Abstract: A semi-automatic machine for affixing an anti-theft device, such as an EAS marker, to an article of clothing or the like. The anti-theft device is of the type made up of two elements that are to be snapped together through the article of clothing. Each of the two kinds of elements is stored in a respective vibrating bowl and transferred to an assembly station by a respective vibrating conveyor. One of the two elements is positioned on a working surface at the assembly station. The second element is taken up by a snap-connection mechanism. A laser provides a reference mark at the working surface so that an operator can precisely position a desired part of the article of clothing for receiving the anti-theft device. After the article is positioned in accordance with the reference mark, the snap-connection mechanism is actuated to insert the second element into the first element through the article of clothing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for making an antitheft link between two objects, the device comprising an envelope (20) of heat-shrink plastics material whose walls are locally brought together along a common generator line (23) to form both a main compartment (24) which is open at both ends and which is designed to envelop one of the two objects to be connected together, and an auxiliary compartment in which an elongate pin is disposed. The device has a wall (31) provided on the other object (30) with a narrow longitudinal slot (32) formed therein that is open at one of its ends, said slot being dimensioned to enable the envelope to be inserted level with its common generator line (23) so that the elongate pin co-operates with the wall (31) to provide the link between said other object and the envelope which has been heat-shrunk on the first object, and to enable the inserted envelope (20) to be locked into place by means (36) closing the open end of the slot (32).