FR2690421A3 - Anti=theft container for objects at point of sale - uses casket to hold protected object with sliding casing released magnetically when extraction of object is authorised - Google Patents

Abstract

The container consists of a cassette (2) to hold the object. At one end of the cassette a release mechanism (5) can be retracted magnetically against a spring (7). A casing (1), with two windows (1E, 1F), slides over the casket and has an extension (1A) with a hole (1B) into which the release mechanism engages under pressure from the spring. When the release mechanism is withdrawn against the spring the casing may be slid clear of the casket. Two depressions (2C) in the sides of the casket enable the user to grip and withdraw the object (Q).. ADVANTAGE - Protects contents from theft or handling while enabling public to see what is contained in casket.

Description

The invention relates to an anti-theft container capable of preventing both the theft of the objects it contains and the undue transport of these outside the point of sale.

As we know, modern sales techniques offer the buyer the possibility of taking the objects himself, of holding them in hand, examining them and deciding whether to keep them or put them back on the exposure radius.

While on the one hand such techniques are advantageous for the increase in turnover that they allow, they also offer the disadvantage of encouraging shoplifting on the part of a minority of visitors. . It has been shown by statistical studies that the increase in direct surveillance creates a reduction in sales which is not compensated by a reduction in shoplifting and that is why the problem arises of reconciling these two necessities contradictory, reduce surveillance and reduce the harm caused by shoplifting.

Another disadvantage of exposing the public to the manipulation of objects is that of subjecting them to a certain deterioration which could be detrimental to their future sales.

In order to provide a solution to such problems, the invention aims to create a free exposure method protecting objects against deterioration resulting from their handling.

Another goal is to define a container that cannot be opened by the public but at the same time allows the object it contains to be examined.

Another goal is to define a container that can be reused after being emptied of the object contained at the time of payment at checkout.

Another object is that of defining a container which can be associated with usual alarm devices in a way preventing their elimination.

Another object is that of defining a container which may be suitable for a plurality of objects having different shapes and dimensions.

These and other objects are achieved by the anti-theft container according to the appended claims.

The invention is illustrated purely by way of nonlimiting illustration, in the accompanying drawing in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a longitudinal middle section of the anti-theft container operationally associated with an auxiliary device intended for its opening while FIG. 2 shows a view above in the direction of arrow P from one end of the container.

Referring to the figures cited above, an outer tubular casing 1 is provided for housing inside a cassette 2 having a conjugate section which, in its typical expression, is rectangular. These parts are made of transparent plastic material having an appropriate toughness and preferably such that it prevents their rupture by the use of the hands alone.

The casing 1 can be devoid of end walls 30 since the content and the protection of any possible object Q retained in the cassette is offered on this side by a wall 2A of the cassette 2.

Such a cassette consists of a bottom 2B associated with four perpendicular perimeter walls of which the wall 2A constitutes an example.

In this way, the cassette 2 has substantially the shape of a tray to contain and protect any object Q on five of its sides.

This cassette includes lateral equipment 2C facilitating the handling of the object for its extraction when the container is open. This object can be of any type: leather goods, audio and video cassettes, watches, or jewelry, placed in tamper-evident boxes etc ...

On the bottom and on the interior surfaces of the cassette 2, it is possible to attach current alarm devices 3 with magnetic, radio or other type of operation; in this way the anti-theft container of the invention cannot be taken outside the point of sale.

The cassette 2 comprises a cavity or seat 4A into which a protruding tongue 1A can be inserted, provided with a hole 1B on the bottom wall or on the rear wall 1B of the casing 1. This tongue 1A has an oblique edge 1C suitable for determining the lowering of a ferromagnetic trip device having a 5A end comprising a chamfer or a rounding.

Such a ferro-magnetic trigger is pushed by a spring 7 out of its seat 6, until it exceeds a length capable of causing it to pass entirely through the thickness of the protruding tongue 1A. The spring 7 is retained by a slight embedding of its terminal turns either by the trigger 5 or by a column starting from the bottom 6A. The seat 6 of the trigger is in turn housed in a stable manner, possibly by bonding, in a cylindrical seat 8 projecting from the plastic body of the cassette 2. The trigger 5 has its maximum projecting position delimited by a 2D extension of the bottom 2B of cassette 2.

In this way, each time the projecting tab 1A enters the cavity 4A, it is hooked by the introduction of the trigger 5 in its hole 1B, which determines the closure of the container and the inaccessibility to the interior compartment containing the object Q.

In this way, the container is a closed body that cannot be opened except with the help of an auxiliary device fitted to the cash register at the point of sale.

This device is composed of a body 9 provided with a cavity 9A in front of which is placed a powerful magnet 10.

When the projecting seat 8 enters the cavity 9A, the trigger is attracted by the magnet 10, and which overcomes the antagonistic action of the spring 7. Following this, the projecting tongue 1A is no longer retained by the trigger 5 and the housing I can be slid in the direction of the arrow F relative to the cassette 2 until the object Q is discovered sufficiently to be able to be removed from the container and returned to the customer.

Removal is facilitated by the lateral recesses 2C present on the two sides of the cassette.

It will also be noted that, in order to reduce the weight of the container, the casing 1 has broadly dimensioned substantially rectangular windows 1D and IF on opposite faces.

In addition, to avoid a complete separation between the casing 1 and the cassette 2, at the bottom 2B of the latter is provided at least one stop or a stopping projection 2F which striking the edge 1G of the window 1F prevents such separation.

Finally, note that the 2D extension has the shape of a 2K lateral hook to allow the container to be suspended from rods or arms of the usual display stands.

Claims (6)

1 - Anti-theft container for any objects, in particular video and audio cassettes and similar objects, characterized in that it comprises: a) a cassette (2) receiving the object and comprising at one of its ends a trigger ( 5), magnetically displaceable mounted on an opposing spring (7); and b) a casing (1) for said cassette which can slide on the cassette (2) serving as a guide and provided with a projecting tongue (1A) provided with a hole (1B) in which the trigger (5) under the pressure of the spring (7), from which the trigger can be released by a magnetic movement in opposition to the spring (7). 2 - Container according to claim 1 characterized in that the cassette (2) has on two sides two recesses (2C) promoting the grip of the contained object (Q) for its extraction. 3 - Container according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the trigger (5) with the corresponding spring (7) are arranged in an extension of the cassette (2) and whose action line is perpendicular to the line of sliding of the casing (1). 4 - Container according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the extension of the cassette has a hook shape to allow its suspension from rods or display bars. 5 - Container according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has windows on opposite sides while the cassette has limit switches on its bottom cooperating with the outline of the opening of the housing located in front of the bottom (2B ). 6 - Container according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the cassette comprises means (3) for signaling the improper removal of the container from the point of sale.