U.S. patent application number 10/556546 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for method and apparatus for the securing of objects by strapping.
This patent application is currently assigned to Von-Humboldt Strasse. Invention is credited to Detlef Duschek.
Application Number | 20070056248 10/556546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33394579 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070056248 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Duschek; Detlef |
March 15, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for the securing of objects by strapping
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for securing articles against
theft. According to the inventive method, at least one strapping
means (10) is tightened around an article (2) to be secured,
whereby overlapping areas of the strapping means (10) are linked
with each other. At least one electronically detectable securing
element (21) is fed to the strapping means (10) in such a manner
that the securing element (21) is included between the overlapping
areas. The invention also relates to an installation (1) for
securing articles against theft by tightening around them at least
one strapping means (10) comprising a locking installation (18) for
locking the overlapping areas of a strapping means (10) enclosing
the article (2) to be secured. The installation further comprises a
device for applying at least one electronically detectable securing
element (21) to the strapping means (10) before the latter is
closed.
Inventors: |
Duschek; Detlef;
(Sensbachtal, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CAESAR, RIVISE, BERNSTEIN,;COHEN & POKOTILOW, LTD.
11TH FLOOR, SEVEN PENN CENTER
1635 MARKET STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-2212
US
|
Assignee: |
Von-Humboldt Strasse
Heppenheim
DE
64632
|
Family ID: |
33394579 |
Appl. No.: |
10/556546 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
May 6, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP04/04849 |
371 Date: |
November 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/399 ;
53/128.1; 53/410; 53/589 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 61/202 20130101;
G08B 13/2445 20130101; B65B 13/32 20130101; B65B 13/06 20130101;
B65D 2211/00 20130101; B65B 13/02 20130101; B65D 5/643 20130101;
B65B 13/182 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/399 ;
053/410; 053/589; 053/128.1 |
International
Class: |
B65B 61/00 20060101
B65B061/00; B65B 13/04 20060101 B65B013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 2003 |
DE |
103 21 687.1 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A method of protecting objects against theft, said method
comprising the steps of: looping at least one strapping means
around an object to be secured; overlapping portions of said at
least one strapping means and joining together said overlapping
portions; and feeding at least one electronically detectable
security element to said strapping means in such manner that said
security element is enclosed between said overlapping portions.
22. The method according to claim 21 wherein said step of feeding
said security element to said strapping means occurs prior to said
overlapping step and applying said security element to one of said
portions to be overlapped.
23. The method according to claim 21 wherein said step of feeding
said security element to said strapping means occurs during said
overlapping step and positioning said security element intermediate
of said overlapping portions.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said strapping means of at least
one loop comprises a weldable, band-shaped strapping material such
that said overlapping portions form a welding zone and wherein said
security element is coated at least in part with a meltable
material, said method further comprising the steps of: introducing
said security element coated at least in part with a meltable
material between said overlapping portions of said band-shaped
strapping material in said welding zone; and welding said strapping
material and said coated security element to one another in said
welding zone, thereby sealing said loop.
25. The method according to claim 24 wherein said welding step
comprises employing a friction welding or ultrasonic welding
process.
26. The method according to claim 21 wherein said step of looping
said at least one strapping means around an object comprises
feeding said strapping means by means of a conveying device to a
band guide which surrounds the object at least in part and routing
it through said guide, and drawing said strapping means off a
supply reel and severing said loop from the remaining supply of
strapping material prior to or subsequent to said joining step.
27. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the steps
of peeling said security elements from a supply reel onto which
they are wound in the form of a continuous strip and feeding them
to said strapping means and severing a single security element from
said continuous strip prior to or subsequent to its integration in
said strapping means.
28. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the steps
of presenting said security elements as cut-to-size strip elements
and feeding them to said strapping means one at a time.
29. The method according to claim 21 wherein said looping step
comprises looping the object to be secured with two strapping means
and affixing at least two security elements to the object at an
angle of 90 degrees relative to each other.
30. A device for the protection of an object against theft, said
device comprising: a strap that encircles the object to be secured,
said strap comprising at least one electronically detectable
security element that is enclosed between overlapping portions of
said strap and wherein said overlapping portions are secured
together.
31. An apparatus for applying a device to an object for the
protection of the object against theft, said apparatus comprising:
an applicator that encircles the object with at least one strap and
which applies at least one electronically detectable security
element to the device; a sealing device for sealing overlapping
portions of said strap to secure said strap around the object; and
wherein said security element is enclosed between said overlapping
portions of said strap when said overlapping portions are
sealed.
32. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said applicator
includes a positioning device for positioning said security element
intermediate of said overlapping portions.
33. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said strap
comprises a weldable, band-shaped strapping material and wherein
said applicator further comprises a conveying device that feeds
said strapping material to a band guide so as to surround the
object at least in part.
34. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said apparatus
arranges said security elements singly in a magazine or wound on a
supply reel as a continuous strip and which cuts said security
elements to size.
35. The apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising a feed
device for picking up said security elements and feeding said
security elements to said applicator.
36. The apparatus according to claim 31 further comprising a
severing device for cutting said security elements to a size
corresponding approximately to the length of the overlapping
portions.
37. The apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said severing
device is a cutter.
38. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said sealing device
is a friction welding device or an ultrasonic welding device and
wherein said security element is coated with a meltable material at
least in part.
39. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said security
elements are of a strip-shaped configuration and/or arranged on a
carrier web.
40. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said applicator
comprises at least an idler roll and a dispensing lip.
41. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein said strap is wound
on a supply reel as a band supply and a severing device is provided
which severs said strap from said band supply after its overlapping
portions have been joined together.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a method of protecting objects
against theft, in which at least one strapping means is looped
around an object to be secured, with overlapping portions of the
strapping means being joined together, and to an apparatus for the
protection of objects against theft by encircling them with at
least one strapping means, with a sealing device for sealing
overlapping portions of a strapping means encircling the object to
be secured.
[0002] Items of merchandise offered for sale in sales rooms are
being protected increasingly against theft by wrapping plastic
bands around the packaging of the merchandise in order to prevent
the merchandise being removed from its packaging and carried past
the checkout counter unnoticed.
[0003] A method and an apparatus for the securing of articles by
means of strapping are known, for example, from DE 195 16 043 A1.
In a strapping machine described in this specification, a band
conveying device shoots a plastic band at high velocity into a band
guide partially surrounding the object to be secured. A loop is
thereby formed which places itself around the object. The free end
of the band is captured by a band holder and securely fixed in
place. The band conveying device then retracts the band in opposite
direction. This causes the loop to be pulled tight around the
object, resting snugly against its surface. By means of a
tensioning device the band is tensioned and then, in tensioned
condition, is sealed by a sealing device in a section of
overlapping portions of the band.
[0004] Furthermore it is known to protect items of merchandise
against theft with the aid of electronically detectable security
elements which, as a rule, are applied to the packaging or directly
to the object to be secured. Such security elements contain
electrical, electronic and/or magnetic devices for emitting an
electronically detectable signal. Suitable detecting devices
produce alternating magnetic fields which excite the security
element into emitting a characteristic signal. This characteristic
signal is then received by the detecting devices causing them to
produce an alarm.
[0005] From EP 0 446 910 A1, for example, a security tag is known
which is comprised of an electronically detectable, deactivatable
security element and a self-adhesive coating covering it. The
deactivatable security element is a soft magnetic strip element
capable of being excited into emitting the characteristic signal
and having applied to it rectangular elements of a hard magnetic
material. The hard magnetic material can be driven into saturation
by a strong magnetic field and, due to its magnetization, prevent
the soft magnetic material from responding, so that the security
element can be deactivated when the merchandise has been rightly
purchased. This security element is adhered to a peel strip for
purposes of storage and transportation. When the peel strip is
removed, the security element with the then exposed adhesive
coating can be adhered to an object to be secured. However, such a
security tag has the disadvantage of being relatively easy to
detach from the object to be secured or from its packaging.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
and an apparatus of the type initially referred to which afford
effectiveness and economy in the securing of the objects to be
protected.
[0007] Proceeding from a method of the type initially referred to,
this object is accomplished according to the invention by feeding
at least one electronically detectable security element to the
strapping means in such manner that the security element is
enclosed between the overlapping portions.
[0008] With this approach of the invention it is ensured that the
security element can no longer be readily removed from the secured
article. According to the invention, the security element is
enclosed between overlapping portions of the strapping means, which
means that the entire strapping would have to be removed to remove
also the security element. A security element adhered to the
packaging of the merchandise could be removed just as easily as a
security element affixed on the strapping means. However, the
strapping means is sealed invisibly and fixedly in a section of
overlapping portions which in this section are joined together, so
that a security element which according to the invention is
enclosed in this particular section of the strapping means cannot
be removed. The joining of the overlapping portions may be
accomplished, for example, by welding, whereby a very firm bond is
obtained. Furthermore, the process of strapping the object to be
secured may be combined with the process of applying a security
element for electronic article surveillance in one pass, resulting
overall in a very fast and low-cost method for article
protection.
[0009] The security elements involved may include, for example,
electromagnetic (EM), acousto-magnetic (AM), radio frequency (RF)
or radio frequency identification (RF-ID) elements. Therefore,
according to the invention different types of security element may
be used, with flat security elements as, for example, strip-shaped
security elements or thin-film elements being preferred. These may
be of the deactivatable type, enabling them to be deactivated at
the checkout counter when the merchandise has been properly paid
for. The use of strip or thin-film elements furthermore affords the
advantage of having a thin layer thickness enabling them to be
integrated into the strapping without problems.
[0010] In cases where EM, that is, electromagnetic, elements are
used as security elements, the EM material may be a co-extruded
material containing in the interior of a plastic coating a strip
element ("simple strip") as deactivatable element or only active
material. The plastic coating is made of commercially available,
co-extrudable plastics capable of being fused with a plastic band
from which the strapping may be formed.
[0011] In an advantageous aspect of the method of the invention
provision is made for the security element to be fed to the
strapping means prior to the strapping operation and to be applied
to one of the overlapping portions. Accordingly, the security
elements may already be affixed to the strapping means when the
latter is presented to the strapping operation. This requires the
security elements to be applied to the strapping means at suitable
locations at a predetermined relative distance to ensure that they
are positioned between the overlapping portions of the strapping
means when these are joined together.
[0012] In another advantageous aspect of the method of the
invention provision is made for the security element to be fed to
the strapping means during the strapping operation and to be
positioned intermediate the overlapping portions. This combines the
operation of feeding the security elements directly with the
strapping operation, so that the complete securing of the object
takes place in one pass resulting in an extremely economical
process.
[0013] This arrangement advantageously provides that as strapping
means at least one loop made from a weldable, band-shaped strapping
material is arranged in encircling relationship around the object,
with the overlapping portions of the band-shaped strapping material
forming a welding zone, and that a security element coated at least
in part with a meltable material is introduced between the
overlapping portions of the band-shaped strapping material in the
welding zone, followed by welding the strapping material and the
coated security element to one another in the welding zone, thereby
sealing the loop. By welding the security element to the strapping
material a very firm bond is established making it practically
impossible for the security element to be removed. For welding a
friction welding or ultrasonic welding process may be employed.
[0014] In an advantageous aspect of the method of the invention it
is furthermore provided that the strapping means if fed by means of
a conveying device to a band guide which surrounds the object at
least in part and is routed through said guide, and/or that the
strapping means is drawn off a supply reel and the loop is severed
from the remaining supply of strapping material prior to or
subsequent to the joining operation.
[0015] The security elements may be peeled from a supply reel, onto
which they are wound in the form of a continuous strip, and fed to
the strapping means. In the process, a single security element is
severed from the continuous strip before or after it is enclosed
within the strapping means.
[0016] Alternatively, the security elements may be presented as
cut-to-size strip elements and fed to the strapping means one at a
time.
[0017] When the object to be secured is strapped with two strapping
means and in the process at least two security elements are affixed
to the object at an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other,
then the detection rate of the antennae of the detecting device at
the exit of the sales room can be increased, enabling the
effectiveness of the method of the invention to be enhanced still
further.
[0018] Proceeding from an apparatus of the type initially referred
to, the object is accomplished according to the invention in that
it includes a device for applying at least one electronically
detectable security element to the strapping means prior to it
being sealed. With this applicator the function of a conventional
strapping machine can be further developed in advantageous manner
such as to enable a combination of the feeding of security elements
with the strapping operation, that is, an application of mechanical
and electronic security elements within one apparatus.
[0019] In this arrangement the applicator may include a dispensing
device adapted to apply a security element to one of the
overlapping portions for integration into the strapping means. By
means of such a dispensing device, for example, a simple dispensing
lip, the security elements can be applied to the strapping means
before it is fed to the strapping operation, that is, shot into the
band guide of the strapping machine. In this event it is necessary
for the apparatus of the invention to be controlled by a control
unit such that the security elements are applied to the strapping
means at appropriate locations and at predetermined relative
distances for them to be arranged between the overlapping portions
of the strapping means when these are joined together.
[0020] Alternatively, the applicator may include a positioning
device with which a security element needing to be integrated in
the strapping means can be positioned intermediate the overlapping
portions. This positioning device is arranged and adjustable in
such manner that a security element is introduced between the upper
and lower layer of the strapping means immediately before the
joining together of the two overlapping portions thereof, so that
the security element is enclosed between the two overlapping
portions of the strapping means during and after the joining
operation.
[0021] Preferably, the apparatus of the invention includes a
conveying device by means of which a weldable, band-shaped
strapping material as strapping means can be fed to a band guide.
The band guide is arranged so as to surround the object at least in
part, so that the strapping means forms a loop around the object to
be secured.
[0022] The security elements may be arranged singly and cut to size
in a magazine or wound on a supply reel as a continuous strip. In
either event, they can be fed to the applicator rapidly and at
short intervals.
[0023] In an advantageous aspect of the apparatus of the invention,
provision may also be made for a feed device for picking up the
security elements and feeding them to the applicator.
[0024] In cases where a severing device, preferably a cutter, is
provided which cuts the security elements to a size corresponding
approximately to the length of the overlapping portions, the
security elements are presented in a size in which they can be
completely enclosed by the overlapping portions.
[0025] The sealing device may be a friction welding device or an
ultrasonic welding device, for example. When in these cases the
security element is coated with a meltable material at least in
part, then the strapping material and the security element can be
welded to one another so that a very firm bond is established which
practically prevents the security element from being removed.
[0026] The security elements are preferably of a strip-shaped
configuration and/or arranged on a carrier web. The security
elements may include, for example, electromagnetic (EM),
acousto-magnetic (AM), radio frequency (RF) or radio frequency
identification (RF-ID) elements.
[0027] When the applicator comprises at least an idler roll and a
dispensing lip, the security elements can be applied and fed
reliably and speedily.
[0028] A particularly effective and trouble-insusceptible operation
of the apparatus of the invention is ensured when the strapping
means is wound on a supply reel as a band supply and provision is
made for a severing device which severs the strapping means from
the band supply after its overlapping portions have been joined
together.
[0029] The present invention will be explained in more detail in
the following by way of example with reference to the Figures of
the accompanying drawing. In the drawing,
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the
apparatus of the invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of another embodiment
of an apparatus of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an apparatus for
carrying out an embodiment of the method of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an object encircled with a
strap;
[0034] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the object of FIG. 4 with
double strapping; and
[0035] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 5, of an
object with double strapping, with a security element being made of
co-extruded EM material that is applied to a plastic strapping band
in accordance with the detail view A.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus 1 of the
invention for protecting an object 2 against theft. The apparatus 1
includes a band guide 3 provided on its lower rail 4 with a table
5. The side rails 6, 7 and the upper rail 8 of the band guide 3 are
arranged around the table 5, so that an object 2 placed down on the
table 5 is within the boundaries of the band guide 3. The apparatus
1 of the invention further includes a supply reel 9 for the
strapping means 10. The strapping means 10 involved is a band 11
which may be made of a weldable material, for example, plastics.
The strapping means 10 is drawn from the supply reel 9 by a feed
device 12 via an idler roll 13 and fed to a band magazine 14. By
means of a conveying device 15 the band 11 is shot at high velocity
from the band magazine 14 into the band guide 3. The free end of
the band 11 is captured in the sealing zone 16 and securely fixed
in place. Then the running direction of the conveying device 15 is
reversed, causing the band 11 to be retracted and to place itself
around the object 2 in the form of a loop 17. Finally, the
strapping means 10 is tensioned tight around the object 2 by means
of a tensioning device, not shown, which may be an arrangement of
tension rollers, so that the loop 17 rests snugly against the
object 2. Present in the sealing zone 16 are now two oppositely
arranged and overlapping portions of the strapping means 10.
Arranged in direct proximity to the space 19 between the two
overlapping portions of the strapping means 10 is a positioning
device 20. The positioning device 20 is used for feeding
electronically detectable security elements 21 to the sealing zone
16. The positioning device 20 is of the adjustable type, thus
enabling the security elements 21 to be positioned between the
overlapping portions of the strapping means 10. The security
elements 21 are affixed to a carrier web 22 by means of an adhesive
coating, which web is wound onto a supply reel 23. Being routed via
the positioning device 20, the carrier web 22 with the security
elements 21 held thereon is drawn off the supply reel 23 by means
of a feed roll 24. At its end close to the space 19 the positioning
device 20 has a dispensing lip where the security elements 21 are
delaminated from the carrier web 22 and applied to the lower one of
the overlapping portions of the strapping means 10 on which they
remain adhered by means of the adhesive coating.
[0037] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the
security elements 21 may also be applied to the upper one of the
overlapping portions of the strapping means 10. In either event,
with the embodiment of the apparatus 1 of the invention shown in
FIG. 1 the security elements 21 are fed to the strapping means
during the strapping operation and are positioned between the
overlapping portions of the strapping means 10. Once a security
element 21 is present between the overlapping portions of the
strapping means 10, these portions are joined by means of the
sealing device 18. The sealing device 18 involved may be, for
example, a friction welding device or an ultrasonic welding device
which enable the weldable strapping material to be welded together,
thereby sealing the loop 17, that is, the strapping means 10.
[0038] In a special embodiment of the invention the security
elements 21 may be additionally covered with a meltable material
that melts during the welding of the overlapping portions to one
another, hence entering a firm bond with the material of the
strapping means 10. After the strapping means 10 is sealed, the
security element 21 is enclosed between the overlapping portions of
the strapping means 10 in a way not visible from outside, being
practically prevented from being detached from the strapping means.
Furthermore, the sealing device 18 preferably includes a severing
unit that severs the now sealed strapping means 10, meaning the
loop 17, from the remaining strapping material, meaning the band
supply. On completion of the process of the invention, the loop 17
encircles the object 2, with the loop 17 containing a security
element 21 invisibly enclosed between the overlapping portions of
the strapping means 10. In another embodiment of the invention the
object 2 can now be turned through an angle of 90 degrees and
strapped again, so that two loops arranged at right angles to one
another secure the object 2. Considering that this results in two
security elements to be disposed at right angles to each other,
this embodiment enables the detection rate to be increased still
further. The apparatus 1 of the invention may also include a
severing device, for example, a cutter, which cuts the security
elements 21 to a length corresponding approximately to the length
of the overlapping portions of the strapping means 10. The length
to which the security elements are cut should be slightly less than
the length of the overlapping portions in order to ensure that the
security elements 21 are completely, that is, invisibly, enclosed
between the overlapping portions.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of an apparatus 25 of the
invention for the protection of an object 2. The apparatus 25
differs from the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 in that the device for
applying security elements essentially comprises a dispensing
device 26 by means of which the security elements 27 are applied to
the appropriate sections of the strapping means 10 prior to the
actual strapping operation. Also in this embodiment the security
elements 27 are arranged on a carrier web 28 that is unwound from a
supply reel 30 by means of a feed roll 29. In the process the
carrier web 28 with the security elements 27 held thereon is routed
via the dispensing device 26 having a dispensing lip 31 at its one
end. The security elements 27 are delaminated from the carrier web
28 at the dispensing lip 31 and applied to the strapping means 10,
meaning the band 11. As this occurs, the apparatus 25 has to be
controlled in such fashion that the security elements 27 are
applied to a portion of the strapping means 10 that overlaps during
the strapping operation with another portion of the strapping means
10, thus enabling a security element 27 to be enclosed between the
overlapping portions of the strapping means 10. Accordingly, with
the apparatus 25 of the invention the security elements 27 are fed
to the strapping means 10 prior to the strapping operation, with
the security elements 27 being applied to one of the overlapping
portions. For adhering them to the carrier web 28 and the strapping
means 10 the security elements 27 may be provided with an adhesive
coating, for example. Alternatively, the security elements 27 may
also be coated with a meltable material that fuses with the
strapping material when the overlapping portions are joined, so
that the security elements 27 are very firmly and practically
inseparably enclosed between the overlapping portions.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows a conventional strapping machine 35 which
equally includes a band guide 36 surrounding an object 2 placed
down on a table 37. Furthermore, the strapping machine 35 also
includes a supply reel 38 for the strapping means 10 from which the
strapping means 10 is fed to a band magazine 40 by means of a feed
device 39. Here too, the strapping means 10 is shot from the band
magazine 40 via a conveying device 41 into the band guide 36 and
subsequently sealed by means of the sealing device 42. Similar to
the embodiment of FIG. 2, the security elements 43 are fed to the
strapping means 10 prior to the strapping operation and applied to
portions of the strapping means 10 which overlap during the
strapping operation for joining. For this purpose, in the present
embodiment the security elements 43 are already applied to the
strapping means 10 at predetermined relative distances and wound
onto the supply reel 38 with the strapping means. The advantage of
this embodiment resides in that it enables a conventional and, as
the case may be, already existing strapping machine 35 to be used
for carrying out the method of the invention.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an object 45 of the
invention, showing a strapping means 46 encircling the object in
the form of a loop. The strapping means 46 has a section 47 in
which two portions 48, 49 of the strapping means 46 are in
overlapping relationship. These portions 48, 49 are firmly joined,
preferably welded to one another, with the strapping means 46 being
preferably made of a weldable plastics material. Sandwiched between
the portions 48, 49 is a strip-shaped security element 50 (shown in
dashed lines) which is completely enclosed between the overlapping
portions 48, 49 and therefore not visible from outside. The object
45 involved is the packaging 51 of an item of merchandise. On the
one hand, the strapping prevents opening of the packaging 51 and a
subsequent removal of the item of merchandise, while on the other
hand the security element 50 protects the item against unauthorized
removal from the sales room.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows the object 45 of FIG. 4 which in the present
embodiment is additionally secured by another strapping means 52.
Enclosed in the strapping means 52 between two overlapping portions
53, 54 is another security element 55. Because the security
elements 50 and 55 are arranged at right angles to each other, a
higher detection rate results when the object is carried through a
zone subject to surveillance.
[0043] In all of the above-described cases a strip-shaped security
element may be made of co-extruded EM material a defined quantity
of which is supplied from a separate supply reel in longitudinal
direction of the strapping means. It will be understood, however,
that the EM material may also be supplied in any desired direction.
At all events, the EM material is introduced between the upper and
the lower layer of the strapping means, preferably a plastic band.
A welding head as, for example, an ultrasonic head, fuses the
strapping means with the EM material.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows an object 45 secured by two strapping means 46,
52 as in FIG. 5. Enclosed in the strapping means 52 between the
overlapping portions 53, 54 is a security element 55 made of
co-extruded EM material. FIG. 6 shows in addition that the
individual security element 55 may not only be enclosed in the area
of overlap but may also protrude beyond it, as becomes readily
apparent from the representation of FIG. 6. When it is stated in
the foregoing that the security element is enclosed between the
overlapping portions 53, 54 or between other overlapping portions,
this does not mean that the security element could not protrude
beyond the area of overlap.
[0045] The co-extruded EM material has the following structure:
[0046] In the interior of a plastic coating is either a single
element ("simple strip" as known from EP 0 921 942 B1) as
deactivatable element or only the active material. The plastic
coating is made of commercially available, co-extrudable plastics
and may have any desired color or shape.
[0047] The EM material may be supplied from a supply reel and cut
to the appropriate length upon introduction into the welding zone,
or the security elements, which are already cut to length, are fed
to the welding head one at a time. For this purpose conventional
strapping machines may be modified to suit this operation.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0048] 1 apparatus [0049] 2 object [0050] 3 band guide [0051] 4
rail [0052] 5 table [0053] 6 rail [0054] 7 rail [0055] 8 rail
[0056] 9 supply reel [0057] 10 strapping means [0058] 11 band
[0059] 12 feed device [0060] 13 idler roll [0061] 14 band magazine
[0062] 15 conveying device [0063] 16 sealing zone [0064] 17 loop
[0065] 18 sealing device [0066] 19 space [0067] 20 positioning
device [0068] 21 security element [0069] 22 carrier web [0070] 23
supply reel [0071] 24 feed roll [0072] 25 apparatus [0073] 26
dispensing device [0074] 27 security element [0075] 28 carrier web
[0076] 29 feed roll [0077] 30 supply reel [0078] 31 dispensing lip
[0079] 35 strapping machine [0080] 36 band guide [0081] 37 table
[0082] 38 supply reel [0083] 39 feed device [0084] 40 band magazine
[0085] 41 conveying device [0086] 42 sealing device [0087] 43
security element [0088] 45 object [0089] 46 strapping means [0090]
47 section [0091] 48 portion [0092] 49 portion [0093] 50 security
element [0094] 51 packaging [0095] 52 strapping means [0096] 53
portion [0097] 54 portion [0098] 55 security element
* * * * *