Tamper evident label and article incorporating the same

Abstract

A tamper evident label is formed of destructible material and has opposite major surfaces. One of the major surfaces has an adhesive thereon and is configured to overlie a theft protection sensor and adhere to an article to be protected. At least one weakness formation is provided in the label adjacent the periphery thereof.

Claims

1. An article comprising a tamper evident label and a theft protection sensor, wherein the tamper evident label is adhered to the article and traps the theft protection sensor between the tamper evident label and the article, wherein the tamper evident label is formed of destructible material and has opposite major surfaces and an outer peripheral edge, one of the major surfaces having an adhesive thereon that overlies the theft protection sensor and at least a portion of an article surface, wherein weakness formations are provided in the tamper evident label, wherein the weakness formations are arranged in a saw-toothed pattern about and inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the tamper evident label, and wherein the saw-toothed pattern of weakness formations surrounds a central region of the tamper evident label devoid of weakness formations, the central region having dimensions larger than the dimensions of the theft protection sensor and overlying the theft protection sensor.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the weakness formations provide an exit path for air trapped between the tamper evident label and the article during adhering of the tamper evident label to the article surface and facilitate fracturing of the tamper evident label when an attempt to remove the tamper evident label from the article is made.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the pattern of weakness formations comprises spaced cuts and/or perforations provided in the tamper evident label.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the pattern of weakness formations comprises spaced cuts and/or perforations provided in the tamper evident label.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the destructible material is selected from a group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, and acetate.

6. Merchandise comprising a tamper evident label and a theft protection sensor, wherein the tamper evident label is adhered to the merchandise and traps the theft protection sensor between the tamper evident label and the merchandise, wherein the tamper evident label is formed of destructible material and has opposite major surfaces and an outer peripheral edge, one of the major surfaces having an adhesive thereon that overlies the theft protection sensor and adheres to theft protection sensor and to the merchandise, wherein weakness formations arranged in a pattern are provided in the tamper evident label about and inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the tamper evident label, wherein the pattern of weakness formations is a saw-toothed pattern forming at least one ring surrounding a central region of the tamper evident label devoid of weakness formations that has dimensions larger than the dimensions of the theft protection sensor, wherein the central region overlies the theft protection sensor, and wherein the weakness formations provide an exit path for air trapped between the tamper evident label and the merchandise during adhering of the tamper evident label to the merchandise with the central region overlying the theft protection sensor and facilitate fracturing of the tamper evident label when an attempt to remove the tamper evident label from the merchandise is made.

7. The merchandise of claim 6, wherein the pattern of weakness formations comprises linear cuts and/or perforations provided in the label.

8. The article of claim 6, wherein the destructible material is selected from a group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, and acetate.

9. An article comprising a tamper evident label and a theft protection sensor, wherein the tamper evident label is adhered to the article and traps the theft protection sensor between the tamper evident label and the article, wherein the tamper evident label is formed of destructible material and has opposite major surfaces and an outer peripheral edge, one of the major surfaces having an adhesive thereon that overlies the theft protection sensor and at least a portion of an article surface, wherein weakness formations are provided in the tamper evident label, wherein the weakness formations are arranged in a pattern about and inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the tamper evident label, wherein the pattern of weakness formations comprises concentric rings of perforations, and wherein the pattern of weakness formations surrounds a central region of the tamper evident label devoid of weakness formations, the central region having dimensions larger than the dimensions of the theft protection sensor and overlying the theft protection sensor.

10. The article of claim 9, wherein the weakness formations provide an exit path for air trapped between the tamper evident label and the article during adhering of the tamper evident label to the article surface and facilitate fracturing of the tamper evident label when an attempt to remove the tamper evident label from the article is made.

11. Merchandise comprising a tamper evident label and a theft protection sensor, wherein the tamper evident label is adhered to the merchandise and traps the theft protection sensor between the tamper evident label and the merchandise, wherein the tamper evident label is formed of destructible material and has opposite major surfaces and an outer peripheral edge, one of the major surfaces having an adhesive thereon that overlies the theft protection sensor and adheres to theft protection sensor and to the merchandise, wherein weakness formations arranged in a pattern are provided in the tamper evident label about and inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral edge of the tamper evident label, wherein the pattern of weakness formations comprises concentric rings of perforations surrounding a central region of the tamper evident label devoid of weakness formations that has dimensions larger than the dimensions of the theft protection sensor, wherein the central region overlies the theft protection sensor, and wherein the weakness formations provide an exit path for air trapped between the tamper evident label and the merchandise during adhering of the tamper evident label to the merchandise with the central region overlying the theft protection sensor and facilitate fracturing of the tamper evident label when an attempt to remove the tamper evident label from the merchandise is made.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a tamper evident label;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a theft protection sensor;

(4) FIG. 2a is a top plan view of the tamper evident label of FIG. 1 applied to merchandise and overlying the theft protection sensor of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident label, merchandise, and theft protection sensor shown in FIG. 2a taken along line 2b-2b; and

(6) FIGS. 3a to 3g are top plan views of alternative tamper evident labels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain examples will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As used herein, an element or feature introduced in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or features. Further, references to “one example” or “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples or embodiments that also incorporate the described elements or features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples or embodiments “comprising” or “having” or “including” an element or feature or a plurality of elements or features having a particular property may include additional elements or features not having that property. Also, it will be appreciated that the terms “comprises”, “has”, “includes” means “including by not limited to” and the terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” have equivalent meanings.

(8) As used herein, the term “and/or” can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements or features.

(9) It will be understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc. another element or feature, that element or feature can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or feature or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element of feature, there are no intervening elements or features present.

(10) It will be understood that spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “above”, “upper”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relationship of an element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms can however, encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

(11) In the following, a tamper evident label is described. Broadly, the tamper evident label is formed of destructible material and has opposite major surfaces. One of the major surfaces has an adhesive thereon and is configured to overlie a theft protection sensor and adhere to an article such as merchandise to be protected thereby to trap the theft protection sensor between the label and the article. At least one weakness formation is provided in the label adjacent the periphery thereof. The at least one weakness formation provides an exit path for air trapped between the label and the article when the label is placed over the theft protection sensor and on the article and facilitates fracturing of the label when an attempt to remove the label from the article is made.

(12) Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary tamper evident label is shown and is generally identified by reference number 20. The tamper evident label 20 is designed to be affixed to merchandise to be protected such as retail packaging (e.g. bottles, boxes etc.) and overlie a theft protection sensor 22. In this embodiment, the theft protection sensor 22 is a rectangular acoustomagnetic (AM) sensor. The tamper evident label 20 has a major upper surface 24 and an opposite major bottom surface 26 and is generally rectangular in plan. In this embodiment, the tamper evident label 20 is formed of a destructible plastic film such as polystyrene.

(13) An aggressive, high tack adhesive is provided on the major bottom surface 26. The adhesive is common to the label industry and works well both at room temperatures and at low (i.e. freezer) temperatures when affixed to packages used in retails products, primarily boxes and bottles that are surface coated in a variety of finishes.

(14) At least one weakness formation 28 is provided in the tamper evident label 20 adjacent its periphery. In this embodiment, the at least one weakness formation 28 is in the form of discrete, continuous S-shaped or serpentine cuts 30 provided in the tamper evident label 20. The cuts 30 are generally evenly spaced about the periphery of the tamper evident label 20 and extend from near the peripheral edges of the tamper evident label partially inwardly to define a central region 32 devoid of cuts. The central region 32 has dimensions larger than the theft protection sensor 22. The serpentine cuts 30 serve two purposes, namely to weaken the tamper evident label 20 in a controlled and predictable manner and to provide exit paths so that air pockets are not trapped under the tamper evident label 20 when the tamper evident label is applied to merchandise to be protected. Custom or standard printing (not shown) is provided on the major upper surface 24 of the tamper evident label 20 within the central region 32 that obscures the theft protection sensor 22 from sight

(15) The tamper evident label 20 has a small footprint to minimize its impact on aesthetics. In this embodiment, the dimensions of the tamper evident label are 2¾″ by 1⅜″ although those of skill in the art will appreciate that the dimensions of the tamper evident label can be varied to suit the environment in which the tamper evident label 20 is deployed.

(16) In use as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the tamper evident label 20 is applied to merchandise M to be protected such that the central region 32 of the tamper evident label 20 overlies the theft protection sensor 22 and obscures it from view. During application of the tamper evident label 20, the cuts 30 provide exit paths for air to escape thereby eliminating or at least minimizing the occurrence of tenting around the perimeter of the tamper evident label 20. This allows the tamper evident label 20 to sit flat on the merchandise M to be protected resulting in the tamper evident seal 20 providing a tight seal with the merchandise. As a result, it is very difficult to gain a fingerhold on any edge of the tamper evident label 20, a prerequisite to removing it. Also, the cuts 30 weaken the tamper evident label 20 so that fracturing of the tamper evident label occurs easily and widely when an attempt to remove the tamper evident label 20 from the merchandise is made, providing easy to detect, visual evidence of the removal attempt.

(17) Although the at least one weakness formation 28 described above comprises discrete, spaced, continuous S-shaped or serpentine cuts 30, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the at least one weakness formation 28 may take other forms. For example, FIGS. 3a to 3g show tamper evident labels with alternative weakness formations. In FIG. 3a, the at least one weakness formation is in the form of discontinuous, linear cuts 50 arranged in a saw-toothed pattern about the periphery of the tamper evident label 20 that surrounds the central region. In FIG. 3b, the at least one weakness formation comprises discrete, spaced, discontinuous linear cuts 52 about the periphery of the tamper evident label 20 with each cut extending from near a peripheral edge of the tamper evident label partially inwardly. In FIG. 3c, the at least one weakness formation is similar to that of FIG. 3b except that each of the linear cuts 54 is continuous. In FIG. 3d, the at least one weakness formation is also in the form of discrete, spaced, continuous linear cuts 56 about the periphery of the tamper evident label 20 with each cut extending from near a peripheral edge of the tamper evident label partially inwardly. In FIG. 3e, the at least one weakness formation is in the form of discrete, spaced, discontinuous circular cuts 58 about the periphery of the tamper evident label 20 that surround the central region. In FIG. 3h, the at least one weakness formation is also in the form of discrete, spaced, discontinuous circular cuts 60 about the periphery of the tamper evident label 20 that surround the central region. In FIG. 3g, the at least one weakness formation is in the form of rectangular, concentric rings of perforations 62.

(18) While exemplary weakness formations are shown and described above, those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternative arrangements of weakness formations comprising cuts, perforations or both having other geometric shapes or combinations of shapes may be employed. Also, although the locations of the weakness formations are shown to define a central region devoid of cuts and/or perforations, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the cuts and/or perforations may extend further inwardly to an extent where the cuts and/or perforations extend over the theft protection sensor 22. Also, in some circumstances, the cuts and/or perforations may extend to the peripheral edges of the tamper evident label 20.

(19) Although the tamper evident label 20 has been described as being formed of a polystyrene plastic film, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the tamper evident label may be formed of other suitable material. For example, other plastic films such as polyester, polypropylene and acetate may be employed. Alternatively, papers, coextruded composites and composites of paper and plastic film may be used.

(20) Although the tamper evident labels have been described as being for use on merchandise, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the tamper evident labels may be used on other articles of commercial or personal value that are to be protected.

(21) As will be appreciated, the tamper evident labels described above offer advantageous. The small footprint of the tamper evident labels has less impact on the aesthetics of merchandise to be protected. The tamper evident labels provide an excellent seal around their peripheral edges making them difficult to pry up and away from the merchandise to which they are adhered. The tamper evident labels fracture easily when a fingernail or other tool is used to attack their edges providing noticeable visual evidence of tampering attempts. The tamper evident labels eliminate or at least minimize tenting. Furthermore, the tamper evident labels can be manufactured cost effectively and applied to merchandise easily and safely.

(22) As used herein, the term “configured” means that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the term “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function.

(23) Although embodiments have been described above and are shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims, and the scope of the claims should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.