WO2022162033A1

WO2022162033A1 - Electronic article surveillance device

Info

Publication number: WO2022162033A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/051819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zsolt Hegmegi
Original assignee: Hegmegi Partner AB
Current assignee: Hegmegi Partner AB
Priority date: 2021-01-27
Filing date: 2022-01-27
Publication date: 2022-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-07-27

Abstract

Electronic article surveillance (EAS) device (10) arranged to be attached to an article (1) for preventing theft of the article, which device comprises; at least one elongate and flexible electrical conductor (12) arranged to be wrapped around the article (1) and having an electric resistance; and an electronics unit (20) comprising electric terminals (25a, 25b) for connecting respective ends of the at least one conductor (12), an electric power supply (21) arranged to supply electric power to the conductor (12), means (22, 23) for determining at least one electrical characteristics between the terminals (25a, 25b) and means for initiating an alarm when the electrical characteristics change. The electrical conductor (12) is at least partially uninsulated from the surroundings and in that the device comprises insulation means (14a-d) for mutual insulation between portions of the conductor (12) which portions cross each other when the conductor (12) has been wrapped around the article (1).

Description

ELECTRONIC ARTICLE SURVEILLANCE DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and in particular to an EAS device arranged to be attached to an article for preventing theft of the article.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) is commonly used for preventing shoplifting e.g. in stores providing durable goods, such as home electronics, power tools, measuring instruments and other hardware as well as fashion, cosmetics and the like. In the following, the term “article” is used to denominate such durable goods and the term is used to signify the product per se as well as a packaging holding the product.

[0003] The EAS systems typically comprise electronic tags which are attached to the articles and a detection means which is arranged to detect and initiate an alarm when a tag is passed out from the shop. The tags should be attached to the articles in a manner such that they may not be removed from the article without the use of some kind of authorisation means. The authorization means may, in its simplest form, comprise a magnet by means of which a shop clerk can release a latch mechanism of the tag to thereby allow removal of the tag from the article.

[0004] The tags may be attached to the respective article in different manners. According to one principle, the tag is securely fixed to a, preferably transparent, box which is arranged to receive the article and which is openable for removal of the article only after presenting an authorization means. A drawback of such solutions is that it is necessary to provide the boxes in many different sizes for proper accommodation of articles having different sizes and geometries. Another problem lies in that the boxes, also when being transparent, may obscure proper visual and tactile inspection of the article by the customer.

[0005] According to another known principle, the tag may be fixed to the article by means of a so called “spider wrap” which comprises at least one wire which is wrapped around the article and securely fixed to the tag. [0006] US 2010/0231388 Al discloses such a spider wrap which comprises a signal transmitting cable which is arranged to be wrapped around an article and a main body to which both ends of the cable is connected. The main body comprises an electronic circuit which sends an electric signal, such as a constant voltage, through the cable and which detects interruption of the signal for activating an alarm if the cable is severed at an attempt to remove the main body from the article. A problem at such types of spider wraps is that the cable and the main body at some applications may be removed from the article without severing the cable or disconnecting it from the main body. For example, if the article comprises a packaging made of paper or carton it may be possible to first deform the packaging and thereafter force it out of engagement between the wrapped portions of the cables without severing the cable. Alternatively, it may be sufficient to deform only a corner of the packaging to thereby release a closure flap of the packaging from the spider wrap and thereafter open the packaging for removing the product. The same method of forcing the article loose from the spider wrap may be used when the wrapped article is a flexible or deformable product without any packaging.

[0007] DE 10 2010 047765 Al discloses another type of device for securing packed items. The device comprises a packaging with an electrical conductor which is made of a material that changes electrical characteristics, such as the resistance, if the conductor is stretched or at least partly severed. The conductor forms or is carried by a foil which is applied to the packaging and is connected to an alarm unit which initiate an alarm if the electrical properties of the conductor changes.

SUMMARY

[0008] One object of the present disclosure is to provide an enhanced electronic surveillance (EAS) device which is arranged to be attached to an article for preventing theft of the article.

[0009] Another object is to provide such a device which prevents removal of the device by deforming the article.

[0010] A further object is to provide such a device is reliable in use.

[0011] Yet another object is to provide such a device which is simple in construction and which may be produced at a comparatively low cost. [0012] Still another object is to provide such a device which may readily be attached to the article to be protected.

[0013] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0014] According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device as set out in appended claim 1. The EAS device is arranged to be attached to an article for preventing theft of the article. The EAS device comprises at least one elongate and flexible electrical conductor arranged to be wrapped around the article and having an electric resistance; and an electronics unit. The electronics unit comprises electric terminals for connecting respective ends of the at least one conductor, an electric power supply arranged to supply electric power to the conductor, means for determining at least one electric characteristics between the terminals and means for initiating an alarm when the electrical characteristics change. The electrical conductor is at least partially uninsulated from the surroundings and the device comprises insulation means for mutual insulation between portions of the conductor which portions cross each other when the conductor has been wrapped around the article.

[0015] By arranging the conductor uninsulated except where portions of the conductor make contact with another portion when wrapped around an article, the electrical characteristics such as the overall resistance of the entire conductor changes when uninsulated portions of the conductor make contact with each other. When such a conductor has been properly wrapped around an article, it is very difficult to remove the conductor from the article without putting uninsulated portions of the conductor in contact with each other. The change of electrical characteristics caused by such mutual contact may easily be detect by the electronics unit to initiate the alarm at any such attempts to remove the device from the article. Also attempts to release any portion of a packaging, such as a closure flap for opening the packaging will cause uninsulated portions of the conductor to contact each other whereby the alarm will be initiated also at such attempts.

[0016] The device may readily be produced by low-cost, standard components and thus provides a cost effective and yet efficient and reliable means to secure articles from being stolen or shoplifted.

[0017] At one embodiment, the means for determining the electrical characteristics comprises means for determining the electrical resistance.

[0018] The conductor may comprise a resistance wire having a resistance of at least 0,01 fl/m.

[0019] The means for mutual insulation may comprise a patch comprising an electrically insulating material.

[0020] The patch may comprise an adhesive.

[0021] Alternatively or in combination, the means for mutual insulation may comprise a tube comprising an electrically insulating material which tube is arranged to be slipped onto the conductor and displaced along the conductor.

[0022] The electric power supply may comprise a battery, such as a rechargeable battery.

[0023] The electronic unit may comprise a loudspeaker.

[0024] The electronic unit may comprise a reader for an electronic key arranged for inactivating the means for initiating the alarm.

[0025] At some embodiments, at least 20%, preferably at least 50% and most preferably at least 80% of the length of the electrical conductor may be uninsulated from the surroundings. The uninsulated portion of the electrical conductor should be made at least so long that the conductor, when wrapped around an article, cannot be manipulated without a great probability that uninsulated portions of the conductor will make mutual contact. The relation between the necessary length of the uninsulated portion and the total length of the conductor may vary depending on the geometry of the article and other circumstances. It has been found that, for some applications, it may suffice that only 20% of the length pf the conductor is uninsulated. However, at many applications it is required that at least 50% and, in some cases, at least 80% of the conductor length needs to be uninsulated in order to provide a sufficiently high probability that different uninsulated portions of the conductor will make mutual contact upon manipulation of the conductor.

[0026] At some embodiments the entire length of the electrical conductor is uninsulated from the surroundings. By this means, one and the same type of electrical conductor may be used for protecting many different articles while still providing a high probability that uninsulated portions will make mutual contact at any attempt to remove or manipulate the wrapped conductor. Additionally, using an electrical conductor which is uninsulated from the surroundings along its entire length reduces the overall cost for the EAS device.

[0027] Further objects and advantages of the EAS device will be apparent from the following detailed description and from the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the EAS device when applied to an article.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of an electronic unit and a conductor comprised in an EAS device.

[0031] Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic views illustrating the EAS device in fig. 1 during a respective attempt to remove the EAS device from the article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0033] These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description. [0034] Fig. 1 illustrates schematically an article 1 in the form of a cardboard box holding a valuable product (not shown). An EAS device 10 according to one embodiment is attached to the article 1. The EAS device 10 comprises an electrical conductor 12 and an electronics unit 20. As best seen in fig. 2 the electronics unit 20 comprises an electrical circuit comprising a power source 21, a resistance 22, an integrated circuit 23 and a loudspeaker 24. The electronics unit 20 further comprises a first 25a and a second 25b terminal for connecting the conductor 12 to the electric circuit. The terminals 25a, 25b are preferably so-called quick terminal connectors such that the conductor 12 may easily be connected to the electronics unit 20 when the conductor 12 has been wrapped around the article. The electronics unit 20 further comprises a housing (not shown) in which the electric circuit is securely protected from manipulation as known per se.

[0035] At the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the EAS device further comprises a conductor retainer plate 30 which is arranged for facilitating wrapping of the conductor 12 and for retaining the conductor 12 in place when it has been wrapped around the article 1. The shown conductor retainer plate 30 comprises a flat base 31 and three protruding pegs 32a, 32b, 32c.

[0036] The conductor 12 shown in the exemplifying embodiment is formed of an uninsulated resistance wire having a resistance of approximately 10 fl/m. However other conductors may also be used as long as they are generally uninsulated from the surroundings and flexible enough to be wrapped around an article. Suitable resistances for the conductor range between 0,01 fl/m to 100 kfl/m.

[0037] The EAS device 10 also comprises a number of patches 143-d made of an electrically insulating material. In the shown example each patch 143-d comprises a central polymeric insulating layer with a self-adhesive layer on both sides.

[0038] When attaching the EAS device 10 to the article 1, one end of the conductor is first connected to one of the terminals 25a and the electronic unit 20 is held in proximity to the article 1. The conductor 12 is thereafter wrapped around the article 1 in a pattern as indicated in fig. 1. The conductor retainer plate 30 is positioned on the upper side of the article and portions of the conductor 12 are wound around respective protruding pegs 32a-c of the plate 30. The conductor portions may be wound around the respective peg 32a-c only a partial turn, a full turn or multiple turns. At the embodiment shown in fig. 1, a single conductor 12 with two ends connected to a respective terminal 25a, 25b is used. As readily understood, a second conductor retainer plate (not shown) may be arranged between the article 1 and the electronics unit 20 for allowing the conductor 12 to be wrapped according to the pattern shown in fig. 1. Alternatively, the housing (not shown) of the electronics unit 20 may be provided with pegs (not shown) which protrudes towards the article and which allows portions of the conductor to be wound in the pattern shown in fig. 1. When the conductor 12 has been wound around the article 1, it may be cut to appropriate length and the free end of the conductor 12 is thereafter connected to the second terminal 25b.

[0039] When the uninsulated conductor 12 has been wrapped around the article as described above an insulating patch 143-d is inserted between portions of the conductor 12 at each position where one portion crosses or is otherwise in contact with another portion. The double side adhesive patches 143-d are adhered to the article and the innermost conductor portion such that this portion is encapsulated and fixed to the article by the patch. Simultaneously the outer conductor portion is adhered to the adhesive outside of the patch such that this outer portion is held to the patch by a weak adhesive force. This weak adhesion of the outer conductor portion to the patch prevents the outer portion from being unintentionally brought in contact with another uninsulated portion of the conductor at normal handling of the article, such as when picking the article with the attached EAS device from a shelf and bringing it to the checkout counter or the like.

[0040] When the EAS device has been attached to the article as described above the EAS device may be activated by presenting an electronic key to an electronic key reader (not shown) of the electronics unit. Alternatively, the electronics unit may be arranged such that the device is activated automatically when the housing is closed after having connected the ends of the conductor 12 to the terminals 25a, 25b. After initiation of the device, the battery 21 and the electronic circuit provides a voltage to the terminals 25a, 25b such that an electric current is passed through the conductor 12. Simultaneously, the electronic circuit including the integrated circuit 23 is initiated for monitoring the overall resistance over the conductor 12. The electronics unit may be arranged to constantly supply voltage to the terminals and to constantly monitor the resistance. However, in order to reduce power consumption and for increasing the service life of the battery, it may be preferable that the electronics unit is arranged to provide short voltage pulses and to monitor the resistance only during such pulses. Typically, such intermittent power supply and monitoring maybe carried out with a frequency of e.g. 1 Hz, i.e. 1 time per second.

[0041] When the EAS device is to be removed from the article by an authorized person, such as a check-out clerk, the person presents an electronic key to the key reader to thereby inactivate the EAS device. Such activation and deactivation of EAS devices by the use of an electronic key is well-known in the art and is not further described here. After deactivation, one or both ends of the conductor 12 may be disconnected from the electronics unit 20 without any initiation of the alarm. Thereafter the EAS device may readily be removed by unwrapping the conductor from the article.

[0042] When the EAS device has been attached to the article and activated, the electronics unit constantly or intermittently monitors the electrical resistance presented by the conductor. The integrated circuit 23 may comprise control means such as a software which evaluates if any changes of the monitored resistance should cause activation of the alarm. Typically, smaller changes of the resistance occurring during comparatively longer times may be caused by fluctuations in the surrounding atmosphere or of the power supplied by the battery. Additionally, imperfections in the components forming the electric circuit may cause smaller variations of the monitored resistance values. Naturally, such smaller variations of the monitored resistance should not cause activation of the alarm and the control means are arranged to identify such smaller variations and to instruct the electronics unit not to initiate the alarm at such occurrences.

[0043] Figs. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate the article 1 with attached EAS device 10 when exposed to different attempts to remove the EAS device. In fig. 3 a portion 12a of the conductor 12 has been moved in an attempt to force the conductor over an edge of the article 1. This attempt has caused the portion 12a to come loose from the outer adhesive layer of the insulating patch 14b and instead to come into contact with another uninsulated portion 12b of the conductor. By this means the total electrical length of the conductor 12, between the terminals 25a, 25b, is essentially shortened such that the overall electrical resistance presented by the conductor is essentially reduced instantly. Such an essential reduction of the resistance is identified by the control means of the electronics unit and the alarm is activated to generate a sound signal by the loudspeaker.

[0044] In fig. 4 an attempt to remove the EAS device has been made by cutting a portion 12c of the conductor 12. Such cutting of the conductor 12 results in that the resistance of the conductor monitored by the electronics unit instantly becomes infinite whereby the alarm is initiated and a sound signal is generated by the loudspeaker 24.

[0045] At a not shown embodiment, the insulating patches 143-d described above may be replaced by comparatively short insulating tubes which are thread or slipped onto the uninsulated conductor before wrapping the article. When the conductor has been wrapped around the article and connected to the electronics unit, the insulating tubes may be displaced along the conductor and positioned at the portions of the conductor which cross each other or otherwise are in mutual contact after wrapping the conductor around the article.

[0046] The wrapping pattern illustrated in figs. 1, 3 and 4 are given purely as a wrapping pattern example. Naturally the wrapping pattern may be varied in many different ways. Preferably however it should be ascertained that the EAS device may not be removed from the article and that any closure flaps of a wrapped packaging may not be opened without moving portions of the conductor such that at least two uninsulated portions of the conductor come in mutual contact.

[0047] The EAS device may also comprise more than one generally uninsulated conductor where both ends of each conductor is connected to a respective terminal of the electronics unit. In such cases the electric circuit of the electronics unit may be provided with several terminals such that each terminal receives only one conductor end. Alternatively, only two terminals may be provided such that one terminal receives several first ends and the second terminal receives sever second ends of the conductors.

[0048] At a further not shown embodiment the EAS device may be complimented by additional security devices such as a shelf sensor which is connected to the electronics unit and anchored to a shelf supporting the article. Such shelf sensors are known per se and are arranged to initiate the alarm when the article is removed from the shelf a distance which is longer than what the shelf sensors permit. The EAS device may also be complemented with a tear sensor which is connected to the electronics unit and applied to a packaging such that it extends between a closure flap of the packaging to a neighbouring wall. Such tear sensors are also known in the art and arranged to initiate the alarm at unauthorized opening of the closure flap.

[0049] The aspects of the present disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments and examples thereof. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. Electronic article surveillance (EAS) device (io) arranged to be attached to an article (1) for preventing theft of the article, which device comprises;

- at least one elongate and flexible electrical conductor (12) arranged to be wrapped around the article (1) and having an electric resistance; and

- an electronics unit (20) comprising electric terminals (25a, 25b) for connecting respective ends of the at least one conductor (12), an electric power supply (21) arranged to supply electric power to the conductor (12), means (22, 23) for determining at least one electrical characteristics between the terminals (25a, 25b) and means for initiating an alarm when the electrical characteristics change, characterized in that the electrical conductor (12) is at least partially uninsulated from the surroundings and in that the device comprises insulation means (i4a-d) for mutual insulation between portions of the conductor (12) which portions cross each other when the conductor (12) has been wrapped around the article (1).

2. EAS device according to claim 1, wherein the means (22, 23) for determining an electrical characteristics comprises means for determining the electrical resistance.

3. EAS device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductor (12) comprises a resistance wire having a resistance of at least 0,01 fl/m.

4. EAS device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the means for mutual insulation comprises a patch (143-d) comprising an electrically insulating material.

5. EAS device according to claim 4, wherein the patch (143-d) comprises an adhesive.

6. EAS device according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the means for mutual insulation comprises a tube comprising an electrically insulating material which tube is arranged to be slipped onto the conductor and displaced along the conductor.

7. EAS device according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the electric power supply (21) comprises a battery, such as a rechargeable battery.

8. EAS device according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the electronics unit (20) comprises a loudspeaker (24).

9. EAS device according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the electronic unit comprises a reader for an electronic key arranged for inactivating the means for initiating the alarm.

10. EAS device according to any of claims 1-9, wherein at least 20%, preferably at least 50% and most preferably at least 80% of the length of the electrical conductor (12) is uninsulated from the surroundings.

11. EAS device according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the entire length of the electrical conductor (12) is uninsulated from the surroundings.