Antifraud device for garments and other consumer products and devices and system and method related thereto

• US 9,466,233 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
• Original Assignee: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services LLC (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Inventors: Weightman, Barbara A., Bellifemine, Jean C., Bellifemine, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US12/552,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20100050487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,596 Days
• Field of Search: 40/6, 406/33, 406/65
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/00 Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/02 by a carrier person or animal
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/02 Forms or constructions layered products B32B

Abstract

The present invention relate to an anti-fraud return device that deters persons from temporarily using garments and or other consumer goods for a short period of time and then returning them to a merchant for a refund, exchange or credit. The present invention includes a strip of material formable into a fixed loop that may be provided with one or more security features.

Claims

1. A fraud-prevention device and system for visible attachment to consumer goods, the fraud-prevention device comprising:

an elongated destructible strip of material comprising;

i) first and second longitudinally extending sides, and first and second transversely extending edges with at least one of the first and second extending edges having an attachment means, the elongated destructible strip of material is plastic having a tear resistance of greater than 22 Newtons, the strip is planar has a central portion and is sized and configured to fit through an opening in a garment;

a consumer good having at least one opening;

wherein the strip is placed through the at least one opening and the first and second ends are secured to one another by the attachment feature

ii) at least one security feature selected from the group consisting of an RFID tag, an EAS tag, a rupturable ink cartridge, and hologram;

iii) security indicia including at least one of logo lines, repetitive patterns, characters, or numerals; and

iv) at least one reinforcing strip wherein the at least one reinforcing strip is constructed out of a conductive material and the reinforcing strip is a part of an antenna system for a RFID tag and such that breaking the reinforcing strip reduces the read range of the RFID tag.

2. The fraud-prevention device of claim 1 wherein the consumer good is selected from a group consisting of garments, apparel, shoes, and accessories.

3. The fraud-prevention device of claim 1, wherein

a. each of the first and second edges being configured to attach to one another permanently to form a locked loop;

b. wherein the strip of material is positioned so as to be interoperatively engaged with a consumer good to form a secured consumer good having the locked loop; and

wherein the security indicia visually misaligns upon removal of the strip from the secured consumer good.

4. The fraud-prevention device of claim 3 wherein the strip of material contains non-security indicia.

5. The fraud-prevention device of claim 4 wherein the non-security indicia includes at least one of a warning message, serial number, bar code, brand identifier, advertisement or coupon.

6. A method for reducing return fraud using the fraud-prevention device and system as set forth in claim 1, comprising the steps of:

providing a garment having at least one opening;

providing the fraud-prevention device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the strip of material has a central portion,

placing a warning device on the strip of material;

printing the central portion of the strip of material with at least human readable indicia and machine readable indicia to provide a deterrent;

placing the strip of material through the at least one opening;

forming a loop by bringing the first and second ends of the strip of material toward one another; and

securing the first and second ends of the strip of material to one another to create a return fraud prevention device.

7. The fraud-prevention device of claim 1, wherein the strip of material is selected from a group consisting of a flat-woven material, a flat non-woven material, and a tubular material.

8. The fraud-prevention device of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is selected from a group consisting of pressure-sensitive adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, cohesives, mechanical fasteners, ultrasonic welding, and hook and loop fasteners.

9. The fraud-prevention device of claim 1, further comprising indicia having at least one of a serial number, bar code, brand identifier, advertisement, warning message, manufacturing date, store identifier, or coupon.

10. The fraud-prevention device of claim 9, wherein the coupon is attached on a separate substrate attached to the strip.