Disposable Anti-Theft Tag With Hinged Post And Flexible Tab
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fraudulent returns of worn garments pose a significant challenge to retailers, as customers purchase high-end items, wear them, and then return them, resulting in financial loss and reduced competitiveness.
Innovation Solution
A highly visible, removable tag is attached to garments that can be easily taken home and worn, but not reattached, featuring a hinge, post, and flexible tab design, which prevents reattachment and may incorporate an EAS device for security, discouraging fraudulent returns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional security tag is used to prevent garment returns, then security against fraudulent returns is improved, but the tag is difficult to remove and may damage the garment
Solution Approach 1:
The tag is divided into separate functional components: a body portion containing the security mechanism, a flexible tab for easy removal, and a post for attachment. This segmentation allows the security function to remain intact while the removal function is simplified through the flexible tab design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tab acts as an intermediary element between the security mechanism and the user. It provides a convenient interface for removal without requiring damage to the garment or complex tools, while still maintaining security when attached.
2Ease of operation
If a removable tag is used to allow easy tag removal, then ease of operation is improved, but the security against fraudulent returns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tag is designed to be self-removing through the flexible tab mechanism that allows easy detachment. Once removed, the tag cannot be reattached, providing automatic indication of garment use without requiring additional security measures or complex reattachment prevention mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The tag is designed as a single-use, disposable security element. After removal, it cannot be reattached, making it ineffective for fraudulent returns. The tag's security value is in its temporary attachment state, not in its permanent security properties.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the tag is made highly visible to indicate garment wear, then detection of fraudulent returns is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tag incorporates visible design elements such as color changes or distinctive markings that indicate when the tag has been removed. This provides clear visual indication of garment wear status without requiring complex electronic or mechanical detection systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tag effectively indicates that the garment has been worn in public, potentially preventing returns or imposing fees, thereby reducing theft and enhancing store security through clear consumer awareness and potential EAS system interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible tab is located at a height on the post such that, when the post is inserted through the aperture, it is bent and passes through the aperture. After the tab is forced through the aperture, it springs back to its extended position and acts to keep the tag in its folded configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-theft tag has two slightly concave shells attached to each other by a hinge. One shell has an aperture through it and the other shell has a post located to insert through the aperture when the two shells are brought together. At least one catch tab extends laterally from the end of the post. The catch tab exceeds the width of the aperture and is constructed to give to allow the post to insert into the aperture, but to resist and prevent the extraction of the post. The post is severable to allow the remove of the catch tab to allow the opening of the tag. One of the shells also has a slot and the other has a tack. When the post is inserted through the aperture, the tack inserts into the slot. The tack passes through an object to be protected and maintains the tag in place.