Random-filament, multi-directionally responsive marker for use in electronic article surveillance systems

A magnetic marker for use with electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems in which a two-directional response is obtained. The marker (10, 24,34) comprises a substantially two-dimensional, sheet-like substrate (12, 26, 36) having multiple metallic filaments (16, 30, 40) randomly dispersed in or adhered thereto, so as to be substantially parallel to the plane thereof. The filaments are selected of low coercive force, high permeability material, and the random orientation results in certain filaments intersecting with and being magnetically coupled to other filaments to thereby collect and concentrate lines of flux associated with an applied field of an EAS system into filaments parallel to the field.