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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally concerned with the field of electronic article surveillance (EAS), and more specifically relates to a semi-automatic machine for affixing an anti-theft device (i.e., an EAS marker) to an article of merchandise, and particularly an article formed of fabric, offered for sale in a self-service store or stocked in a warehouse. 
     A known method of combating theft is to affix anti-theft devices to articles of merchandise and to equip retail stores and/or warehouses with systems for detecting these anti-theft devices. Thus, if a customer who has picked up an article from the shelf of a self-service store, for example, intentionally or accidentally fails to present the article at the cash register before leaving the store, the anti-theft device affixed to that article will automatically trip an alarm as the customer passes through a detection system situated at the exit from the store. 
     When the articles to be protected are made of fabric, in particular in the case of garments, the anti-theft device used generally comprises two elements that are assembled together by snap connection through the fabric. The assembly is designed such that the customer himself or herself cannot separate the two elements of the anti-theft device. On presentation at the cash register, the cashier neutralizes the anti-theft device by removing it from the garment with appropriate tools. 
     The two elements of an anti-theft device generally comprise a rigid label which includes a recessed hole and a pin formed of a head and a thin, pointed member. The operation of assembling the label and pin is typically performed manually by an operator. To do so, the operator must hold a label, a pin and the fabric at the same time, then pierce the fabric with the point of the pin to engage it in the hole of the label, such assembly being performed at a roughly defined place on the fabric that does not have any particular reference mark. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a semi-automatic machine to facilitate the aforesaid assembly operations and to perform them in a reliable and precise manner. 
     To this end, the invention provides a semi-automatic apparatus for affixing an anti-theft device (i.e., an EAS marker) to an article, the anti-theft device comprising two elements designed to be assembled together by snap connection through the article, the apparatus comprising:
         two separate devices for respectively storing and transferring seriatim the first and the second elements of the anti-theft devices to an assembly station, and   an assembly station comprising a working surface, a device for positioning the first element of an anti-theft device in an assembly position on the working surface, a manipulating device for bringing the second element of the anti-theft device into an assembly position situated above the first element, a sighting device to permit an operator to position the article on the working surface in such a way that the snap connection of the two elements is made at a desired place on the article, and a device for automatic snap connection of the two elements through the article and at the desired place.       

     In general, the two devices for storage and transfer of the elements of the anti-theft devices are vibratory devices that allow the said elements to be moved automatically to the assembly station. 
     Each device for storage and transfer of the anti-theft devices comprises in particular a vibrating retrieval and sorting bowl provided with a circular convex bottom in order that the received elements naturally become positioned at the circumference of the bottom of the bowl, the inside wall of the bowl being flared and also provided with a helicoidal ramp that forms a guide path between the bottom and the upper part of the bowl, and a conveyor comprising a guide rail, one end of which connects at the level of the upper end of the helicoidal ramp of the vibrating bowl and the other end of which discharges at the level of the assembly station. 
     In general, the sighting device situated at the assembly station comprises a light source that projects a beam onto the working surface to mark the place where the two elements of an anti-theft device will be assembled by snap connection, this beam being projected onto the article to form a light spot or reference mark directly on the article when the operator positions the article on the working surface. 
     According to one advantage of the machine according to the invention, the anti-theft devices are assembled automatically and precisely on the articles to be protected. 
     According to another advantage of the machine according to the invention, the operator no longer has to manipulate the elements of the anti-theft devices, the only operation to be performed by hand being limited to positioning the article relative to the reference mark projected by the light source onto the article. 
     According to yet another advantage of the machine according to the invention, the anti-theft devices are affixed to the articles at higher speed without placing undue stress on the operator. 
     The machine is used for fabric articles such as items of clothing and, in general, for any article whose material can be perforated by a pointed object without risk of damage to the article. In particular, the article may be of leather, although the precaution is then taken of assembling the anti-theft device at the position of a seam, which is possible by virtue of the precision of the apparatus. 
     In general, the apparatus according to the invention can be of space-saving construction, and may advantageously be mounted on a cart so that the assembly station can be moved to any desired location, since the apparatus can be designed to operate from a simple electrical outlet. 
     Other advantages and features of the invention will become evident from the description provided hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional anti-theft device used for fabric articles and comprising a rigid label and a pin. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an anti-theft device affixing apparatus provided according to the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view of a device, included in the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , for transferring rigid labels to an assembly station. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view of a device, included in the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , for transferring pins to the assembly station. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view which illustrates operation of an affixing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view which illustrates operation of an affixing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The anti-theft devices to be employed according to the invention comprise two elements assembled together by snap connection. The anti-theft device  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises a rigid label  3  pierced by a recessed hole  4 , and a pin  5 , which includes a head  6  fitted to a pointed member  8 . When the anti-theft device  1  is to be assembled, pointed member  8  of pin  5  is engaged in recessed hole  4  of label  3 . 
     A semi-automatic apparatus  10  for affixing an anti-theft device  1  to an article to be protected is illustrated schematically in  FIG. 2 . The apparatus  10  includes subassemblies A and B which respectively store and transfer labels  3  and pins  5  to an assembly station P. 
     Subassembly A includes a storage hopper  12 , a retrieval and sorting bowl  14  and a conveyor  16 . 
     Hopper  12  is provided with an outlet chute  18  that discharges the labels  3  above retrieval and sorting bowl  14 . The labels  3  are stored in bulk in hopper  12  and are dispensed from the hopper  12  via outlet chute  18  and fall by gravity into the bottom of bowl  14 . 
     Retrieval and sorting bowl  14  is provided with a bottom  14   a  of circular and convex shape, so that labels  3  naturally become positioned at the circumference of bottom  14   a . The inside wall  14   b  of bowl  14  is flared and provided with a helicoidal ramp  20  which forms a guide path between bottom  14   a  and the upper part of bowl  14 . Ramp  20  is slightly inclined in such a manner that its inside edge is higher than its outside edge, which is in contact with the inside wall  14   b  of bowl  14 . 
     Conveyor  16  includes a guide track  22 , one end of which is adjacent to the upper end of helicoidal ramp  20  and the other end of which is adjacent to the assembly station P. 
     In general, the movement of labels  3  from storage hopper  12  to assembly station P is ensured by appropriate triaxial vibrational excitation of
         hopper  12 , to direct labels  3  toward outlet chute  18 ,   retrieval and sorting bowl  14 , to force labels  3  to exit bowl  14  by ascending one after the other along helicoidal ramp  20 , and   conveyor  16 , to direct labels  3  to working station P.       

     To this end, three vibratory devices  25   a ,  25   b  and  25   c  are associated respectively with hopper  12 , bowl  14  and conveyor  16 . 
     Subassembly B comprises a sorting and retrieval bowl  30  and a conveyor  32 . Pins  5  of the anti-theft devices are directly stored in bulk in bowl  30 . Pins  5  have smaller dimensions than labels  3 , and it is therefore not necessary to provide a storage hopper upstream from bowl  30 . In general, bowl  30  has a structure similar to that of bowl  14  for retrieval of labels  3 . That is, bowl  30  includes a bottom  30   a  of circular and convex shape, and a flared inside wall  30   b  provided with a helicoidal ramp  34  forming a guide path between bottom  30   a  and the upper part of bowl  30 . 
     Conveyor  32  comprises a guide track  36 , one end of which is adjacent to the upper end of helicoidal ramp  34  and the other end of which is adjacent to assembly station P. 
     Advantageously, track  36  is provided with a central slit  36   a , in which the pointed member  8  of each pin  5  becomes freely engaged ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The movement of pins  5  from the bottom of bowl  30  to assembly station P is ensured by causing vibration of bowl  30  in order to force pins  5  to leave the bowl by ascending one after the other along the helicoidal ramp  34 , and of conveyor  32  in order to transport pins  5  to assembly station P. To this end, two vibratory devices  38   a  and  38   b  respectively are associated with bowl  30  and conveyor  32 . 
     Assembly station P comprises a working surface S, a device  40  for positioning labels  3  on working surface S, a device  42  for manipulating pins  5 , a sighting device  44  to permit an operator to position correctly on working surface S the place of the fabric at which an anti-theft device  1  is to be affixed by snap connection, and a device for automatic snap connection of a label  3  and a pin  5 . 
     A first embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  5 . 
     Device  40  for positioning labels  3  ( FIG. 3 ) includes an impression  46  formed on working surface S and having a shape complementary to that of a label  3 , and a pushing device, including a shaft  48  of a piston  49 , for example. 
     The downstream end of conveyor  16  is adjacent to the level of working surface S, and shaft  48  of piston  49  is transversely movable relative to conveyor  16  in such a manner that it pushes label  3  situated at the downstream end of conveyor  16  into impression  46 , where label  3  is immobilized in its assembly position. 
     Device  42  for manipulating pins  5  ( FIG. 2 ) is mounted on a fixed support  50  rising above working surface S. Manipulating device  42  ( FIG. 5 ) includes a gripping device  52  which comprises a head  54 , one end-face  54   a  of which has hemispherical shape in order to accommodate the shape of head  6  of a pin  5  and holds such pin by means, for example, of a magnet  56 . The other end-face of head  54  is integral with the end of a shaft  58  of a piston  60 , which extends perpendicularly to working surface S. 
     Piston  60  is fixed on an arm  62  mounted movably on fixed support  50  in order to move gripping device  52  between two positions, namely, a first position situated vertically above the downstream end of conveyor  32  in order to pick up a pin  5 , and a second position situated vertically above label  3  lodged in impression  46  of working surface S. To perfect the alignment between pointed member  8  of a pin  5  picked up by gripping device  52  and recessed hole  4  of label  3  situated in impression  46 , there is provided a pincer  63 . The two arms  63   a  and  63   b  of pincer  63  are pivotally mounted on head  54  so that they can close on both sides of pointed member  8  of pin  5 . Pincer  63  cooperates with a fixed cam  64 , as will be explained hereinafter. 
     Sighting device  44  ( FIG. 2 ) is provided to project upon working surface S a reference mark R indicating the place where label  3  and a pin  5  will be assembled. Sighting device  44  comprises a laser source  65 , which projects a light beam  65   a  that will produce the reference mark R in the form of a light spot situated on hole  4  of label  3  positioned in impression  46 . 
     The snap-connection device comprises shaft  58  of piston  60  of manipulating device  42  in order to make pointed member  8  of pin  5  penetrate into recessed hole  4  of label  3 . 
     During operation of this first embodiment, an operator urges, by means, for example, of a first pedal (not shown), piston  49  of device  40  for positioning labels  3  in such a way that the shaft  48  of piston  49  pushes label  3  situated at the downstream end of conveyor  16  into impression  46  of working surface S. The operator then urges, by means, for example, of a second pedal (not shown), piston  60  of manipulating device  42  in such a way that head  54  of gripping device  52  descends into contact with pin  5  situated at the downstream end of conveyor  32  in order to pick up pin  5  by means of magnet  56 . Head  54  is raised, the two arms  62   a  and  62   b  of pincer  62  close on both sides of pointed member  8  of pin  5 , and movable arm  62  is moved in such a way that it positions pin  5  vertically above label  3  situated in impression  46 . The operator then places article T on working surface S by positioning the place where anti-theft device  1  must be affixed on reference mark R projected by light beam  65   a  onto article T. Once such positioning has been completed, the operator urges, by means, for example, of a third pedal (not shown), piston  60  in such a way that it lowers pin  5  toward label  3  lodged in impression  46 , and causes pointed member  8  to penetrate into recessed hole  4 . As soon as pointed member  8  has passed through article T and penetrates into hole  4 , the two arms  62   a  and  62   b  of pincer  62  open by coming into contact with cam  64 , thus releasing pin  5  and allowing it to become engaged more deeply in hole  4 . 
     According to a second embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , device  40  for positioning labels  3  comprises a circular turntable  70  which possesses, for example, two diametrically opposite impressions  46  on its circumference. Each impression  46  has a shape complementary to that of labels  3 . Table  70  is rotated in steps of 180° in such a way as to position one impression  46  in the extension of the downstream end of conveyor  22  and to permit a label  3  to become lodged in this impression  46 , while the opposite impression is situated facing the place where assembly will be performed. 
     Device  42  for manipulating pins  5  comprises a circular table  72  coaxial with table  70 , connected to rotate therewith and situated thereabove. Table  72  possesses on its circumference two notches  96 , which are diametrically opposite and situated at right angles to impressions  46  of table  70 . The downstream end of conveyor  32  discharges facing table  72  in order to permit a pin  5  to be positioned freely in one of the notches  96  of table  72 . 
     Each pin  5  is held in position by means of a semicircular fixed table  74 , which is coaxial with movable tables  70  and  72  and is situated underneath table  72  in order to retain head  6  of pin  5  during rotation of disk  72 . 
     The device for automatic snap connection of a pin  5  and a label  3  is similar to that described with reference to the first embodiment. 
     During operation of this second embodiment, an operator urges, by means, for example, of a first pedal (not shown), simultaneous rotation of the two tables  70  and  72  by one half rotation in order to bring a label  3  and a pin  5  into alignment with piston  60  of the snap-connection device. When pin  5  arrives in this alignment, it is no longer supported by fixed table  74  but instead is supported by the two arms  62   a  and  62   b  of pincer  62 . The operator then places article T on working surface S by positioning the place where anti-theft device  1  must be affixed on reference mark R projected onto article T. Once such positioning has been completed, the operator urges, by means, for example, of a second pedal, piston  60  in such a way that it lowers pin  5  toward label  3  and causes pointed member  8  to penetrate into recessed hole  4 . As soon as pointed member  8  has passed through article T and penetrates into hole  4 , the two arms  62   a  and  62   b  of pincer  62  open by coming into contact with cam  64 , thus releasing pin  5  and allowing it to become engaged more deeply in hole  4   
     It will be understood that the number of impressions and notches  96  provided respectively in tables  70  and  72  can be greater than two. 
     In general, vibrating bowls  14  and  30  are bowls for retrieval of labels  3  and pins  5 , but they also perform a sorting function by means of helicoidal ramps  20  and  34 , which are designed such that they prevent ascent of an element having a shape other than that of a label  3  or of a pin  5  that may stray by error into the bottom of these bowls. To this end, ramps  20  and  34  are provided with guide elements that are appropriate to cause extraneous elements to fall back inside the bowls. 
     The anti-theft device  1  shown herein for attachment to articles by the apparatus  10  is of the type known as an EAS marker, but it should be understood that an apparatus like apparatus  10  could be provided to attach to articles of clothing, etc., other types of anti-theft devices such as ink tags.

Summary:
A semi-automatic machine for affixing an anti-theft device, such as an EAS marker, to an article of clothing or the like. The anti-theft device is of the type made up of two elements that are to be snapped together through the article of clothing. Each of the two kinds of elements is stored in a respective vibrating bowl and transferred to an assembly station by a respective vibrating conveyor. One of the two elements is positioned on a working surface at the assembly station. The second element is taken up by a snap-connection mechanism. A laser provides a reference mark at the working surface so that an operator can precisely position a desired part of the article of clothing for receiving the anti-theft device. After the article is positioned in accordance with the reference mark, the snap-connection mechanism is actuated to insert the second element into the first element through the article of clothing.