Patent US3734547A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5587703A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5587703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal merchandise tag
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-04-10
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Granted: 1996-12-24
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Expires: 2015-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A purchase item security and information tag apparatus for attachment to a purchase item in a store includes a tag body, a purchase item information display mechanism for retaining item data in machine readable form, and a tag engagement security mechanism including an elongate item engaging member which spoils the item with dye if cut away from the item by a customer. The tag engagement security mechanism preferably includes a tubular item engaging member containing a dye, so that the dye escapes and spoils the purchase item if cut by a customer without prior deactivation of the tag engagement security mechanism. The dye is preferably contained at a pressure greater than atmospheric to cause the dye to spatter and spray onto the purchase item. An alternative purchase item security and information tag apparatus for attachment to a purchase item in a store includes a tag body, a purchase item information display mechanism for retaining item data in machine readable form, a tag engagement security mechanism including an elongate item engaging member which sounds an alarm if cut away from the item by a customer, where the tag engagement security mechanism includes an electrically conductive item engaging member configured as a loop for extending through part of a purchase item forming part of an electric circuit including an alarm mechanism and a power source, so that opening the circuit prior to deactivation sounds the alarm mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Dumont
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:53
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; A; A47; A47F; A47F9/00; A47F9/02; A47F9/04; A47F9/046; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; G07G1/0054; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A purchase item security and information tag apparatus for attachment to a purchase item in a store, comprising: a tag body, purchase item information display means for retaining item data in machine readable form, a tag engagement security means including an elongate item engaging member which spoils the item with dye if cut away from the item by a customer, wherein said tag engagement security means comprises a tubular item engaging member containing a dye, such that said dye escapes and spoils said purchase item if cut by a customer without prior deactivation of said tag engagement security means, wherein said tag engagement security means comprises a substantially evacuated dye receiving chamber, a valve between said engaging member and said dye receiving chamber, and deactivation means including a control wire provided within a wire guide means in said tag body, said wire guide means opening as a port in an outer surface of said tag body, said wire operating said valve when said wire is driven along said wire guide means away from said port to open fluid communication between said engaging member and said chamber such that said dye exits said engaging member to fill said substantially evacuated chamber, such that said engaging member may be cut without releasing dye.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A purchase item security and information tag apparatus for attachment to a purchase item in a store, comprising: a tag body, purchase item information display means for retaining item data in machine readable form, a tag engagement security means including an elongate item engaging member which spoils the item with dye if cut away from the item by a customer, wherein said tag engagement security means comprises a tubular item engaging member containing a dye, such that said dye escapes and spoils said purchase item if cut by a customer without prior deactivation of said tag engagement security means, wherein said tag engagement security means comprises a substantially evacuated dye receiving chamber, a valve between said engaging member and said dye receiving chamber, and deactivation means including a control wire provided within a wire guide means in said tag body, said wire guide means opening as a port in an outer surface of said tag body, said wire operating said valve when said wire is driven along said wire guide means away from said port to open fluid communication between said engaging member and said chamber such that said dye exits said engaging member to fill said substantially evacuated chamber, such that said engaging member may be cut without releasing dye.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said valve is a check valve to prevent dye from exiting said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, additionally comprising exit alarm triggering means for triggering a store exit alarm having an exit alarm sensor when passed near said exit alarm sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
198 words
A purchase item security and information tag apparatus for attachment to a purchase item in a store, comprising: a tag body, purchase item information display means for retaining item data in machine readable form, a tag engagement security means including an elongate item engaging member which sounds an alarm if cut away from the item by a customer, wherein said tag engagement security means comprises an electrically conductive item engaging member configured as a loop for extending through part of a purchase item and forming part of an electric circuit comprising alarm means and a power source, such that opening said circuit by breaking said engaging member prior to deactivation sounds said alarm means, and wherein said tag engagement security means comprises deactivation means including a control wire provided within a wire guide means in said tag body, said guide means opening as a port in said tag body, said control wire making contact with said circuit when slid along said wire guide means and away from said port, such that said wire forms a short in said circuit diverting current away from said engaging member, such that said engaging member can be cut without opening said circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
198 words
A purchase item security and information tag apparatus for attachment to a purchase item in a store, comprising: a tag body, purchase item information display means for retaining item data in machine readable form, a tag engagement security means including an elongate item engaging member which sounds an alarm if cut away from the item by a customer, wherein said tag engagement security means comprises an electrically conductive item engaging member configured as a loop for extending through part of a purchase item and forming part of an electric circuit comprising alarm means and a power source, such that opening said circuit by breaking said engaging member prior to deactivation sounds said alarm means, and wherein said tag engagement security means comprises deactivation means including a control wire provided within a wire guide means in said tag body, said guide means opening as a port in said tag body, said control wire making contact with said circuit when slid along said wire guide means and away from said port, such that said wire forms a short in said circuit diverting current away from said engaging member, such that said engaging member can be cut without opening said circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said tag body comprises a hollow shell containing said purchase item information display means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said information display means comprises a bar code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said information display means comprises a magnetic strip.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said information display means comprises a computer chip.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, additionally comprising a digital display panel for displaying at least part of said purchase item data discernable to the human eye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, additionally comprising exit alarm triggering means for triggering a store exit alarm having an exit alarm sensor when passed near said exit alarm sensor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-24 | 2000-06-24 | 2000-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-24 | 2004-06-24 | 2004-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-24 | 2008-06-24 | 2008-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |