ONE-TIME-USE TAG WITH OPTICAL CODE

摘要

Embodiments of the current invention entail a highly visible tag that is attached to products at a highly visible locations. It can easily be removed once purchasers buy the product. To remove it, purchasers must destroy the tag to use the product in public, and it cannot be reattached by the purchaser. Absence of a tag makes it clear that the buyer has removed the tag and provides an indication that the product has been used. A retailer's policies determines how an attempt to return a tagless product is handled. The tag is most effective for products that are used in public. The tag has an optical code to prevent a counterfeit tag from being attached to the product in order to return it, when it has been used by the purchaser. The optical code may be alphanumeric or machine readable. The tag may carry EAS technology.

主权项

1. A one-time-use tag for the prevention of fraudulent return of a product, said tag comprising:
a tag body comprising a set of complimentary attaching elements for attaching the one-time-use tag to an item for retail sale; and, an optical code on an external surface of the one-time-use tag; wherein, when said complimentary attaching elements are engaged to attach the one-time-use tag to an item for retail sale, the complimentary attaching elements cannot be disengaged without at least partially destroying the one-time-use tag and rendering the one-time-use tag unable to be used again.