Multi-attach disposable tag

US8547229B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC. · US

Inventors

• James Brodzik · Somerdale, US
• Anthony F. Piccoli · Audubon, US
• Lawrence Appalucci · Villanova, US
• Gary Mazoki · Sewell, US
• Thomas J. McKeown · Pennsauken, US
• Seth Strauser · Mullica Hill, US
• Wei Wu · Shanghai, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 1, 2013
• Expiry date: Dec 14, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T70/5009
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A multi-attach disposable security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a deactivatable security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism. Thus, the security tags combine the qualities of being non-ferrous, light-weight, low cost, deactivatable, secure, visually-deterring, and installable in two stages to the article it is meant to protect.