Method of producing a sheet of security tags

0001The invention relates to a method of the in the preamble of claim 1 specified type.

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 when falling below a Threshold distance electromagnetically, ie by high-frequency waves, or 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 electronic 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 view all articles marked to secure 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.

0005The 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.

0006Regarding the type of fuse elements are various possibilities:

0007First, 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.

0008Further, 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.

0009A method is known from the document EP-A-0578992 for the production of high-quality security labels. It is first non-metallic on a Band a hard magnetic metal strip and then to the metal strip, a carrier film glued . the such a thickness and elasticity , in that a punching blade at the place which Interacting with the metal strips, an elastic Deformation of the metal strip \ and the carrier film caused that is sufficient for the metal strip to separate.

0010From the non-metallic belt and the metal strips are punched out parts of the carrier film is peeled off. In the remaining Parts of hard magnetic metal strip applying a soft magne metallic metal strip. Following this, on the one Side of the sheet material manufactured in the above manner Label paper and on the other side adhesively bonded to a carrier tape, so that an intermediate results, stamped from the labels can be. Finally, an alternative to the magnetic security devices electromagnetically working resonant circuits used that as 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.

0011Object of the invention is to provide an economical A method for manufacturing a security label strip specify.

0012This task is accomplished by a process solved the above-mentioned type, which in the characterizing Part of the specified claim 1 comprises steps. advantageous Embodiments of the invention form the subject matter the dependent claims.

0013The basic idea in the novel process in which fuse elements of a fuse element carrier tape peel and donate so that they desired in a Position on a security label 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.

0014The 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.

0015For 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.

0016There 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.

0017Specifically, 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 top layer on the carrier tape is applied. The cover layer and the Support band take the security elements in the manner of a sandwich in between them.

0018Alternatively, for administration of the security elements on the top layer they can to the 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.

0019It 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.

0020Furthermore, 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.

0021As the material of the cover layer primarily paper, cardboard and plastic are suitable. If the top layer of printable label paper and the 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.

0022Embodiments 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>

0023In Figure 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).

0024In 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.

0025Figure 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).

0026In 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 Positione n 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.

0027In 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).

0028In 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, but gradually moves. 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.

0029In 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.

0030In figure 8, the covering layer (9) which do not both a punched as well as a still can punched laminate be moved at approximately constant speed and to the dispensing edge (11) from the top layer carrier belt (10) separately and on the applied carrier tape (1). 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.

0031It 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.