Patent Application
20060145862
The present invention relates to an electronic article surveillance device used to provide theft deterrent to articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a carrier for an EAS marker which may be placed in a container such as a bottle for deterrence of theft of the bottle.
It is widely known to provide electronic article surveillance systems (EAS) for theft deterrence. EAS markers may be placed on or attached to, in various manners, articles which are susceptible to theft. An associated detection apparatus is placed at the exit of a facility to detect unauthorized transit of the article through the exit. Labels, tags, hangers and various other products may incorporate EAS markers to deter theft of an article to which it is attached. These markers can either be prominently displayed thereby providing clear indication to the consumer that the article is protected or can be hidden from consumer view as may be desired.
It is also known to apply EAS markers to various product containers such as bottles. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,696,955 and 6,342,838 show EAS marker assemblies which are used in combination with containers having inlet/outlet ports where the EAS marker is configured to be passable through the port for residence within the container. While the devices shown in these patents serve adequately for their purpose, the marker itself is placed in the interior of the container such that it remains loosely confined in the container during use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,413 shows an EAS marker positioned within a cap of a bottle. As the EAS marker is captively retained by the cap, removal of the cap removes the EAS device from the bottle. However, the system disclosed in the '413 patent requires a cap which is specially manufactured to contain the EAS marker.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a technique for placing an EAS marker in a container, such as a bottle, where once the product is sold and the EAS marker is no longer needed, the marker is removed from the bottle. Moreover, the EAS marker should be useable with standard bottles having standardized caps without need for specially manufactured components.
The present invention provides an EAS marker carrier for placement in the open neck of a container. The carrier includes a carrier body for insertion into the neck opening of the container. The carrier body has an open end and defines an interior for receipt of the EAS marker. A peripheral structure about the open end of the carrier extends outwardly therefrom. The structure has a dimension such that it is seatable on a rim defined by the open neck of the container.
In the preferred embodiment shown herein, the carrier body is an elongate generally cylindrical member having an annular peripheral structure extending thereabout. The annular peripheral structure is seatable on the rim of the bottle and a standard bottle cap is positionable over the annular rim to close the bottle.
The present invention also provides a theft deterrent container including a bottle having an open neck bordered by a rim. A bottle cap is positionable over the open neck. A carrier supports an EAS marker and is positioned within the open neck and captively seated between the rim of the bottle and the cap.
In the preferred embodiment, the carrier is an elongate cylindrical member having an annular member defining the peripheral structure. The annular member is seated on the rim of the bottle which is enclosed by the cap.
The present invention provides a carrier for use in a container such as a bottle which may be covered with a bottle cap. The carrier contains an EAS marker which provides theft deterrent for the container. Once the bottle is to be used by the consumer, the bottle is opened and the carrier can be removed and discarded.
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In the present illustrative embodiment, the container may be a standard beverage bottle 40 having a body 42 and an extending neck 44 having external screw threads 45 which terminates in an annular rim 46 defining an open upper end 48. As particularly shown in
In order to use the carrier of the present invention, it is contemplated that a standard EAS marker 35 may be placed within the interior 20 of carrier 10. Thereafter, lid 22 is secured thereto to enclose the marker within the carrier. The carrier 10 then may be placed in the open end 48 of bottle 40 where due to the dimension of the annular member 30, the carrier seats on rim 46 thus supporting the carrier in the neck 44 of bottle 40. Thereafter in conventional fashion, bottle cap 50 may be applied. The bottle cap is internally threaded in standard fashion so as to mate with the external threads 45 of neck 44. As shown in
The carrier 10, including the EAS marker 35 therein, provides effective theft deterrent for the bottle when used with an associated EAS surveillance system. Once the bottle has been purchased and the user opens the bottle, the user can discard the carrier and use the bottle. Since the carrier is easily discarded prior to use, the carrier need not remain with the bottle during such use.
Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures will now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.
