Patents by Inventor James Brodzik

James Brodzik has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9147355
    Abstract: An advertisement clip and method for supplementing a security hard tag with the advertisement clip for application to a product. The advertisement clip may include indicia on the surface of the clip or may hold or enclose an information element that provides the indicia to the manufacturer, retailer, and/or customer. Indicia may be visible and can include promotional information, pricing, images, customer specific branding, and/or barcodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony F. Piccoli, Thomas J. McKeown, Gary T. Mazoki, Brennan Bradley, Seth Strauser, James Brodzik
  • Patent number: 8938997
    Abstract: A security device and method to surround merchandise for theft deterrence. The security device includes a cord and housing for a knot in the cord. The cord is pulled from one end about the knot to tighten cord around a product and the cord is pulled from another section to lock cord in place around the product. The device serves to deter breaking in or stealing merchandising product. The security device may also include an additional housing for the cord to pass through. Either housing may include an EAS and/or RFID element for additional security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony F. Piccoli, Wei Wu, Lawrence Appalucci, Gary T. Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser, James Brodzik
  • Publication number: 20140259836
    Abstract: An advertisement clip and method for supplementing a security hard tag with the advertisement clip for application to a product. The advertisement clip may include indicia on the surface of the clip or may hold or enclose an information element that provides the indicia to the manufacturer, retailer, and/or customer. Indicia may be visible and can include promotional information, pricing, images, customer specific branding, and/or barcodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Anthony F. Piccoli, Thomas J. McKeown, Gary T. Mazoki, Brennan Bradley, Seth Strauser, James Brodzik
  • Patent number: 8581726
    Abstract: A security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, a first portion of an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, a second portion of the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF), benefit denial (e.g., ink-filled or dye-filled capsules) elements or any combination thereof. Because the security tag is not removed from the article at the point-of-sale, the security element is deactivatable. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, James Brodzik, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser
  • Patent number: 8547229
    Abstract: A multi-attach disposable security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a deactivatable security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Brodzik, Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 8547228
    Abstract: A multi-attach reusable security tag (MARST) that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then secured in a releasable locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. Alternatively, a fluke element can be used to secure the attachment clip to the releasable locking mechanism and wherein this fluke element permits the attachment clip to swivel outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James Brodzik, Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 8344891
    Abstract: A security hard tag, uses an attachment clip to couple to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected and which can only be released from the article by use of an authorized detacher that is inserted into the security hard tag. The attachment clip may include various types of locking mechanisms on its two ends, one end which is permanently secured within the security hard tag housing and the other end which is releasably secured within the housing. Before being releasably secured within the housing, the one end is inserted through or around a portion of an article, or through a security tag loop attached to the article, and then that end is locked into the housing. The detacher uses a cam, either located on the detacher itself or positioned within the security hard tag housing, to interact with the one end of the attachment clip to release the locked end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Anthony F. Piccoli, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, James Brodzik
  • Publication number: 20120032805
    Abstract: A multi-attach reusable security tag (MARST) that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then secured in a releasable locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. Alternatively, a fluke element can be used to secure the attachment clip to the releasable locking mechanism and wherein this fluke element permits the attachment clip to swivel outside of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Brodzik, Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser, Wu Wei
  • Publication number: 20120019385
    Abstract: A multi-attach disposable security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a deactivatable security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF) elements or any combination thereof. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: James Brodzik, Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser, Wu Wei
  • Patent number: 8004406
    Abstract: A security tag that can be attached to an item or items that provides a zero or low impact to the item or items such as elegant or soft goods. The security tag includes a security element that is enclosed within a pliable material that is coupled to the item or items it is protecting by either a lanyard or by passing a portion of the unfinished garment through aperture(s) in the pliable material. The lanyard can take on various compositions and can couple to the pliable material using different latching mechanisms. No puncturing, piercing or adhesive attachment to the elegant or soft goods occurs, thereby making a “zero or low impact” on the item while also making a pleasant presentation to customers when the item (or items) is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Inventors: Frederick A. Bleckmann, James Brodzik, Seth Strauser, Gary Mazoki
  • Patent number: 7978080
    Abstract: A security tag that can be attached to an item or items that provides a zero or low impact to the item or items such as elegant or soft goods. The security tag includes a security element that is enclosed within a pliable material that is looped around the item or items it is protecting and then is closed on itself or on an extension of the pliable material. No puncturing, piercing or adhesive attachment to the elegant or soft goods occurs, thereby making a “zero or low impact” on the item while also making a pleasant presentation to customers when the item (or items) is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Frederick A. Bleckmann, James Brodzik, Bryan T. R. Rowland
  • Publication number: 20110018716
    Abstract: A security tag that is attached to an article in two stages. In a first stage, a first portion of an attachment clip is coupled to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected by a manufacturer or assembler. This attachment clip is durable to withstand harsh manufacturing environments. Once the article with the attachment clip is ready for presentation, for example, at a retail establishment, during a second stage, a second portion of the attachment clip is then permanently secured in a locking mechanism of a housing containing a security element therein. The security element may comprise EAS (including AM, RF, EM and microwave), RFID (including LF, HF and UHF), benefit denial (e.g., ink-filled or dye-filled capsules) elements or any combination thereof. Because the security tag is not removed from the article at the point-of-sale, the security element is deactivatable. A preferred embodiment of the security tag uses all non-ferrous components including its locking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, James Brodzik, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, Seth Strauser
  • Publication number: 20100225485
    Abstract: A security hard tag, uses an attachment clip to couple to an article, such as but not limited to clothing, to be protected and which can only be released from the article by use of an authorized detacher that is inserted into the security hard tag. The attachment clip may include various types of locking mechanisms on its two ends, one end which is permanently secured within the security hard tag housing and the other end which is releasably secured within the housing. Before being releasably secured within the housing, the one end is inserted through or around a portion of an article, or through a security tag loop attached to the article, and then that end is locked into the housing. The detacher uses a cam, either located on the detacher itself or positioned within the security hard tag housing, to interact with the one end of the attachment clip to release the locked end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Anthony F. Piccoli, Gary Mazoki, Thomas J. McKeown, James Brodzik
  • Publication number: 20090135014
    Abstract: A security tag that can be attached to an item or items that provides a zero or low impact to the item or items such as elegant or soft goods. The security tag includes a security element that is enclosed within a pliable material that is coupled to the item or items it is protecting by either a lanyard or by passing a portion of the unfinished garment through aperture(s) in the pliable material. The lanyard can take on various compositions and can couple to the pliable material using different latching mechanisms. No puncturing, piercing or adhesive attachment to the elegant or soft goods occurs, thereby making a “zero or low impact” on the item while also making a pleasant presentation to customers when the item (or items) is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicants: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Bleckmann, James Brodzik, Seth Strauser, Gary Mazoki
  • Publication number: 20090115615
    Abstract: A security tag that can be attached to an item or items that provides a zero or low impact to the item or items such as elegant or soft goods. The security tag includes a security element that is enclosed within a pliable material that is looped around the item or items it is protecting and then is closed on itself or on an extension of the pliable material. No puncturing, piercing or adhesive attachment to the elegant or soft goods occurs, thereby making a “zero or low impact” on the item while also making a pleasant presentation to customers when the item (or items) is displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick A. Bleckmann, James Brodzik, Bryan T.R. Rowland