HK1157922B - Swing ticket housing - Google Patents

Description

Drop shell

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present invention relates to and claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No.61/194,296 entitled "SWING timing house using" filed on 27.9.2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to swing tags used for warehousing and marketing purposes, which may include integral EAS and/or RFID elements, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for a rigid plastic swing tag housing that may be used in conjunction with an EAS hard tag.

Background

Informational labels or trademark stickers that contain information about the retail item or other merchandise (e.g., price, bar code identification, manufacturer information, etc.) are commonly referred to as swing tags. These swing tags are attached to corresponding articles and may be manufactured with embedded electronic article surveillance ("EAS") or radio frequency identification ("RFID") components. Current solutions involve embedding electronic sensors within a thin material printed drop, typically made of cardboard. However, this approach does not protect the internal tags or sensors from damage or damage. Current methods also do not prevent the swing ticket itself from bending, tearing, or removing.

Tags made from cardboard are typically attached to items such as cloth and other textiles using thin plastic tag pins. A plastic tagging needle is attached using a tagging gun that pierces an item to insert the needle and tag simultaneously. A disadvantage of this system is that the swing ticket can be easily damaged or removed. The tag can be removed without the use of tools because the tag can be torn off the pin or the pin can be manipulated to pull the tag out. Another disadvantage is that once the tag is removed, price changes become possible. If the tag includes an RFID tag, unauthorized removal would compromise data integrity and cause errors. If the tag includes an EAS sensor and is removed, the product will be unprotected and may be stolen.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method and apparatus for protecting a swing ticket from damage or removal by effectively securing the swing ticket to its associated item.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention advantageously provides a swing ticket holder, system and method for securing a swing ticket to an item of merchandise. In general, the swing ticket is held within a rigid housing and secured to an item using a pin and a lock. The swing ticket holder may include a cavity for holding an electronic article surveillance ("EAS") and/or radio frequency identification ("RFID") element, or may be used in conjunction with an EAS hard tag.

According to one aspect of the invention, a swing ticket holder is provided that uses a lock and a pin to secure a swing ticket to an item. The swing ticket holder includes a rigid housing arranged to hold a swing ticket. The pin extends outwardly from the rigid housing and is insertable into the lock to secure the swing ticket holder to an item.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an EAS system is provided for securing a swing ticket to an item of merchandise. The EAS system includes a swing ticket holder having a rigid housing arranged to hold a swing ticket; an EAS hard tag; and a pin for securing the swing ticket holder to the EAS hard tag through the article of merchandise.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for securing a swing ticket to an item of merchandise. The swing ticket is inserted into the swing ticket holder. The swing ticket holder is secured to the item of merchandise by inserting the pin through the item into the lock. The pin extends from the swing ticket holder.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary swing ticket holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary swing ticket holder of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one mode of use of the exemplary swing ticket holder of FIGS. 1-2, in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exemplary swing ticket holder of FIG. 1 showing the placement of EAS and RFID elements in the housing in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a swing ticket holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the alternative swing ticket holder of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of another alternative embodiment of a swing ticket holder constructed to open in a clamshell fashion and constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the clamshell swing ticket holder of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the clamshell swing ticket holder of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of another alternative embodiment of a swing ticket holder having an integrated gripping mechanism for receiving a needle constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the alternative swing ticket holder of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the clamshell swing ticket holder of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of yet another alternative embodiment of a swing ticket holder including a housing with a removable cover constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of yet another alternative embodiment of a swing ticket holder including a housing with a removable cover and an integrated gripping mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

figure 16 is an exploded view of another alternative embodiment of a swing ticket holder having a three-piece housing constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to implementing a swing ticket holder for use in conjunction with radio frequency identification ("RFID") and/or electronic article surveillance ("EAS") systems. Accordingly, the system and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as "first" and "second," "top" and "bottom," "front" and "back," and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.

One embodiment of the present invention advantageously provides a swing ticket holder that is not only a sales tool that displays printed material to a customer in an aesthetically pleasing manner, but is also a housing to protect the printed material and electronic sensors and RFID devices that may be disposed therein. The swing ticket holder can advantageously be locked onto an article using a pin and grip arrangement that can only be released using an authorized detaching device.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a rear perspective view of one embodiment of an exemplary swing ticket holder 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Swing ticket holder 10 includes a rigid plastic housing 12, rigid plastic housing 12 being configured to receive a card label (not shown) having visible indicia thereon. The rigid plastic housing 12 has a generally flat configuration and may optionally house EAS and/or RFID elements (not shown). Swing ticket holder 10 has a front 14 and a back 16. The back face 16 may include protruding metal pins 18. The metal pins 18 may engage a gripping mechanism disposed in a lock (not shown) to securely hold the swing ticket holder 10 to an item of merchandise. Housing 12 may also include a slot 20 along a top edge 21 that allows insertion of a card label. After the card is inserted into slot 20, swing ticket holder 10 is then attached to the item of merchandise and engaged with the gripping mechanism using metal pins 18. The position of the pin 18 relative to the position of the slot 20 when on the item of merchandise will not allow the card to slide and be removed. To remove the card tag, the swing ticket holder 10 must be completely removed from the merchandise item to enable the card to slide out.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front perspective view of the exemplary swing ticket holder of FIG. 1 is provided. The front face 14 of the housing 12 includes a window area 22, which window area 22 may be open or at least partially transparent to allow viewing of the card labels (not shown). In the open configuration, the card tag may be secured by one or more tabs 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d (collectively "tabs 24") or guard bars 26 that prevent the card tag from being removed without damaging the tag.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4, one mode of use of the swing ticket holder 10 of fig. 1 and 2 is shown. In fig. 3, a card label 28 having human readable data 30 and machine readable data 32, such as a bar code, is inserted into the housing 12 through the slot 20. Fig. 3 shows the tag partially inserted, while fig. 4 shows the swing ticket holder 10 fully inserted and attached to the EAS tag 34 by inserting the pin 18 into a mating gripping portion of the EAS tag 34. Thus, embodiments of the swing ticket holder 10 of the present invention advantageously serve as a component of a standard EAS hard tag theft prevention system, while also providing a means to securely lock a card swing ticket to an item.

Swing ticket holder 10 may also be attached to a locking assembly that includes a gripping mechanism that does not include an EAS sensor. Fig. 5 shows an arrangement in which a card 36 (or printed circuit board) containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements is placed in a shallow cavity 42 within the housing 12 and a printed card tag 28 is positioned on top of the EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements to effectively conceal them. It should be noted that the components of the EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements are generally known and therefore not described in detail herein. The EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may be magneto-acoustic (magneto-acoustic) EAS tags that may include, among other things, an antenna electrically coupled to a transceiver that may be controlled by a processor or microprocessor. Locking pins and gripping devices, such as those used in EAS hard tagging systems, are known in the art and are not discussed in detail herein.

Referring now to fig. 6 and 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Fig. 6 shows a front perspective view of swing ticket holder 100. Fig. 7 shows a rear perspective view of swing ticket holder 100. The swing ticket holder 100 is similar to the swing ticket holder 10 described above in connection with fig. 1-5; rather than having an integrated needle, however, swing ticket holder 100 includes an opening 110 disposed proximate an upper edge 114 in a generally flat rigid plastic housing 112. In use, the swing ticket holder 100 may be attached to an article by inserting a needle assembly from an EAS hard tag (not shown) through the opening 110 and then engaging the needle with the gripping member of the EAS hard tag. Additionally, the card 36 of FIG. 5 containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may also be used in this alternative embodiment to include RFID capabilities and/or if an EAS hard tag pin/clutch is not used.

Fig. 8-10 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 shows a front view of swing ticket holder 200. Fig. 9 shows a side view of swing ticket holder 200. Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of swing ticket holder 200. Swing ticket holder 200 includes a housing 212 having a hinged lower edge 214 that enables housing 212 to be opened in a clamshell configuration. The back 216 of the housing 212 includes a cavity 218, while the front 220 is generally planar. This configuration allows a printed label (not shown) and EAS/RFID component, as shown on card 36 in fig. 5, to be inserted into cavity 216 and removed as needed. The front 220 of the housing 212 includes a first opening 222 located near an upper edge 224 of the clamshell housing 212 that is substantially aligned with a second opening 226 in the back 216 of the housing 212 when the housing is in the closed position. The clamshell housing 212 can be secured in the closed position by inserting a needle assembly from an EAS hard tag (not shown) through both openings 222, 226 and then engaging the needle with the gripping component of the EAS hard tag. Additionally, the card 36 of FIG. 5 containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may also be used in this alternative embodiment to include RFID capabilities and/or if an EAS hard tag pin/clutch is not used.

Referring now to fig. 11-13, another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Fig. 11 shows a front view of swing ticket holder 300. Fig. 12 shows a side view of swing ticket holder 300. Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of swing ticket holder 300. Swing ticket holder 300 is similar to the previous embodiments in that it includes a generally flat rigid plastic housing 312, the housing 312 being at least partially transparent to allow viewing of the printed matter enclosed therein. The housing 312 is shown as having a clamshell configuration, although the invention is not limited in this respect. The housing 312 may also be configured to include a slot 314, the slot 314 allowing insertion of a swing ticket (not shown). In this embodiment, a grasping mechanism to receive a locking needle (not shown) is integrally formed with the housing 312. The housing 312 may include a tab 316 in which a gripping mechanism is received for engagement with the needle. An opening 318 in one face 320 of the housing 312 coincides with the gripping mechanism. A pin (not shown) may be inserted through opening 318 and engage with a gripping mechanism to secure an item to swing ticket holder 300. Additionally, the card 36 of FIG. 5 containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may also be used in this alternative embodiment to include RFID capabilities and/or if an EAS hard tag pin/clutch is not used.

Referring now to fig. 14, another alternative of the present invention is shown. Fig. 14 is an exploded view of swing ticket holder 400. Swing ticket holder 400 includes a two-piece rigid housing 412 comprised of a lower housing piece 414 and a removable upper housing piece 416. The lower housing member 414 includes a cavity 418, while the removable upper housing member 416 is generally flat. This configuration allows the printed tag 420 and EAS/RFID assembly shown on card 36 in fig. 5 to be inserted into cavity 418 and removed as needed. The upper housing member 416 includes a first opening 422 located near an upper edge 424 of the upper housing member 416, the first opening 422 being substantially aligned with a second opening 426 in the lower housing member 414 when the housing 412 is in the closed position. The housing 412 may be secured in the closed position by inserting a needle assembly from an EAS hard tag (not shown) through the two openings 422, 426 and then engaging the needle with the gripping component of the EAS hard tag. Further, the card 36 of FIG. 5 containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may also be used in this alternative embodiment to include RFID capabilities and/or if an EAS hard tag pin/clutch is not used.

Referring now to FIG. 15, yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Similar to swing ticket holder 400 shown in fig. 14, swing ticket holder 500 is constructed of a two-piece design housing 512 having, for example, a lower housing piece 514 and an upper housing piece 516. However, swing ticket holder 500 also includes an integrated gripping mechanism for receiving a locking pin (not shown) integrally formed in one of the housing members. In this embodiment, the top housing member 514 includes a tab 518, and the tab 518 receives a gripping structure therein for engagement with the needle. The opening 520 in the lower housing member 516 of the housing 512 coincides with the gripping structure. A pin (not shown) may be inserted into opening 520 and engaged with the gripping structure to secure an item to swing ticket holder 500. If an EAS hard tag pin/clutch is not used, the card 36 of FIG. 5 containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may be used in this alternative embodiment to include RFID capabilities and/or EAS capabilities.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another alternative embodiment of the present invention is provided. Swing ticket holder 600 includes a housing 612 having a three-piece design, such as a lower housing piece 614, an upper housing piece 616, and a transparent window cover 618, through which transparent window cover 618 a card label 620 can be viewed. In the embodiment shown in fig. 16, the lower housing member 614 includes a first opening 622 and the upper housing member 616 includes a corresponding second opening 624 that are aligned with each other when the swing ticket housing 612 is in the closed position. The locking pins may be inserted through openings 622, 624 into corresponding locks, as found in existing EAS hard tags (not shown), to retain the swing ticket holder on the article of merchandise. Alternatively, swing ticket holder 600 may include an integrated gripping mechanism to receive the locking pin or the locking pin itself (not shown) integrally formed in one of the housing pieces. Additionally, if an EAS hard tag pin/clutch is not used, the card 36 of FIG. 5 containing EAS 38 and/or RFID 40 elements may be used in this alternative embodiment to include RFID capabilities and/or EAS capabilities.

Embodiments of the swing ticket holder of the present invention may protect any type of EAS sensor technology, and/or any type of RFID sensor, e.g., passive, active, semi-passive, UF, UHF, etc. The swing ticket holder may be constructed using a 1, 2, or 3-piece design, and may include technical and non-technical structures. The swing ticket holder also protects the printed material on the swing ticket from bending, tearing, shifting and loss. There may be a variety of possible design configurations, including non-gripping configurations for use with existing EAS hard tags, and internal gripping configurations for use with standard tacks (tack). The swing ticket is placed in the holder along with any other sensors as required. The completed holder is then attached to the article. At the point of sale, the swing ticket holder is removed and returned to inventory and the customer saves the swing ticket. Any of the above-described embodiments of the swing ticket holder may also be constructed with an integral EAS and/or RFID component.

The rigid construction of the swing ticket holder is structurally superior to previous solutions. The method of attachment of the swing ticket holder is to attach a rigid plastic holder to the item of merchandise with a rigid pin, rather than using a thin plastic part that attaches the actual unprotected tag directly to the item.

The hard polymer material of the swing ticket holder is difficult to deform and damage. The swing ticket and sensors are better protected within the swing ticket holder. The use of a steel pin to secure the swing ticket holder to the merchandise prevents it from being removed without tools or inadvertently removed during normal use.

The swing ticket holder may include a mechanical gripping device to be used with an EAS type needle. The swing ticket holder may also not include a gripping device and may be used with existing EAS hard tags, such as are already owned by store owners.

In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. It will be evident that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and accordingly, reference should be had to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims (17)

1. A swing ticket holder for securing a swing ticket to an item using a lock and a pin, the swing ticket holder comprising:

a rigid housing arranged to hold the swing ticket, the rigid housing having a front portion and a back portion that together define a cavity such that the swing ticket is inserted into the cavity and can be removed as required, the rigid housing being arranged to allow the needle to project outwardly from the rigid housing and be insertable into the lock to secure the swing ticket holder to the item; the rigid housing having a first edge opposite a second edge, the rigid housing defining at least one opening disposed adjacent the first edge through which the needle can be inserted into the lock; said rigid housing having a slot along said first edge that allows insertion of said swing ticket, the position of said pin relative to the position of said slot when on said item will not allow the swing ticket to slide and be removed; to remove the swing ticket, the swing ticket holder must be completely removed from the item to enable the swing ticket to slide out.

2. The swing ticket holder of claim 1, further comprising a card having at least one of an electronic article surveillance element and a radio frequency identification element disposed thereon, the card being retained within the rigid housing.

3. The swing ticket holder of claim 1, wherein the rigid housing has a generally flat configuration, the cavity being defined between the front portion and the back portion to allow the swing ticket to be retained within the cavity when the front portion is aligned over the back portion to form the closed position.

4. The swing ticket holder of claim 3, wherein the front portion defines a first opening and the back portion defines a second opening such that when in the closed position, the first opening is substantially aligned with the second opening to allow the needle to be inserted through the first and second openings.

5. The swing ticket holder of claim 3, wherein the front portion is hinged to the back portion along one of the first and second edges.

6. The swing ticket holder of claim 4, wherein the rigid housing further comprises:

a projection extending from one of the front portion and the back portion; and

the lock is contained within the tab such that the lock is substantially aligned with the opening to receive and secure the needle when the front portion and the back portion are in the closed position.

7. An electronic article surveillance system for securing a swing ticket to an article of merchandise, the electronic article surveillance system comprising:

a swing ticket holder to secure a swing ticket to an item using a lock and a pin and having a rigid housing arranged to hold the swing ticket, the rigid housing having a front portion and a back portion that collectively define a cavity such that the swing ticket is inserted into the cavity and can be removed as desired, the rigid housing having a first edge opposite a second edge, the rigid housing defining at least one opening disposed adjacent the first edge through which the pin can be inserted into the lock, the rigid housing having a slot along the first edge that allows insertion of the swing ticket, the position of the pin relative to the position of the slot when on the item of merchandise will not allow the swing ticket to slide and be removed; to remove the swing ticket, the swing ticket holder must be completely removed from the item of merchandise to enable the swing ticket to slide out;

electronic article surveillance hard tags; and

the pin penetrates through the commodity article to fix the swing ticket holder on the electronic commodity anti-theft hard tag.

8. The electronic article surveillance system according to claim 7, further comprising a card having a radio frequency identification element, said card being retained within said swing ticket holder.

9. The electronic article surveillance system according to claim 7, wherein said electronic article surveillance hard tag includes a lock, said pin projecting outwardly from said rigid housing and insertable into said lock to secure said swing ticket holder to said article of merchandise.

10. The electronic article surveillance system according to claim 9, wherein the rigid housing has a generally flat configuration, the cavity being defined between the front and rear portions to allow the swing ticket to be retained within the cavity when the front portion is aligned over the rear portion to form the closed position.

11. The electronic article surveillance system according to claim 9, wherein the front portion defines a first opening and the rear portion defines a second opening such that when in the closed position, the first opening is substantially aligned with the second opening to allow insertion of the needle through the first and second openings.

12. The electronic article surveillance system according to claim 9, wherein the front portion is hinged to the rear portion along one of the first and second edges.

13. A method of securing a swing ticket to an item of merchandise, the method comprising:

inserting a swing ticket into a cavity of a swing ticket holder and being removable as desired, the swing ticket holder securing the swing ticket to an item using a lock and a pin and having a rigid housing arranged to hold the swing ticket, the rigid housing having a front portion and a back portion that collectively define the cavity such that the swing ticket is removably inserted into the cavity, the rigid housing having a first edge opposite a second edge, the rigid housing defining at least one opening disposed adjacent the first edge through which the pin can be inserted into the lock, the rigid housing having a slot along the first edge that allows insertion of the swing ticket, the position of the pin relative to the position of the slot when on the item will not allow the swing ticket to slide and be removed; to remove the swing ticket, the swing ticket holder must be completely removed from the item to enable the swing ticket to slide out; and

securing the swing ticket holder to the item of merchandise by inserting the pin through the item into a lock, the pin extending from the swing ticket holder.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lock is an electronic article surveillance hard tag.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the rigid housing has a generally flat configuration, the cavity being defined between the front portion and the back portion to allow the swing ticket to be retained within the cavity when the front portion is aligned over the back portion to form the closed position.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the front portion defines a first opening and the back portion defines a second opening such that when in the closed position, the first opening is substantially aligned with the second opening to allow the needle to be inserted through the first and second openings.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the rigid housing further comprises:

a projection extending from one of the front portion and the back portion; and

the lock is contained within the tab such that the lock is substantially aligned with the opening to receive and secure the needle when the front portion and the back portion are in the closed position.