System for testing reusable electronic article surveillance tags and method therefor

A method for testing reusable electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, the method comprising:

• separating, at a sorter, reusable EAS tags from disposable EAS tags;
• using a demagnetizer and magnetizer to re-activate reusable EAS tags;
• and
• automatically determining if the reusable EAS tags are functioning within predetermined operational parameters.

An automated system for determining the presence of operable, reusable electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags from among used EAS tags, the system comprising:

• a feeder for receiving previously used EAS tags;
• a sorter receiving the previously used EAS tags from the feeder, the sorter determining if the previously used EAS tags are reusable tags, the sorter including at least one magnetizer element and at least one demagnetizer element for activating the reusable EAS tags;
• a testing station comprising at least one antenna for receiving responsive signals from the reusable EAS tags, the responsive signals being used to determine if the reusable EAS tags are functioning within predetermined operational parameters;
• and
• a conveyor system for spacing the reusable tags and transporting the spaced reusable tags from the sorter to the testing station.