Deactivatable/reactivatable magnetic marker having a step change in magnetic flux

摘要

A marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system in which the marker comprises a magnetically soft component and exhibits a pinned wall hysteresis characteristic with a step change in flux at a threshold value of applied field and in which the marker further comprises a magnetically hard or semi-hard component integral with the soft component and whose magnetic state can be switched between activating and deactivating states to switch the marker between active and deactive states.