Method of producing a sheet of security tags

0001The invention relates to a method for producing security label strip, consisting of a carrier tape with removable thereon glued, adhesive labels or of interconnected trailers of paper-like material.

0002In the prior art are high-quality products in sales facilities Way against thefts protected, that in the region of the exit of the salesroom a detector is positioned in the labels or tags with a accommodated, attached to the sale items securing element interacts. The latter interacts home below a Threshold distance electromagnetically, ie or by high-frequency waves magnetically to the detector. Thus, if a - not previously the sales staff disabled - fuse element with the intention to steal it, the Detector is passed, speaks at the detector and an acoustic and / or optical and / or electro-mix warning signal.

0003The labels are conventionally delivered to carrier tapes on which they are fixed by means of an adhesive connection. The sales staff they removed the labeling of the products manually or by a suitable Handetikettiergerätes from the carrier tape and fixed with the remaining on their back, adhesive coating at the respective object. Alternatively, the Objects at the manufacturer or distribution centers with security labels be provided. To save all marked items against theft, are all with on a carrier tape strip or -Pulley supplied labels - always attached to the same place - securing elements equipped.

0004A disadvantage of the not inconsiderable price of security labels is to look at the primarily due to the electromagnetic security elements integrated therein is. Through in-depth studies have documented that the highest financial Efficiency is achieved if only a certain population at risk of theft Item is secured. Such cost reductions are but naught made, since in such a case, two different, ie, secured and unsecured labels have come to be used so that with the latter labeled products are easily recognized and preferred stolen. Moreover, pricing is proving with two different label or Trailer types as time consuming.

0005Another disadvantage of the conventional security labels is to always same place of the electromagnetically active elements on the label. a potential Ledendieb it is thereby easily possible, the secure label as to recognize such to remove it and the now unsecured items undisturbed to pass through the exit controls.

0006The object of the present invention is to provide security labels to create, which are characterized on the one hand by low production costs, on the other hand are difficult to identify.

0007The following are two independent viable alternatives apart proposed which can also be combined, however. During the first Alternative teaches to secure not all labels, referred to in the second to the Positioning of the security elements.

0008According to the invention the object is achieved in that only a certain number the labels or tags with electromagnetically active or activatable Security elements is provided.

0009The core idea is not the whole (ie, each) formed on a Strips supplied labels or trailer, but only a fixed share equip their number (eg., about 80%) and security elements, while the are other labels not electromagnetically active or activatable. Since all Labels or pendant from the same material, are similar printed and from the same strip, is difficult to see which of them electromagnetically secured and which is unsecured. proves to be expedient itself, one of the label so that the securing element camouflaged, ie is not optically distinguishable from the remaining label. Among the inventive Thoughts fall apart carrier tape strips with labels and carrier tape rollers can come in a dispense plate or labeling for use, as well as all Types of hedging followers of paper-like material, the roll or in Strip form or as a map (ie exceed two-dimensional and adjacent positioned) delivered and when marking means - adjacent trailer separating - perforations are separated from each other.

0010The advantages of the invention are in addition to the critical reduced Manufacturing cost that it is very difficult, a security label or distinguish a supporter of a non-active imitation, so that the theft probability remains low. The financial cost of the Product safety is reduced as a result.

0011Because not only dishonest customers, but often not inconsiderable also a Part by its personnel to inventory differences, the the backup view Articles employees commissioned often forced marking only make after closing, so that the staff can not perceive, which products or with an active and which with an inactive label Trailer is provided. During a realization of the invention with itself regularly repeating sequence secured and unsecured labels would not or difficult to detect a potential shoplifter could Order but by the daily contact with the articles and the labels coming employees are identified, so it is still possible to them, to identify unsecured items and illegally to the sale room remove. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention therefore are those with a fuse element equipped labels or trailer irregular, ie distributed randomly on the strip, so that their order does not is the customer nor of the workforce recognizable. Under an irregular Distribution is here a - uncorrelated - ranked understood to be a can repeat strip is less likely, as a result, the active and inactive labels aufjedem stripes in alternating sequence are positioned. It remains the relationship between secured and unsecured Trailers or labels but nearly constant. such Order, for example, in a computer-controlled manufacturing facility means a random number generator to produce.

0012Furthermore, it is proposed that electromagnetically inactive labels or trailer be equipped with dummies whose shape and color with a Fuse element matches to make them visually indistinguishable from active labels and will thus have to prevent them from theft attempt against a are detached from the protected article. The dummies can for example - facing on the carrier belt area of ​​papery Labels applied or imprinted into the interior of followers - printing inks be (ink). Optionally, on the back of the labels stuck or in Trailers introduced metal foils or sheet products used.

0013As an alternative to teaching of claim 1 can be the basis of the invention solve problem in that the position of the safety elements on the labels or trailers in the lateral and / or axial direction varies.

0014The core idea of ​​this alternative is the detection of the securing elements thereby complicate that it in different positions be attached. Since it with conventional labels always in the same countershaft are positioned, is a potential shoplifter, he should at the famous place him find no safety element, assume that the label is not protected is and without it, detach it from the article. He is thus the attempt illegally to remove the article from the sales floor, at the Output control detected. The position of the security elements varies in this Alternative of the invention in the direction of the axis of the strip of labels (ie the carrier tape) or the trailer and / or in the orthogonal (lateral) Direction.

0015The advantages of this alternative are made primarily in the difficult identification of Fuse elements and the thus improved anti-theft security.

0016In order to prevent the staff or customers the laying of the security elements thereby it is obvious that they are in a uniform order repeatedly, the elements lends itself to irregular, ie after randomly to position. The positioning of the security elements can thus effected by a random number generator. By unforeseeable, always different (uncorrelated) capable of securing elements on the labels or trailers is further complicated their identification and protection against theft thus improved.

0017Furthermore, we recommend that the carrier tape surface facing the Fuse element to be provided with a self-adhesive coating to the Detachment of the security element and / or the label from the labeled to make products more problematic.

0018Alternatively, the securing element - protected and difficult as such identifiable - mounted inside the actual label or tag will.

0019Regarding the type of the securing element there are various possibilities:

0020First, a narrow strip of soft magnetic material can be used come. He is in the exit control with an alternating magnetic field acted and re-magnetized in accordance with the respective frequency. Since the Strip now itself emits an alternating field of a receiver antenna is detected, there is a activation of the theft alarm. For deactivation can the strip additionally arranged with spaced, magnetically hard be masked metal pieces.

0021Further, a soft magnetic layer applied on a carrier film, ie evaporated or sputtered thin film layer proposed as security element. To disable may under and / or over a hard magnetic Metal foil, are provided such as nickel.

0022Finally, an alternative to the magnetic security devices electromagnetically working resonant circuits recommend that a thin film circuits can be realized. At the outlet, the a Capacitor and an inductor current resonant circuits with an electromagnetic RF field applied so that they at resonance also emit waves that detects the alarm by means of suitable antennas will.

0023A particularly suitable method for producing the security label strip is characterized in that the security elements to a security element carrier tape be glued, and that the security elements to a dispensing edge separated from the fuse element carrier tape and the Top layer are laminated together.

0024The basic idea is, the fuse elements of a fuse element carrier tape peel and donate so that they desired to Position on the security tag or tag access. The fuse elements, which can be of any shape and size, thus first by an adhesive bond on a fuse element carrier tape attached and successively in the manufacture of the security tags at a Dispensing edge in turn superseded it. The liberated thereby securing element is now merged with the other parts of the label or tag and -laminiert. The decisive factor is that the position of the securing element on the (past it out) label or trailers by the time of Spend process is defined and therefore is arbitrarily controllable. Especially there is the possibility of large labels or tags with much smaller to provide security elements.

0025The advantages are mainly in the fact that the production cost of the security labels or safety trailer through a reduction in the areas of Fuse elements can be reduced because any small security elements can be used. In addition, it is possible to use a standardized Safety element to be applied to labels and tags of any type and size, which has a decisive reduction in storage costs because only a kind of fuse elements must be kept in stock. Obviously, the proposed method also suitable for all labels and trailers equip a strip with security elements.

0026For secure connection with the security labels - and with them pasted objects - or the followers is proposed Safety elements such stuck on to the fuse element carrier tape that according to their carrier tape facing side even after the spend process, ie detachment from the fuse element carrier tape, adhesive remains. The for fixing the fuse element in the fuse element carrier tape serving Adhesive layer can thus also after Spend procedure for fixing serve.

0027There are various possibilities with respect to the lamination. In a advantageous embodiment, the fuse elements of a with applied self-adhesive coating provided surface of the facestock; the Fixing the safety elements is thus carried by the cover layer on the already existing adhesive layer. To a security tag to the largest possible to be able to stick surface with an object, in this case, the adhesive Coating of the security elements - the of installation on the safety elements carrier tape is - positioned such that they self-adhesive Coating the cover layer opposite.

0028Specifically, it takes a topcoat using whose self Surface is fixed on any support belt that as in the following Topcoat carrier tape is called. The latter is of the top layer withdrawn, so that the self-adhesive surface is exposed, and the securing elements donated it. Subsequently, the now with security elements Equipped cover layer applied on a carrier tape. On the other hand, to Manufacture of trailers and a second outer layer with the fuse with elements provided topcoat are zusammerlaminiert; the outer layers take the security elements in the manner of a sandwich in between them.

0029Alternatively, for administration of the security elements on the top layer they can to a carrier tape are glued, then applied the coating layer on the becomes. If the fixing of the security elements to the carrier tape preferably with the same adhesive coating with which the securing element was fixed before the process spend on securing elements carrier tape. As a general rule is also the passing of the carrier tape in contact surface with the cover layer a self-adhesive coating.

0030It is advisable to use a coating that forms a self-adhesive Surface is mounted on a top layer carrier tape. The latter is of taken off of the cover layer before it onto the carrier strip with the securing elements is glued.

0031Furthermore, it is possible in the cover layer already punched shape having the merge security elements. The alternative, the top layer only after laminating with the security elements in their final punch label and tag form is conceivable.

0032As the material of the cover layer primarily paper, cardboard and plastic are suitable. If the top layer of printable label paper and the second Topcoat carrier tape coated with silicone paper, are security labels manufactured which are used in conventional Handetikettiergeräten can. From cardboard or plastic can especially durable Security tags are made, such as those for labeling find decoration use.

0033Embodiments of the invention are based on the drawing explained. They show in a schematic representation in<sl><li>Figure 1: the production of carrier tape strips arranged with regular Security elements,</li><li>Figure 2: the preparation of carrier tape strips arranged with randomly Security elements,</li><li>Figure 3: the production of carrier tape strips with dummy security elements,</li><li>Figure 4: the production of carrier tape strips positioned with different Security elements with several heads Spend,</li><li>Figure 5: the production of carrier tape strips positioned with different Fuse elements with a head Spend,</li><li>Figure 6: the production of carrier tape strips using punched labels, </li><li>Figure 7: the production of carrier tape strips using not stamped labels,</li><li>Figure 8: the preparation of carrier tape strip, wherein the securing elements a carrier tape are donated.</li></sl>

0034In figure 1 a rotatable on rollers (5) mounted carrier tape (1) from the left after Right transported. A Spend head (4) brings electromagnetic security elements (2) of any type to the carrier tape (1), wherein on the basis of - four Labels (3) corresponding - portions (6, 6 ') it can be seen that the Order of the security elements (2) to the transport of the carrier tape (1) for four labels (3) by a corresponding control of the driving of the Spend head (4) repeatedly: each the second label (3) is not a Fuse element (2). In the right drawn portion (6 ') are the on the carrier tape (1) positioned security elements (2) by means of a not drawn, second Spend head already provided with labels (3).

0035In Figure 2, in contrast to Figure 1 no fixed order of Fuse elements (2) visible; while drawn in the first, left Section (6), only a label (3) is secured, the two in the right section (6 ') Labels shown (3) with security elements (2) provided.

0036Figure 3 illustrates the manufacture of a carrier tape strip, the labels to Part with securing elements (2) and partly with dummies (7) are provided. While the securing elements by means of the left marked Spend head (4) to the carrier tape (1) are applied, a second Spend head (4 ') is used to Applying the shape and color with the security elements matching and dummies (7).

0037In Figure 4, the carrier tape (1) from two different laterally (ie, in which is Level of the labels (3), orthogonal to the conveying direction) and in the advancing direction of the carrier tape (1) offset Spend heads (4, 4 ') with securing elements (2) provided. With reference to the portions (6, 6 ') can be seen that some Positions remain free, as a result, not all labels (3) with securing elements (2) are provided. Additionally, the order of the fuse elements varies (2) randomly. The depicted apparatus can on the one hand serve to securing elements (2) for laterally arranged side by side Labels (3) to the carrier tape (1) applying, on the other hand over the entire width of the carrier tape (1) extending labels (3) with securing elements (2) varying positions to be provided. In both cases, individual Labels (3) free of security elements (2) remain. There is also the Ability to spend heads (4, 4 ') for varying the position of the securing elements (2) to pivot in the lateral direction. Finally, the position of the Fuse elements (2) in the direction of movement of the carrier tape (1) by a suitable control of the timing of the application can be varied.

0038In contrast to Figure 4, the carrier tape (1) in Figure 5 is by means of a single Giving the head (8) equipped with security elements (2). The Spend head (8) has however, three side by side arranged channels and is thus spend suitable three juxtaposed labels (3) with security elements (2) to provide, in each case only some of the juxtaposed labels (3) to receive securing elements, if the spend channels separated from each other be activated. Alternatively, a label (3) at three different positions be equipped with a securing element (2).

0039In Figure 6 is a Spend head (8) is used to access a fuse element carrier tape to separate stuck securing elements (2) of the latter and an already in the final form of a label (3) punched out top layer (9) donate. The top layer (9) is initially at a top layer carrier tape (10) glued, and is at a dispensing edge (11) detached therefrom. In general, the Speed ​​at which the covering layer (9) is moved past the Spend head (8), constant. On the exposed top layer (9) are now successively Fuse elements (2) applied by means of Spend head (8). The fuse element carrier tape with the securing elements (2) is not continuous, special moves gradually. At each step, a fuse element (2) in is at known manner to a (not shown) dispensing edge of his Fuse element carrier tape separated and is an adhesive bond with the Top layer (9). The now finished security tag is finally on applied carrier tape (1). It is obvious that the position of the securing element (2) is determined on the finished security tag by the time, where the fuse element (2) from its carrier band securing elements is separated and is thus arbitrarily controllable.

0040In Figure 7, a top layer (9 ') is processed with greater length than in FIG. 6 This cover layer (9 ') is for example a laminate, which is still in then final form is to punch; Therefore, it is with a plurality of securing elements (2) provided.

0041In figure 8, the covering layer (9) which do not both a punched as well as a still be stamped laminate was moved with approximately constant speed and to the dispensing edge (11) from the top layer carrier belt (10) separately and on the applied carrier belt (12). The securing elements (2) are, in contrast to the previous figures 6 and 7, however, by means of the Spend head (8) on the Carrier band (1) is applied, with the same speed as the Top layer (9) is moved. Only thereafter the outer layer (9) is on laminated. It remains that the shoulder straps (1, 10) - without or with the Top layer (9) - are unwound from rolls and wound up on other roles.

0042It is obvious that the invention enables the securing elements to anywhere on the labels or attach trailers. Another advantage is that the inventive method in any kinds of Labels and tags can come to use. The result is So a security label strip by value for money and high Theft security distinguished.