EP0619243B1 - Anti-theft device for containers provided with a capping or an overcapping means - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an anti-theft device for containers provided with a corking or overcapping means, such as in particular the bottles, and even more particularly the bottles whose content has a relatively high value: wines, liqueurs, other alcoholic drinks. .

The problem of theft arises specifically in self-service stores. This problem is often solved by the installation, on the items offered for sale, of devices detectable by appropriate means, at the passage of the cash registers or at the exit of the store.

In the case of bottles sold individually, the very shape of these articles poses a particular problem for the installation of detectable devices, with anti-theft protection function. Special rings or labels have already been proposed for this purpose, but such means have a relatively high cost compared to the value of each article to be protected. In addition, these means are visible externally on the containers, therefore not very discreet and unsightly.

The present invention aims to avoid the disadvantages previously exposed, by providing an economical and discreet anti-theft device for containers provided with a stopper or overcap means.

To this end, the anti-theft device according to the invention comprises, for each container, a means detectable by electrical and / or magnetic and / or electromagnetic means, integrated by means of plugging or overcapping this container.

Thus, the invention provides an anti-theft device which will judiciously take advantage of the plugs, or other means of plugging or overcapping, of the articles concerned, the device being integrated into the plug, in particular by being inserted into the thickness of this plug. This avoids any special labeling, which must be applied by store staff for a relatively high cost per item, the invention making it possible to reduce this cost by about half. In addition, the anti-theft device according to the invention is really invisible and therefore particularly discreet, compared to the rings currently affixed to certain bottles. Finally, for the bottled product, the anti-theft device according to the invention can, if it emits a specific signal identifying the product, become a means of referencing, bringing an additional saving of labels and time (by replacing for example the code - usual bars).

The detectable means, integrated into the plugging or overcaping means, advantageously presents itself as an electronic micro-circuit or "chip", or a printed electrical circuit, or a "label" with magnetic code, or an emitting filament, or even a circuit or component of the same characteristics formed by a paint, an ink or a varnish, these various embodiments being characterized by their small thickness, allowing their integration by means of capping or overcapping, by application, laying or projection, according to any technique , on a part of said capping or overcapping means.

In the case of a container such as a bottle with a stopper consisting of a cap covering a disc-shaped seal, the detectable means is preferably inserted between the bottom of the cap and the upper face of the seal, which makes it invisible while placing it a short distance from the outer surface of the cap. The detectable means can be applied or fixed to the bottom of the capsule, before the seal is put in place. As a variant, this detectable means is applied or fixed to the upper face of the seal, before introduction of the latter into the capsule, which also leads to its concealment inside the cap.

In the case of a detectable means formed by depositing or spraying an ink or a varnish with suitable electrical or magnetic properties, if it is an ink or a varnish invisible to the naked eye , deposition or projection can also be done without disadvantage on the outside of the stopper or the capsule.

The detection of containers which may not be presented to the cashier is carried out by electromagnetism or radio frequency, as is already widely practiced at present, by imposing the passage of customers under gantries, or between panels equipped for the detection of said means. detectable. In the event of the passage of a fraudster carrying a container which is not presented to the cashier, the detection device emits an alarm, sound or other signal.

For containers normally presented to the cashier, said detectable means can be neutralized during collection, this also by electromagnetism or radiofrequency according to known techniques.

• Figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble, en perpective, une bouteille équipée d'un dispositif antivol conforme à la présente invention ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en coupe verticale de la partie supérieure d'une bouteille équipée d'un dispositif antivol selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention ;
• Figure 3 est une vue similaire à figure 2, illustrant une variante ;
• Figure 4 est une vue de face du joint du bouchon de figure 3 ;
• Figure 5 est une vue similaire à figure 4, illustrant une autre variante ;
• Figure 6 est une vue similaire aux deux précédentes, illustrant une dernière variante.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of nonlimiting examples, some embodiments of this anti-theft device for containers fitted with a means of capping or overcapping:

• Figure 1 is an overall view, in perspective, a bottle equipped with an anti-theft device according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the upper part of a bottle equipped with an anti-theft device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, illustrating a variant;
• Figure 4 is a front view of the seal of the cap of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, illustrating another variant;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to the previous two, illustrating a final variant.

The anti-theft device which is the subject of the invention is illustrated in the appended drawing, in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3, in the case of its application to a bottle 1, provided with a neck 2 receiving a closure cap 3. This anti-theft device comprises , as illustrated generally in FIG. 1, a detectable means 4 of small thickness, which is integrated in the stopper 3 of the bottle 1, and which is thus invisible from the outside.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the stopper 3 usually consists of a cap 5 and a seal 6. The cap 5 comprises a circular bottom 7, and a side skirt 8 applied against the neck 2 of the bottle 1 The disc-shaped joint 6 is trapped between the bottom 7 of the capsule 5 and the top of the neck 2.

Thus, the detectable means 4 is easily housed between the bottom 7 of the capsule 5 and the seal 6. More particularly, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, this detectable means 4 is fixed against the bottom 7 of the capsule 5 , its fixing being carried out before the installation of the seal 6.

As a variant, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a reverse and equivalent arrangement can be adopted, according to which the detectable means 4 is fixed on the upper face of the seal 6, before introduction of the latter into the capsule 5.

Figure 4 is a front view of the seal 6 of Figure 3, on which is applied and fixed the detectable means 4 here produced in the form of a "label", carrying a magnetic code identifiable by an appropriate detector.

As shown in FIG. 5, the detectable means can also be produced in the form of an electronic micro-circuit or "chip" 9, here fixed on the joint 6.

The detectable means is still achievable, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the form of a. simple emitter filament 10, of suitable shape, here also attached to the seal 6.

Of course, these latter detectable means 9 and 10 can be fixed to the bottom 7 of the capsule 5, instead of the seal 6.

In a manner not illustrated by the drawing, the detectable means can still be produced by depositing or spraying a paint, an ink or a varnish, having by its nature and / or its configuration the characteristics of a circuit or of an organ detectable by electromagnetic means or by radio frequency.

Thus, when going to the checkouts of a supermarket, the customer who normally gives the bottle 1 to the cashier will see the detectable means 4,9 or 10 neutralized by the cashier, by means of a magnetic clamp applied above the stopper 3. On the other hand, the fraudster who would not give the bottle 1 to the cashier is obliged to pass with this bottle 1 under a gantry, or between detector panels, sensitive to the passage of the detectable means 4, 9 or 10. An audible signal or other, allowing to identify the fraudster, can thus be triggered.

The anti-theft device according to the invention can be applied to plugs 3 of any material, such as metal, synthetic material or composite materials, insofar as these materials do not disturb detection.

As is obvious, and as is clear from the foregoing, the invention is not limited to the sole embodiments of this anti-theft device for containers provided with a stopper or overcap means which have been described above. above, as examples; on the contrary, it embraces all the variant embodiments respecting the same principle, as well as all the variant applications, the anti-theft device according to the invention being applicable to receptacles other than bottles, for example to bottles, cans, jars or pots, and this device also being adaptable to a wide variety of corking or overcapping means, other than stoppers, for example to lids sealing jars.

Claims (11)

1. Anti-theft device for containers provided with a capping or overcapping means, characterised in that it comprises, for each container (1), an electrically and/or magnetically and/or electromagnetically detectable means (4; 9; 10), integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3) of this container (1).
2. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detectable means integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3) is an electronic microcircuit or "chip" (9).
3. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detectable means integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3) is a printed electric circuit.
4. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detectable means integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3) is a "label" with a magnetic code (4).
5. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detectable means integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3) is an emitting filament (10).
6. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 1, characterised in that the detectable means integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3) is formed from paint, ink or varnish deposited or sprayed on a part of the capping or overcapping means (3).
7. Anti-theft device for containers with a cap (3) consisting of a closure (5) covering a seal (6) in the form of a disc, according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the detectable means (4; 9; 10) is inserted between the base (7) of the closure (5) and the top face of the joint (6).
8. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 7, characterised in that the detectable means (4; 9; 10) is applied or fixed to the base (7) of the closure (5).
9. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 7, characterised in that the detectable means (4; 9; 10) is applied or fixed to the top face of the seal (6).
10. Anti-theft device for containers according to Claim 6, characterised in that, in the case of a detectable means formed by the deposition or spraying of an invisible ink or varnish, this detectable means is deposited or sprayed onto the outer face of the cap (3) or of the closure (5).
11. Anti-theft device for containers according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the detectable means (4; 9; 10) integrated in the capping or overcapping means (3), is also used as a means of identifying the product contained in the container (1).

Images