Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HARD COVER PRODUCT WITH CONCEALED SECURITY DEVICE
AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to hard cover products. More particularly, the
present
invention relates to hard cover products with concealed security devices for
facilitating
manufacture and use of hard cover products, to intermediate liners with
concealed security
devices therefore, and book products having a spine that concealingly holds a
security device
and manufacture of such hard cover book products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, tracking of inventory of goods has become of increased
iinportance.
Inventory of goods represents a significant investment in capital. In addition
to cost factors,
other aspects prompting increased interest in tracking inventory include the
increase in just-in-
time inanufacturing in which materials are provided by suppliers shortly prior
to the time of use
by the manufacturer of goods, as well as theft deterrence and inventory
verification and auditing.
Various electronic and mechanical devices have been provided for tracking and
monitoring of goods and containers. These devices include acoustic magnetic
security strips and
radio frequency security tags. These devices often are embodied in tags, pods,
labels, or
patches, having adliesive surfaces for attaching the device to the goods or
their containers.
These devices facilitate tracking and monitoring of goods and containers. The
security devices
are typically attached to the articles particularly susceptible to pilferage
and improper removal
from a warehouse or retail store. The security devices include a detectable
sensor. One known
type of security tag has a circuit that resonates at a predetermined detection
frequency range. A
transmitter provides electromagnetic energy that excites the circuit. A
receiver detects the
output signal from the resonating circuit. The transmitter and the receiver
are located at
detection points, often exits from retail facilities. As the article is
carried through the detection
point, the receiver signals an alert when an activated sensor device is
detected. For articles that
are permitted to pass (such as purchased articles), a separate device is used
to deactivate the
detectable sensor prior to passage. Other devices include RFID devices that
communicate
digital signals. In some known RFID devices, the signal is indicative of
unique identifiers for
tracking particular containers.
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Often large retailers require manufacturers of articles to include tracking
and monitoring
devices within the containers for the articles. For smaller retailers and
smaller inventories of
articles, the tracking and monitoring devices may not be included with or
attached to coiitainers.
In such circumstances, the articles may be provided with after-market tracking
and monitoring
devices. For example, electronic article surveillance tags are available with
adhesive backing to
secure the tags to the containers. While the containers are thereby subject to
electronic article
surveillance, the adhesively attaclied tags experience problems during use.
One significant
problem is that the tags, being on the exterior of the container, are
susceptible to removal.
Removing the security tag facilitates circumventing security and the
unauthorized removal of the
article from the secured area. However, removal by a purchaser also causes
problems. The
covering to which the security tag attaches may become toni or ripped, thus
damaging the
package.
Further, the package with the security tag, or without such by removal,
creates an
eyesore visible to the consumer. The security tag may also overlie or cover
over ornamental
graphics or text on the packaging. The security device thereby interferes with
the printed
graphics and/or with other types of covering material and distracts or covers
up the
printing/stamping designed to enhance the marketability of a product.
Also, importantly, the attachment of an electronic security tag to an interim
assembly of
an article during manufacture lead to production and handling probleins. These
manufacturing
problems include mechanical problems when producing a product, and also having
to operate
manufacturing equipment at reduced production speeds. The security tag
projects from the
surface to which it attaches. This causes stacked ones of the interim
assemblies to gradually
angle or tip as the stack height increases with placement of additional
interim assemblies. For
example, hard cover books assenibled using casing machines receive an outer
liner that attaches
to front cover stock and back cover stock. Such interim assemblies are stacked
for a second pass
through the casing machine to apply an inner liner. Angled stacks make
production and
handling more difficult during manufacturing. Further, the protruding security
tag may scratch
the adjacent assembly, for example, when a feeder device pushes one of the
assemblies from a
hopper for processing and applying the inner liner.
Libraries present an especially interesting application area for concealed
security
devices. Libraries typically have a large inventory of books that are readily
portable products.
Some specialty books, rare books, and the like are susceptible to unauthorized
removal. To
prevent these inventory loss problems, sensor-interrogating devices are
positioned near exit
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doors. The interrogator communicates with sensors positioned in the books. A
properly
checked out book will have the sensor deactivated. If the sensor signals the
interrogator, an
alarm is sounded. These sensor and interrogator systems for libraries however
are retrofit
devices, in which the sensor is manually installed at the library. The book is
held with the
covers splayed apart to open a gap in the spine portion of the book. The gap
typically forms
between the cover and the spine edge of the bound pages forming the -book. A
special, tool is
used to insert the sensor device along the open pathway defined by the gap.
Once the sensor
device. is positioned, typically in a central portion of the spine, the book
covers are closed
together and the tool is withdrawn thereby depositing the security device in
the spine. Often the
security device has an adhesive surface in order to attach the security device
to the spine of the
book. For books that do not develop such a gap upon opening the covers, the
security device
must be positioned on one of the pages, typically in a central portion of the
book. This leaves
the sensor susceptible to removal. Installing the sensor devices is time
consuming and the books
must be periodically checked to determine wliether the sensor device remains
in place. It is also
difficult to assure proper placement and securing of the sensor device within
the spine.
Accordingly there is a need in the art for providing hard cover products with
concealed
security tracking and monitoring devices, intermediate cover boards with
concealed security
devices for such hard cover products, and hard cover books with in-spine
concealed security
tracking and monitoring devices. It is to such that'the present invention is
directed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A. Hard cover product and method of manufacturing same.
The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a hard cover
product having
an outer liner attached on a major surface to a pair of sheet members. The
sheet members are
disposed in spaced-apart relation and define a front cover and a back cover
for the hard cover
product. One of the hard sheet members defines a receiving zone that receives
a security tag.
An inner liner overlies the pair of sheet members and conceals the security
tag within the
receiving zone. A gap between the pair of sheet members defines a spine for
the hard cover
product, with the opposing front cover and back covers moving together
foldably.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of making a hard
cover
product, comprising the steps of:
(a) forming a recess in a first sheet;
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(b) attaching an outer liner to a major surface of the first sheet and to a
second sheet
spaced apart therefrom to define a gap therebetween, the first sheet and the
second sheet
defining a front and back cover;
(c) depositing a security tag within the recess;
(d) attaching an inner liner in overlying relation to the first and second
sheets, the gap
defining a spine on which the opposing front and back covers pivot towards
each other.
B. Intermediate laminated cover board for hard cover product and manufacturing
of same.
ii1 another aspect, the present invention meets the need in the art by
providing an
intermediate cover board for hard cover products, in which a primary sheet
having a first
thickness and opposing planar surfaces defines a receiving cavity in a
selected portion of the
sheet. The receiving cavity receives a security device. The cover board
thereafter is suitable for
overlay by a cover liner during manufacture of a hard cover product.
The present invention provides a laminated cover board for hard cover products
in which
a primary sheet having a first thickness and opposing planar surfaces defines
a receiving cavity
in a selected portion of the sheet, which cavity receives a security device. A
pair of opposing
secondary sheets each with a second thickness less than the first thickness
are laminated to the
opposing planar surfaces of the primary sheet. The security device is tllereby
enclosed between
the laminated secondary sheets of the second thickness sufficient that the
assembled
intermediate laminated cover board does not display surface indications of the
presence of the
security device.
The present invention provides a method of assembling an intermediate
laminated board
for subsequent use as a component of hard cover products, comprising the steps
of:
(a) providing a primary sheet having opposing planar surfaces with a length
and width
exceeding a first thickness, the primary sheet defining an opening
therethrough in a selected
portion thererof;
(b) laminating a first exterior sheet to a first of the opposing planar
surfaces and closing
the opening in the priinary sheet;
(c) positioning a security device in the opening, the security device having a
thickness
no greater than about a substantial majority of the thickness of the central
sheet so that opposing
sides thereof are no more than substantially co-planar with respective ones of
the opposing
planar surfaces of the central sheet; and
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(d) laminating a second exterior sheet to the second of the opposing planar
surfaces to
m an intermediate laminated board that does not display on the opposing
surfaces defined by
exterior sheets indications of the presence of the security device therein.
The resulting
iinated cover board is gainfully used as a cover board in a hard cover product
having an outer
ver and an inner liner while not displaying indications of the enclosed
security device.
C. Hard cover product with spine-disposed concealed security device.
h-i another aspect, the present invention meets the need in the art by
providing a hard
ver book product comprised of an outer liner that includes a pair of hard
sheet members
ached to a major surface of the outer liner and disposed in spaced-apart
relation to define a
ne portion therebetween, with the hard sheet members folding movably toward
each other
ng the edges with the outer liner. A security tag attaches within the spine
portion and a body
rtion attaches to the hard sheet members. The sensor provides for tracking of
the hard cover
ak product by responding to a remote interrogator.
Objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent
from
Lding of the following detailed description of the invention and claims in
view of the appended
twings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A. Hard cover product and method.
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a hard cover product in which a security device is
attached to an
:erior surface.
Fig. 2 is an end view of a stack of assemblies used to make a hard cover
product
istrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention providing a
hard cover
Auct with a concealed security device.
Fig. 4 is an exploded edge view of the hard cover product assembly illustrated
in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the hard cover product
according to
present invention.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a hard cover product illustrating features of
the present
rention.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the hard cover
product
,ording to the present invention.
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Fig. 8A is a perspective exploded view of a hard cover product with a bound
assembly of
papers for a book.
Fig. 8B is a perspective exploded view of a hard cover product with a bound
assembly of
papers for a book.
Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of an assembly line for manufacturing hard
cover
products of the present invention.
B. Intermediate laminated cover board for hard cover product and manufacturing
of same.
Fig. 10 is a plan view of a hard cover product in which a security device is
enclosed' in an
intermediate laminated cover board according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a perspective cut-away view of the intermediate laminated cover
board
illustrated in Fig. 10.
Fig. 12 is a perspective exploded view of the intermediate laminated cover
board
illustrated in FIG. 10.
Fig. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the intermediate laminated cover
board
illustrated in Fig. 10, taken along the line 13 - 13.
Fig. 14 illustrates in perspective view an alternate embodiment of the
intermediate
laminated cover board using a sheet type security device in accordance with
the present
invention.
Fig. 15 illustrates in cross-sectional side view the alternate embodiment of
the
intermediate laminated cover board shown in Fig. 14.
Fig. 16 illustrates in perspective exploded view an alternate embodiment of an
intermediate cover board that features'a combination dual security device in
accordance with the
present invention.
Fig. 17 is a perspective cut-away view of a laminated multi-ply board having a
security
device sandwiched within the board and an index as to the location of the
security device in
accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 18 is a schematic illustration of a manufacturing process to make the
laminated
multi-ply board illustrated in Fig. 17.
C. Hard cover product with spine-disposed concealed security device.
Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective illustration of a hard cover book having a
security
device in a spine portion according to the present invention.
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Fig. 19A is a back perspective partially cut-away illustration of the hard
cover book
illustrated in Fig. 19.
Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a hard cover
book
having an in-spine security device according to the present invention.
Fig. 21 is a perspective cut-away back view of a third embodiinent of hard
cover book
having an in-spine security device according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A. Hard cover product and method.
Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like numerals refer to
like parts
throughout the several views, Fig. 1 illustrates a hard cover product 10
having an outer liner 12,
a pair of spaced-apart sheets 14, 16, and covered by an inner liner 18. The
outer liner 12 and the
imler line 18 may include graphics, text, and other visual ornamentation, such
as the graphics 17.
The sheets 14, 16 (enclosed by the outer liner 12 and the inner liner 18)
define front and back
covers for the product. A pair of spaced-apart grooves or scores 20 enable the
sheets 14, 16 to
fold together to close the hard cover product 10. A gap 22 between the scores
20 defines a spine
or back of the closeable hard cover product 10. A security sensor 24 attaches
with adhesive to
the face of the inner liner 18 in a selected position. The sensor extends
above the surface
defined by the inner liner 18. As illustrated in Fig. 2, this can lead to
handling and production
problems during manufacture of the hard cover product 10. The upwardly
extending security
sensor causes a portion of the stack to be disposed an oblique angle 26,
rather than lying flat.
This uneven stack makes handling of work in progress more difficult.
Fig. 3 illustrates a hard cover product 30 according to the present invention
in which the
security sensor 24 is concealed within an assembly of the outer liner 12, the
sheets 14, 16, and
i the inner liner 18. Fig. 4 is an exploded edge view of the hard cover
product assembly illustrated
in Fig. 3. A recess 32 is formed in the sheet 14 such as by die cutting the
sheet in a casing
operation typical for binding of books using a casing machine. An applicator
apparatus places
the security sensor 24 within the recess 32. The outer liner 12 closes the
recess 32 from an
exterior side of the assembly for the hard cover product 30, and the inner
liner 18 closes the
) recess 32 from the opposing interior side. The inner liner 18 thereby
conceals the security
device 24 within the hard cover product 30.
The thickness of the sheet 14 (on a line 34 shown in Fig. 4 transverse through
the
opposing major surfaces) is preferably sufficient that the security device 24
is recessed in the
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recess 32 relative to the major surfaces. The sheets 14, 16 are cardboard
sheet, fiberboard
sheets, or other stiff or hard sheet material suitable for forming a cover to
a book, casing, or
other article-container.
In the illustrated embodiment, the gap 22 defines scores or grooves in the
overlapped
inner and outer lines 12, 18. These define pivots or lines on which the front
and back covers
fold together.
Fig. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a hard cover product 50
according to the
present invention. In this embodiment, a substantially planner radio
'frequency tag 52 attaches to
the surface of the sheet 14a. The inner liner 18 attaches in overlaying
relation to the sheets 14,
16. In the illustrated embodiment, which does not include the recess 32, the
inner liner 18
extends over the area of the spine. The inner liner 18 thereby overlies and
concealingly encloses
the sheet-like security tag 52. The security tag 52 is perceptible as a slight
bulge, but generally
does not detract from the graphics or text on the inner liner.
In the illustrated embodiment, the hard cover product 50 attaches to an
interior body,
such as plastic matingly engagable plastic diskholders, configured for
receiving compact discs or
DVD discs. However, the interior body may be a bound assembly of papers for a
book. Other
shell devices that define an interior body for the hard cover product may be-
gainfully attached to
the interior front and back covers, such as for packaging small articles,
video tapes, books, ring
binders, or other articles. For example, Figs. 8A and 8B illustrate a bound
assembly 61 of paper
sheets containing printed material to be bound in the hard cover product as a
book. The bound
assembly 61 attaches to the spine 22. Tii embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8A
uses the sheet-like
security tag 52, while the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8B uses the security
tag 24.
Fig. 6 illustrates the hard cover product 50 in which the outer liner 12
includes an indicia
62 such as a bar code or other product inventory number. In this embodiment,
the recess 32 for
the security tag 24 (or security tag 52 attached to the sheet 14) is disposed
substantially in
alignment witli the indicia 62. In this way, a security tag detector
deactivates the security tag
when the hard cover product 30 is scanned for pricing, so that the product can
be taken from a
store without triggering alarms.
Fig. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a hard cover product 70 that
includes a
three-ring binder assembly 72. In this embodiment, the sheet 14 receives one
of the sheet-like
security devices 52, although in an alternate embodiment, the sheet defining
front (or back)
cover includes the recess 32.
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Fig. 9 is a schematic illustration of an assembly line 90 for manufacturing
hard cover
products of the present invention discussed above. The assembly line 90
includes a supply
hopper 92 that receives a stack 93 of interim assemblies of the hard cover
product. A casing
machine 94 operates to cut blanks of cardboard sheets to define the front and
back cover bodies
enclosed in the outer and inner liners. The casing machine 94 (such as a
KOLBUS 232 case
machine or similar equipment) also includes a rotatable cylinder 91 with a die
cutter 95 for
slitting open the recess 32. An interim assembly of the hard cover product
includes the outer
liner 12 attached to the sheets 14, 16. A label applicator 96 (such as a
LABELAIlZE or similar
device) receives a supply of security tags 24 and positions one in the recess
32 or on the sheet 14
(for a sheet type security tag). Operation of the assembly line in a first
stage of manufacture
results in interim assemblies that are subsequently returned to the hopper for
attaching the inner
liner 18.
The assembly line 90 further includes an inner liner application station 97 in
which the
inner liner 18 is attached in overlying relation to the major surfaces of the
sheets 14, 16
opposing the outer liner 12. A glue station 98 includes an adhesive applicator
100 for depositing
a selected adhesive 101 to the inner liner 18. A casing applicator 102
includes a supply hopper
104 that holds a plurality of interior bodies or casings 103, such as the
engageable shells 54, 56.
A metering device 106 causes one of the casings 103 to be positioned on the
spine 22. Opposing
ploughs 108 guide the opposing front and back covers to pivot together to
foldingly close the
hard cover product. Rollers 110 bear against the opposing covers to close the
hard cover
product and to force the casing 103 into engaging contact with the adhesive.
The completed,
closed hard cover product then is received in a stacker 112 for packaging.
Accordingly, the manufacturing process in one embodiment comprises the steps
of: (a)
die cutting an aperture in a board of the turned edge or paper-lined product
prior to wrapping the
product or mounting a paper product to it; (b) mounting or attaching the
printed cover material
to a surface of the board; (c) placing a security sensor bar in the die cut
aperture; (d) lining the
exposed side of the board with an inner liner of a sheet material that may or
may not be printed.
This process places the security bar or device within the die cut aperture or
cavity to eliminates
covering up of the printing or printed matter on the cover or inner liner,
reduces mechanical
problems related to manufacturing with resultant cost savings, increases the
difficulty for a
person to remove the security tag without damaging the package or product
itself, and allows
placing the security bar at any position within the board of the hard cover
product.
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As to RFID security stickers, the present invention provides a method and
apparatus to
fully conceal an RFID security sticker by applying the sheet-like RFID sticker
to a selected
position on a board used for a hard cover product either prior to case making
the cover or after
case making and prior to lining the cover product with a printed cover stock,
and thereby
concealing the RFID sticker so it has reduced visibility in the competed
product. The RFID
security device is placed in the product to have reduced visibility to a
casual eye while
eliminating the covering up of the printed or decorated product. Manufacturing
problems are
reduced with resultant cost savings. The concealed security device is
difficult to remove without
severely damaging the product or package itself.
B. Intermediate laminated cover board for hard cover product and manufacturing
of same.
I While the hard cover product 10 described above provides the enclosed and
concealed
security sensor 24, the exterior surfaces of the outer liner 12 and the inner
line 18 tend to include
indications of the presence of the security sensor contained therein. These
indications include a
subtle but noticeable border defined by the edge of the recess 32, a shallow
depression in the
outer liner 12 or the inner liner 18 in the proximity of the recess, or a
shallowly bulging portion
proximate to the recess. The present invention provides in another aspect as
illustrated in Fig.
10, an intermediate laminated cover board 120 that does not display surface
indications of the
presence of the security sensor or device 32 enclosed within a hard cover
product 122 asseinbled
using the intermediate laminated cover board. The hard cover product 122
includes the outer
liner 12, a cover board 124, the intermediate laminated cover board 120
disposed spaced apart
therefrom, and an inner liner 18. The cover board 124 and the intermediate
laminated cover
board 120 overlaid with the outer liner 12 and the inner liner 18 define front
and back covers for
the hard cover product, such as a book, a binder, a disc enclosure, or the
like product having an
interior body. A gap between the spaced apart cover board 124 and intermediate
laminated
cover board 120 define a spine for the hard cover product 122 that closes by
folding the
opposing cover boards along line defined by the spine.
With reference to Figs. 11 and 12, the intermediate laminated cover board 120
(illustrated in perspective cut-away view and perspective exploded view,
respectively), is
gainfully used for assembling hard cover products 122. The intermediate
laminated cover board
120 includes a primary or central sheet 130 having opposing planar surfaces
132, 134 with a
length and width exceeding a first thickness 136. The central sheet 130
further defines an
opening 138 through the central sheet. The opening 138 is formed by a die
cutter such as a
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roller with an extending die that bears upon the cover board as it moves past
the roller on a
conveyor. The opening 138 is formed in a selected portion of the cover board,
and particularly
so that the outer cover 12 can be printed with an indicia such as a bar code
that also directs the '
positioning of a security canceling device such as the scanners used at store
checkout registers.
The security device 32 is received in the opening 138. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
security device 32 has a thickness generally no greater than about a
substantial majority of the
thickness of the central sheet 130, so that opposing sides of the security
device 32 are
substantially co-planar with respective ones of the opposing planar surfaces
132, 134 of the
central sheet, as best illustrated in cross-sectional view in Fig. 13, taken
along line 13 - 13 of
Fig. 10.
A pair of opposing exterior sheets 142, 144 attach with an adhesive as a
lamination to
respective opposing planar surfaces 132, 134 of the central sheet 130. The
exterior sheets 142,
144 each have a respective second thickness that less than the first
thickness136. The laminated
exterior sheets 142, 144 thereby enclose the security device 32 in the opening
138 and between
the exterior sheets. The thickness of the exterior sheets 142, 144 is
sufficiently sized so that the
laminated intermediate cover board 120 does not display surface indications of
the presence of
the security device 32. The security device 32 thereby enclosed in the central
sheet 130 is
concealed from casual indication of its presence.
The central board 130, as well as the exterior boards 142, 144 are made of a
semi-rigid
sheet material, such as chip board, pasted chip board, card board, grey
fibreboard, or the like
material used for cover boards for books, backings for note pads, and the like
products.
With reference to Figs. 11 - 13, the center board 130 and the exterior boards
142, 144
intermediate together to produce the laminated board 120 for subsequent use as
a component of
hard cover products. The central sheet 130 is provided with the opening 138
such as by a die
cutter extending through the opposing surfaces in the selected portion. The
exterior sheet 144
then laminates with an adhesive to the planar surface 134. This closes the
opening 138 on one
side. The security device 32 is positioned in the opening 138. As illustrated
in Fig. 13, the
security device 32 preferably has a thickness no greater than about a
substantial majority of the
thickness of the central sheet 130 so that opposing sides are no more than
substantially co-planar
with the opposing planar surfaces 132, 134 of the central sheet. The second
exterior sheet 142
laininates to the planar surface 132 to enclose the security device 32 and to
form an intermediate
laminated board 130 that does not display on the opposing surfaces defined by
the exterior
sheets indications of the presence of the security device in the intermediate
laminated board 130.
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In an example, the central board 130 has a length of 7%2 inches, a width of 5
3/4 inches,
and a thickness of 0.060 inches. The opening 138 is cut 1 inch from the head
of the central
board 130 and is centered laterally. A commercially available type of security
device has a
thickness of about 0.056 inches. The exterior boards 142, 144 conform in
length and width to
the central board, and have a thickness of about 0.010 inches. In an alternate
embodiment, the
central board 130 can be left open on one side, by using one exterior board
having a thickness of
about 0.020 inches, which may be a less expensive embodiment -of the
invention. Other
embodiments are readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art of
fonning hard cover
products.
With reference to Fig. 10, the intermediate laminated cover board 130 readily
assembles
with the cover board 124, the outer cover 12, and the inner cover 18, as
discussed above to form
the foldable hard cover product 122 to enclose the security device 32 while
not having casually
observable surface indications as to the security device.
Fig. 14 illustrates in perspective cut-away view an alternate embodiment of a
interinediate laminated cover board 150 using a sheet-type security device
such as the planar
radio frequency tag 52 wllile not displaying surface indications of the
presence the security
device. Fig. 15 illustrates in cross-sectional exploded side view the
intermediate laminated
cover board 150 which defines a shallow recess 154. The recess 154 has a
bottom surface and is
formed in the cover board by a deboss process. The recess 154 results from
passing the cover
board 152 between a roller having a projection and a pressure plate, which
projection
compresses the selected portion of the. cover board in order to define the
shallow recess 154
therein. The recess 154 thereafter receives one of the planar radio frequency
tags 52. The depth
of the deboss recess 154 is about the thickness of the radio frequency tag 52,
but generally is
sufficiently compressed so that an exterior surface of the radio frequency tag
52 is coplanar or
recessed relative to a surface of the cover board 152 around the recess. A
liner board 156
attaches with adhesive in overlaying relation and enclosing the radio
frequency tag 52 in the
recess with little if any exterior surface indication of the presence of the
security device enclosed
within the laminated structure. It is to be appreciated that with respect to
Fig. 15, the security
sensor (radio frequency tag 52) is totally concealed before a cover 12 and
inner liner 18 are
applied. The intermediate cover board 150 may also be supplied to a
manufacturer of hard cover
products (such as a book binder) without the laminated cover liner 156 for
application by the
binder of the cover 12 and liner 18. This alternate enibodiment with the
recess 154 may have
slight surface indications of the security tag after application of the cover
12.
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Fig. 16 illustrates in perspective exploded view an alternate embodiment of an
intermediate cover board 160 that accommodates a combination security device
166. The cover
board 160 defines a slot 162 and an adjacent recess 164. The slot 162 is die
cut through the
cover board 160 while the recess 164 is debossed therein as discussed above.
The combination
security device 166 includes a backing sheet 168 with an acoustic magnetic
security bar 170 and
a planar radio frequency tag 172. A perimeter portion of the combination
security tag 166
includes an adhesive coating 173.
For purposes of illustration, Fig. 16 illustrates the combination security tag
166 with the
security bar 170 and the planar radio frequency tag 172 disposed in a
direction away from the
cover board 160. When installed, the coinbination security device 166 is
disposed towards the
cover board 160 with the security bar 170 received in the slot 162 and planar
sheet radio
frequency tag 172 disposed in the recess 164, respectively. The adhesive
coating 173 on the
perimeter secures the combination security tag 166 in place. While not
illustrated, it is to
be appreciated with reference to Fig. 11 and 12 that the combination security
tag 166 can be
enclosed by laminating a cover liner 142 to the cover board 160, and further
in an alternate
embodiment, a pair of opposing cover boards 142, 144 can be laminated to
opposing sides of the
cover board 160. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 16 is gainfully used in
facilities (such as
stores or libraries, as examples) having one or both of such security
detection devices. The
intermediate cover board 160 including the security device 166 is provided to
manufacturers of
hard cover products for applying cover liners 12 and inner liners 18. The
resulting hard cover
product has reduced surface indications of the presence of the hidden enclosed
security device or
with the cover liner 142, 144, the product lacks observable indications of the
enclosed security
device. The manufacturer of hard cover products can select an embodiment
having the cover
liners 142, 144, or the single layer interinediate cover board.
Fig. 17 illustrates in perspective cut-away view a laminated multi-ply board
320 having
at least two layers 322, 324 of a board stock material and sandwiching within
the laininated
board a security device 52 and including an aligned index mark 326 as to the
location of the
security device 52 in accordance with the present invention. While the board
320 may include
the security device 24, the laminated multi-ply board preferably uses the
sheet-like security
device 52. The board 320 provides an intermediate product useful in assembly
of hard cover
products such as those discussed above. The board 320 includes the index mark
326 on the
exterior surface of the layer 322 for alignment of the intermediate product in
casing machines
and other equipment during the subsequent book casing manufacture process,
such as for proper
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orientation of the board 320 to align with the indicia 62 of the outer cover
sheet 12. In one
embodiment, the board layers 322, 324 are 40 point chip boards that are pasted
together with an
adhesive to form a substantially 80 point board coinmonly used in book casing
operations.
Fig. 18 is a schematic illustration of a manufacturing process to make the
laminated
multi-ply board 320 illustrated in Fig. 17. A supply roll 330 provides a
continuous feed' of the
first layer 322. Aii applicator 332 applies the security device 52 from a
supply 333 to a surface
of the layer 322 while a marker 334 applies the index mark 326 simultaneously
to an opposing
side of the layer 322. The security device is illustrated in exaggerated size
for illustration
purposes. The marker 334 moves from a retracted position to a marking position
in sequence
with the applicator 332 placing the security device. A adhesive sprayer 336
communicates with
a supply 338 and applies a spray of an adhesive to the surface of the layer
322. A second supply
roll 340 provides a continuous feed of the second layer 324 past appropriate
guide rolls 342.
Crimp rollers 344, 346 compress the first and second layers 322, 324 together
sandwiching the
security device. A knife 348 periodically moves against an anvil 350 to
separate discrete
laminated boards 320 from the continuous feed. A stacker 352 collects the
separated boards 320
for packaging or transfer to a casing line.
C. Hard cover product with spine-disposed concealed security device.
Fig. 19 is a perspective exploded view of a hard cover book 230 having an
outer liner 12
with the spaced-apart hard cover sheets 14, 16. Perimeter edge portions of the
outer liner 12
overlap the outer edges of the sheets 14, 16. The sheets 14, 16 are spaced
apart and attached to
an inner surface of the outer liner 12. This defines the gap 22 for a spine
232 or back of the hard
cover book 230. The security sensor 24 attaches with adhesive to the face of
the inner liner in a
selected position in the spine'portion 232. A book block 234 made of a bound
assembly of
printed pages 236 for the book attaches conventionally to the spine 22 and the
covers 14, 16 of
the book 230. The book block or body 234 includes a plurality of pages 236
bound
conventionally together at a back portion 238 that defines the spine or back
of the book block
234.
With reference to Fig. 19A showing a back perspective partially cut-away view
of the
book 230, the front cover 12 includes a preprinted bar code 240. The sensor
device 24 attaches
to the spine 132 in opposed alignment with the bar code 240. This facilitates
use of pricing
scanners/sensor deactivators that read the bar code for inventory control and
pricing while
deactivating the security device, for example, by a cashier at a payment or
checkout station, as
well as for use by a library for tracking its book inventory.
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In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 19, the sensor device 24 attaches to the
inner
surface of the outer cover 12. Fig. 20 is a perspective view of a second
embodiment of a hard
cover book 246. In this embodiment, the spine 22 is defined by the spaced
apart hard cover
sheets 14, 16, as well as a spine member 248. The spine member 248 defines
gaps 250, 252
relative to the adjacent edges of the hard cover sheets 14,16 for folding the
hard covers towards
each other to close the book 146. The security device 24 attaches to the spine
member 248. It is
to be appreciated that the spine member 248 in an alternate embodiment
includes a recess such
as the recess 32 formed in the sheet 14, for receiving the security device 24.
Fig. 21 is a back perspective partially cut-away view of a tllird embodiment
of a hard
cover book 260 in wllich a substantially planar radio frequency tag 52
attaches to the spine 238
of the book block 234 prior to attachment of the book body to the spine 232.
With reference to Figs. 19 - 21, the hard cover book products 230, 246 and 260
each
have a spine portion that concealingly holds a security device such as the
security sensor 24, the
radio frequency tag 52, or the like remotely interrogated sensor within the
spine portion. As
illustrated in these embodiments, the security device is readily disposed on
an inner surface of
the spine 232 opposing the back 238 of the book block 234, on (or in a recess
in) the spine
member 248, or on the back 238 of the book block 234. The hard cover book
products are
readily manufactured in accordance with coilventional book binding processes
with the addition
of a label depositing apparatus in an appropriate portion of the manufacturing
line. The
embodiments illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20 provide the label depositing
apparatus in the
manufacturing line for assembly of the cover for the hard cover book product.
The embodiment
illustrated in Fig. 19 provides for attaching the security device to the back
238 of the book body
during assembly of the book body to the cover during conventional casing in
line.
Casing in line involves securing the book body to the cover typically with
adhesive. A
belt conveyor for casing in line carries the book block with the spine
upwardly disposed.
Rollers apply glue to the front and back end sheets of the book block and the
back for attaching
a fiberboard or Kraft paper liner on the spine. In the embodiment illustrated
in Fig. 21, the
label-attaching device deposits a security device to the back selectively
before or after attaching
the fiberboard liner on the spine. The cover is then overlaid on the book
block 234, and the
spine 22 keeps the cover in place relative to the book block. The front and
back covers are
moved into contact with the adhesive on the interior surfaces of the sheets
14, 16. A building-in
device having heated pressure plates closes against the front and back of the
book sandwiching
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the assembly of the cover and the book block to cure the adhesive. The
assembled book
products are stacked and packaged for shipment and storage.
This specification has described the present invention that provides a hard
cover product
with a concealed security device, the intermediate laminated cover board and
method useful in
making such hard cover products with concealed security devices, and a hard
cover product with
a security device concealed within the spine, including the steps necessary
for making and using
various embodiments thereof. It is to be understood, however, that numerous
changes and
variations may be made in the construction of the present hard cover product
within the spirit
and scope of the present invention, and that modifications and changes may be
made therein
without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.
