Recyclable Anti-Theft Tag

Abstract

A method of recycling a single-use anti-theft tag by adding a concealed aperture to the anti-theft tag housing. A recyclable anti-theft tag that uses a concealed aperture to access a pin locking bar. The pin locking bar is moved from a lockable position to an unlocked position by a detacher arm. A key or probe is inserted into the aperture to return the pin locking bar to the lockable position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art disposable tag with the securing pin attached.

FIG. 2 is top view of a prior art disposable tag with the securing pin removed.

FIG. 3 is top view of a prior art disposable tag with the top housing removed and the internal structure exposed.

FIG. 4 is top view of a prior art disposable tag with the top housing removed, the internal structure exposed, the RF antenna removed, and the pin locking bar in the lockable position.

FIG. 5 is top view of a prior art disposable tag with the top housing removed, the internal structure exposed, the RF antenna removed, and the pin locking bar in the unlocked position.

FIG. 6 is top view of a prior art disposable tag with the top housing removed, the internal structure exposed, and the RF antenna, and the pin locking bar removed.

FIG. 7 is top view of a preferred embodiment of a disposable tag design that has been converted to a reusable tag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Prior to a detailed discussion of the figures, a general overview of the invention will be presented. The goal of the invention is to provide an anti-theft tag that can be recycled for a low cost. The tag will be applied to a commodity item by the clothing manufacturer at the factory. The shipment of goods is then sent by the manufacturer to the retailer with the anti-theft tags pre-attached. This completely eliminates the work, and associated costs, required on the part of the retailer to apply anti-theft tags when inventory shipments are received.

When the commodity item is sold, the retailer will detach the tag in the store in the normal manner. When the tag is detached, the pin locking bar that holds the securing pin is moved to an unlocked position and secured there via a pressure fit, or any other suitable securing means. The tag is preferably returned to the tag manufacturer for reset and recycled used with new inventory. It is envisioned that retailers will be encouraged to return the tags for an incentive, such as a refund. As a result, cost to the retailer will be very low.

When the tag manufacturer receives the anti-theft tags, the securing pin is removed. With the securing pin removed, an aperture is exposed which is normally concealed when the anti-theft tag is attached to inventory. The pin locking bar can be accessed via the aperture that was concealed beneath the securing pin. The anti-theft tag is reset to a lockable position by inserting a key into the aperture and rotating it to move the pin locking bar back to the lockable position.

When the retailers' anti-theft tags are received by the tag manufacturer, the locks are reset and the anti-theft tags are then forwarded to a commodity manufacturer for reattachment to new inventory.

The invention provides a benefit to retailers by reducing the cost they must bear to use anti-theft tags. The single use disposable tag has been converted to a recyclable tag by adding the aperture and using the aperture to access the pin locking bar with a key or probe.

In addition to reducing the retailer cost, a recyclable tag is environmentally friendly, because it eliminates the environmental impact of waste associated with other prior art anti-theft tags, such as disposable tags that would be thrown away after a single use.

Having discussed the invention in general, we turn now to a detailed discussion of the figures.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art disposable tag 1 with the securing pin 3 attached. Securing pin 3 has a pin 4 inserted through the top housing 2 of the disposable tag 1.

FIG. 2 is top view of a prior art disposable tag 1 with the securing pin 3 removed. A pin aperture 5, which is designed to accept pin 4, is exposed.

FIG. 3 is top view of a prior art disposable tag 1 with the top housing 2 removed and the bottom housing 12, and internal components exposed. The internal components include the RF antenna 6 and the pin locking bar 7. The pin locking bar 7 is rotatably attached to post 8 on bottom housing 12. Pin channel 10 is shown beneath pin locking par 7. It is positioned to accept pin 4 when the securing pin 3 is attached. In this figure, the pin locking bar 7 is shown in the lockable position. Clips 9 are positioned to grasp pin 4 when it is inserted. Also shown is channel 11, which provides a path for a conventional detaching arm (not shown). Detaching arms are well known in the art and do not need further discussion here. When the detaching arm is inserted, it pushes pin locking arm 7 to the side and releases pin 4.

FIG. 4 is top view of a prior art disposable tag 1 with the top housing 2 removed, the internal structure exposed, the RF antenna 6 removed, and the pin locking bar 7 in the lockable position.

FIG. 5 is top view of a prior art disposable tag 1 with the top housing 2 removed, the internal structure exposed, the RF antenna 6 removed, and the pin locking bar 7 in the unlocked position. In this position the clips 9 are moved to the side and the pin 4 is released. Also shown are pressure rails 13. In the preferred embodiment, top housing 2 and bottom housing 12 have opposing pressure rails 13 which allow pin locking bar 7 to be snugly and movably secured, such that when it is moved to the unlocked position, it remains there.

FIG. 6 is top view of a prior art disposable tag 1 with the top housing 2 removed, the internal structure exposed, and the RF antenna 6, and the pin locking bar 7 removed.

FIG. 7 is top view of a preferred embodiment of a disposable tag 1 design that has been converted to a reusable tag. The invention provides an aperture 14 that is concealed by the securing pin 3 when it is attached. When the tag 1 is unlocked and the securing pin 3 is removed, the tag 1 can be reset to a lockable position by inserting a key or probe (not shown) into the aperture 14 and rotating it to push the pin locking bar 7 back to the lockable position.

An advantage of using aperture 14 is that the pin locking bar 14 can be visibly observed. Alternatively, if pressure rails 13 are properly adjusted, the pin locking bar 7 can be returned to the lockable position by tapping the tag 1 on its side edge to return it to that position.

By using this method, the single use tag 1 can be converted into a reusable tag which will provide substantial cost savings and substantial environmental benefits because of the large number of tags 1 that are used in commerce.

While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. For example, the components key or probe may be anything suitable for their purpose, the size and shape of the anti-theft tag can vary, the securing pin can be a prior art pin, etc. Accordingly, the invention herein disclosed is to be limited only as specified in the following claims. I claim:

Claims

1. An anti-theft tag, further comprising: a bottom housing having a pressure rail;a top housing having a pressure rail;an aperture in the top housing, the aperture located such that when a securing pin is attached to the antitheft tag, the aperture is concealed beneath the securing pin;a pin locking bar which pivots between an unlocked and a lockable position; andthe aperture is located such that when the pin locking bar is in the unlocked position, a key or probe inserted into the aperture and rotated will pivot the pin locking bar such that it returns to the lockable position.