Patents by Inventor Lawrence Appalucci

Lawrence Appalucci 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).

  • Publication number: 20150082842
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to the field of security tags, and more particularly, to a system, device, and method for removing a hard tag by utilizing a mobile detacher. A detacher key is inserted into the security device and rotated to release a pin, securing the merchandise to the device, from the device. The detacher key or device may include a cam of which is rotated to apply sufficient force on a retaining clip to release the pin from the clip to remove the pin out of the tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Anthony Piccoli
  • Patent number: 8985467
    Abstract: A permanently deactivatable security tag and method to create a permanently deactivatable security tag to eliminate tag pollution caused by reactivated tags reentering a store premises and setting off false alarms. The security tag includes a frangible conductive portion that fractures due to stress applied on the frangible conductive portion from a hardened substrate located on the tag. The hardened substrate induces stress to the frangible conductive portion located adjacent to the edge of the hardened substrate as the tag is flexed and bent. The fracture of the frangible conductive portion of the tag results in a shifting and/or disabling of the predetermined frequency of the security tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Mingle, Lawrence Appalucci
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7692547
    Abstract: A microwave-resistant and waterproof security tag for use with food products, especially meat products. The security tag includes a pair of single, open loop conductive traces in between which is disposed a similarly-shaped dielectric layer. This combination is encapsulated within plastic membranes or covers that are sealed at their common edges. The preferred embodiment includes rectangularly-shaped single, open loop conductive traces with rounded corners and with one end of each trace forming a capacitor plate. The width of each trace is at least 1/10 of the length of the security tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Anthony Piccoli, Seth Strauser, George West
  • Publication number: 20090289769
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a novel procedure and system for making a security tag for an aluminum-pressed, cardboard container. The method employs a system of distancing the tag from the container and a method of calibrating the tag. The tag is then inserted into a specially designed cap and spaced a given distance from the container. The product is sealed and then sold to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, David McGoldrick, Paul Roberts, George West
  • Patent number: 7583194
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a novel procedure and system for making a security tag for an aluminum-pressed, cardboard container. The method employs a system of distancing the tag from the container and a method of calibrating the tag. The tag is then inserted into a specially designed cap and spaced a given distance from the container. The product is sealed and then sold to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Dave McGoldrick, Paul Roberts, George West
  • Publication number: 20080174434
    Abstract: A resonant circuit for use with a radio-wave detection system for the prevention of shoplifting or the like which has a coil and capacitor circuit whereby the circuit is permanently destroyed when the tag is exposed to a radio signal that causes a voltage across the capacitor that exceeds the breakdown voltage of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises a dielectric that does not exhibit self-healing. Such dielectrics include ceramics, metal oxides and minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Seth Strauser, Charles Iacono, Lawrence Appalucci
  • Publication number: 20080150729
    Abstract: A microwave-resistant and waterproof security tag for use with food products, especially meat products. The security tag includes a pair of single, open loop conductive traces in between which is disposed a similarly-shaped dielectric layer. This combination is encapsulated within plastic membranes or covers that are sealed at their common edges. The preferred embodiment includes rectangularly-shaped single, open loop conductive traces with rounded corners and with one end of each trace forming a capacitor plate. The width of each trace is at least 1/10 of the length of the security tag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: CHECKPOINT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Anthony Piccoli, Seth Strauser, George West
  • Patent number: 7355516
    Abstract: A microwave-resistant and waterproof security tag for use with food products, especially meat products. The security tag includes a pair of single, open loop conductive traces in between which is disposed a similarly-shaped dielectric layer. This combination is encapsulated within plastic membranes or covers that are sealed at their common edges. The preferred embodiment includes rectangularly-shaped single, open loop conductive traces with rounded corners and with one end of each trace forming a capacitor plate. The width of each trace is at least 1/10 of the length of the security tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Appalucci, Anthony Piccoli, Seth Strauser, George West
  • Patent number: 7168150
    Abstract: A method of making a resonant frequency tag which resonates at a predetermined frequency. The method involves providing a first conductive pattern having an inductive element and a first land and a second conductive pattern having a second land and a third land which are joined together by a link. The second conductive pattern is overlaid the first conductive pattern such that the second land is positioned over the first land. The third land is in electrical communication with the inductive element of the first conductive pattern. The formed resonant frequency tag is energized to determine if the tag resonates at the predetermined frequency. If the tag resonates properly, the third land is electrically coupled to the inductive element. If it does not, the second conductive pattern is adjusted so that overlapping portions of the first and second lands are changed, altering the capacitance to adjust the resonant tag frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Eckstein, Gary Mazoki, Peter Lendering, Luis Francisco Soler Bonnin, Takeshi Matsumoto, Lawrence Appalucci
  • Patent number: 7129843
    Abstract: A security tag includes a combination of a resonant frequency circuit with an adjacent amplification shield for enhancing output signal amplitude. The amplification shield is located adjacent to the resonant frequency circuit and is preferably in the same or substantially the same plane as the resonant frequency circuit or is in a close, generally parallel plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the resonant frequency circuit includes an inductor electrically coupled to a capacitor. The resonant frequency circuit has a center frequency and is arranged to resonate in response to exposure to electromagnetic energy at or near the center frequency, providing an output signal having an amplitude. The amplification shield is arranged to direct a portion of the electromagnetic energy to the resonant frequency circuit to amplify the amplitude of the output signal from the resonant frequency circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony F. Piccoli, Lawrence Appalucci, David Lopez Perez, Luis Francisco SolerBonnin, Gary T. Mazoki
  • Patent number: 7076858
    Abstract: A method of making a resonant frequency tag having a predetermined frequency comprises forming a first conductive pattern comprising an inductive element and a first land having a first end connected to an inductive element end, and a second end spaced a predetermined distance from the first end; separately forming a second conductive pattern comprising a second land having a predetermined width and a link element; placing the second conductive pattern proximate the first conductive pattern at a first location wherein the second land overlies a portion of the first land with a dielectric therebetween establishing capacitive element plates having a first capacitance along with the inductive element forming a resonant circuit; measuring the resonant circuit frequency and comparing the measured and predetermined frequencies moving the second land along of the first land length to match the resonant frequency; and securing the second conductive pattern to the first conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Eckstein, Gary Mazoki, Peter Lendering, Luis Francisco Soler Bonnin, Takeshi Matsumoto, Lawrence Appalucci