# US 9,038,898 B2 · Anti-theft security device to increase marketing opportunities > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,898 B2 - Document ID: US9038898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/630,161 - Filed: 2012-09-28 - Published: 2013-04-04 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-09-29 - Assignees: Avery Dennison Corporation - Applicants: Avery Dennison Corporation - Inventors: William J. Cooper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038898B2 ## CPC - E05B 73/0017: {Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops} - Y10T 29/49817: with other than ancillary treating or assembling - Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The present invention relates to a security device for improving the marketing impact of an article of commerce. The device generally includes a housing having a base and a cover with the cover having at least one opening to allow for the insertion of an attachment mechanism. The housing element of the present invention in one embodiment is in a shape representing a particular theme such as a particular trademark, trade dress, special events, commemorative events, historical events and combinations thereof. The housing may contain an RFID device and/or an electronic article security device. The present invention also provides a method of attaching a security device described herein to an article of commerce. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A security device comprising: a consumer product; a removable housing element having a base, a cover, and at least one opening; at least one attaching mechanism that serves a security purpose to connect the housing to the consumer product; the at least one attaching mechanism is sized to fit through the opening in the housing, the at least one attaching mechanism is completely concealed by the housing and the housing and the at least one attaching mechanism are separable from one another; and wherein the housing is configured to be in a shape representing one of a trademark, trade dress, theme, promotion or commemorative event. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the housing provides a visual deterrent. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism is a ball and clutch mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the attaching mechanism is a latch and clutch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the at least one attaching mechanism may be reused. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the housing further includes a RFID device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener mechanism includes a RFID device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the housing resembles a padlock. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The security device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an EAS device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The security device of claim 9, wherein the EAS device is acoustomagnetic device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The security device of claim 9, wherein the EAS device is an electromagnetic device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The security device of claim 9, wherein the EAS device is enabled by radio frequency. ### Claim 13 A method of using a security device to an article comprising the steps of: providing an article and a removable housing having a base and a cover, the cover of the housing has an opening to accommodate a clutch and pin fastener mechanism and the pin has a first end and a second end wherein the housing is configured to be in a shape representing one of a trademark, trade dress, theme promotion or commemorative event; inserting the first end of the pin through the opening in the cover; attaching the security device to the article; removing the housing from the security device at a point of sale; and selling the housing to a customer. ### Claim 14 A method for creating a security device in cooperation with a particular marketing theme, comprising the steps of: selecting a theme; developing a marketing campaign for the theme; forming a rigid shape in a form of the theme to conceal a locking or fastening mechanism to form a themed locking device such that the locking or fastening mechanism is completely concealed by the rigid shape in the form of the theme and the locking or fastening mechanism is separable from the rigid shape; attaching the themed locking device to an article of commerce; and fastening the themed locking device to the article of commerce. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the theme is selected from a group including trademarks, trade dress, special events, commemorative events, historical events and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A method as recited in claim 14, including a further step of removing the housing from the locking or fastening device at a point of sale, after the step of fastening. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method as recited in claim 16, including a further step of providing the housing to a customer after the step of removing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A method as recited in claim 17 wherein the step of providing includes selling. ### Claim 19 A marketing device, comprising: a housing having at least one opening configured to be in a shape of a particular marketing theme; a fastening mechanism contained within the housing; an attaching mechanism configured to cooperate with the fastening mechanism to form a themed security device such that the attaching mechanism is sized to fit through the at least one opening in the housing; and the themed security device removably connected to an article of commerce. ### Claim 20 A method of providing a security device in connection with a marketing campaign, comprising the steps of: selecting a first housing having a first theme; attaching a security device to the first housing to create a first security device wherein the security device is completely concealed by the housing; connecting the first security device to an apparel item; removing the first security device and separating the first housing from the security device to create a first retention item; selecting a second housing having a second theme; attaching a security device to the second housing to create a second security device; connecting the second security device to a consumer good. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A method of providing a security device as recited in claim 20, wherein the first theme is distinct from the second theme. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) A method of providing a security device as recited in claim 20, wherein the first housing is distinct from the second housing.