Security device for products on display packaging

Abstract

Security devices according to the present invention may be configured to secure an article supported by display packaging. The display packaging may include display cards, blister packs, pouch packaging, thermoform packaging, and other types of packaging. The display packaging may define a display side on which the article is presented for viewing, and a back side that often faces a display rack. The display side of the display packaging may also include consumer messaging (e.g., graphics, text, product information, advertising, etc.) that is intended for viewing by a consumer. The security device may include a device body structured for positioning proximate the display packaging without substantially obscuring the display side of the display packaging and a locking mechanism associated with the device body and positioned proximate the back side of the display packaging. In the locked state, the locking mechanism may receive and secure a securing member that penetrates the display packaging.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A security device configured to secure an article supported by display packaging having a display side and a back side, the security device comprising:
 a device body structured for positioning proximate the display packaging without substantially obscuring the display side of the display packaging; and   a locking mechanism associated with the device body and positioned proximate the back side of the display packaging,   wherein the locking mechanism is configurable between a locked state and an unlocked state, and   wherein the locking mechanism, in the locked state, receives and secures a securing member that penetrates the display packaging.   
     
     
         2 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the device body comprises a lid and a base, wherein the lid is configured to move between an open position, in which the display packaging is removable from the device body, and a closed position, in which at least a portion of the display packaging is captured between the lid and the base, and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to maintain the lid in the closed position when the security device is in the locked state. 
     
     
         3 . The security device of  claim 2 , wherein the securing member extends from the lid and the locking mechanism is supported by the base. 
     
     
         4 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member is a portion of the article. 
     
     
         5 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is slidably attached to the device body. 
     
     
         6 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ball-clutch locking mechanism configured to engage the securing member. 
     
     
         7 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the article comprises an article post that is structured to receive an article backing, and wherein the article post is the securing member. 
     
     
         8 . The security device of  claim 1  further comprising a storage area defined by the device body, wherein the storage area is structured to receive at least one accessory component associated with the article. 
     
     
         9 . The security device of  claim 8 , wherein the storage area defines at least one auxiliary post, wherein the article comprises an article post that is structured to receive an article backing, which is the accessory component, and wherein the at least one auxiliary post is configured to receive the article backing when removed from article post. 
     
     
         10 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein the device body and the locking mechanism are supported proximate the back side of the display packaging such that the device body and the locking mechanism are not generally visible to a consumer viewing the display side of the display packaging. 
     
     
         11 . The security device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the security device or the display packaging comprises a security element. 
     
     
         12 . A security device configured to secure an article supported by display packaging, the article comprising an article post adapted to receive an article backing, the security device comprising:
 a device body structured for positioning proximate the display packaging and adapted to receive a portion of the article post; and   a locking mechanism positioned proximate the device body and structured to receive at least part of the portion of the article post,   wherein the locking mechanism is configurable between a locked state, in which the article post is secured by the locking mechanism, and an unlocked state, in which the article post is removable from the locking mechanism.   
     
     
         13 . The security device of  claim 12 , wherein the security device is configured to secure a first article comprising a first article post and a first article backing, and a second article comprising a second article post and a second article backing, and wherein the device body comprises an adjustment assembly that is structured to receive a portion of the first article post and a portion of the second article post. 
     
     
         14 . The security device of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustment assembly is comprised of a track defined by the device body and first and second sliders, wherein the first slider is adapted to receive the portion of the first article post and the second slider is adapted to receive the portion of the second article post, and wherein the first and second sliders move along the track. 
     
     
         15 . The security device of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, wherein the first locking mechanism is structured to receive and secure at least part of the portion of the first article post received by the first slider, and the second locking mechanism is structured to receive and secure at least part of the portion of the second article post received by the second slider. 
     
     
         16 . The security device of  claim 13 , wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a track defined by the device body, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, and wherein at least one of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is structured to move along the track. 
     
     
         17 . The security device of  claim 12 , wherein the device body defines a storage area structured to receive an accessory component associated with the article. 
     
     
         18 . The security device of  claim 17 , wherein the accessory component is the article backing, and wherein the device body defines an auxiliary post proximate the storage area that is configured to receive the article backing. 
     
     
         19 . The security device of  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism, each positioned proximate the device body. 
     
     
         20 . The security device of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism is slidably supported by the device body relative to the other of the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism. 
     
     
         21 . The security device of  claim 20 , wherein the security device is configured to receive a first article comprising a first article post and a first article backing, and a second article comprising a second article post and a second article backing, wherein the first locking mechanism is configured to receive at least a portion of the first article post and the second locking mechanism is configured to receive at least a portion of the second article post. 
     
     
         22 . The security device of  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ball-clutch lock mechanism. 
     
     
         23 . The security device of  claim 22 , wherein the ball-clutch lock mechanism of the locking mechanism is biased in the locked state, and wherein the ball-clutch lock mechanism is moved to an unlocked state in response to an applied magnetic field. 
     
     
         24 . The security device of  claim 12 , wherein the device body and the locking mechanism are supported proximate a back side of the display packaging such that the device body and the locking mechanism are not generally visible to a consumer viewing the display side of the display packaging. 
     
     
         25 . The security device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the security device or the display packaging comprises a security element. 
     
     
         26 . A security device configured to secure an article supported by display packaging, the security device comprising:
 a device body comprising:
 a lid, and 
 a base connected to the lid, wherein at least one of the lid and the base are structured to define a display cavity for at least partially receiving the article and the display packaging, and wherein the lid is movable relative to the base between a closed position, in which the lid is positioned proximate the base, and an open position, in which the lid is at least partly separated from the base; and 
   a locking mechanism supported by the device body that is configurable between a locked state, wherein the lid is secured in the closed position, and an unlocked state, wherein the lid is free to move to the open position, and   wherein the device body is configured to capture at least a portion of the display packaging between the lid and the base when in the closed position.   
     
     
         27 . The security device of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the lid and the base define a securing member, and wherein the other of the lid and the base is configured to support the locking mechanism, which securely receives the securing member in the locked state. 
     
     
         28 . The security device of  claim 27 , wherein the securing member is configured to pass through an aperture defined by the display packaging when the lid is disposed in the closed position. 
     
     
         29 . The security device of  claim 28 , wherein the securing member defines a locking pin, and wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ball-clutch lock mechanism configured to receive the locking pin. 
     
     
         30 . The security device of  claim 26 , wherein the display packaging defines a display side and a back side, and wherein the lid is at least partly transparent to encourage viewing of the article through the lid without substantially obscuring the display side of the display packaging. 
     
     
         31 . The security device of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the device body and the display packaging comprises a security element. 
     
     
         32 . The security device of  claim 26 , wherein the device body comprises a hang tab. 
     
     
         33 . The security device of  claim 26 , wherein the display packaging defines a hang tab, and the device body defines a recess for receiving the hang tab. 
     
     
         34 . The security device of  claim 26 , wherein the lid defines the display cavity, which is sized such that the lid generally encloses the article when the lid is disposed in the closed position. 
     
     
         35 . A security device configured to secure an article defining a securing member that penetrates display packaging from a display side to a back side thereof, the security device comprising:
 a device body; and   a locking mechanism structured to receive the securing member of the article,   wherein the device body and the locking mechanism are supported proximate the back side of the display packaging such that the device body and the locking mechanism are not generally visible to a consumer viewing the display side of the display packaging, and   wherein the locking mechanism is configurable between a locked state in which the securing member is captured by the locking mechanism and an unlocked state in which the securing member may be removed from the locking mechanism.   
     
     
         36 . The security device of  claim 35 , wherein the securing member is an article post that is structured to receive an article backing. 
     
     
         37 . The security device of  claim 36 , wherein the device body comprises at least one auxiliary post configured to receive the article backing when removed from the article post.