Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the surveillance of an electronic security element in an interrogation zone. The apparatus includes a transmitting device emitting at least one periodic interrogation signal into the interrogation zone, with the interrogation signal causing the security element to deliver a characteristic signal, a receiving device receiving the characteristic signal, and a computing/control unit evaluating the signals r(s) received from the receiving device and producing an alarm when the presence of the security element is established.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the surveillance of an electronic security element in an interrogation zone. The essential elements are a transmitting device, a receiving device and a computing/control unit. The transmitting device emits at least one interrogation signal into the interrogation zone. This signal causes the security element to emit a characteristic signal. The receiving device receives the characteristic signal and generates a signal which is an indication of the characteristic signal. The computing/control unit evaluates the signals received from the receiving device and produces an alarm when the presence of the security element is established. The evaluation comprises detecting spikes from the signals received from the receiving device, creating a corresponding signal shape from the spikes in a self-learning process, and removing the determined spikes from the signals received from the receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a security element for electronic article surveillance in an electromagnetic surveillance system, comprising a soft magnetic, magnetostrictive strip and a premagnetization element fabricated from a semi-hard or hard magnetic material that is associated with the strip, and to a method of manufacturing such security elements.With regard to the security element the premagnetization element is configured such that, by application of an essentially constant external field (H), it produces a stray field that optimizes the magneto-elastic properties of the stripe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the surveillance of an electronic security element in an interrogation zone, comprising a transmitting device emitting at least one cyclic interrogation signal into the interrogation zone, with the interrogation signal causing the security element to deliver a characteristic signal, a receiving device receiving the characteristic signal, and a computing/control unit evaluating the signals received from the receive device and producing an alarm when the presence of the security element is established.

Abstract: A stacking device for stacking card-shaped products in vertically upright positions. The stacking device has a brake stop that is flexible in the moving direction of the card-shaped products and mounted on a rocker-type drivable component. The rocker presses against the stack end in the stacking direction to advance the stack to receive additional products. The stacking device further includes a stack receiver defining the front end of the stack and including a holding bracket with a bearing surface. The stack receiver preferably is adjustable to accommodate varying widths of products to be stacked.

Abstract: A method of authenticating an item and an apparatus for authenticating an item. The items which can be authenticated are typically located in a sales room or other commercial establishment where goods are typically sold. There has been an increasing trend wherein manufacturers are providing items typically on display in sales showrooms with a tag or marking which can serve to authenticate the item or product. The consumer can then determine if the item is genuine or counterfeit by means of the tag or other identifying marking.

Abstract: An antipilferage tag is disclosed which includes a resonant circuit adapted to receive an RF signal and to transmit a response signal when interrogated by said RF signal. The tag includes circuit components constituted by or fabricated from a metallized layer supported by a dielectric material.

Abstract: A label printer, or a printer in general, can have a processor which can be connected to a data storage medium as well as to data input and data output connections for external devices. Such a printer could include a thermal printer for printing labels on self-adhesive materials. To expand the usability of such a printer, and to increase the printing speed, a common interface can be provided, which interface can be activated by the processor and can be configured in a manner such that both the storage medium and the data input and data output connections for external devices can be connected thereto.

Abstract: Marking tags for marking items are generally supplied in the form of a strip of a large number of consecutive, separable units. Such marking tags commonly have at least one surface for the display of information thereon relating to the particular product, i.e., product name, manufacturer, use or care instructions, price, etc., and are generally used by retail stores for marking of the goods available for sale. Such marking tags can be formed by feeding the components thereof in a continuous stream to the strip as the strip moves along a path of travel.

Abstract: A portable hand-held labelling device can generally have a printing mechanism, which in the case of an embodiment with printing belts and print-side guide wheels, can have the guide wheels rotationally mounted on a shaft which is fixed to the housing. The shaft can be fabricated as a single piece with the housing or a part of the housing, and the free end of the shaft can be centered and laterally fixed in a blind locator in another part of the housing. The shaft can be provided with a longitudinal groove into which a locking strip with a number of guide channels for locking elements, corresponding to the number of guide wheels, can be inserted, and in particular, inserted and locked into place. The locking elements are preferably components of a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism also includes locking locators in the bearing hole of each guide wheel, which locking locators interact with the locking elements to rotationally position the guide wheels on the shaft.

Abstract: A felt-tip pen (1) for writing on posters or the like is inserted into an ink pot for refilling and keeping. In order to prevent the outer sides of the felt-tip pen from becoming soiled with ink, the felt-tip pen has an axial groove (12) parallel to the felt-tip (10) entered by a collar (22) that surrounds the opening (21) of the ink pot (20) when the felt-tip pen is inserted through the opening. This groove is designed in an intermediate piece (5) that bears the felt-tip and that is in turn inserted onto the cup-shaped end (3) of the handle with a second groove (11 ) of the same size as the first but oriented in the opposite direction. The felt-tip may thus be inserted on both sides onto the handle (2) and into the ink pot and at the same time it is well sealed in the ink pot.

Abstract: Labels or tags, are generally supplied in the form of a strip of a large number of consecutive, separable units, wherein the components of the labels or tags are essentially fed in a continuous stream to the strip as the strip moves along a path of travel. Under some circumstances however it has been found that it can be cost effective that all of the labels do not include all of the individual components, or that it might not be desirable that the various components are not always disposed at the exact same position in each label.

Abstract: A hand-held labelling or marking device can typically have a housing With a printing mechanism that provides a printed ink image, such as prices, etc. Such a housing can be formed by two housing parts. At least at one point, in particular on the upper portion of the housing, the housing parts can be securely held together by means of a clamp-type holder, thereby minimizing the size of the housing. The clamp-type holder can preferably include a window for displaying a row of symbols that will be printed, which symbols can be disposed on either a belt, or a wheel of a wheel printing mechanism. Each belt or wheel can be set individually by means of a control shaft. Adjacent the window, there can preferably be special symbols corresponding to the print belts or wheels, and on a control shaft for setting of the individual belts or wheels there can be corresponding symbols to make the setting process faster and easier process.

Abstract: A tag or marker is disclosed which comprises a substrate; an `active` magnetic material which is a soft magnetic material having a high magnetic permeability and a low coercive force; and a deactivating material which is a hard or semi-hard magnetic material having a moderate or high coercive force and a moderate magnetic permeability, whereby the deactivating material, when subjected to a sufficiently high magnetising force, is able to clamp the magnetic properties of the `active` material so as to deactivate the `active` material. The deactivating material in the tag or marker is electrodeposited nickel with a planar crystal grain structure.

Abstract: An article security element is provided which, regardless of its orientation in relation to a scanning field irradiated by a transmitter coil, can generate a response field which can be reliably detected by a receiver coil. The article security element preferably has a soft magnetic metal strip which is wound about an oblong, column-shaped base body at a winding angle which has a value between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base body.

Abstract: A price cassette with a back part which has panes to hold interchangeable item identification and/or price labels which are separated by vertical webs, whereby on the back part there are vertical guides, over which the at least partly transparent front part can be slid. The price cassette is thereby curved around an imaginary axis which is horizontal to the item identification and price signs, and the axis of which lies behind the price cassette. The item identification and price information displayed thereby appears more plastic and elegant. The only action required to change this item identification and price information is to open the price cassette partway up or down. The item identification and price signs thereby remain fixed in place.