Background of the invention

The invention relates to fastening means of anti theft tags and to an opening arrangement and opening system for the fastening means. Background of the invention

Known in the art are various anti theft systems that are used in shops and retail premises. One typical way of protecting products, e.g. clothes, from shoplifting is to use various studded security tags, i.e. clothes tags. A clothes tag, i.e. a hard tag, is fastened to clothing by threading it through the item of clothing and the body of the tag, i.e. into the fastening means, with a locking stud. An alarm gate located at the door of the shop detects the anti theft tag and issues an alarm if an attempt is made to take a product through the alarm gate without the anti theft tag first having been removed. The tag is removed from a sold product at the checkout desk with a special opening device.

The locks of an anti theft tag are typically locks openable with a magnet. Removal of the anti theft tag from a product is therefore performed by means of an opener comprising a magnet.

In solutions known in the art the unauthorized opening and removal of the fastening means of anti theft tags is easy because it can be performed with a magnet, which a shoplifter can easily convey into the shop.

Brief description of the invention The solution according to the invention relates to fastening means of anti theft tags and to an opening arrangement and opening system for the fastening means. In the solution according to the invention a fastening means of an anti theft tag is opened pneumatically. The fastening means of anti theft tags accord ing to the invention is characterized by what is specified in the characterization part of claim 1. The fastening means of anti theft tags accord ing to the invention is also characterized by what is specified in claims 2 - 16. The opening arrangement for a fastening means of an anti theft tag accord ing to the invention is characterized by what is specified in the characterization part of claim 17. The opening arrangement for a fastening means of an anti theft tag accord ing to the invention is also characterized by what is specified in claims 18 - 22. The opening system for an anti theft tag accord ing to the invention is characterized by what is specified in the characterization part of claim 23.

The solution accord ing to the invention now presented has some sig nificant advantages when it is compared to solutions known in the art. In solutions known in the a rt the u nauthorized opening and removal of the fastening means of anti theft tags is easy because it can be performed with a mag net, which can easily be carried into a shop. In the solution accord i ng to the invention the fastening means of an anti theft tag is opened pneumatically. In this case u nauthorized opening is more d ifficu lt because obtaining the necessary pneumatic opening apparatus and carrying it into the shop is more d ifficu lt. Unauthorized openings of the fastening means therefore become more difficult. In one embod iment of the invention, pneumatic opening is performed with positive pressu re. In another embod iment of the invention pneumatic opening is performed with negative pressu re. Carrying a su itable opening apparatus into a shop is even more d ifficult in the case of an arrangement operating with negative pressu re than in the case of a system operating with positive pressu re.

In one embod iment of the invention, in add ition to pneumatic opening, the opening of a fastening means of an anti theft tag can also requ ire the use of a mag net. In this embod iment the anti theft tag can be opened with an opening arrangement that simu ltaneously acts on the fastening means both pneumatically, i . e. by means of negative or positive pressu re, a nd by means of a mag net. This fu rther improves the reliability of the solution against thieves because the opening of the fastening means of the anti theft tag requires the simultaneous use of both a pneumatic system and a magnet.

Brief description of the figures

In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of some examples of its embodiment with reference to the drawings 1A - 3C, wherein Fig. 1A presents a fastening means according to one embodiment of the invention, in which the locking means of the fastening means are in a first position;

Fig. IB presents a fastening means according to one embodiment of the invention, in which the locking means of the fastening means are in a first position and the coupling part is fitted inside the fastening means;

Fig. 1C presents a fastening means according to one embodiment of the invention, in which the locking means of the fastening means are in a second position;

Fig. 2A presents a fastening means according to another embodiment of the invention, in which the locking means of the fastening means are in a first position;

Fig. 2B presents a fastening means according to another embodiment of the invention, in which the locking means of the fastening means are in a first position and the coupling part is fitted inside the fastening means;

Fig. 2C presents a fastening means according to another embodiment of the invention, in which the locking means of the fastening means are in a second position;

Fig. 3A presents an opening system for an anti theft tag according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3B presents an opening point of the opening system for an anti theft tag according to one embodiment of the invention in a first state; and Fig. 3C presents an opening point of the opening system for an anti theft tag according to one embodiment of the invention in a second state.

Detailed description of the invention

The solution according to the invention relates to fastening means of anti theft tags and to an opening arrangement and opening system for the fastening means. In the solution according to the invention the fastening means of an anti theft tag is opened pneumatically, i.e. by means of positive pressure or negative pressure.

Figs. 1A - 1C present the fastening solution for an anti theft tag according to one embodiment of the invention. The fastening arrangement comprises the locking means 108 in the embodiment of Figs. 1A - 1C, which in the first position, i.e. the locking position, are arranged to keep the coupling part 130 in its position. The locking means 108 of the fastening arrangement are arranged in a movable locking cradle 110. The fastening means also comprises a protection means 104, which essentially surrounds the internal parts of the fastening means, and the base 102 of the protection means. In the protection means 104 is an aperture 114, via which a medium pathway traveling to inside the fastening means can be formed. In the base part 102 of the protection means is an aperture 116, via which the coupling part 130 can be pushed inside the fastening means.

In the first position, i.e. the locking position, the coupling part 130 pushed inside the fastening means remains inside the locking body 106. This is presented in Fig. 1A. In the embodiment of the figure the coupling part 130 is a pin means. The free end of the coupling part 130 is formed into a conical shape in the embodiment of the figure. The conical free end of the coupling part 130 easily finds its way into the aperture 117 of the locking body, the walls of which aperture can be formed to be conical. The aperture 117 of the locking body extends through the wall of the locking body into a recess, the side wall of which is formed for at least a part of the distance into the shape of a truncated cone, in which case the diameter of the recess expands towards the open part of the locking body 106. A locking cradle 110 is arranged to extend into the recess of the locking body 106, in which locking cradle an aperture 118 is formed, through which aperture the coupling part 103 pushed inside the fastening means extends. Locking means 108 are arranged in the locking cradle 110, between which locking means 108 the coupling part 130 can be pushed. In the first position, i.e. the locking position, the locking means 108 are in contact with the side walls of the recess of the locking body 106 and with the coupling part 130 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The locking cradle 110 is pressed towards the recess by a pretensioning element 112, typically a spring element, e.g. a helical spring means. The locking means 108 press on the coupling part, on its outer surface, when the pretensioning element 112, which presses the locking cradle 110 towards the locking body 106, acts on the locking cradle 110. In this case the locking means 108 rest on the conically tapering side surface of the recess of the locking body 106 and press on the outer surface of the coupling part 130. The locking force exerted on the coupling part 130 by the locking means 108 is sufficient to keep the coupling part 130 locked. When it is desired to release the coupling part 130 from the locking position, the locking means 108 are displaced into the second position. The locking cradle 110 is then displaced in the recess of the locking body away from the base of the locking body 106 (in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the coupling part), in which case the diameter of the conical recess, i.e. the distance between the walls, increases, e.g. the diameter increases, at the point of the locking means 108. Now the locking means 108 are able to displace in the locking cradle in the direction of the diameter of the recess, i.e. in the lateral direction, in the space formed for the locking means 108, and the coupling part 130 is released from the compression of the locking means 108.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1A - 1C the locking cradle 110 and at the same time the locking means 108 are moved by means of negative pressure. The negative pressure acts on the arrangement via the aperture 114 of the protection means when an adapter 120 is brought into connection with the aperture 114, and the effect of a pressure difference formed by a pressure source can be conducted via the aperture 122 in said adapter to inside the fastening via the aperture 114 of the protection means. When negative pressure, i.e. suction, is transmitted via the aperture 114, it produces a force e.g. on the locking cradle 110 and pulls the locking cradle 110 towards it. In such a case movement of the locking cradle 110 in relation to the locking body 106 is brought about, which detaches the coupling part 130 from the compression of the locking means 108. This is presented in Fig. IB.

When the coupling part 130 has detached from the compression of the locking means 108, it can be pulled out from inside the locking cradle 110. When the negative pressure is switched off or the negative pressure source is detached from the fastening means, the locking cradle 110 and locking means 108 are displaced towards the first position as a result of the force effect of the pretensioning element 112 arranged between the locking cradle 110 and the protection part 104 of the fastening means. In such a case the locking cradle 110 displaces in the recess of the locking body 106 towards the base of the recess. This is presented in Fig. 1C.

When it is desired to push the coupling part 130 back inside the locking body 106 and locking cradle 110, the pin-shaped part of the coupling part 130 displaces through the aperture 117 of the locking body and presses the locking means 108 and the locking cradle 110 against the force effect of the pretensioning element 112, in which case the locking cradle 110 moves towards the open end of the locking body 106. The locking means 108 then displace into the second position, i.e. they displace in the space of the locking cradle 110, which is open at the point of the locking means 108, in which case the locking means 108 can rest on the conically expanding wall at the open end of the recess of the locking body 106 and, on the other hand, on the coupling means 130. The space for the locking means 108 of the locking cradle 110 comprises support surfaces for the locking means 108. The support surfaces are arranged to be transverse in the movement direction of the locking cradle 110 and in the movement direction of the coupling part 130. In this case the coupling part 130 is able to displace in the aperture of the locking cradle between the locking means. When the coupling part 130 is in the desired position inside the fastening means, it no longer needs to be pushed forwards. When the movement of the coupling part 130 ends, the locking cradle 110 and at the same time the locking means 108 are displaced by means of the pretensioning element 112 into the first position, i.e. the locking state.

Figs. 2A - 2C present a solution according to another embodiment of the invention. As in the embodiment of Figs. 1A - 1C, the locking means 208 in the first position, i.e. the locking state, are arranged to keep the coupling part 230 in its position. The locking means 208 of the fastening arrangement are arranged in a locking cradle 210. The fastening means also comprises a protection means 204, which essentially surrounds the internal parts of the fastening means, and the base 202 of the protection means. In the protection means 204 is an aperture 214, via which a medium pathway traveling to inside the fastening means can be formed. In the base part 202 of the protection means is an aperture 216, via which the coupling part 230 is pushable inside the fastening means.

In the first position, i.e. the locking position, the coupling part 230 pushed inside the fastening means remains in its position inside the fastening means. This is presented in Fig. 2A. In the embodiment of the figure the coupling part 230 is a pin means. The free end of the coupling part 230 is formed into a conical shape in the embodiment of the figure. The conical free end of the coupling part easily finds its way into the aperture 217 of the locking body, the walls of which aperture can be formed to be conical. The aperture 217 of the locking body extends through the wall of the locking body 206 into a recess, the side wall of which is formed for at least a part of the distance into the shape of a truncated cone, in which case the diameter of the recess expands towards the open part of the locking body 206. A locking cradle 210 is arranged in the recess of the locking body 206, in which locking cradle an aperture 218 is formed, through which aperture the coupling part 230 pushed inside the fastening means extends. Locking means 208 are arranged in the locking cradle 210, between which locking means 208 the coupling part can be pushed. In the locking position, the locking means 208 are in contact with the side walls of the recess of the locking body 206 and with the coupling part 230 in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The locking body 206 is pressed towards the locking cradle 210 by a pretensioning element 212, typically a spring element, e.g. a helical spring means. In the embodiment of the figure the locking means 208 press on the coupling part 230, on its outer surface, when the pretensioning element 212, which presses the locking body 206 towards the locking cradle 210, acts on the locking body 206. In this case the locking means 208 rest on the conically tapering side surface of the recess of the locking body 206 and press on the outer surface of the coupling part 230. The locking force exerted on the coupling part 230 by the locking means 208 is sufficient to keep the coupling part 230 locked into the first position. When it is desired to release the coupling part 230 from the locking position, the locking means 208 are displaced into the second position. The locking body 206 is then displaced away from the locking cradle 210, in which case the locking cradle 210 is no longer so deep inside the locking body 206. Now the diameter of the conical recess, i.e. the distance between the walls, increases, e.g. the diameter increases, at the point of the locking means 208 and the locking means 208 are able to displace in the locking cradle 210 in the direction of the diameter of the recess, i.e. in the lateral direction, in the space formed for the locking means, and the coupling part 230 is released from the compression of the locking means.

In the embodiment of Figs. 2A - 2C the locking body 206 is moved by means of positive pressure. The positive pressure acts on the arrangement via the aperture 214 of the protection means when an adapter 220 is brought into connection with the aperture 214, and the effect of a pressure difference formed by a pressure source can be conducted via the aperture 222 in said adapter to inside the fastening via the aperture 214 of the protection means. When positive pressure is transmitted via the aperture 214, it produces a force e.g. on the locking body 206 and pushes the locking body 206 away from the locking cradle 210, i.e. away from around the locking cradle 210. In such a case movement of the locking body 206 in relation to the locking cradle 206 is brought about, which detaches the coupling part 230 from the compression of the locking means 208. This is presented in Fig. 2B.

When the coupling part 230 has detached from the compression of the locking means 208, it can be pulled out from inside the locking cradle 210 and locking body 206. When the positive pressure is switched off or the positive pressure source is detached from the fastening means, the locking body 206 displaces towards the first position as a result of the force effect of the pretensioning element 212 arranged between the base 202 of the protective frame of the fastening means and the locking body. In this case the locking body 206 displaces back to around the locking cradle 210, whereby the locking cradle 210 is in the recess of the locking body 206 near the base of the recess. This is presented in Fig. 2C.

When it is desired to push the coupling part 230 back inside the locking body 206 and locking cradle 210, the pin-shaped part of the coupling part 230 displaces through the aperture 217 of the locking body and presses the locking means 208 and also, via the locking means 208, the locking body 206 against the force effect of the pretensioning element 212, in which case the locking body 206 moves away from around the locking cradle 210. The locking means 208 then displace into the second position, i.e. they are able displace in the space of the locking cradle 210, which is open at the point of the locking means 208, in which case the locking means 208 can rest on the conically expanding wall at the open end of the recess of the locking body and, on the other hand, on the coupling means 230. Displacement of the locking body can also be assisted by means of positive pressure, which in the fastening phase of the coupling part can be conducted into the fastening means in the same manner as when opening the locking of the fastening means. As in the embodiment of Figs. 1A - 1C, the space for the locking means 208 of the locking cradle comprises support surfaces for the locking means 208. The support surfaces are arranged to be transverse in the movement direction of the locking cradle 210 and in the movement direction of the coupling part 230. In this case the coupling part 230 is able to displace in the aperture 218 of the locking cradle between the locking means. When the coupling part 230 is in the desired position inside the fastening means, it no longer needs to be pushed forwards. When the movement of the coupling part 230 ends, the locking body 206 and at the same time the locking means 208 are displaced by means of the pretensioning element 212 into the first position, i.e. the locking state.

Fig. 3A presents an opening system 300 for a fastening means of an anti theft tag according to one embodiment of the invention. The system can be installed e.g. in a shop, in sales premises, in a storeroom, in a factory and/or in some other premises in which there is a need to remove anti theft tags from products.

The pressure difference needed in opening a fastening means of an anti theft tag is brought about with means for achieving a pressure difference. The system comprises a pressure source for this purpose, such as e.g. a partial-vacuum source or positive pressure source, and/or a drive device 308 for the pressure source. The partial-vacuum source 306 can be e.g. a vacuum pump or some other means producing negative pressure. The positive pressure source can be e.g. a compressor or some other means producing positive pressure. The drive device 308 can be e.g. an electric motor. In the embodiment of Fig. 3A the pressure source is a partial-vacuum source 306. The pressure source is connected via a medium pathway 304 to the opening points 302, which can be located e.g. at the checkout desk(s) or in a storeroom. In such a case the pressure difference, i.e. negative pressure or positive pressure, needed for opening a fastening means of an anti theft tag can be brought about at an opening point 302.

The opening points 302 are connected to the pressure source by means of a medium pathway 304, which can branch from the pressure source to a number of opening points 302. In the embodiment presented in Figs. 3A - 3C there are six opening points.

In connection with each opening point 302 can be a valve means for opening a medium pathway to the adapter. In the first position of the valve means the medium pathway through the valve is closed and in the second position the medium pathway through the valve is open. In the embodiment of the invention the medium is a gas, such as e.g. air. The valve means with an open pathway are shown as white in the figures, and a valve means with a closed pathway is shown as black in the figures.

Figs. 3B and 3C present in more detail an opening point 302 of a fastening means of an anti theft tag according to one embodiment of the invention. An opening point has an adapter 310, which forms an essentially tight medium pathway with a fastening means placed into connection with it, the pathway leading to inside the fastening means via the aperture of the fastening means. The adapter 310 can be installed e.g. on a table 312 or on another surface.

In the embodiment presented in Figs. 3B and 3C the arrangement and valve means are arranged to function in such a way that when a fastening means is placed in the correct position in connection with an adapter 310 and the fastening means is pressed against the adapter, the pressure difference, i.e. the negative pressure or positive pressure, is able to act inside the fastening means. For enabling this operation the arrangement comprises an adapter 310, a switch arrangement 314 detecting the position of the adapter, a pretensioning element such as a spring 316, a flexible hose section 318, and an electrically controllable valve 320. The adapter 310 is arranged in such a way that it is able to move e.g. in the vertical direction with respect to the plane of the fixing surface. The flexible hose section 318 enables an essentially tight medium pathway between the adapter 310 and the valve 320 also when the adapter 310 moves. The adapter 310 is kept in the upper position and returned to the upper position by means of the pretensioning element. When the adapter 310 is pressed e.g. downwards, the switch arrangement 314 detecting the position of the adapter switches current to the electrically controllable valve 320. After this the valve 320 opens and the pressure difference is able to act as far as the adapter 310, and via the aperture of the adapter to outside the adapter 310. The switch detecting the position of the adapter can be e.g. a limit switch, and arranged into connection with the switch can be an arrangement by means of which the position of the adapter, e.g. the vertical position, can be detected with the switch.

When it is desired to open a fastening means, the fastening means is placed in the correct position in connection with the adapter 310 in such a way that the aperture of the adapter and the aperture of the fastening means are essentially facing each other. After this the fastening means is pressed against the adapter 310 and the adapter 310 moves, e.g. settles downwards, which moving or settling is detected. In such a case the electrically controllable valve 320 opens and the pressure difference is able to act via the aperture of the adapter and via the aperture of the fastening means to inside the fastening means and the locking opens. When the fastening means is lifted upwards the adapter 310 also rises into the upper position and then the switch arrangement 314 detecting the position of the adapter switches off the current from the electrically controllable valve 320, and the valve closes.

In one embodiment of the invention, in addition to pneumatic opening, the opening of the locking of a fastening means of an anti theft tag can also require the use of a magnet. In this embodiment the fastening means of an anti theft tag can be opened with an opening arrangement that simultaneously acts on the fastening means both pneumatically, i.e. by means of negative or positive pressure, and by means of a magnet. This further improves the reliability of the solution against thieves because the opening of the fastening means of the anti theft tag requires simultaneously both the use of a pneumatic system and the use of a magnet.

In the embodiment described above the opening arrangement is also provided with a magnet, which is arranged in such a way that it acts upon a fastening means brought into connection with the opening arrangement. The magnet can be arranged in the opening arrangement e.g. in such a way that it is arranged on a surface, such as on a table, and in connection with the magnet or arrangement, e.g. in the center of the magnet, is an adapter for the fastening means, via which adapter a medium pathway can be formed to the fastening means. In this embodiment the locking cradle and/or locking body of the fastening means are of a magnetic material, so that they can be acted upon with a magnet.

In a solution wherein opening is based on the combined force effect of a pressure difference and of a magnet, the pretensioning element can be arranged in such a way that the magnet is not alone able to move the locking cradle and/or locking body, but instead additional force from negative pressure or positive pressure is needed for moving. In such a case the force of the pretensioning element is greater than the force of the magnet acting in the opposite direction. The force effect formed by the pretensioning element can only be overcome when the locking cradle and/or locking body is acted upon with negative pressure or positive pressure in addition to the force of the magnet. In this case the fastening means are adapted to displace from the first position into the second position when the force effect brought about by the pressure difference acting on the fastening means together with that brought about by the magnet is greater in the first position than the opposing force exerted by the pretensioning element. The locking means are adapted to return from the second position into the first position when the force effect brought about by the pressure difference acting on the fastening means together with that brought about by the magnet is smaller in the second position than the opposing force exerted by the pretensioning element, i.e. when either the force effect formed by the magnet ends, the pneumatic force effect ends or both force effects end. When negative pressure is used as an aid for opening the fastening means in the system of the embodiment described above, the locking cradle of the fastening means is movable and adapted to be moved by means of the force effect brought about by the negative pressure and the magnet together. In such a case the pretensioning element is arranged essentially between the protection means and the locking cradle.

When positive pressure is used as an aid for opening the fastening means in the system of the embodiment described above, the locking body of the fastening means is movable and adapted to be moved by means of the force effect brought about by the positive pressure and the magnet together. In such a case the pretensioning element is arranged essentially between the base part of the protection means and the locking body.

In one embodiment of the invention, wherein negative pressure is used in opening the locking, the negative pressure needed can be in the range of 100 - 300 mbar (i.e. the pressure is in the range of -lOOmbar - -300 mbar).

In one embodiment of the invention, wherein positive pressure is used in opening the locking, the positive pressure needed can be e.g . 0.2 - 6 bar, preferably 0.5 - 3 bar.

The invention thus relates to a fastening means of an anti theft tag, which fastening means comprises a locking body 106, 206, locking means 108, 208 and a locking cradle 110, 210, which are arranged at least partly inside the locking body 106, 206 in such a way that the locking means 108, 208 can be in at least a first position and a second position in the locking cradle 110, 210. In the first position the locking means 108, 208 are arranged to keep the coupling part 130, 230, which is pushable inside the locking body 106, 206 and locking cradle 110, 210, in its position and in the second position are arranged to let the coupling part 130, 230, which is pushable inside the locking body 106, 206 and locking cradle 110, 210, move. The locking means 108, 208 are adapted to displace from a first position into a second position by means of a pressure difference.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking body 106, 206, locking means 108, 208 and locking cradle 110, 210 are arranged in such a way that the pressure difference is adapted to move the locking body 106, 206 and locking cradle 110, 210 with respect to each other and thus to enable displacement of the locking means 108, 208 from the first position into the second position.

In one embodiment of the invention, in the first position the locking means 108, 208 are adapted to press against the coupling part 130, 230, which is pushable inside the locking body 106, 206 and locking cradle.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprises a pretensioning element 112, 212.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking means 108, 208 are adapted to displace from the first position into the second position when the force effect of the pressure difference acting on the fastening means is greater in the first position than the opposing force exerted by the pretensioning element 112, 212. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking means 108, 208 are adapted to displace from the second position into the first position when the force effect of the pressure difference acting on the fastening means is smaller in the second position than the opposing force exerted by the pretensioning element 112, 212.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking cradle 110 is movable and adapted to be moved by means of negative pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pretensioning element 112 is arranged essentially between the protection means 104 and the locking cradle 110.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking body 206 is movable and adapted to be moved by means of positive pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention, a pretensioning element 212 is arranged essentially between the base part 202 of the protection means and the locking body 206. In one embodiment of the invention, the locking means 108, 208 are balls.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking cradle 110, 210 and/or the locking body 106, 206 are of a non-magnetic material, such as plastic or stainless steel.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking cradle and/or locking body are of a magnetic material. In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprises a pretensioning element and the locking means are adapted to displace from a first position into a second position when the force effect brought about by the pressure difference acting on the fastening means together with that brought about by the magnet used in opening the locking is greater in the first position than the opposing force exerted by the pretensioning element. In one embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprises a pretensioning element and the locking means are adapted to displace from the second position into the first position when the force effect brought about by the pressure difference acting on the fastening means together with that brought about by the magnet used in opening the locking is smaller in the second position than the opposing force exerted by the pretensioning element.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling part 130, 230 is a pin means.

The invention thus also relates to an opening arrangement for a fastening means of an anti theft tag, which arrangement comprises an adapter 310 for the fastening means, the adapter being adapted for connection to a medium pathway 304 conducting the effect of a pressure source. The adapter is further adapted to transmit a pressure difference through the adapter, and is further adapted to form a medium pathway for opening to a fastening means of an anti theft tag fitted into connection with the adapter. The opening arrangement further comprises means for connecting the effect of the difference in pressure to an adapter and/or through an adapter.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure difference is adapted to be formed by means of negative pressure. In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure difference is adapted to be formed by means of positive pressure.

In one embodiment of the invention, the opening arrangement further comprises a switch arrangement 314 detecting the position of the adapter, and an electrically controllable valve 320.

In one embodiment of the invention, the switch arrangement 314 detecting the position of the adapter is adapted to open and close the electrically controllable valve 320 on the basis of the position of the adapter 310.

In one embodiment of the invention, the opening arrangement further comprises a magnet.

The invention thus also relates to an opening system for an anti theft tag, which system comprises at least one fastening means of the anti theft tag, at least one opening arrangement 302 for an anti theft tag, a pressure source, and a medium pathway 304, which is adapted to transmit a pressure difference from the pressure source to at least one opening arrangement 302.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure source is a negative pressure source 306.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pressure source is a positive pressure source. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the different embodiments of the invention are not limited solely to the examples described above, and that they may therefore be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with other characteristic features can also, if necessary, be used separately to each other.