Patent Description:
EAS keepers and security devices ("Keepers") are generally known in the art, including as disclosed, for example, in <CIT> and <CIT> and <CIT>. Since the advent of Keepers in the <NUM>, retailers have applied millions of these Keepers to Hard Goods in order to prevent shoplifting. Keepers initially emerged to protect very high value Hard Goods like CDs and audiocassettes where the traditional EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) adhesive label was no longer effective as easily identified and neutralized by a shoplifter. Keepers have proven to be a very effective way of combatting shoplifting of high value Hard Goods but have always presented a number of challenges and drawbacks such as but no limited to:.

As seen above, the current Keepers for Hard Goods and other items have various shortcomings. An improved Keeper is highly desirable. These and other shortcomings of these known Keepers are addressed by the present invention.

In order to solve the above challenges with current Keepers, the invention is directed to an improved Keeper made of a rigid and generally transparent casing with a generally transparent adhesive means of attachment which can be used in conjunction with (<NUM>) known EAS labels, including RF and acousto-magnetic labels such as manufactured or sold by All-Tag Corporation USA and Sensormatic, a division of Johnson Controls USA; (<NUM>) RFID label inlays manufactured or sold by Avery Denison USA; and (<NUM>) non-EAS adhesive labels pre-printed with deterrent messages to: (a) deter shoplifters from stealing; (b) to deter buyers from buying stolen merchandise; and (c) to help law enforcement officers to recognize stolen goods.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved EAS or non-EAS Keeper. The Keeper of the present invention as defined in claim <NUM> is intended to include inter alia:.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide an improved Keeper which does not include a locking mechanism and, therefore, the Keeper will not be required to be removed at the point of sale. Upon checkout the deactivatable EAS label or re-programmable RFID inlay when applicable will be deactivated or turned-off to allow a paying customer to leave the store without triggering the EAS Security Gates when applicable. This feature will save substantial time and money to retailers and will allow customers to pay using self-checkouts without the assistance of sales staff to unlock or remove the Keepers, thereby expediting the checkout process. The paying customer will then remove the improved Keeper at home when needed, using for example, a pair of scissors. In the event the improved Keeper does not carry an EAS label, a paying customer can walk out the store with its purchase ticket which proves the product was paid for.

Another primary object of the invention is for the improved Keeper and its attached flexible transparent support to destroy the product's packaging and/or product brand label when forcibly removed to extract the product inside it or use the product to avoid a shoplifter from reselling it on the black market. This feature will deter shoplifting, will help the fight against ORC and will help law enforcement officers to locate stolen goods.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide an improved Keeper that adds a minimal additional volume to a Hard Good or its packaging when affixed to it. In opposition to traditional Keepers which add <NUM> to <NUM>% more volume, the Keeper of the invention will not impact the number of products on display in a self-service environment. This feature will increase sales as more Hard Goods will be exposed in comparison to traditional Keepers.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide an improved Keeper that in addition to the above-mentioned improvements brings a physical reinforcement to the peg-hole of a carboard package to deter a shoplifter from pulling a Keeper with a cardboard package off a store display by tearing it off (breaking the cardboard peg-hole). This reinforcement will be most effective on secured store displays such as the T100 or Helix device from In-View Systems, a Charlotte, North Carolina company, that prevents a shoplifter from pulling out several items at the same time from a display system. This feature will help reduce theft.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide an improved Keeper that in addition to the above-mentioned improvements brings a physical reinforcement to the opening(s) of a product packaging to deter a shoplifter opening a package inside a store to extract goods inside the store and then leave an empty or partially empty package that may be purchased by an honest customer.

A variant of the invention is to provide an improved Keeper that perfectly matches the geometry/morphology of a specific section of a specific Hard Good packaging thus reducing the possibility of it being used on other Hard Goods it was not designed for. As an example: an improved Keeper can be made to match the geometry/morphology of a pack of AA batteries of Brand A that would not match the geometry/morphology of a pack of AA batteries of Brand B as for example the peg-hole of the AA battery pack of Brand B would be obstructed by the Keeper made for Brand A.

A variant of the invention is to provide an improved Keeper that matches the geometry/morphology of a specific Hard Good A and includes a very specific opaque printing area on its clear flexible support that would mask very specific information of a very similar Hard Good B which would make Hard Good B in a Keeper for Hard Good A very difficult or impossible to sell. As an example: an improved Keeper can be made to match the geometry/morphology of a pack of AA batteries of Brand A whereas the opaque printing area does not mask important information when wrapped around it but when used on a very similar pack of AA batteries of Brand B would partially or totally mask the barcode or other critical information making it very difficult or impossible to sell as the barcode will not be read by the barcode reader at the checkout point and/or critical legal information will be masked.

The invention as defined in claim <NUM> is further directed to a Keeper comprising clips acting as guide pins in order to hold the Keeper onto a product before wrapping the strong transparent adhesive means of attachment around the product in a specific alignment between the alignment pins to avoid mispositioning the transparent adhesive means and needing to reposition the transparent adhesive means which can damage the product label.

These primary and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings. In this respect it is further observed that the invention as defined in the claims corresponds solely to the embodiment of <FIG>, which however is more specific in that it describes a specific arrangement of a keeper to be used with a specific type of product. The other disclosed embodiments do not fall under the scope of the claims but are useful to understand various mandatory and optional features of the invention.

The following detailed description of the specific non-limiting embodiments of the present invention can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structures are indicated by like reference numbers.

Referring to <FIG>, there is shown the improved Keeper <NUM> comprising a rigid casing <NUM>, a flexible adhesive support <NUM> affixed to the casing <NUM> via the precut perforations on the flexible support <NUM> and the arrow shape barbs on the casing <NUM> as described below. The casing <NUM> includes a security device <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> includes a frame <NUM> which may be of different shapes to conform to the Hard Good upon which the Keeper <NUM> is to be attached. The frame <NUM> shown in <FIG> is rectangular as this is a common shape of Hard Good products. Frame <NUM> includes a top wall <NUM>, bottom wall <NUM> and side walls <NUM>, <NUM>. Extending from top wall <NUM> is an upwardly extending support <NUM>. Support <NUM> includes an elbow <NUM> which allows the support to be placed through a Hard Good product peg-hole as shown, for example, in <FIG> and <FIG>. Support <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> which corresponds to a Hard Good package peg-hole for hanging the Hard Good product on a display rack in a store.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame <NUM> side wall <NUM> may include arrow shaped barbs <NUM> for attachment of flexible adhesive support <NUM> as discussed below. Referring to <FIG>, side wall <NUM> is adapted to receive a security element <NUM> which may be adhered to side wall <NUM> by any suitable means such as an adhesive. The security element <NUM> is not accessible to consumers such that it cannot be removed and preferably cannot be seen. Case <NUM> may include one or more apertures A in the walls to provide for a lighter weight Keeper and to require less material in the manufacture of the Keeper, thereby saving cost in manufacture.

Frame <NUM> further includes an open window <NUM> shown, for example, in <FIG>. This represents an area of the rigid casing <NUM> with no material and which matches the geometry and the position of the Hard Good. The Keeper <NUM> thereby reduces the total amount of material required and produces a lighter and cheaper antitheft solution. The Keeper <NUM> fits in place to surround a product <NUM>.

The rigid casing <NUM> may be manufactured from a transparent material such as, but no limited to, polycarbonate plastic; a non-transparent ABS plastic; or an eco-friendly biodegradable material. While the preferred embodiment is for casing <NUM> to be transparent, a translucent or an opaque casing may be used, including a casing using the trade dress of the Hard Good product to be secured.

The flexible adhesive support <NUM> comprises a clear tape <NUM> with a strong glue and a peel-off paper backing <NUM>. The clear adhesive tape <NUM> is meant to wrap around the package of a product and the Keeper <NUM> to hold all together by the strong glue of tape <NUM>. Support <NUM> further includes a plurality of perforations <NUM> for mating with arrow barbs <NUM> and attaching the support <NUM> to casing <NUM>.

The flexible support <NUM> may be manufactured from a clear plastic material such as, but not limited to, polypropylene or an eco-friendly biodegradable material. A presently preferred strong glue on tape <NUM> is UPM Permanent adhesive that will destroy printed matter on the back of a product's packaging if removed by a shoplifter, making the product hard to resell.

The security element <NUM> may include one or a combination of an EAS label; an antenna; or a security device or electronic label such as an RFID element/antenna for the purpose such as, but not limited to, one or multiple traceability, merchandising, marketing, pricing or inventory purposes.

Referring to <FIG>, there is disclosed a presently preferred shape and dimensions of the improved Keeper <NUM>. However, it is understood that other shapes and dimensions may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Specifically, the improved Keeper <NUM> of the invention preferably will correspond to the shape of the Hard Good being secured, including, but not limited to, rectangular, square, oval or the like.

<FIG> show a pack of batteries <NUM> secured with an improved Keeper <NUM> having an acousto-magnetic label <NUM> wherein the transparent flexible adhesive tape <NUM> is wrapped around the pack of batteries <NUM>. After the product <NUM> has been wrapped, the batteries are no longer accessible without forcing the package open. The strong permanent adhesive on transparent tape <NUM> will destroy the printed material <NUM> on the pack of batteries <NUM> if forcefully removed. Referring to <FIG>, there is shown the Keeper <NUM> being attached to a package of batteries <NUM>. Support <NUM> is placed through the peg-hole of the batteries <NUM>. The flexible adhesive support <NUM> is pulled out and away from the casing <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, support <NUM> is seen through the peg-hole of batteries <NUM> and the top thereof is adjacent to the top of the batteries <NUM>. Peel-off layer <NUM> is pulled back from flexible adhesive support <NUM> exposing tape <NUM> with the strong permanent adhesive. Referring to <FIG>, the clear tape <NUM> is wrapped around the back of the battery pack <NUM> and all product information may be read and does not cover it. Referring to <FIG>, the clear tape <NUM> is now completely wrapped around the battery pack and covering the open area <NUM> of casing <NUM> and the Keeper is fully attached to the battery pack <NUM> and the Keeper and the battery pack <NUM> constitute one unitary product. Thereafter, a customer may purchase the battery pack <NUM> at a cashier with the barcode, as shown in <FIG>, visible for a cashier to scan the product. Similarly, at the checkout, the AM security element <NUM> may be deactivated by the cashier and the customer takes the product home. The customer thereafter may remove or cut the clear tape <NUM>.

<FIG> show a comparison of Keeper <NUM> in <FIG> and prior art Keepers K in <FIG> shows a series of improved Keepers <NUM>, protecting a series of identical battery packs <NUM> hanging off a retail display fixture F. <FIG> shows display fixture F with identical battery pack <NUM> in a prior art Keeper K. The lines X and Y in <FIG> will always be less for the same number of products than the lines X' and Y' in <FIG> as the new improved Keeper <NUM> will need less space on retail display fixtures F. For the same quantity of battery packs <NUM>, typically, X with the improved Keeper will be from <NUM> to <NUM> less than X' with the prior art Keepers and Y will be from <NUM> to <NUM> less than Y'.

<FIG> represent the improved Keeper <NUM> affixed to product <NUM> from Brand A and product <NUM>' from Brand B, wherein the transparent adhesive tape <NUM> of support <NUM> has one or more pre-defined cover up sections <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, cover up section <NUM> does not mask any critical information of the section <NUM> of the product <NUM> from Brand A. <FIG> show the same improved Keeper <NUM> and the same transparent adhesive tape <NUM> of support <NUM> on product <NUM>' from Brand B similar to Brand A, wherein the same clear adhesive tape <NUM> of support <NUM> has the same pre-defined cover up printed section <NUM> that masks critical information <NUM>' of the product <NUM>', thus product <NUM>' of Brand B cannot be sold with Keeper <NUM> designed for Brand A as the critical information, e.g. a barcode, is covered and cannot be scanned.

<FIG> show the improved Keeper <NUM> upper section <NUM> of the casing <NUM> perfectly fitting/matching the area of the product <NUM> packaging peg-hole in order to meet two criteria: (<NUM>) the upper section <NUM> of the casing <NUM> matches the peg-hole of the Brand A's packaging; and (<NUM>) the upper section <NUM> reinforces the peg-hole typically made of cardboard in order to keep shoplifters from pulling/ripping out one or several products from a retail display fixture by breaking the cardboard peg-hole from product <NUM>' as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> represent an alternative means of attachment for another embodiment of the improved Keeper <NUM> wherein the flexible adhesive support <NUM> is replaced by a double-sided glue <NUM> with peel-off paper <NUM>. The glue <NUM> is located on the perimeter of the improved Keeper <NUM> in order to attached it onto a product <NUM> protecting only one side of the product <NUM>. <FIG> represents this alternative embodiment <NUM> with the peel-off paper <NUM> totally removed and in the process of being glued onto the product packaging <NUM>. The other parts of Keeper <NUM> are substantially the same as Keeper <NUM>.

<FIG> show an alternative Keeper <NUM> which is substantially similar to Keeper <NUM> except that it does not include the flexible adhesive support <NUM>. The Keeper <NUM> is attached to the product <NUM> using a standard roll of clear tape <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a package of batteries <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a Keeper <NUM> with support <NUM> placed through the peg-hole of the batteries <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the clear tape <NUM> is wrapped around the front and then the back of the battery pack <NUM>. All product information may be read and is not covered. Referring to <FIG>, the clear tape <NUM> is now completely wrapped around the battery pack and a scissors or similar instrument are used to cut the excess clear tape <NUM>. Thereafter, a customer may purchase the battery pack <NUM> at a cashier with the barcode, as shown in <FIG>, visible for a cashier to scan the product. Similarly, at the checkout, the AM security element <NUM> may be deactivated by the cashier and the customer takes the product home. The customer thereafter may remove or cut the clear tape <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the use of two Keepers <NUM> and <NUM> at the top and bottom of a Hard Good <NUM> and a clear adhesive member <NUM> is wrapped around the Hard Good to hold the Keepers <NUM> and <NUM> in place. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> having a peg-hole for holding the Hard Good. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> without a peg-hole.

<FIG> represent an alternative means of attachment for another embodiment of the improved Keeper <NUM> made of a thin rigid plastic material, e.g. lmm in thickness. The flexible adhesive support <NUM> of the prior discussed Keepers is replaced by a double-sided glue <NUM> with peel-off paper <NUM>. One side of glue <NUM> is attached to Keeper <NUM> and a second side of glue <NUM> will be attached to product <NUM>. The second side of glue <NUM> covers most of the surface of the improved Keeper <NUM> in contact with a product <NUM> in order to attach Keeper <NUM> to the product <NUM>. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> with the peel-off paper <NUM> totally removed and in the process of being glued onto the product packaging <NUM>. <FIG> represent an alternative way to affix the EAS label <NUM> on the Keeper <NUM> to allow the pre-printed area of an EAS label <NUM> to be seen by a customer and/or shoplifter. The label <NUM> is first glued onto the plastic drawer <NUM> by means of its self-adhesive double-sided glue, the drawer <NUM> with the EAS label is then fastened by clip-on onto the Keeper <NUM>. The EAS label will remain out of access to a shoplifter at all times. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> with pre-determined grooves <NUM> on its surface created during the plastic injection process and designed to break when forced as shown at <NUM>'. <FIG> shows how the improved Keeper <NUM> damages the printed material of the product packaging <NUM> if foreseeably removed.

<FIG> represent an alternative means of attachment for another embodiment of an improved semi-rigid plastic Keeper <NUM> wherein the adhesive support <NUM> of the prior Keepers is replaced by a double-sided glue <NUM> with peel-off paper <NUM>. The glue <NUM> is located on most of the surface of the improved Keeper <NUM> that makes contact with the product <NUM> in order to attach it to the product <NUM>, thereby protecting one side of the product. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> with the peel-off paper <NUM> totally removed and in the process of being glued onto the product packaging <NUM>. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> in place on the product packaging <NUM> showing the EAS label's pre-printed area <NUM> can be seen by a customer or shoplifter. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> preferably made of flexible clear plastic showing a certain latitude to adapt to oval or concave product packages or products. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> with slightly sharp teeth <NUM> around its perimeter in order to make it harder for a shoplifter to remove the Keeper <NUM> from the product packaging <NUM> as the teeth will tend to harm a shoplifter's fingers.

<FIG> represent an alternative means of attachment for another embodiment of the improved Keeper <NUM> designed to match concave surfaces of products such as wines and spirits. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> attached to a spirit bottle <NUM>. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> with a slightly concave shape and its EAS label <NUM> in place and not accessible by a customer or shoplifter. Keeper <NUM> is made of a thin rigid or semi-rigid plastic. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> with the peel-off paper <NUM> totally removed and in the process of being glued onto the product <NUM> whereas the improved Keeper <NUM> covers a printed area such as a fiscal stamp <NUM> of the product's label. <FIG> shows how the improved Keeper <NUM> permanently damages the printed area of the product <NUM> such as a fiscal stamp which will reduce the resale value of product <NUM> in the grey or black markets.

<FIG> represent an alternative means of attachment for another embodiment of the improved Keeper <NUM> designed to prevent a product packaging from being opened from at least two of its sides in addition to preventing theft. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> made of two distinct sub-Keepers 600A and 600B attached to each other by easily separable means of attachment such as thin plastic junctures <NUM> and <NUM>'. Keeper <NUM> is made of a thin rigid or semi-rigid plastic. An RF or RFID EAS label <NUM> and an AM EAS label <NUM>' are glued respectively to sub-Keeper 600A and 600B. <FIG> shows sub-Keeper 600B being attached by means of a double-sided glue without its peel-off backing paper to one side of a product packaging and sized to prevent the package from being opened to extract the product inside. <FIG> shows sub-Keeper 600A being attached by means of a double-sided glue without its peel-off backing paper to another side of the same packaging and sized to prevent it from being opened to extract the product inside. <FIG> show the same improved Keeper <NUM> and its same sub-Keepers 600A and 600B attached to a same category of product packagings of different sizes such as small, medium, and large to prevent a shoplifter from opening a package to remove a high value item from inside the packaging or shoplift it. Improved Keeper <NUM> will save money to retailers as one size device can protect multiple sizes of a same product category.

<FIG> represents an alternative means of attachment for another embodiment of the improved Keeper <NUM> wherein the flexible adhesive support <NUM> is replaced by a double-sided glue <NUM> with peel-off paper <NUM>. The glue <NUM> covers most of the surface of the improved Keeper 700B section. There is no double-sided glue on section 700A which is snapped onto a product <NUM> lid to prevent it from being opened. The perimeter of Keeper <NUM> has semi-sharp teeth <NUM> to make it harder for shoplifter to remove/unglue the 700B section. Junction <NUM> made of wave sections allows the separation of section 700A from 700B without leaving any sharp edges or angles to avoid hurting a recurrent user of the product who recurrently opens and closes the lid. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> with the peel-off paper <NUM> totally removed and in the process of being glued onto the product packaging <NUM> where section 700B will permanently adhere to the printed matter surface of product <NUM> and section 700A will be clipped/snapped in place to prevent the lid <NUM> from being opened so a shoplifter cannot remove the contents of the product in the store. <FIG> shows Keeper <NUM> affixed to product <NUM> showing how section 700B with the permanent double-sided adhesive covering a large portion of the printed label of product <NUM>, shows two AM EAS labels <NUM> positioned side by side in the same magnetization polarity to amplify the resonating amplitude of the AM label resonators affixed to the plastic drawer <NUM> snapped onto section 700B. Positioning two AM labels in opposing polarities increases the detection range between AM EAS gates in retail stores as this dual opposing configuration helps counter the loss of detection in a product such as baby formula whereas the packaging has a thin inner layer of aluminum paper that absorbs a large part of the electromagnetic signal emitted by AM EAS gates. <FIG> show the removal of 700A to open container <NUM>. In <FIG>, a paying customer separates section 700A that had no double-sided adhesive from section 700B to free the top lid for opening and closing. More specifically, <FIG> show how the wave sections <NUM> that remain after the separation of sections 700A and 700B are harmless for a person needing to open and close the lid <NUM> numerous times.

<FIG> show the embodiments of <FIG> adding a separable section <NUM> that includes a peg hole 800A to allow the insertion of an EAS self-alarming device <NUM> such as a cable lock manufactured by Checkpoint Systems to add an additional layer of electronic alarming security. <FIG> show how the EAS self-alarming device is affix through the peg hole 800A of section <NUM> and depicts various dents <NUM> in the perimeter of section <NUM> to fragilize this section. <FIG> show how the EAS self-alarming device <NUM> along with separable section <NUM> detaches from the main section 700A and 700B destroying the printed matter under it thanks do the double-sided adhesive <NUM>. When section <NUM> separates because of dents <NUM> breaking, both or at least a single EAS label(s) <NUM> would remain affixed to product <NUM> to make sure it triggers the EAS gates at the entrance-exits of retail stores in case a shoplifter tries to extract product <NUM>.

<FIG> show a pack of batteries <NUM> secured with an improved Keeper <NUM> having an AM Acousto-Magnetic label <NUM> wherein the transparent flexible adhesive tape <NUM> is wrapped around the pack of batteries <NUM> in between the guide pins <NUM> and <NUM> forming alignments A-A' and B-B' to avoid mis-positioning the transparent flexible adhesive tape <NUM>. The guide pins <NUM> and <NUM> also serves to properly position and hold in place the pack of batteries <NUM> before starting to wrap the transparent flexible adhesive tape <NUM> by clipping onto the pack of batteries. After the product <NUM> has been wrapped, the batteries are no longer accessible without forcing the package open. The strong permanent adhesive on transparent tape <NUM> will destroy the printed material <NUM> on the pack of batteries <NUM> if forcefully removed. Referring to <FIG>, there is shown the Keeper <NUM> with its guide pins <NUM> and <NUM> as well as an AM EAS label <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the pack of batteries <NUM> is first clipped by the clips end of guide pins <NUM> and then clipped onto the batteries by guide pins <NUM> that will hold the Keeper <NUM> onto the battery pack <NUM> temporarily in place. Once the battery pack <NUM> is in position, guide pins <NUM> and <NUM> will guide the flexible adhesive tape <NUM> to properly be wrapped following alignments A-A' and B-B'. Referring to <FIG>, the clear tape <NUM> is now completely wrapped around the battery pack after going once again between guide pins <NUM> for a perfect alignment of the clear tape <NUM> on the battery pack <NUM> covering the area <NUM> of casing <NUM> and the Keeper is fully attached to the battery pack <NUM> and the Keeper and the battery pack <NUM> constitute one unitary product. Thereafter, a customer may purchase the battery pack <NUM> at a cashier with the barcode, as shown in <FIG>, visible for a cashier to scan the product. Similarly, at the checkout, the AM security element <NUM> may be deactivated by the cashier and the customer takes the product home. The customer thereafter may remove or cut the clear tape <NUM>.

<FIG> represent an alternative means of attachment for another two embodiments of the improved Keeper <NUM> and <NUM>' designed to match concave and flat surfaces of products such as wine and spirits bottles. <FIG> show the Keepers <NUM> and <NUM>' whereas <NUM>' has an EAS-RF label and/or a RFID flat label <NUM> affixed to it between the Keeper and a double side adhesive pad <NUM> and <NUM> has an EAS-AM label affixed to it between the Keeper and a double side adhesive pad <NUM> as seen in <FIG>. Keeper <NUM> has semi-sharp teeth <NUM> on all its perimeter to make the unlawful removal of the improved Kepper <NUM> by a shoplifter extremely difficult without using a hand tool and permanently damaging the product making it difficult to resell on the black market. <FIG> shows the improved Keeper <NUM> in its natural concave position and in its totally flat position in order to match various types of bottle geometries. <FIG> shows debilitating sections <NUM> at the extremities on both sides of the cavity that houses the EAS-AM label <NUM>' in order to allow the improved Keeper <NUM> to lay perfectly flat reducing the spring effect allowing a strong double side adhesive <NUM> to hold the improved Keeper <NUM> perfectly in place either in a concave or flat surface. <FIG> represents the edge of the perimeter of the improved Keeper <NUM> in a knife sharp shape to make it harder to remove by a shoplifter. <FIG> shows the same improved Keepers <NUM>' being placed on a curved product <NUM> and flat product <NUM>' thanks to the strong and clear double sided adhesive <NUM>. <FIG> shows the same improved Keeper <NUM> being placed on a curved product <NUM> and flat product <NUM>' thanks to the strong and clear double sided adhesive <NUM>.

<FIG> represent an alternative improved Keeper designed to protect product containers or packaging with a high content of metal/aluminum/iron. The Keeper design will compensate for the loss of the electromagnetic interrogation signal emitted by EAS gates installed after the point of sale which will make AM, RF or RFID labels affixed to metal products or metal containers to resonate and trigger the EAS gates. <FIG> represent the improved Keeper <NUM> affixed to a metallic infant formula can <NUM> and a metal beer can <NUM>. <FIG> shows an A-A' view of can <NUM> showing the housing <NUM> of the improved Keeper <NUM> where one or two AM labels <NUM> are separated by a distance Y from the metal can <NUM>. Y can be anywhere between <NUM> and <NUM> depending on the quantity of metal contained in the product or product packaging. A metal beer can will need a smaller Y distance compared to a big can made of iron for a product such as canned food. The Y distance will be needed no matter the technology of the EAS label (AM, RF or RFID). The EAS labels <NUM> inside the housing <NUM> are not accessible from the outside to a shoplifter, if the housing <NUM> is tampered it will permanently damage the product label thanks to the very strong double-sided adhesive used to affix the improved Keeper.

<FIG> show an improved Keeper <NUM> that includes alignment pins that may be on the peg-hook area among other areas to allow a perfect alignment between, as an example, the improved Keeper peg-hook area and an area on specific high theft items such as but not limited to battery packs that have peg-hook openings. As the improved Keeper uses a very strong double-sided adhesive glue with a very strong initial tack to bond onto a product it is very important to properly align it on products to avoid the need to remove the improved Keeper after a faulty positioning to replace it as such action can damage the product's label and/or packaging. The alignment pins are also useful when manufacturing the enhanced Keeper to facilitate the proper alignment/positioning of the double-sided adhesive pad onto the improved Keeper. <FIG> shows an improved Keeper <NUM> perfectly in place whereas the peg-hook area of the improved Keeper <NUM>' perfectly matches the peg-hook area of the battery back <NUM> that was not damaged by several positioning attempts. <FIG> shows the double-sided strong glue adhesive pad <NUM> with its peel-off paper <NUM>, its peel off tab <NUM> and its peg-hook die-cut area <NUM>. It also shows the improved Keeper <NUM> with its alignment pins <NUM>. It also depicts the strong double sided adhesive pad <NUM> with one side being perfectly aligned thanks to the alignment pins <NUM> to the improved Keeper <NUM>. <FIG> shows how the peel-off paper <NUM> of the strong double-sided adhesive pad <NUM> is being removed by pulling on the peel-off tab <NUM> to expose the second side of the strong double-sided adhesive pad <NUM>'. <FIG> shows how the improved Keeper <NUM> is aligned to perfectly match the common peg-hook areas of battery pack <NUM> thanks to the alignment pins <NUM>. This is only one example of how alignment pins such as <NUM> can help align an improved Keeper using very strong double-sided adhesive onto a specific area of a product or product packaging.

<FIG> show the embodiments of <FIG> where on <FIG> the EAS label <NUM> has been replaced by a non-EAS plain label <NUM>' that carries a deterrent message not accessible from the outside to a shoplifter to deter a shoplifter inside a retail store. <FIG> shows and a second deterrent and/or preventive message not accessible from the outside to a shoplifter that has been pre-printed on the inward side of the flexible adhesive support <NUM> wrapped around the product meant to help law enforcement officers detect a stolen product to return it to its owner. If forcibly removed the improved Keeper and its flexible adhesive support will damage the product label packaging <NUM> and product label <NUM> considerably reducing the value of the stolen good. This improved Keeper variation operates as a benefit denial antitheft device which is independent from an EAS detection system.

<FIG> show the embodiments of <FIG> wherein the EAS labels <NUM> and <NUM>' have been replaced by non-EAS plain labels <NUM> and <NUM>'. <FIG> shows improved Keepers <NUM> and <NUM>' wherein EAS labels <NUM> and <NUM>' have been replaced by non-EAS plain labels <NUM> and <NUM>'pre-printed with a deterrent and/or preventive message. <FIG> show how if forcibly removed the improved Keepers <NUM> and <NUM>' will damage the products <NUM> and <NUM>' labels considerably reducing the value of the stolen good thus fighting organized retail crime. This improved Keeper variation operates as a benefit denial antitheft device which is independent from an EAS detection system.

<FIG> show an improved Keeper with an additional security detachable frame to avoid paying customers or store operators from potentially getting injured by the semi-sharp teeth. <FIG> shows the Keeper <NUM> with its semi-sharp teeth <NUM> surrounded by a security frame <NUM> that circles the entire perimeter of semi-sharp teeth and the security or pre-printed label element <NUM>. <FIG> show the improved Keeper <NUM> bonded onto battery pack <NUM> using strong double-sided adhesive where the semi-sharp teeth <NUM> are protected by security frame <NUM> that prevents a paying customer or store user from being injured by the semi-sharp teeth <NUM>. <FIG> shows a shoplifter's or store operator's hand trying to remove the keeper <NUM> from packaging <NUM> wherein the security frame <NUM> is the first to detach from the keeper <NUM> causing initial damage to the printed label of packaging <NUM>. <FIG> shows a shoplifter's hand having removed the security frame <NUM> exposing the semi-sharp teeth <NUM> that may injure the shoplifter's hand after applying force to remove what is left of the Keeper <NUM> further damaging the battery pack packaging <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A disposable security device keeper with no locking mechanism (<NUM>) comprising a rigid or semi-rigid casing (<NUM>) that substantially corresponds to the shape of a product (<NUM>) and adapted to cover at least a portion of one side of the product but not fully enclosing the product; the casing having a top wall (<NUM>), a bottom wall (<NUM>), a first side wall (<NUM>) and a second side wall (<NUM>) forming an open frame (<NUM>); a security element (<NUM>) or a non-EAS label having a deterrent message (<NUM>) attached to the casing and adapted to be inaccessible to a consumer when the keeper is attached to the product; and a flexible adhesive support (<NUM>) for securing the keeper to the product, characterized in that the first side wall includes at least one clip (<NUM>) for attaching the casing to the product and adapted to act as a guide pin to facilitate the wrapping of the flexible adhesive support (<NUM>) and the second side wall includes at least one clip (<NUM>) for attaching the casing to the product and adapted to act as a guide pin to facilitate the wrapping of the flexible adhesive support (<NUM>).