Anti-theft device for items in bags or blister packs

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device comprising a detection means and a magnetic locking means, a movable jaw (2) and a fixed jaw (3) extending a body (4), each provided with an internal contact surface (20, 30), and said movable jaw (2) being articulated relative to said fixed jaw (30) so as to cooperate by pinching at their respective contact surface (20, 30), characterized in that at least one of said jaws (2, 3) is provided with a metal sheet (1) having perforated micro-embossments, with a height of between 0.3xE and 0.8xE, E designating the thickness of said metal sheet (1), of between 0.1 and 0.3 millimeters, said micro-embossments forming a matrix with a gap between two neighboring micro-embossments of between 0.4 and 0.7 millimeters. Abstract figure: figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Anti-theft device for articles in bags or blister packs Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic anti-theft devices for protecting self-service items in stores using a means of electromagnetic interaction between an element inserted into the body of the anti-theft device and a detection portal placed on a critical passage at the checkout exit to trigger an alarm when the anti-theft device passes nearby. These anti-theft devices implement a locking system that can be magnetically deactivated by an authorized operator.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to such articles for the protection of articles packaged in flexible bags, or thermoformed packaging (in English "blister") or fixed on a cardboard box. These articles are difficult to secure with traditional anti-theft devices because they do not allow piercing by a needle, as proposed by anti-theft devices for textile articles, and do not have protruding parts and hollows, which prevents the use of anti-theft devices intended for example for the protection of bottles or cosmetic articles.

[0003] The solution is to pinch the film of the article between two jaws, so as to make it difficult to separate the anti-theft device from the article. State of the art

[0004] To this end, a solution is known, described in patent application US7808386, proposing an anti-theft device formed of two parts, hinged relative to each other and each having a pinching contact surface with the article to be protected. Each contact surface has a plastic coating to prevent damage to the article, and is preferably provided with raised means of the texturing type, or else teeth which cooperate by mutual engagement when the two contact surfaces are pressed against each other, and which are elastically deformable when they are pressed against the article. These elastically deformable surfaces do not allow sufficient holding of an article such as a thin bag, in the locked position.

[0005] French patent FR3075844 is also known concerning an electronic anti-theft device which comprises electronic detection means, a first part and a second part, each provided with a so-called contact surface, and the first part being movable by means of a hinge relative to the second part so as to cooperate by pinching at the level of their contact surface, the anti-theft device being characterized in that at least one of the parts, preferably both parts have on their contact surface an abrasive coating in the form of a support carrying abrasive grains. The abrasive coating is intended to be in direct contact with the object to be clamped. Disadvantages of the prior art

[0006] The solution proposed by this last patent is not satisfactory because in reality, in practice, the abrasive coating absolutely does not prevent the removal of an article such as a flexible bag or a cardboard box. This patent states that it would be "surprising" if an abrasive coated surface ensured optimal wedging of an object but in reality, this wedging is ineffective and far from optimal for preventing the removal of the object. Indeed, the thicknesses of the articles vary from one product to another, and it is not possible to find a configuration adapted to different thicknesses and types of packaging. If the tolerances are provided for a possibility of adaptation to different types of thickness. The technical choice consisting of articulating in rotation the two bodies by a hinge causes a major defect in the angular positioning of the abrasive surfaces when they come into contact with the product to be secured.The jamming is insufficient to prevent removal by simply pulling the article in the direction parallel to the planes of the abrasive surfaces. If the tolerance is reduced, some thin articles escape directly without any support, and thick articles prevent the jaws from closing.

[0007] In addition, the hard grains of the abrasive coating mark the plastic material and cause very damaging breakage initiations when it comes to vacuum bags.

[0008] Finally, the abrasive materials formed by a support carrying abrasive grains use bonds and grains of material generally incompatible with food use. Solution provided by the invention

[0009] In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present invention relates to an anti-theft device intended for the protection of articles in plastic film or blister packs having the characteristics set out below by claim 1.

[0010] The anti-theft device comprises a detection means and a magnetic locking means, a movable jaw and a fixed jaw, each provided with an internal contact surface, and said movable jaw being articulated relative to said fixed jaw so as to cooperate by pinching at their respective contact surface. The vertical downward movement of the movable jaw makes it possible to obtain optimal pressure on the surfaces of the embossed metal plates positioned on the jaws.

[0011] At least one of said jaws, and advantageously both jaws, is provided with a metal sheet (1) having perforated micro-embossments, with a height of between 0.3xE and 0.8xE, E designating the thickness of said metal sheet of between 0.1 and 0.3 millimeters, said micro-embossments forming a matrix with a gap between two neighboring micro-embossments of between 0.4 and 0.7 millimeters.

[0012] Advantageously, said movable jaw and said fixed jaw are each provided with a metal sheet having perforated micro-bumps.

[0013] Preferably, said movable jaw cooperates with a pivoting lever articulated relative to the fixed jaw by an axis and relative to said movable jaw by an off-center axis interacting with a light.

[0014] This lever makes it possible to amplify the tightening force exerted by the user when installing the anti-theft device.

[0015] The metal sheets with micro-dentations meet the food standards of 304L stainless steel (commonly used for kitchen accessories due to its high resistance to corrosion).

[0016] According to a variant, said body is crossed by a light. Said lever (5) has a light opening into said light of the body when the lever is in the locked position.

[0017] According to a variant: a. Said contact surfaces are movable relative to each other in a transverse direction between a first position and a second position b. each of said contact surfaces has complementary profiles formed by an alternation of projecting zones and hollow zones c. said profiles being configured such that, when said jaws are in the clamping position, a. the tops of the protruding areas of said contact surfaces are in contact when positioned in said first position b. the tops of the protruding areas of said contact surfaces are in contact with the bottom of the recessed areas when they are positioned in said second position. Advantageously: - said contact surfaces are movable according to said first position and said second position by transverse sliding. - said fixed and movable jaws are articulated relative to a pivot axis between: a. a locking position where the two contact surfaces (20, 30) are brought together and locked by the magnetic locking means until it is deactivated, b. an insertion position where the two contact surfaces (20, 30) are separated. - said complementary profiles have teeth forming the protruding zones spaced with a constant pitch by grooves forming the hollow zones. - the width of said teeth is less than the width of said grooves. Detailed description of a non-limiting example of embodiment

[0018] The present invention will be better understood on reading the following description, concerning a non-limiting example of embodiment illustrated by the appended drawings where:

[0019] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of the anti-theft device according to the invention in the unlocked position.

[0020] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a sectional view of the anti-theft device according to the invention in the locked position.

[0021] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a cross-sectional view of the front part of the anti-theft device according to the invention unlocked

[0022] [Fig.3A] [Fig.3A] represents a cross-sectional view of the front part of the anti-theft device according to the invention unlocked

[0023] [Fig.3B] [Fig.3B] represents a cross-sectional view of the front part of the anti-theft device according to the invention locked

[0024] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a partial sectional view of the anti-theft device according to the invention

[0025] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a perspective view of the anti-theft device according to the invention attached to an article to be protected.

[0026] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a perspective view of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention in the unlocked position.

[0027] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a perspective view of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention in the locked position.

[0028] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents a cross-sectional view of the front part of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention locked in a second position

[0029] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] represents a perspective view of the first part of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention

[0030] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] represents a perspective view of the second part of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention

[0031] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] represents a partial sectional view of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention in the unlocked position.

[0032] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] represents a partial sectional view of a variant of the anti-theft device according to the invention in the locked position. Principle of the invention

[0033] The invention relates to the protection against theft of articles packaged in blister packs, bags or fixed on cardboard, in particular foodstuffs which require the use of specific anti-theft devices which do not pierce the packaging, in particular when it is vacuum-packed, in order to guarantee the airtightness thereof and which is compatible with food products, without polluting it with particles detaching from an abrasive surface due to humidity and / or deterioration / disintegration of the support holding the abrasive grains.

[0034] For this, the invention provides for providing at least one of the jaws (2, 3) which clamps the article with a metal sheet (1) having perforated micro-embossments, with a height of between 0.3xE and 0.8xE, E designating the thickness of said metal sheet (1), of between 0.1 and 0.3 millimeters, said micro-embossments forming a matrix with a gap between two neighboring micro-embossments of between 0.4 and 0.7 millimeters.

[0035] These open micro-bumps have a height of the same order of magnitude, and a little less than the thickness of a plastic film. They superficially punch the film according to the network of micro-bumps formed on the surface of the metal sheet (1). These bumps have a truncated cone shape, with lips surrounding the perforation extending substantially cylindrically, in a direction perpendicular to the film inserted between the jaws to retain it in the event of traction in a direction in the plane of the jaw.

[0036] Such a sheet having perforated micro-bumps is used for example for the production of callus rasps. The sheets typically have a thickness of 200 micrometers, with a matrix of perforated micro-bumps of truncated cone shape formed on the surface of the sheet, for example by stamping, with a height of approximately 100 micrometers. The bottom of these micro-bumps is pierced either due to tearing during deformation of the sheet, or by laser drilling or other means.

[0037] The perforated micro-bumps form a matrix, regular or random. The centers of two neighboring perforated micro-bumps are spaced less than one millimeter apart, typically 400 to 700 micrometers.

[0038] The sheet is preferably an austenitic stainless steel sheet, typically a 304 steel.

[0039] The jaw may be provided with a single sheet covering the greater part of the contact surface, or may be made up of strips fixed to the contact surface of the jaw.

[0040] This solution, which is the subject of the present invention, concerning the use of a rot-proof metal sheet (1), makes it possible to provide roughness without adding grain but by deformation of the metal. This way of producing roughness makes this part extremely resistant to wear and avoids the problems of the solution proposed by patent FR3075844, concerning the use of a woven support with the addition of abrasive grain, a support having, in a humid environment, a limited lifespan. The fabric will disintegrate with problematic grain retention, especially in the presence of food products.

[0041] A first variant embodiment is illustrated by Figures 1 to 5. A second variant embodiment is illustrated by Figures 6 and following. The two variants differ mainly in that in the second variant, one of the jaws is transversely movable to allow passage between a first spacing of the jaws in the locked position, to a second spacing of the jaws in the locked position, with the same device, so as to allow adaptation to the film thickness of the article to be protected.

[0042] Description of a first variant embodiment

[0043] The anti-theft device will be described in the following according to a non-limiting example of embodiment of the invention with reference to [Fig.4]. It consists of two articulated parts, namely a movable jaw (2) actuated by means of a lever (5) a fixed jaw (3) extending a body (4) made of ABS plastic and polycarbonate. The article to be protected, for example a bag or the cardboard sheet of a blister pack, is introduced between the two jaws (2, 3), then the movable jaw (2) is brought closer to the fixed jaw (3) by tilting the lever (5) which is then locked in the folded position by a magnetic system provided in the tail (31) of the body (4).To prevent the separation of the article and the anti-theft device, the jaws (2, 3) are treated by the affixing of a metal sheet (1) having perforated micro-bumps to prevent movement in the median plane of the article, even when an unscrupulous individual attempts to tear off the article to remove it from the anti-theft device.

[0044] This body (4) also integrates a means of electromagnetic interaction with a detection portal, for example a tuned coil or a ferrite (39).

[0045] The locking means of the end (5) of the lever (5) comprises a movable weight (36) pushed back to rest by a spring (37) in a position where its end is pushed back against the notched segment (6) provided at the end of the lever (5) for actuating the movable jaw (2) (see [Fig. 3]). When a magnetic unlocker is approached to the tail (31), the weight (36) is attracted towards the magnet it contains, and releases the locking nose (21), which releases the tilting of the lever (5) and allows the movable jaw (2) to be opened ([Fig. 3]).

[0046] The lever (5) is articulated relative to the fixed jaw (3) by a transverse axis (8). It causes the longitudinal movement of the movable jaw (2) by a cam and an eccentric axis (9) moving in a slot (12) provided in a wall of the movable jaw (2) ([Fig.3]).

[0047] The body (4) is crossed by an oblong light (13) which extends, when the lever (5) is in the folded position, by an oblong light (14) crossing said lever (5).

[0048] These two lights allow the passage of a pin from a display stand, to hang the article on a pin display stand. The oblong shape allows the lever (5) to be activated if necessary when a pin passes through it. They also allow the passage of an alarm cable passing through all the anti-theft devices protecting articles for security during the night, for example.

[0049] Description of a second variant embodiment

[0050] According to this variant embodiment, illustrated by figures 6 and following, the movable jaw can be shifted laterally to adapt to the thickness of the article to be protected with a single device. The gap between the two contact surfaces of the movable jaw and the fixed jaw, in the closed position, can be adjusted between a minimum gap and a maximum gap, by a lateral displacement of the movable jaw (2). The surfaces of the grooves of the fixed jaw (3) and / or of the movable jaw (2) are coated with a sheet having perforated micro protuberances.

[0051] The movement of this part makes it possible to match different contact levels during the transmission of movement actuating the descent of the movable jaw (2).

[0052] This allows in the locked position to pass from a functional clearance of the first position to a functional clearance of the second position, thus limiting the pressure exerted on the locking point.

[0053] According to this embodiment, the fixed jaw (3) has a striated contact surface (30), with an alternation of rectilinear teeth (33) and grooves (34) to form a network with a constant pitch. The fixed jaw (3) integrates a means of electromagnetic interaction with a detection gantry, for example a tuned coil or a ferrite (39), and a magnetic unlocking system in a tail (31). This unlocking means comprises, in a known manner, a movable weight (36) pushed back to rest by a spring (37) in a position where its end engages in a hole (22) provided in a locking nose (21) provided on the movable jaw (20). When a magnetic unlocker is brought close to the tail (31), the weight (36) is attracted towards the magnet it contains, and releases the locking nose (21), which allows the movable jaw (2) to be opened.

[0054] The movable jaw (2) has a movable part (25) and a striated contact surface (30), with an alternation of rectilinear teeth (23) and grooves (24) to form a network with a constant pitch identical to the pitch of the contact surface (30).

[0055] In [Fig.7], the movable part (25) occupies a first position where the tops of the rectilinear teeth (23) of the movable jaw (2) come into contact with the tops of the rectilinear teeth (33) of the movable jaw (3). In this position, the jaws (2, 3) can retain a thin film, for example a food bag, by pinching it between the tops of the rectilinear teeth (23, 33) which are aligned in this first position.

[0056] In [Fig.8], the movable part (25) occupies a second position, offset transversely with respect to the first position, and the tops of the rectilinear teeth (23) of the movable jaw (2) engage in the rectilinear grooves (34) of the fixed jaw (3), and the tops of the rectilinear grooved teeth (24) of the movable jaw (2) engage in the rectilinear grooves (33) of the fixed jaw (3),

[0057] The width of the teeth (23, 33) is slightly less than the width of the grooves (24, 34), such that when the jaws (2, 3) are closed on a surface of a blister or a cardboard box, they clamp it by forcing it to match the profile of the contact surfaces (20, 30).

[0058] The movable part (25) can be moved laterally by sliding on a transverse axis (26). An elastic tongue (27) having one end forming a stop ensures the indexing of the two positions, by interacting with a notch (28) provided on the jaw (2).

[0059] The teeth (23) of the moving part (25) have a curved shape to promote good positioning when the moving jaw (2) pivots relative to the transverse rotation axis (10).

Claims

Claims

1. - Anti-theft device comprising a detection means and a magnetic locking means, a movable jaw (2) and a fixed jaw (3) extending a body (4), each provided with an internal contact surface (20, 30), and said movable jaw (2) being articulated relative to said fixed jaw (30) so as to cooperate by pinching at their respective contact surface (20, 30), characterized in that at least one of said jaws (2, 3) is provided with a metal sheet (1) having perforated micro-embossments, with a height of between 0.3xE and 0.8xE, E designating the thickness of said metal sheet (1), of between 0.1 and 0.3 millimeters, said micro-embossments forming a matrix with a gap between two neighboring micro-embossments of between 0.4 and 0.7 millimeters.

2. - Anti-theft device according to claim 1 characterized in that said movable jaw (2) and said fixed jaw (3) are each provided with a metal sheet (1) having perforated micro-bumps.

3. - Anti-theft device according to claim 1 characterized in that said movable jaw (2) cooperates with a pivoting lever (5) articulated relative to the fixed jaw (3) by an axis (8) and relative to said movable jaw (2) by a contact surface, the assembly ensuring constant pressure over the entire surface to be protected.

4. - Anti-theft device according to claim 1 characterized in that said movable jaw (2) cooperates with a pivoting lever (5) articulated relative to the fixed jaw (3) by an axis (8) and relative to said movable jaw (2) by an off-center axis (9) interacting with a light (12)

5. - Anti-theft device according to claim 1 characterized in that said body (4) is crossed by a light (13).

6. - Anti-theft device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said lever (5) has a light opening into said light (13) of the body (4) when the lever (5) is in the locked position.

7. - Anti-theft device according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. Said contact surfaces are movable relative to each other in a transverse direction between a first position and a second position b. each of said contact surfaces (20, 30) has complementary profiles formed by an alternation of projecting zones and recessed zones c. said profiles being configured in such a way that, when said jaws (2, 3) are in the clamping position, a. the tops of the projecting zones of said contact surfaces (20, 30) are in contact when they are positioned in said first position b. the tops of the projecting zones of said contact surfaces (20, 30) are in contact with the bottom of the recessed zones when they are positioned in said second position.

8. - Anti-theft device according to claim 6 characterized in that said contact surfaces are movable according to said first position and said second position by a transverse sliding.

9. - Anti-theft device according to claim 6 characterized in that said fixed (2) and movable (3) jaws are articulated relative to a pivot axis between: a. a locking position where the two contact surfaces (20, 30) are brought together and locked by the magnetic locking means until it is deactivated, b. an insertion position where the two contact surfaces (20, 30) are separated.

10. - Anti-theft device according to claim 6 characterized in that said complementary profiles have teeth forming the protruding zones spaced with a constant pitch by grooves forming the hollow zones.

11. - Anti-theft device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the width of said teeth is less than the width of said grooves.

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