LABEL AGAINST SHOPLIFTING OF GARMENTS

Abstract: Small, reusable device for protection of garments against shoplifting. The device, a label, can be attached and removed by personnel fast and easily. The label leaves no traces or damage. The label cannot be removed by shoplifters without damaging the garment. The label can be provided with a chain secured to the floor, or by conventional means.

Description: LABEL AGAINST SHOPLIFTING OF GARMENTS The invention relates to a label that can be attached easily and fast to garments or cloth, or any other product, which have to be protected, and which label can be removed easily and fast by personnel, without traces or damage. The label is reusable. The label has several embodiments and corresponding uses: 1. The label as ordinary label, without further built-in equipment; 2. The label provided with equipment, which in conjunction with further equipment brings about an alarm signal when the label, thus with stolen garments, threatens to leave the shop; for example, a coil in conjunction with an antenna near the exit; 3. the label can be attached to a secured chain; 4. the label is provided with a capsule with ink or acid, which bursts when the thief tries to detach the label. A well assorted shop will prefer a combination. For example, with underpants type 1, with sweaters type 2, with leather coats type 3, on garments displayed outside type 4. Many security labels are known and come with their specific draw-backs. Existing labels are produced as type 2, type 4, or a combination of type 2 and type 4. It is important that security labels when attached to garments, can carry the weight of a chain, at least without tearing the cloth. Furthermore, security labels must be strong enough to resist, once stolen, the manual power of the shoplifter. The label provided with a coil has become a classic. One member of the label contains a 1.2 mm thick pin, the other member of the label comprises a hole, in which the pin is clasped by a jaw mechanism. The pin punctures the garment. Such label can be shielded with aluminium foil which prevents detection and putting the alarm equipment into action. Two labels flat against each other also prevent detection. Labels exclusively with ink should serve a precautionary purpose. It turned out that this does not always work, or only for cheap articles which are roughly as expensive as the label itself. Several labels comprise a combination of ink and signalization. The label of Custavsson US patent 4.483.049, with a built-in coil according to Heaton US patent 4.649.397, has the following draw-backs: It can only be attached to the edge of the cloth and may, consequently, be cut out easily. It takes new personnel one day to learn how to unlock this label. It can be shielded from detection manually. It is expensive. Hogan's label US patent 5.054.172 has some drawbacks. The pin is rough and may puncture thin cloth. When a shoplifter unfamiliar with this label tries to remove the label, ink is spilled over the garment; the shoplifter will disappear undisturbed, leaving the garment behind useless. After this the label, too, is rendered useless. The advantages of the present invention are that it leaves no punctures, it can be too large to cut out or to shield and it is impossible for the thief to remove when produced from sturdy material -, it is also easy to manufacture and thus cheap. Several embodiments of the invention will be described The device comprises two substantially flat members, the first member fits into the second member. Fig. A shows a cross-sectional view of the two members with garment; Fig. B shows a top view of the label. In the installed position the cloth covers the first part and has thus two S-curves. The disc shaped members lie exactly in a plane. Therefore the different embodiments of the two members may secure the cloth there where the cloth has S-curves. Fig. C and D show in a cross sectional view the securing mechanism. The inner member is provided with a tongue which can protrude from the inner member. The outer part has in the inner edge a complementary receiving gap. The construction eliminates the need for needles or pins. This label is, for example, suited for plastic raincoats or leather clothing. In this embodiment the tongue exerts enough pressure on the cloth to prevent the shoplifter from pulling the cloth free. Fig. C shows the same as Fig. D but here numerous very small needle tips are mounted in the gap, and the tongue is provided over the full circumferential length, with a narrow groove. The groove has a width which is sufficient to prevent the occurrence of forces in case a shoplifter levers the label. Provided the label, including the tongue, is manufactured of hard material, such as PVC, then it will be impossible for a thief to remove the label. Weight does not play an important part, thus this label can be fairly large to prevent shielding. If a coil is used, it may be anywhere on the outside edge. The old trick of shoplifters to place two labels with the coils against each other, which prevents detection, would not work, because with the label according to the invention the shoplifter does not know where the coil resides in the label, so this trick would only work by chance. Fig. E shows the inner workings of the label seen from above. The tongues are moved by a rotatable ring with slots in which a part of the tongue catches. The slots are not concentric. Rotation makes the slots work as wedges and the tongues will go in and out. Forces on the tongue cannot move the ring. A spring arranges that the ring is in a position with the tongues "out". Air may be introduced via a hole with a kind of airgun making the ring turn and snapping a catch in an opening. The entity is then in a resting position and the label can be detached, stored and again attached to a garment. The catch is constructed in such a way that in the said position a part protrudes from the inner edge. Personnel desiring to attach a label can do this without equipment, by placing one member on a table, putting the cloth over it, and subsequently the other member. The members lie in one plane and always fit. If the catch is pressed the tongues will project into the second member and the label is attached in a shoplifting-resisting position. We expect the thief not to possess a suitable airgun. To prevent the thief from using iron wire to turn the ring, blocking means have been provided to prevent this. Fig. F shows a longitudinal cross section as well as the airgun. The airgun is provided with a switch which allows air to pass only in a depressed position of the switch. The end of the airgun is closed. Air is ejected sideways. Projecting means ensure that the holes enter the label at the right position. The label has two holes, and the gun ensures that the other hole is blocked. Fig. G and H show an alternative embodiment of the construction between the discs. Here the cloth is bent less, thus making a less crumpled impression. In case of levering there will be forces on the needles. As the needles are near the opening in which they are received, and therefore only free over the thickness of the cloth, there will be a considerable force necessary to bend or break the needles. If the working point and the supporting point are 1 mm from each other, a needle with a thickness of 0.5 mm can resist a 10 kg force. With twelve needles distributed over the circumference the shoplifter will have to be able to exert a 60 kg force on one side with his thumbs, which is unlikely. Fig. I shows another embodiment in cross-sectional view. Here the larger second disc is replaced by a disc which is slightly larger than the inner disc. The outer disc has an edge which has been bent back over 180 degrees. Fig. J shows an embodiment which is not circular. Also in this case a choice can be made from the four securing mechanisms C, D, G or H. In this embodiment the reverse side of the tongues have the form of a wedge. A member can slide against these reverse sides to move the tongues in and out. In the unlocked position of the label the member protrudes. While pushing this member to the interior, the cloth between the discs will be secured. The protruding member is now completely in the label and can only be released if the built-in catch is disengaged. This may be achieved by the shop personnel with a powerful electric magnet. A first spring ensures that the member comes out and a second spring retracts the tongues. Fig. K shows the catch which, in case a magnet is used, should be made of iron. The catch snaps under action of a spring in a specially made notch. Fig. L shows a simple but effective embodiment. From Fig. M it can be seen that the inner part possesses two oblique edges. In this embodiment no tongues and wedges are used. The personnel should slide the two parts with cloth in between into each other during attachment of the label. In the first part there is a notch in which a bulge may be engaged. Before this notch there is a part that can be de¬ pressed slightly by the bulge during assembly. The shoplifter has no way to slide the label back. Personnel can, with an apparatus, for example a magnet, retract the part near the notch and thus detach the label. Fig. O shows the possibility to make the groove in the securing jaw, as well as the inner part, slightly tapered. The back of the bulge is serrated. In this way the label is attached optimally with any cloth thickness. Fig. P shows a garment protected by a label provided with a chain. The chain is secured to the floor. Fig. Q shows an embodiment in which a coin-like member is slid into a groove with the cloth in between. A push button is pressed from the other side against the coin with cloth. Now the coin with cloth is immovable and cannot get out. If desired, the push button can be provided with a needle tip and the coin with a hole, to prevent sliding. A catch pre¬ vents the push button from snapping back. Personnel can disengage the catch with an apparatus, for example a magnet, to release the garment. Fig. R shows the label from below. The opening is elliptical. Fig. S. shows the cross section of the front side. It is noticeable that here the cloth is not buckled. Fig. T and Fig. U show a cross section of an embodiment in which it is noticeable that the label comprises one member and the cloth is folded double in the slit intended for that purpose. In the slit there is a support with a thin needle. Fig. V shows a cross section of the label in the plane of the label: outside the label a member protrudes which, when depressed, pushes the support against the cloth. The back of the support, i.e. the part contacting the protruding member, is oblique or has a parabolic form. This works as a lever; moreover, forces cannot bring the support in the unlocked position. A catch with a spring ensures that the protruding member cannot be pulled out and stays in place. Personnel can with a suitable magnet unlock the label disengaging the cloth. The label can be designed as desired with respect to the direction of the pleat. The embodiment of the figure will result in a pleat extending from the top to the bottom. This may be troublesome for very tight garments, so that in that case the head of the label must be turned over 90 degrees. In that particular embodiment the pleat extends horizontally, which is less splendid for a hanging presentation, but no problem for a lying presentation. Despite the disadvantage of the pleat, this is a label that does not damage the cloth and resists shoplifters. Optionally the label can be attached to the edge of the cloth. Fig. W shows a cross sectional side view of an embodiment. In this embodiment the pleat is smaller because there is cloth in the label over a smaller depth. The member pressing against the cloth is also the member that protrudes and it can be pushed with the hand or finger in the label, and thus secures matters because this member cannot snap back. Fig. X shows a catch and the indentations on the member. Fig. Y shows a top view in cross section of the label. It is clear that when a thief would use a screwdriver to lever in the groove, he will not be able to exert an effective force. Fig. AA shows a label in another embodiment in a longitudinal cross sectional view. The cloth is put singly or double in a groove behind which a member is provided. This member is wedge shaped and placed slightly oblique and is lightly indented on its short side, the tangent plane with the cloth. It is also provided with a spring attached to the label to clasp the cloth lightly. Fig. BB: if the shoplifter pulls at the cloth, then - due to the oblique position of a part of the cloth - it will as a consequence of the tensive force get jammed even more. Fig. CC shows the label from above. If the shoplifter pulls in the direction of the slot, the member, which is also movable sideways, will clasp the cloth even stronger. The label can be unlocked by personnel with a magnet. The end of the member is provided with metal or a magnetic part after all. Fig. DD shows the label equipped with two constructions opposite against each other, to resist even a larger tensive force. A smart shoplifter, however, might use a piece of cardboard to push the clasping member upward. To circumvent this disadvantage, the clasping members are indented at their upper side against which another obliquely oriented member rests, and is also pulled at by a small spring. These members as well unlock due to the use of the magnet by personnel. Fig. EE shows the label with the afore-mentioned indentations tapering to a point, to let the members slide into each other in the right way. Fig. FF shows the label in the unlocked position. A strong electromagnet at the check-out, to be operated by personnel, is preferred. The label is balanced in such a way, that a shoplifter with a magnet cannot unlock the label. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Within the scope of the invention several variations are possible. In particular the right is reserved with respect to detectable elements to be built in, as well as passive security such as: indelible ink or corrosive acid. Component designation belonging to the drawings Fig. A, B: 1. Inner member. 2. Cloth. 3. Outer member. Fig. C, D: 1. Part of label. 2. Cloth. 3. Other part of label. 4. Very thin needle. 5. Working part, (tongue). Fig. E, F: la. Thin section of stationary part. lb. Thick section, lc. Hole. 3. Second member of label. 4. Very thin needle. 5a. Section of working part (tongue) contacting the cloth. 5. Bridge to 5c. 5c. Section that catches in a slot. 6a. Thin section of rotatable ring with slot. 6d. Thick section. 7. Spring. 8. Catch. 9a. airgun. 9b. Projecting means.9c. Holes. 9d. Switch. 10. Tubing. 11. Compressor. Fig. G, H: 1. Member of label. 2. Cloth. 3 Other member of label. 4. Sturdy needle. 5. Working part. Fig. I, J, K: 1. Inner member of label, la. Thin section, lb. Thick section, lc. Indentations. 2. Cloth. 3. Outer member. 4. Very thin needle. 5. Working part. 6. Wedge-shaped part. 6a. Part that stays within the label. 6b. Part that projects in disengaged position. 7. Spring. 8a. Magnetic catch. 8b. Hinge + mounting. 12. Magnet. Fig. L, M, N, 0: la. Wedge-shaped part of label, lb. Bulge, lc. Serrated edge. 2. Cloth. 3. Wedge-shaped outer member. 4. Very thin needle. 7. Spring. 8. Depressible catch. 12. Magnet. Fig. P. 2. Garment. 3. Attached label. 13. Chain. 14. Securing. Fig. Q, R, S: 1. Coin-shaped part. 2. Cloth. 3. Label. 4. Very thin needle. 5. Pushing part, may be wedge-shaped. 7. Spring. 8. Catch. Fig. T, U, V: 1. Label. 2. Cloth. 4. Thin needle. 5. Wedge shaped part. 6. Part with wedge-shaped tangent plane. 6b. Indentations. 6c. Projecting section. 7. Spring. 12. Magnet. Fig. W, X, Y: 1. Label. 2. Cloth. 4. Very thin needle. Sa.Wedge-shaped part. 5b. Indentations. 7. Spring. 8. Catch. 12. Magnet. Fig. AA, BB, CC: la. Label, lb. Rod-shaped projection. 2. 5 Cloth. 3. Lightly indented pushing part. 4. Spring. Fig. DD, EE, FF: lc. Rod-shaped projection. 3b. Indentations on pushing part. 4. Spring. 5. Locked part. 6. Magnet. A further embodiment of the invention is elucidated by Fig. 1A-1G. Fig. 1A is a side view of the member of the device; Fig. IB is a view of the member according to arrow 20 of Fig. 1A. ; Fig. 1C is a view of the member according to arrow 21 of Fig. 1A; Fig. ID is a cross sectional view according to line DD of Fig. 1C; Fig. IE is a view of the substantially flat part; Fig. IF is a view of the part according to arrow 22 of Fig. IE; Fig. 1G is a cross sectional view according to line GG of Fig. IE. The member has an upper side 23 and a lower side 24. The lower side 24 is provided with two projecting segments 25 and 26 defining a wedge shaped recess 27. The edges 28 of the segments 25 of 26, forming the wedge shape, are undercut in such a way that it forms a concave surface which can clasp the substantially flat part as is shown in Fig. IE, IF and 1G. The lower side of the member, between the two projecting segments 25 and 26 is provided with a hole 29 in which protrusion 30 of the substantially flat part can reach. Arrow 31 shows how part 32 of Fig. IE can slide in the member as shown in Fig. 1C. A catching means 33 is shown in the hole 29 (Fig. 1C) . This catching means 33 is a metal element which is connected to the member by a resilient strip 34, so that the said element is urged downwardly by the resilient strip 34. When the substantially flat part 32 is shifted in the recess 27 of the member according to arrow 31, the protrusion 30 will lift the metal element 33. After the part is shifted into the recess 27 to be fixed by the undercut of edges 28, the resilient strip 34 will urge metal element 33 back into its original position, so that it catches protrusion 30 and the part is blocked in the member. A flexible layer of material, for example a piece of cloth, can be inserted between the part 32 and the member, so that the device is attached to the layer of material. The part 32 is provided with recesses 34 to provide for an antiskid surface to facilitate operation by a finger. Part 32 can be made stiff, so that it cannot be removed by a screwdriver or so. Metal element 33 can be lifted by a special magnet to remove the device from the layer of material. Element 33 may also be lifted by other known means, in that case it can be made of other material than metal. Of course, other means for clasping the substantially flat part in the member can be used in a similar way. The device can be provided with any detectable means, which is not shown in Fig. 1A-1G. Drawing conversion table The numbering of the figures is amended as follows: SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device that can be attached to garments or cloth or other products which have to be protected against theft, comprising a substantially flat part and a member provided with a recess having at least partly a shape complementary to the shape of the said part, so that the said part can be fixed to the said member whereby a layer of material of the product, for example cloth, can be clasped between the said part and the said member. 2. Device according to claim 1, whereby the said part and the said member are separate (not mutually connected) portions of the device. 3. Device according to any of the preceding claims, whereby at least a portion of the edge of the said part is shaped complementary to the shape of a portion of the member, in such a way that the layer of material can be placed in between. 4. Device according to any of the preceding the claims, whereby the said part has a wedge shape corresponding to a wedge shaped portion of the said recess, so that the said part can be fixed to the said member by a lineair movement of the part, parallel to the clasped layer of material whereby edges of the recess interact with corresponding edges of the said part. 5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the substantially flat part is provided with a protrusion which can cooperate with the said member is such a way that the said part is blocked against movement. Device according to any of the preceding claims, whereby one side of the member is provided with a wedge shaped recess in which the substantially flat part can slide in a position in which the corresponding wedge shaped part is fixed to the said member, whereby a protrusion of the substantially flat part reaches into a hole in the said member in which the protrusion is catched by a catching means. Device according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the substantially flat member is provided with recesses or other means to make a portion of its surface antiskid when touching with a finger. 8. Device that can be attached easily and fast to garments or cloth which have to be protected, and which device can be removed easily and fast by personnel, without traces or damage, characterized in that a part, extend- ing parallel to the cloth and placed in a notch, can clasp the cloth. 9. Device according to claim 8, whereby the part is a wedge shaped part and the notch is a slot like notch. 10. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further member can be placed between the cloth and said wedge to transfer the wedge-derived lever force. 11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge or the other member is provided with a convex side and the inner side of the slot with a concave side or vice versa. 12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more needles can be placed, pointing parallel to the press direction, in the wedge or the other part, and wherein the inner side of the slot has a complementary opening or vice versa. 13. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the complementary opening which serves to receive the needles is slot-shaped. 14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tangent plane between wedge and other part is parabolically shaped. 15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge or other part partially projects from the device, whereby it can be depressed manually, to clasp the cloth and the projecting part disappears into the device completely. 16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge or other part are operated by other forces, for example, magnetism or air. 17. Device according to claim any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge can be provided with one or more openings in which a catch can snap, thus securing the wedge. 18. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the catch is movable by means of a spring or other force, such as magnetism or air. 19. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge possesses in longitudinal direction a slot which is tapered in cross-section, making the wedge slidable without coming loose. 20. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that another catch with spring is provided to prevent that in unlocked position the wedge may fall from the device. 21. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that two separate engageable members with, for example a circular cut-away, secure the cloth, for example as described in claim 1 or 4, with on each side of the cloth a member, the members lying in a plane. 22. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in this embodiment the wedge may be rotatable, for example, an annular part in which slots are provided in such a way that the beginning and the end of the slot have a different distance with respect to the centre, and the intermediate parts catch this slot. 23. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the device said wedge has at both sides a slot between which the cloth is secured, and in such a way that the device comprises two members with on each side of the cloth a member, wherein the inner member is preferably flat and is in line with the slots. 24. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the larger member enclosing the smaller member contains, somewhere at a randomly chosen place, a from the outside invisible, detectable element. 25. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two members of the device are virtually equally large and virtually parallel, wherein in that case the edges of one part bend back over 180 degrees and can thus enclose the other, slightly smaHer, member. 26. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two members are both produced as a large wedge or trapezium-shaped and thus able to clasp the cloth with a sliding movement, wherein a catch, such as the one mentioned in claim 9, can secure the two members with the cloth in between. 27. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the convex and concave edge are tapered in such a way that during engagement of the members the space between said edges becomes smaller in its entirety. 28. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part in which the clasp construction with slot has been provided is at an angle with the member in which optionally a detectable element is mounted. 29. Device that can be attached easily and fast to garments or cloth which have to be protected, and which label can be removed easily and fast by personnel only, without traces or damage, characterized in that the device comprises two members, one round, flat member and a member with an opening, the smaller side of which has a cross-section smaller than the cross-section of the round, flat member and wherein the wider side is larger, whereby the round, flat member can be slid with cloth into the opening, after which this member with cloth can be clasped with a wedge according to any of the preceding claims, and wherein furthermore use can be made of a needle in the press part and a hole in the round, flat member. 30. Device that can be attached easily and fast to garments or cloth which have to be protected, and which label can be removed easily and fast by personnel, without traces or damage, characterized in that a wedge-shaped member clasps the cloth with the short side against a partition, in such a way that the longitudinal direction is almost perpendicular to the direction of pulling. 31. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge-shaped press part is provided at the short side, thus where it clamps against cloth and partition, with relief. 32. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press part is mounted in such a way that a lever effect occurs whereby the clasping force is greater than the pulling force. 33. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is provided with a slot which is just large enough to receive the cloth single or folded double. 34. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a securing part is mounted at an angle with the press part, which in this embodiment has been provided with a relief against which the securing part presses. 35. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the relief is slot-shaped and in that the trajectory of the slots points pointwise to the tips of the press parts. 36. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press part is rotatable around an axis and thus able to follow the cloth in a sideward direction if the cloth is pulled at from that direction. 37. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press part has a wide press surface which is straight, or at least straighter than the turning circle with respect to the axis, mentioned in claim 28. 38. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing part is rotatable around an axis which is in line with the axis of the press part. 39. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that this member is provided with magnetic material or metal to enable a magnet to release the member from the cloth. 40. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member is provided with a spring which is positioned in such a way that the member ends up in the right resting position. 41. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the member can be released by other forces, for example, air. 42. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that instead of a partition two constructions are mounted on opposite sides. 43. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two constructions can be synchronized by a construction. 44. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more needles may be mounted in a press part and a slot in the partition or other press part. 45. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a chain can be secured to the device or, if the device consists of two members, at the outer member, which chain is secured to, for example, the floor. 46. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device may contain a capsule with invisible ink or corrosive acid. 47. Method of securing a product against theft, which product comprised a flexibel layer of material, for example cloth, whereby at one side of the said material a substantially flat part of a device and at the other side of the said material a member having a recess is placed, the said part and the said member being clasped together with the layer material in between. 48. Method of securing a product against theft, whereby a device according any of the preceding claims is attached to the product.

Inventors: VAN MOERKERKEN ARTHUR, VAN MOERKERKEN, ARTHUR
Applicants: MOERKERKEN ARTHUR VAN, VAN MOERKERKEN, ARTHUR
Application year: 1993
Main classification: E05B69
IPC codes: E05B51, E05B73