DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a security tag for self service purchase of an article of clothing, the security tag comprising a pin including a pin tip for penetrating the article, and the pin may be in a locked state or an unlocked state.

Security tags for garment or clothing articles for anti-theft purpose, i.e. for preventing or discouraging theft of garment or clothing articles from a retail shop, are well-known.

Many security tags used today are manually operated. However, more recent security tags are adapted for use in a self-checkout system where the customers may process their own purchases from the retailer shop without going to a physical point of sale, i.e. a traditional cashier-staffed checkout point with a cash register.

In this way, the customer may save time and avoid standing in line at the checkout point. In addition, such a system may free up time from the staff, and the staff may spend the time servicing the customers instead.

The present invention relates to self service purchase of an article of clothing with the possibility of self-checkout and unlocking a security tag attached to the garment arti cle. A security system in retail shops typically consist of an electronic article surveillance system comprising a transmitter/receiver setup, where the transmitter is secured to the garment article by means of a security tag, and the receiver is located at an exit of the retail shop. As the transmitter passes the receiver, the receiver picks up a signal from the transmitter, and sounds an alarm.

The security system may also be GPS based with the security tag comprising a GPS unit.

Furthermore, the security tag may comprise an alarm and/or an ink chamber with ink, which may be released if the security tag is un-authorized manipulated. Examples of security tags are disclosed in US2016364969, and US2017306657.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security tag, which may be con trolled electronically and unlocked by means of a wireless device.

Moreover, the security tag can be locked and unlocked and without doing damage to the garment article, and without risk for the persons handling the security tag.

The above object and advantages together with numerous other objects and ad vantages, which will be evident from the description of the present invention, are ac cording to a first aspect of the present invention obtained by a security tag for self service purchase of an article of clothing, where the security tag comprises: a locked state, an unlocked state, a housing defining a substantially U-shaped enclosure for accommodating a part of the article, a pin including a pin tip for penetrating the article, the housing including an upper housing part above the U-shaped enclosure, and a lower housing part below the U-shaped enclosure, the lower housing part has an aperture for receiving the pin tip, the pin tip is housed in the upper housing part when the security tag is in the unlocked state, and the pin tip is housed in the lower housing part when the security tag is in the locked state, the pin including a pin head has an area for a finger of a user for pressing the pin tip trough the article for locking the security tag, the security tag further comprises: an alarm element for activating an alarm of an electronic article surveillance system, an electrically operated pin lock for locking the pin, a battery for powering the electrically operated pin lock, a wireless communications module for receiving an unlock instruction from a mobile device, such that the electrically operated pin lock becomes unlocked when the unlock instruction is received. Thus, the security tag according to the invention comprises a housing with a U-shaped enclosure including a cavity for receiving a part of the clothing to be secured by the security tag. The U-shaped enclosure may act as an intermediate part between the upper housing and the lower housing. The housing and the enclosure may be made from plastic material, such as PE, PP, ABS and the like.

The housing also includes the pin used for securing the clothing in the security tag. The pin tip of the pin is adapted for penetrating a part of the clothing and maintain the part fixed in the U-shaped enclosure when the security tag is locked, while the pin tip is housed in the lower housing. In this manner, the pin tip is housed in the upper housing when the security tag is unlocked and in the lower housing when the security tag is locked. Thus, the free end of the pin tip is housed in the housing and do not constitute a risk for persons handling the security tag. The pin is preferably made from steel, such as stainless steel.

The security may also include an alarm system.

A radio module (such as an amplitude modulated radio) in the security tag will emit signals, which can be received by an alarm system at an exit point - and the alarm system will initiate an alarm, such as noise and/or light.

According to an embodiment of the security tag, the pin tip is at a first position in the unlocked state and at a second position in the locked state. When the security tag is unlocked, the pin tip is in the upper housing in the first position, and when the security tag is locked, the pin tip is in the lower housing in a second position.

Preferably, the upper housing part is stationary fixed to the lower housing part. When the upper and lower housing part are stationary fixed to each other, the pin tip can always be housed in the either the upper housing or the lower housing depending on if the security tag is unlocked or locked. Thereby, the risk of a person being injured by the pin tip is eliminated.

The present invention also relates to a security tag for self service purchase of an article of clothing, where the security tag comprises: a locked state, an unlocked state, a pin including a pin tip for penetrating the article, where the pin tip being at a first position in the unlocked state and at a second position in the locked state, and the pin tip is arranged to move between the first position and the second position.

The security tag comprises a pin lock for locking the pin, the pin lock having a locking pawl, and the locking pawl is arranged to rotate around an axis, and being at a first angle in the unlocked state and at a second angle in the locked state, such that the locking pawl arresting the pin in the locked state, and the locking pawl being disen gaged from the pin in the unlocked state.

In the security tag according to the invention, the pin may be linear or curved such that the pin tip has a linear or curved motion when moving between the first position and the second position.

In an embodiment of the security tag, the pin lock is electrically operated. Thus, it is quite easy to lock or unlock the security tag. The security tag may include an electric motor or actuator and batteries for driving the electric motor or actuator.

In an embodiment, the pin lock comprises an actuator for actuating the locking pawl.

Although the actuator may be arranged for linear or side-to-side motion in an embod iment, the actuator is arranged to rotate said locking pawl. Thus, the locking pawl may catch a pin tap of the pin and lock the pin by rotation, and in an embodiment of the security tag, the pin comprises a pin tap, and the locking pawl is adapted for engaging the pin tap for arresting the pin. Thus, the pin can be arrested in secure and relatively uncomplicated manner.

In an embodiment, the locking pawl comprises a pawl flange for engaging the pin tap. The pawl flange may arrest the pin tap in a secure way without risk of undesired un locking of the security tag.

In an embodiment, the locking pawl comprises a track for the pin tap such that the pin tap moves in the track during locking and unlocking of the security tag. The track ensures a proper locking and unlocking of the pin in the security tag. Preferably, the track has a track opening for receiving the pin tap ensuring that the pin tap easily can enter and leave the track.

The track opening may in principle be in any desired position, however in an embod iment of the security tag according to the invention, the track opening faces upwards in the unlocked state. In this embodiment the track opening is capable of receiving the pin tap in an uncomplicated way.

In an embodiment the track opening faces downwards in the locked state. This means that the track can ensure the pin tap and the pin in the locked state in an uncompli cated manner.

The security tag preferably comprises a first spring for forcing the pin tip towards the first position. The first spring serves to keep the pin tip in the first position when the security tag is unlocked. The first spring is preferably located in the upper housing.

In an embodiment the security tag may comprise a second spring for forcing the lock ing pawl towards the pin. The second spring is preferably located in connection with the locking pawl and the actuator.

The security tag comprises a housing, and the housing defining a substantially U- shaped enclosure for accommodating a part of the article to be secured by the security tag.

The housing includes an upper housing part above the U-shaped enclosure and a lower housing part below the U-shaped enclosure.

Preferably, the security tag includes a pawl with a track to receive a tap mounted on a pin head and the track opening faces towards the lower housing part when the se curity tag is in the locking state. The track opening facing towards the upper housing part when the security tag is in the unlocked state.

In an embodiment of the security tag, the lower housing part having an aperture for receiving said pin tip. Thus, the pin extends between the upper housing and the lower housing and is capable of maintaining the piece of the article in the U-shaped enclo sure.

Preferably, the pin tip is housed in the upper housing part when the security tag is in the unlocked state and preferably, the pin tip is housed in the lower housing part when the security tag is in the locked state. In this manner, the pin tip is always housed in a part of the housing and do not poses a security risk to a user handling the security tag.

In an embodiment, the pin includes a pin head having an area for a finger of a user for pressing the pin tip trough said article for locking said security tag. The pin head is preferably mounted on the pin at the opposite end of the pin tip.

In an embodiment of the security tag, the pin head includes the pin tap. In this em bodiment, the pin head interacts with the locking pawl and the paw track when the pin is to be locked or unlocked.

Preferably, the pin head is arranged to move substantially along a line when the pin tip moves between the first position and the second position. The pin head preferably moves along a line substantially parallel with the length of the pin.

Preferably, the axis around which the locking pawl rotates is substantially orthogonal to the line.

The present invention also relates to a system for securing an article of clothing from shoplifting, where the system comprises the security tag according to the invention and a mobile phone for controlling said security tag.

The invention will now be described in further details with reference to drawings in which:

Figure 1 A: Shows an embodiment of the security tag in unlocked state;

Figure 1 B: Shows an embodiment of the security tag in locked state;

Figure 2: Shows an exploded view of the security tag;

Figure 3A: Illustrates the function of the security tag;

Figure 3B: Illustrates the function of the security tag; Figure 3C: Illustrates the function of the security tag;

Figure 3D: Illustrates the function of the security tag;

Figure 3E: Illustrates the function of the security tag.

The figures are only intended to illustrate the principles of the invention and may not be accurate in every detail. Moreover, parts which do not form part of the invention may be omitted. The same reference numbers are used for the same parts.

Figure 1A shows an embodiment of the security tag 1 according to the invention in the unlocked state.

The security tag may comprise a housing 4 and there may be a cavity/opening in the housing, i.e. the housing may define an enclosure 5 for receiving an article of clothing. The housing may define a substantially U-shaped opening - the depth into the housing being larger than the width and/or height of the opening.

The housing may be constituted by an upper housing part 2 and a lower housing part 3. Between the upper housing 2 and the lower housing 3, the enclosure may be lo cated/arranged.

An aperture (upper 8a, and lower 8b) may be arranged in each “leg” of the “U” such that a pin may extend through the cavity defined by the enclosure.

The pin may be connected to a pin head 6 arranged on one side (the upper) of the enclosure, i.e. in the upper housing 2. The pin head may be adapted to be pushed by a finger of a user.

An article of clothing 50 is moved into the cavity 5 (movement indicated by arrows 69).

In figure 1 B, the security tag 1 is shown in the locked state. The security tag 1 is attached to the article of clothing 50 by means of a pin 7.

The pin 7 extends from the upper housing 2 to the lower housing 3 in the enclosure 5 and penetrates the article of clothing 50. The pin 7 has been pushed down by means of the pin head 6 as indicated by arrow 60.

Figure 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the security tag 1.

The security tag 1 may comprise the upper housing 2, which substantially encapsu lates an internal support/frame 12, which may serve to guide the pin head 6 and sup port the actuator 20 and the locking pawl 24.

The pin head 6 is adapted to accommodate the pin end 7b of the pin 7.

The pin end 7b may have a flat circular disc, which fits in the interior of the pin head 6.

The pin head 6 comprises a tap 6a (lock tap) adapted for engagement with the locking pawl 24, and an activation tap 6b adapted for engagement with an activation switch 9.

The lock tap 6a and the activation tap 6b are mounted on a lower rim 6c on the pin head 6.

The pin head, the pin, and the pin spring may constitute a pin lock, i.e. a lock for locking an article of clothing.

The activation switch 9 is mounted on a printed circuit board 11, which, besides the activation switch, may carry a number of batteries such as two batteries 11a and 11b. The batteries 11a and 11b may be replaceable batteries and may be single use or rechargeable batteries.

Below the printed circuit board 11, the U-shaped enclosure 4 with U-shaped cavity 5 is located. The U-shaped enclosure 4 comprises apertures 8a and 8b allowing pas sage of the pin 7 and the pin tip 7a.

The lower housing 3 is located below the U-shaped enclosure 4 and encapsulated in the lower housing 3 is a radio module 13. The radio module 13 is adapted for communication with a security system.

The security tag may also comprise a wireless communication module such as a Blue tooth chip or other chip operating at for example 2.4 GHz. The wireless communica tion module may be arranged at the printed circuit board.

The wireless communication module may pair to or communicate with a wireless de vice (mobile phone, tablet, smart watch etc.) for unlocking the security tag when the user of the wireless device has purchased the article of clothing for example.

Between the printed circuit board 11 and the pin head 6 a first spring 10 (pin spring) may be mounted. The pin spring may surround the pin 7.

The pin spring 10 serves to keep the pin 7 in the unlocked position when the security tag 1 is in the unlocked state. In the pin head 6 the first end of the pin spring presses toward the disc shaped end of the pin end 7b so that the pin spring presses towards the pin head 6. The second end of the pin spring 10 may press against the printed circuit board 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 20 may include three parts 20a, 20b and 20c which are interconnected along an actuator axis (indicated by dotted line).

The locking pawl is mounted such that it rotates around the actuator axis and may move in a line back and forth along the actuator axis.

Between the actuator and locking pawl may be mounted a second spring 21 (pawl spring).

The pawl spring 21 is to provide a pressure for pressing the locking pawl 24 in the direction towards the pin 7 and the pin head 6. However, the pawl spring 21 is only an optional solution and other solutions being described further below. The actuator, pawl spring (optional), and locking pawl may constitute an electronic lock for locking the pin lock, i.e. the pin locks an article of clothing, and the electronic lock may engage the pin lock for arresting the pin lock in a locked state/position.

The electronic lock may comprise a tap constituting an actuator tap 23 for engaging an angle detector 22 - the angle detector is shown having a contact 22a which may be in the form of a tongue extending from the angle detector - the actuator tap is to engage the contact/tongue.

The locking pawl 24 comprises at the end facing the pin 7 a pawl flange 24a. The pawl flange comprises a pawl track 25, which extends from the centre of the pawl flange 24a to the rim of the pawl flange 24a, where the pawl track 25 ends at an pawl track opening 26. The pawl track 25 and the pawl track opening 26 is intended for engagement with the lock tap 6a of the pin head 6 for locking and unlocking the se curity tag.

The figures 3A - 3D illustrate a principle of locking and unlocking of the security tag.

In figures 3A - 3D the upper housing, the U-shaped enclosure and the lower housing have been omitted to show the function of the pin and the locking pawl.

In figure 3A, the situation where the security tag is in the unlocked state is illustrated.

The pin spring 10 is in its relaxed condition and the pin head 6 in its uppermost posi tion.

The locking pawl 24 is positioned such that the pawl track 25 and the pawl track open ing is facing downwards towards the printed circuit board 11.

In figure 3B, the locking procedure is initiated.

The pin head 6 is pressed downwards as indicated by the arrows 60. An inclined surface on the lock tap 6a on the pin head 6 engages with an inclined surface on the pawl flange 24a and allows the lock tap 6a to slide down the surface of the pawl flange 24a until it reaches the pawl track 25. This situation is shown in figure 3C, where the lock tap 6a engages with the pawl track 25.

When the lock tap 6a slides down the pawl flange 24, this causes the locking pawl 24 to move in the direction of the actuator 20 as indicated by arrow 61 and this will com- press the pawl spring 21.

As it can be seen in figure 3C when the lock tap 6a engages with the pawl track 25, the pawl spring 21 pushes the locking pawl 24 back towards the pin head 6 as indi cated by the arrow 62.

When the movement in figure 3C has stopped, the security tag is in principle in the locked state. The lock tap 6a fully engages with the pawl track 25 and any upwards movement of the pin 7 is blocked, i.e. by the engagement between the dead end of the pawl track 25 and the lock tap 6a on the pin head 6.

The pin tip 7a penetrates the clothing 50 and is located in the lower housing (not shown in the figure).

The activation tap 6b on the pin head 6 engages the activation switch 9. This may cause a control signal to be sent from the activation switch to a central processing unit, which may infer that the security tag may be set in its locked state.

Figure 3D illustrates the unlocking procedure where the pin tip 7a is released from the clothing 50.

The procedure of unlocking the security tag can be initiated by a signal from a wireless device such as a mobile phone or tablet or smart watch communicating with the wire less communications module. The actuator 20 turns the locking pawl 24 in the direction indicated by arrows 64. When the locking pawl 24 reaches a position where the pawl track 25 is turning up wards, the pin head is moved upwards by the action of the pin spring 10 on the pin head 6 and leaves the pawl track 25 via the pawl track opening 26, and the security tag is in its unlocked state.

In the position where the pawl track is facing upwards, the actuator tap is engaged with the contact of the angle detector, i.e. it is detected that the locking pawl is ar ranged such that the pin lock is free to move up (unlocked state).

The pin tip moves with the pin head upwards to the position in the unlocked state, and the pin tip is released from the clothing 50.

The actuator rotation may be controlled by the angle detector 22 which detects the position of the actuator tap. When the angle detector 22 detects the actuator tap it stops the rotation.

It is contemplated that the pawl spring may be omitted. In such a case, the locking pawl may be rotated by the actuator when unlocking and be positioned such that the pawl track opening faces the lock tap in the unlocked state. In such an alternative, the locking pawl is fixed along the actuator axis, i.e. arrested such that it may not move back and forth along the actuator axis.

When locking, the pin head is pushed down, and the activation switch is activated. The locking pawl may then rotate to the locked position, i.e. the locking pawl is in the locked position (state) when the pawl track opening faces downwards, i.e. in a direc tion towards the enclosure (towards the plane where the article of clothing is during intended operational use).

When unlocking, a wireless signal may activate the actuator such that the locking pawl may rotate (until the actuator tap engages the angle detector tongue). The pawl track opening will face upwards, and the pin head being free to move from its position in the locked state to its position in the unlocked state. Set of points

1. A security tag for self service purchase of an article of clothing, said security tag comprising a locked state, an unlocked state, a housing defining a substantially U-shaped enclosure for accommodating a part of said article, a pin including a pin tip for penetrating said article, said housing including an upper housing part above said U-shaped enclosure, and a lower housing part below said U-shaped enclosure, said lower housing part having an aperture for receiving said pin tip, said pin tip housed in said upper housing part when said security tag being in said unlocked state, and said pin tip housed in said lower housing part when said security tag being in said locked state, said pin including a pin head having an area for a finger of a user for pressing said pin tip trough said article for locking said security tag, said security tag comprising: an alarm element for activating an alarm of an electronic article surveillance system, an electrically operated pin lock for locking said pin, a battery for powering said electrically operated pin lock, a wireless communications module for receiving an unlock instruction from a mobile device such that said electrically operated pin lock being unlocked when said unlock instruction being received.

2. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin tip being at a first position in said unlocked state and at a second position in said locked state.

3. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said upper housing part being stationary fixed to said lower housing part.

4. A security tag for self service purchase of an article of clothing, said security tag comprising: a locked state, an unlocked state, a pin including a pin tip for penetrating said article, said pin tip being at a first position in said unlocked state and at a second position in said locked state, said pin tip arranged to move between said first position and said second position, said security tag comprising a pin lock for locking said pin, said pin lock having a locking pawl, said locking pawl arranged to rotate around an axis, and being at a first angle in said unlocked state and at a second angle in said locked state such that said locking pawl arresting said pin in said locked state, and said locking pawl being disengaged from said pin in said unlocked state.

5. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin being linear or curved such that said pin tip having a linear or curved motion when moving between said first position and said second position.

6. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin lock being elec trically operated.

7. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin lock comprising an actuator for actuating said locking pawl.

8. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said actuator arranged to rotate said locking pawl.

9. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, comprising a first spring for forcing said pin tip towards said first position.

10. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, comprising a second spring for forcing said locking pawl towards said pin.

11. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin comprising a pin tap, said locking pawl engaging said pin tap for arresting said pin. 12. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said locking pawl com prising a pawl flange for engaging said pin tap.

13. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said locking pawl com prising a track for said pin tap such that said pin tap moving in said track during locking and unlocking of said security tag.

14. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said track having a track opening for receiving said pin tap.

15. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said track opening fac ing upwards in said unlocked state.

16. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said track opening fac ing downwards in said locked state.

17. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, comprising a housing.

18. The security tag according to point 17, said housing defining a substantially U- shaped enclosure for accommodating a part of said article.

19. The security tag according to point 18, said housing including an upper housing part above said U-shaped enclosure, and a lower housing part below said U-shaped enclosure.

20. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said track opening fac ing towards said lower housing part in said locking state.

21. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said track opening fac ing towards said upper housing part in said unlocked state.

22. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said lower housing part having an aperture for receiving said pin tip. 23. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin tip housed in said upper housing part when said security tag being in said unlocked state,

24. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin tip housed in said lower housing part when said security tag being in said locked state,

25. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin including a pin head having an area for a finger of a user for pressing said pin tip trough said article for locking said security tag.

26. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin head including said pin tap.

27. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said pin head arranged to move substantially along a line when said pin tip moving between said first position and said second position.

28. The security tag according to any of the preceding points, said axis being sub stantially orthogonal to said line.

29. A system for securing an article of clothing from shoplifting, said system compris ing: the security tag according to any of the preceding points, and said mobile phone for controlling said security tag.