The anti-theft holder of claim 11, wherein the angle is fixed relative to the base, the angle being greater than about 90 degrees and less than about 180 degrees and wherein the article is supported on the angled sidewalls during use.

14. The anti-theft holder of claim 11, wherein the article has a cylindrical portion.

15. The anti-theft holder of claim 11, wherein the height of each of the pair of side walls decreases along a portion of each of the side walls.

16. The anti-theft holder of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of side walls has a stepped configuration.

17. The anti-theft holder of claim 11, further comprising a hanger constructed and arranged to receive a support member of a display.

18. The anti-theft holder of claim 17, wherein the holder includes a tab extending from the base and an opening sized to receive the support member of the display therethrough.

19. An anti-theft holder for supporting an article, comprising:

an electronic article surveillance marker;

a base sized to support the electronic article surveillance marker;

a pair of side walls extending from the base to define a height, each side wall including an inner surface constructed and arranged to support a portion of an outer surface of the article so that article is supported a distance above the base forming a gap between the article and the base, the height of each of the pair of side walls decreasing along a portion of each of the side walls, such that the side walls have a stepped configuration; and

wherein when assembled, the electronic article surveillance marker is supported by the base in the gap between the article and the base, the article being positioned in contact with the inner surface of the side walls but spaced from the base.

20. The anti-theft holder of claim 19, wherein the outer surface of the article is cylindrical.

21. The anti-theft holder of claim 19, further comprising a sleeve constructed and arranged to secure the article to the holder.

22. The anti-theft holder of claim 19, further comprising a hanger constructed and arranged to receive a support member of a display.

23. The anti-theft holder of claim 19, in combination with the article.

24. The anti-theft holder of claim 23, wherein the article is a lipstick holder.

25. The anti-theft holder of claim 23, wherein a portion of the outer surface of the article is in contact with the electronic article surveillance marker.