The two security components can be locked by means of a pin on the one security component inserted into a locking element in the other security component. The security components can be released and removed from the article of clothing concerned by means of the unlocking element which also belongs to the said systems and which usually comprises a magnet.

Furthermore, at least one of the security components can have a chamber filled with contaminating ink, gas, adhesive or bleach. If an attempt is made to force, the ink, adhesive or bleach is released, as a result of which either the article of clothing becomes unusable or a warning is given immediately to the surrounding area.

As a further variant, one of the security components can have a coil which is detectable by means of a transmitter or receiver, such that unauthorised removal of the article can be detected in good time.

To this end the invention relates to a security device for the protection of articles, such as an article of clothing, against theft, comprising a first security component and a second security component which are lockable with respect to one another in order to provide an article with security.

A security device of this type is known per se from EP-B 666 955. The one security component in this device has a pin, which is pushed through an article of clothing and which is locked in the other security component. However, the invention also relates to other security devices without such a pin, for example having friction surfaces which make it impossible for movement relative to the article of clothing, leather goods, shoes, bags and the like when the security components are in the locked position.

The aim of the invention is, firstly, to improve a security device of this type.

Said aim is achieved in that at least one of the security components has a surface made of a flexible material.

The invention relates in particular to a security component for use with such a security device which has a pin-shaped security component and a nest-type security component, which pin-shaped security component can be pushed through an article to be protected, such as an article of clothing, and can be locked in the nest-type security component.

A security component of this type is likewise disclosed in EP-B 666 955.

Either one of the pin-shaped security component and the nest-type security component, disclosed in said publication, or both components, can have a chamber which is filled with a fluid. Said chamber is accommodated in a hard plastic casing; the pin-shaped security component has a nominal breaking area that ensures that the fluid is released if the device is forced.

The aim of the invention is, therefore, also further to improve the known security components. In particular, improvements are possible with respect to improving the comfort when trying on an article of clothing, without having to remove the security device for this purpose. The release of the fluid in the event of forcing must also be controlled and predictable.

This is achieved in that the security component has at least one surface made of a flexible material.

The flexible wall can be positioned such that a person trying on the protected article of clothing barely notices or feels, or does not notice or feel, the security component concerned. Said component can also be kept fairly flat so that it is less troublesome when trying on clothing.

As already mentioned, the security component concerned can have a chamber containing a contaminating fluid, such as a liquid or a gas, adhesive or bleach, which chamber is breakable such that the fluid is released from said chamber if an attempt is made to force the device. According to the invention, said chamber containing the fluid is at least partially delimited by a flexible wall. Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to add an oil to the liquid, as a result of which the fluid character is emphasised (two-component liquid).

The advantage of this embodiment is that forcing thereof without contaminating the article of clothing is particularly difficult. Forcing of the flexible wall inevitably results in the deformation thereof as a result of pressing in, which causes an increase in pressure in the chamber and thus in the fluid. As a consequence

of this higher pressure, the fluid will penetrate into the material, leather and the like with extra force and in a controllable manner as soon as a break occurs.

The flexible wall can be attached to a relatively hard wall, which wall has a potential break attenuation.

Furthermore, a tearable film or sheet can be present between the flexible wall and the hard wall, such that the fluid is enclosed between the flexible wall and said film or sheet. The film or sheet can also have a break attenuation, which is preferably coincident with the break attenuation in the hard wall.

The security component can be provided with a pin which is attached to a wall adjoining the chamber. Said pin is preferably attached to the hard wall.

According to another embodiment, the security component can be provided with a locking element that is attached to a wall adjoining the chamber. In this case, the locking element is accommodated in a recess in the hard wall, on the side facing away from the chamber containing the fluid.

As a supplementary feature, an element detectable by means of electromagnetic waves, such as a coil, can be provided.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to two embodiments shown in the figures.

Figure 1 shows a section of a security device having a security component according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the security device in the broken state.

Figure 3 shows a partially sectional view of a second embodiment of the security device.

Figure 4 shows the security device according to Figure 3, with the head of the spike partially pressed in.

Figure 5 shows the security device according to Figures 3 and 4, in the broken state.

Figure 6 shows a third embodiment.

Figure 7 shows the components of a fourth embodiment.

Figure 8 shows the assembled fourth embodiment.

The security device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a pin-shaped security component 1 and a nest-type security component 2. The pin-shaped security

component 1 has a pin 3, which is pushed through a piece of fabric 4 of, for example, an article of clothing.

The nest-type element 2 has a locking mechanism 5, which is known per se and which comprises a number of balls 6, a pressure element 8 which presses against the balls under the influence of spring 7, and a conically tapered housing 9 for the balls 6.

The pin 3 of the pin-shaped security component 1 has pushed the balls 6 a little to the side on pressing in. As a consequence of the conically tapered shape of the housing 9, and the resilient contact pressure of the pressure element 8, the pin 3 cannot be pulled out. If an attempt is made to pull out the pin 3, the balls 6 will be pressed even more firmly between the pin and the conically tapered wall of the housing 9, so that locking is maintained.

The pin-shaped security component 1 contains, in addition to the pin 3, a pin head 10, which is accommodated between a plate-shaped part 11 made of hard material and a cover 12 made of a flexible material. Said material can also be smooth, or stiff and velvety or have a low pile. The total height of the plate part 11, the head 10 and the cover 12 is fairly small, such that, if said head is on the inside of the article of clothing, it causes little hindrance when trying on. Furthermore, as a result of the soft cover 12, the head can barely be felt.

The nest-type security component 2 comprises a baseplate 13 made of a hard material, which baseplate has a nominal breaking edge 14, as well as a holder 15 for the locking element 5. The locking element 5 is firmly fixed in the baseplate 13 by means of adhesive 16 and cover plate 17.

A conical covering 18 made of a flexible material is fixed to the periphery of the baseplate 13. The space between the baseplate 13 and the conical covering 18 is filled with an indelible ink 19, adhesive or the like.

As soon as an attempt is made to force the security device according to the invention, the flexible covering 18 will usually first be pressed in somewhat as it is manipulated. As a consequence of this an increase in pressure takes place in the ink 19. As soon as the forces are so great that the nominal breaking edge 14 breaks, as is shown in Figure 2, the ink then spews out with great force, the article of clothing 4 being contaminated. The breaking edge 14 is broken during this operation. An

increase in pressure in the ink also occurs if the flexible covering is forced using a sharp implement.

The embodiment in Figures 3,4 and 5 shows a security device having a nest- type security component 21 and a pin-shaped security component 22. The pin-shaped security component 22 has a conical covering 23 made of flexible material, in which the indelible ink, adhesive or the like 24 is now located. Said conical covering 23 is mounted on a baseplate 25, analogous to the baseplate 13 according to the embodiment in Figures 1 and 2. A pin 3, with a head 10, is also accommodated in the baseplate 25. Finally, there is a layer of film 26, which is fixed together with the edge 27 of the conical covering 22 to the baseplate 25.

The lock mechanism, which is now not shown, is located in the nest-type element.

In the embodiment in Figure 4 arrow 28 indicates that the conical covering 22 made of flexible material can be pressed in easily, as a result of which an increase in pressure occurs in the ink 24. When the security device is forced, not only will this increase in pressure occur, but ultimately the broken state will be reached, as shown in Figure 5.

The embodiment in Figure 6 comprises two film layers 30,31, between which the head 10 of pin 3 is accommodated.

The embodiment in Figures 7 and 8 is in broad terms identical to that in Figures 1,2. A coil 41 of an electronic security device is accommodated in the head 40 of the pin-shaped security component 1.

The nest-type security component 2 comprises a base part 13 having a nominal breaking edge 14. The flexible, somewhat bulbous covering 43 is joined in a liquid- tight manner to the baseplate 13 via fixing ring 42.