Security device for cylindrical merchandise

A security device for holding cylindrical items of merchandise includes a cylindrical housing having a pivotably mounted lid moveable between open and closed positions. The lid includes an outer shell pivotally attached to the housing and an inner slide member mounted within the outer shell and rotatable between locked and unlocked positions to prevent unauthorized removal of the cylindrical item. An EAS tag is contained in the lid together with a spring biased locking finger activated by a magnetic field for movement of the slide member to an unlocked position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to anti-shoplifting devices, and more particularly to an anti-shoplifting device for cylindrical merchandise such as products contained in a cylindrical container. The invention provides a security device that holds an electronic article surveillance tag (EAS tag) trapped within a lid of the security device which holds the container. The security device contains a magnetic actuated lock which, when in locked position prevents pivotal opening of a lid preventing removal of the protected merchandise contained therein.

2. Background Information

Shoplifting from retail establishments has become an increasing problem in recent times. In response to the shoplifting problems, many different types of anti-shoplifting devices have been developed for protecting different types of merchandise. Many of these devices includes tags that are attached to the items of merchandise in a manner where they cannot be easily removed from the merchandise and which will sound an alarm when removed from the store. It is preferred that these EAS tags are hidden within the item such that a shoplifter cannot remove the tag without breaking a portion of the merchandise or the container in which they installed. Many of these security devices are used to protect recorded media such as CDs, DVDs, VHS, cassettes, etc. which are stored within rectangular parallelopiped boxes, many of which contain either a mechanical locking device unlocked by a mechanical key or a magnetically operated locking device, or a combination thereof. Some examples of the magnetically operated locking devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,422,387, 6,666,330, 6,676,175, and 6,755,055.

Recently, one type of merchandise which has come a target of shoplifters are cylindrical containers used for containing baby formula which is relatively expensive compared to many food products. These cans of baby formula are difficult to protect and to prevent theft since if tags are applied thereto, they are exposed and can be removed or defeated by some means by the intended shoplifter. Also, due to the shape of the container (cylindrical), it is difficult to use in existing security devices, which are generally parallelopiped-shaped without excessively increasing the storage space required for the protected container.

Therefore, the need exists for an improved security device which can be used to protect cylindrical items of merchandise, such as cans of baby formula or other types of products packaged in cylindrical containers, which provides both a mechanical lock preventing unauthorized removal of the merchandise from the security container, as well as, containing an electronic device to actuate an alarm if removed from the store without first removing the purchased container from the security device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a security device that holds a cylindrical item of merchandise in a protected outer housing without appreciably increasing the size of the item and which enables a plurality of the protected cylindrical items to be placed in a stacked relationship with respect to each other for display purposes and to conserve merchandise display space, and in which the outer housing is substantially transparent enabling a perspective purchaser to see the merchandise contained therein and read the material pertaining to the protected merchandise.

Another aspect of the invention is to provide a security device which can be mass produced relatively inexpensive of plastic components including a transparent cylindrical outer housing having a two-piece lid pivotally mounted thereon, with the lid being comprised of an outer shell and an inner slide member containing both an EAS tag and magnetic actuated fingers concealed therein to prevent unauthorized access to the protected merchandise.

A still further aspect of the invention is to provide such a security device in which the lock can be actuated only by a certain type of magnetic key which must be accurately placed on the access lid in order to actuate internal magnetic susceptible locking fingers in order to rotate the inner slide member to an unlocked position for subsequent pivotal opening of the lid permitting removal of the cylindrical merchandise from the protective housing.

These features are obtained by the improved security device of the present invention, the general nature of which may be stated as including a housing having an access opening and forming a cylindrical interior chamber for receiving and storing a cylindrical article therein; a lid mounted on the housing and moveable between open and closed positions with respect to the access opening; and a locking mechanism for locking the lid in a closed position to prevent removal of the cylindrical article from the interior chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The security device of the present invention is indicated generally at1, and is shown in an assembled locked condition inFIG. 1, holding a cylindrical item of merchandise2. Security device1includes as the main components, a cylindrical housing indicated generally at3(FIG. 2), and a lid indicated generally at5(FIG. 3). Housing3preferably is molded as a one-piece member of a transparent plastic material such as a polycarbonate, and includes a cylindrical sidewall7and a generally disc-shaped end or bottom wall8which provide an interior chamber4. Sidewall7preferably is formed with a plurality of cutouts9which reduces the weight and amount of material for forming the housing without sacrificing the structural and security thereof. Bottom wall8is generally disc-shaped and includes a raised annular central portion11which forms a circular concave recess12in the bottom wall. Preferably, housing3is completely transparent enabling a perspective purchaser to view the merchandise contained therein and to read any instructions printed thereon. This is important for certain types of merchandise to be secured within housing3such as baby formula. However, portions of the housing could be opaque or translucent without affecting the concept of the invention, so long as the important portions of the merchandise can be viewed either through the transparent walls or cutouts9.

As shown inFIG. 2, a pair of spaced bosses13are formed integrally on the rim15of housing3for receiving a pivot pin16(FIG. 4) therein. A plurality of locking fingers19are formed integrally on rim15generally diametrically opposite pivot bosses13, for locking the lid in a locked position as discussed further below. Locking fingers19preferably have an inverted L-shaped configuration providing a locking space21thereon. Four locking fingers are shown in the preferred embodiment, although this number can vary without affecting the concept of the invention. This term “locking” as used herein is different than a “latched” connection which may be unlatched without the use of a key, whereas a “locked” connection requires a special key to unlock.

Lid5is shown in a disassembled position inFIG. 4and includes a pair of main components, an outer shell23and an inner slide member25, both of which preferably are one-piece members formed of plastic and free of moveable parts. Outer shell23has an annular top wall27formed with a circular opening28and has a cylindrical sidewall29. Three bosses30are formed on sidewall29for receiving bosses13of housing3therebetween and receiving pivot pin16for pivotally mounting outer shell23and the assembled lid on housing3.

A plurality of projections33are formed on and spaced about the inside surface of sidewall29for snap-fit engagement in arcuate cutouts or notches35formed in a cylindrical sidewall37of slide member25to secure slide member25within outer shell23, as shown particularly inFIGS. 6 and 7, and providing for limited arcuate movement therebetween. Outer shell23(FIGS. 4 and 8) further includes a pair of rectangular-shaped holes39for receiving locating pins41of a magnetic key43(FIG. 11) for unlocking the security device as described further below. A shallow rectangular-shaped channel45is formed in the inner surface of outer shell top wall27and contains two small projections47(FIG. 8), the purpose of which are discussed further below. Sidewall29is formed with an arcuate-shaped cutout49for receiving an actuation button51therein. Button51is formed on and extends outwardly from sidewall37of slide member25.

Slide member25(FIGS. 4 and 5) includes a disc-shaped top wall53and a raised annular central wall portion55. Slide member25further includes a plurality of L-shaped locking fingers57which are formed in sidewall37, and which form a plurality of locking spaces58in which are received complementary-shaped legs59of locking fingers19formed on housing3(FIG.10). Again, four locking fingers57are formed in sidewall37and correspond with and align with locking fingers19of housing3.

A cavity or recess61is formed in top wall53and has an electronic security device63secured therein by an adhesive or other type of attachment means. Electronic device63can be of various configurations and is referred to broadly in the security industry as an EAS tag, and can be magnetically or radio wave-activated in order to sound an alarm upon passing through a gate, usually located at the exit of a store, unless deactivated at the time of purchase. A plurality of arcuate-shaped cutouts67may be formed in top wall53to reduce the weight of slide member25without affect the security and rigidity thereof. An arcuate-shaped recess69is formed in top wall53adjacent a rectangular-shaped recess71in which is received a spring locking member73.

Locking member73(FIG. 4) preferably is formed of metal and includes a pair of spring-biased locking fingers75extending outwardly therefrom, which secure slide member25in a locked position within outer shell23as discussed further below. As shown inFIG. 5, slide member25may include a plurality of radially extending reinforcing ribs77which extend between a circular reinforcing rib78and outer cylindrical wall37. A pair of diametrically opposed merchandise retention tabs or projections79preferably are formed on and project outwardly from one of the radial reinforcing ribs77for engagement with the top of a cylindrical merchandise2to prevent it from movement when contained within housing3.

In accordance with one of the features of the invention, when inner slide member25is snap-fitted within outer shell23, circular central wall55will project through circular opening28of shell23and extend slightly upwardly therefrom as shown inFIG. 1. Wall55is complementary to the diameter of recess12formed by raised central portion11in bottom wall8of housing3. As shown inFIG. 18, this provides for a nesting stacking relationship between adjacent security devices1. Raised central wall portion55extends into recess12enabling a plurality of security devices1containing merchandise2, to be stacked vertically one upon the other by providing some rigidity to the stacked security devices in a display environment.

Locking member73is located within channel45of outer shell23when slide member25is snap-fittedly engaged within outer shell23. Locking fingers75extend into and along the rectangular-shaped recess71formed in slide member25as shown inFIG. 12. Locking member73need not be physically attached to either of the lid components, but is trapped therebetween at the desired position and is prevented from moving by its location within recess71and by projections47formed on the inner surface of lid top wall27. This reduces manufacturing costs. The free ends of locking fingers75which are biased in an outward locking position, engage notches or stepped end walls81formed in rectangular channels71to prevent rotation of slide member25with respect to outer shell23toward an unlocking direction until released by key43. Thus, when lid5is in the assembled position, both EAS tag63and locking member73are trapped and secured between the two components of the lid preventing access thereto by an unauthorized personnel, thereby avoiding any tampering and disabling of the security system. Also, when in the assembled position, the engagement of locking projections33within arcuate cutouts35(FIGS. 6 and 7) enables a very limited rotational movement of inner slide member25with respect to outer shell23, yet retains the two components in an assembled position. Outer shell23can only move in a pivotal direction due to its pivotal attachment to housing3by pivot pin16. The amount of arcuate or rotational movement of slide member25with respect to outer shell23is just enough to move locking fingers19and57from their locked position ofFIG. 10to the unlocked position ofFIG. 15. It is easily seen inFIG. 10that when in the locked position, lid5cannot pivot upwardly until the fingers are disengaged as shown inFIG. 15, wherein the lid can be moved in a pivotal direction as shown by Arrow A to an open position as shown inFIG. 9permitting the insertion and removal of cylindrical merchandise2from interior chamber4of housing3.

The operation of security device1is relatively simple and is as follows. When the lid is in the open unlocked position as shown inFIG. 9, cylindrical merchandise2can be inserted therein where it rests upon bottom wall8. Lid5is then pivoted to a closed position, in which position fingers57will pass between open spaces85formed between adjacent fingers19of housing3as shown inFIG. 15. When lid5is in the closed but unlocked position as shown inFIG. 10, the user will merely move button51in the direction of Arrow B (FIG. 3) which will rotate slide member25a sufficient amount whereby the locking fingers19and57will mate in a locking position as shown inFIG. 10preventing the pivotal movement of lid5toward an open position. The locking teeth are automatically secured in the locked position ofFIG. 10by spring biased locking fingers75moving from the unlocked position ofFIG. 14to the locked position ofFIG. 12where the free ends thereof are engaged with stepped end walls81preventing any rotational movement of inner slide member25in the unlocking direction of Arrow C (FIG. 12). Retention tabs79will engage the top of merchandise2as shown inFIG. 10to maintain it in a firm position within interior chamber4avoiding rattling and unwanted movement of the merchandise therein.

To unlock lid5enabling it to move to the open position as shown inFIG. 9, which is usually performed at the checkout counter, a magnetic key43is utilized. Key43preferably contains a pair of magnets87. Magnets87are at a specific location within the interior of magnetic key43and must be accurately positioned with respect to locking fingers75in order to actuate the same. This accurate unlocking alignment is accomplished by providing magnetic key43with the pair of locating pins41which are placed in holes39formed in top wall27of outer shell23(FIG. 11). If the magnetic key43is not properly positioned so that magnets87are misaligned with locking finger75, the desired unlocking action cannot occur. Thus, someone using a single magnet or a pair of magnets not accurately placed will not be able to unlawfully open and unlock security device1.

As shown inFIG. 13, proper placement of magnetic key43and magnets87will move locking finger75upwardly to disengage the free ends thereof with stepped walls81enabling inner slide member25to be rotated in the direction of Arrow C by movement of button51to the unlocked position ofFIG. 14, in which position the teeth will be aligned as shown inFIG. 15enabling lid5to be pivoted to the unlocked position ofFIG. 9for removal of cylindrical merchandise2therefrom. Security container1then can be easily reloaded with another cylindrical merchandise2and the lid moved to the closed position and upon the slight rotational movement of button51will permit the free ends of locking fingers75to automatically move downwardly to the locked position ofFIG. 12where they are engaged with stepped walls81. This can be performed in a matter of seconds without any skill on the personnel placing merchandise2therein. The secured devices containing merchandise2can then be restocked in the nesting relationship as shown inFIG. 18provided by central wall portion55and recessed bottom wall12.

As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, locating pins41of key43when extending through rectangular-shaped holes39are received in arcuate-shaped recess69formed in slide member25which provide stops to limit the rotational movement of inner slide member25with respect to outer shell23. Thus, as can be seen inFIGS. 16 and 17, locating pins41will engage the ends of recess79at the locked and unlocked positions to prevent further rotation of inner slide member25beyond these two positions.

Thus, security device1provides a relatively simple and inexpensive container for receiving cylindrical merchandise enabling the merchandise to be viewed through the transparent outer housing, and in which the lid conceals and traps an electronic EAS security tag as well as the magnetically actuated locking fingers.

It is understood that the magnetic locking fingers could be replaced with other types of mechanical-actuated locking paws or fingers operated by a mechanical locking key as used in various prior art media security devices, without affecting the overall concept of the invention. However, the particular magnetic sensitive spring locking member73and its relatively small size provides an inexpensive yet secure locking mechanism for device1.