WITH PRODUCT ENGAGEMENT PIN

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claim priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application

63/133,943 titled “Security Tray for Incorporation with Product Security Device with Product Engagement Pin,” filed on January 5, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a security tray device that can be used with product security devices that are typically associated with products sold on hanger type displays.

BACKGROUND

Security devices with product engagement pins are traditionally used to provide security for products that are sold on hanger type displays. Typical products that are sold on hanger type displays include razor blades and razors, amongst other types of products. Security devices, such as those described in US 10,301,852, incorporated herein by reference, as well as other patents, are used to help thwart shoplifting of these types of items. The present disclosure now describes further security elements which, when used in combination with existing security devices as described hereinbefore, provide additional security for the products that can be otherwise removed by, for example, cutting the product packaging.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to security elements which, when used in combination with existing security devices having product engagement pins for items on hangers in stores, provide additional security for the products that can be otherwise removed by, for example, cutting the product packaging. In one aspect, provided is a security tray device. In a first embodiment, the security tray device comprises: a vertical wall having a top end, a bottom end, a first side extending longitudinally between the top end and the bottom end, and a second side opposite the first side and extending longitudinally between the top end and the bottom end; a tray area adjacent the bottom end and extending outward from the vertical wall; and a hanger aperture adjacent to the top end.

In a second embodiment in accordance with the first embodiment, the tray area defines a wall portion distal from and opposite the vertical wall.

In a third embodiment in accordance with the first embodiment, the tray area is defined by a lower surface extending outward from the vertical wall of the security tray device, a wall portion distal from the vertical wall and adjacent the lower surface, a first side wall adjacent the first side and the wall portion, and a second side wall adjacent the second side and the wall portion.

In a fourth embodiment in accordance with any of the first through third embodiments, the vertical wall is substantially planar.

In a fifth embodiment in accordance with the fourth embodiment, the hanger aperture is disposed in the vertical wall adjacent the top end.

In a sixth embodiment in accordance with any of the first through third embodimetns, the security tray comprises a hanger extending from the top, the hanger portion comprising a lip extending outward from the vertical wall, and a hanger portion extending upward from the lip, wherein the hanger aperture is disposed in the hanger portion.

In a seventh embodiment in accordance with any of the first through sixth embodimetns, the security device is constructed of a plastic material.

In an eighth embodiment in accordance with any of the first through seventh embodiments, the security device is transparent. In another aspect, provided is a security system. In a ninth embodiment, the security system comprises: the security tray device of any of the first through eighth embodiments; and a security device comprising an engagement portion to engage an aperture in a product and the hanger aperture of the security tray device.

In a tenth embodiment, the security device comprises an aperture for hanging the security system when secured to a product.

In an eleventh embodiment, provided is a method of protecting a package comprising: providing a security tray device, the security tray device comprising: a vertical wall having a top end, a bottom end, a first side extending longitudinally between the top end and the bottom end, and a second side opposite the first side and extending longitudinally between the top end and the bottom end; a tray area adjacent the bottom end and extending outward from the vertical wall; and a hanger aperture adjacent to the top end; inserting a package into the security tray device such that the package is disposed within the tray area, wherein a portion of the package comprises an aperture corresponding to the location of the hanger aperture of the security tray; and attaching a security device to the security tray and the package via an engagement portion that passes through the hanger aperture of the security tray device and the aperture of the package.

In a twelfth embodiment according to the eleventh embodiment, the tray area defines a wall portion distal from and opposite the vertical wall.

In a thirteenth embodiment according to the eleventh embodiment, the tray area is defined by a lower surface extending outward from the vertical wall of the security tray device, a wall portion distal from the vertical wall and adjacent the lower surface, a first side wall adjacent the first side and the front wall, and a second side wall adjacent the second side and the wall portion.

In an fourteenth embodiment in accordance with any of the eleventh through thirteenth embodiments the vertical wall is substantially planar.

In a fifteenth embodiment in accordance with the eleventh embodiment, the hanger aperture is disposed in the vertical wall adjacent the top.

In a sixteenth embodiment in accordance with any of the eleventh through fifteenth embodiments, the security tray device comprises a hanger extending from the top, the hanger portion comprising a lip extending outward from the vertical wall, and a hanger portion extending upward from the lip, wherein the hanger aperture is disposed in the hanger portion, wherein the lip overlaps a portion of the top of the package.

In a seventeenth embodiment in accordance with the sixteenth embodiment, the package comprises a hanger portion extending from a top of the package, and the hanger portion of the package includes an aperture corresponding to the hanger aperture of the security tray device.

In an eighteenth embodiment in accordance with any of the eleventh through seventeenth embodiments the security device is constructed of a plastic material.

In an eighth embodiment in accordance with any of the eleventh through eighteenth embodiments, the security device is transparent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a product security tray device of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a front view of a product security tray device of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a back view of a product security tray device of the invention. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a product security tray device of the invention along with a security device having a product engagement pin.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a product security tray device of the invention along with a security device having a product engagement pin.

FIGs. 6 - 9 show product security tray devices of the invention including a product in the tray.

FIGs. 10-11 show a product security tray device of the invention including a shelf attachment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a security device for products that typically are sold on hangers in stores. Such products include, by way of example only and not to limit the scope of the invention, razors, razor blades, batteries, electronics and other high value items. These types of products are typically included in packaging, such as a clam-shell or thermoformed plastic packaging, cardboard containers or combinations of plastic and cardboard. The packaging typically will have a perforation near the top which allows the product in the package to be hung on a hanger type device that is attached to a display area such as in a pegboard/hanger arrangement. Unless there is some type of security mechanism attached to the packaging, these types of items can be easily taken and have historically been the subject of theft due to the relatively small size of the packages and high value of the items.

Exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the embodiments take many different forms and should not be construed as being limiting. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Traditional security devices used for these types of products include devices with a security pin mechanism such as those described in US Patent No. 10,302,852, which disclosure is incorporated herein in its entirety. FIGS. 1-9 show a typical security device at 110. The security device 110 has an aperture 115 for hanging the device on a hook when secured to a product 130 through an aperture 135 in the product packaging via engagement portion 117. However, any type of security device associated with products sold on hangers in stores are envisioned for use with the additional security device of the present invention.

In the present invention, the security device comprises a tray type of device 120. The tray type device 120 is typically configured to account for the shape of the product 130 that it will be associated with. The tray can be constructed of a resilient material that is difficult to break so that the product associated therewith cannot be removed. The resilient material is typically a plastic type material. The plastic material can be transparent or opaque. Typically a transparent material is used so that all aspects of the product packaging can be seen by a customer. Examples of suitable plastic materials include, but are not limited to, Polyamide (PA or Nylon), Poly butylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).

The tray type device 120 has a vertical wall 122 that is sized to account for the size of the product 130 to be held by the tray. The vertical wall includes a top or upper end 122a and a bottom or lower end 122b, and defines a first side 122c and a second side 122d extending longitudinally between the top end and the bottom end. The tray type device has a bottom 126 with a bottom tray area 127 that is configured and sized so that the product 130 associated with the tray device 120 fits securely within the bottom tray area 127 so as to prevent removal of the product 130 without significant destruction of the product packaging. It will be appreciated, however, that the dimensions of the product may be smaller than the dimensions of the tray area and/or the height of the vertical wall. In FIGS. 1-7, the tray area 127 is defined by a front wall 127a, a first side wall 127b, and a second side wall 127c. The front walls and the side walls may be integral with one another. Alternatively, the front wall and the side walls need not be integral with one another and can be separated by a gap or space as selected for a desired purpose or intended application. In FIGS. 1-7, the side walls 127b and 127c extend from first side 122c and 122d, respectively. In FIGs. 1-7, the side walls 127b and 127c are integral with the back 122. The side walls need not be integral with the back and can be separated by a gap or space if desired.

An alternative tray area 128 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be used when the product packaging is such that a substantially single layer of product packaging material is present on the product 130. The tray area 128 in FIGS. 8 and 9 is defined by a front wall 128a, a side wall 128b, and a side wall 128c.

The tray type device 120 further may have a top portion or lip 124 that is configured to overlap at least a portion of the the top of the product 130 contained therein. A tray hanger portion 123 extends from the top 124 and has a tray hanger aperture 125 that is sized to allow the security device 110 to pass through at 117 and be secured thereto. Such a configuration may be suitable to for packages in which the hanger aperture of the package is located in a separate portion extending from the top of the package. The lip and hanger portion can be configured to be in relatively close proximity to the hanger portion of the package to more securely restrain the package and provide for a better fit with the security device 110.

In use, the package 130 is inserted into the tray type device 120 at 127. The tray type device is sized such that the product hanger aperture at 135 nearly matches the hanger aperture 125 so that the security device 110 can pass through both apertures at 117 thereby securing both the tray type device 120 and the product 130 to the security device 110. The security device then has a hanger element 112 that has a security device hanger aperture 115 to allow the product 130 in the tray 120 to be hung from a display in a store.

In embodiments the security device 110 can be used with any type of tray provided the hanger aperture in the security tray is appropriately sized to receive the engagement portion (e.g., 117) of the security device.

It will be appreciated that the security tray is not limited to the designs/configurations depicted in the embodiments illustrated herein. The shape and configuration of the respective portions can be selected as desired to accommodate products of interest and or display areas where the security device will be employed. As shown in the FIGs. 1-11, the vertical wall 122 (or 122’) may be substantially planar. In one embodiment, the vertical wall may have a curved surface, where the degree of curvature can be provided as desired to accommodate a product that may have a curvature. Further, while the tray areas are shown as having a rectangular shape, it will be appreciated that the tray area could be curved or have another polygonal shape.

The security tray device may include an attachment such that a security tray device may be used to accommodate and provide protection for a product having a size that is smaller than the size/area of the tray/device. As shown in FIG. 10, a security tray device 120’ includes a vertical wall 122’ having an upper end 122a’, a lower end 122b’, a first side 122c’, and a second side 122d’. The device includes a tray area 127’ defined by a bottom 126’ extending from the vertical wall 122’ and having wall portion 127a’ distal from the vertical wall 122, and side walls 127b’ and 127c’. The device 120’ includes a top portion 124’extending from the wawll 122, and a tray hanger portion 123’ extending upward from the top portion 124’. The tray hanger portion includes a tray hanger aperture 125’ to receive a security tag.

The security device 120’ includes an attachment 140 removably disposed within the tray area 127’. The attachment 140 includes a shelf 142 to support a package above the bottom of the tray 127. The attachment 140 includes a shield or guard 146 extending upward from the shelf 142. The shield 146 provides another level of protection to prevent or limit access to or removal of a product housed in the security device (and secured via a security tag disposed through the hanger aperture). The attachment 140 can include any other features to provide a desired level of support or protection. As shown in FIG. 10, the attachment 140 includes a support 144 to support the shelf 142. The number of supports is not limited, and the attachment can include one or more supports.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the attachment includes a clip portion 150 comprising clip walls 152 and 154 having a space therebetween to slide over the wall 127a’. In an alternative embodiment, the attachment can be provided without a clip portion and can be sized freely fit within the tray area 127’.

The attachment can be sized as desired. In FIG. 10, the attachment and shelf have a size that is less than the area of the tray area 127’. In FIG. 11, the attachment 140’ has a size that is substantially the same as the area of tray area 127’.

The height of the shelf 142 (142’) and the height of the guard 140 (140’) is not particularly limited and can be selected as desired to provide a desired level of access and/or protection to a product disposed within the security device.

In the various embodiments, the wall 122 is shown such that it is the back of the security tray device. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the wall 122 in storing or displaying a product is not limited. In embodiments, a product can be disposed within the security tray and the security tray device hung and displayed such that the wall 122 is oriented toward the front. Such an orientation may provide another level of protection in that the wall 122 provides more coverage of the product disposed in the security device.

The security tray device is not necessarily limited to a one-time use and can be reused to protect products of interest. With the optional attachments having a shelf, a security tray device of a given size can be used in different instances to protect packages of different sizes. Depending on the material used to form the security tray, after a selected number of uses or in the event of damage to the security tray device, the security tray device can be recycled.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.