Merchandise theft deterrent sensor

Claim 2

A theft detection system, comprising: a. an alarm means; b. a deformable membrane switch sensor, including: i. a first membrane providing conducting networks on both sides thereof; ii. a second membrane disposed adjacent the first membrane and providing an electrical shielding network therefor; iii. a third membrane disposed between and insulating the first and second membranes; iv. electrical leads connecting the conducting networks and the shielding network with the alarm means; the membranes being adapted on deformation to effect contact between the conducting networks to produce a signal from the sensor to the alarm means; c. a moveable piston assembly in close proximity to the membrane switch, and radially spaced from the electrical networks, the piston being adhesively secured to an article of merchandise, and: i. on an initial slight movement, to temporarily deform the membrane switch and produce a test signal from the sensor when the alarm means is in a test mode; ii. upon termination of the initial movement, to rebound to its initial state and terminate the test signal; and iii. to deform the membrane switch and produce a theft alarm when actuated by a theft movement when the alarm means is active; d. container means for the membrane switch sensor and the moveable piston, the container being adhesively secured to an article of merchandise, a cavity being defined within the container means, of the cavity, and the piston at one end thereof is in close proximity to an opposing surface of the cavity; whereby, separation of the merchandise from the container means will move the piston, deform the membranes and produce a theft alarm, and following removal of the container from the merchandise, the sensor, including the piston and membrane switch will rebound to the original electrical state of the sensor.

Claim 3

The theft detection system of claim 1, in which the adhesive securing the piston within the container to the merchandise surface is an elastic material, thereby enabling movement of the piston to deform the membrane, and produce a test alarm in the system.

Claim 4

The theft detection system of claim 1, in which the conducting and shielding networks are photoscreened onto their respective sides of the membranes.

Claim 5

The detection system of claim 1, in which the membrane switch defines a central aperture, and the piston is positioned within the aperture and is radially spaced therefrom, the piston providing a medial flange adapted to deform at least one membrane of the said switch.

Claim 6

The detection system of claim 4, in which the piston provides a lower flange adhesively secured to the merchandise, and the membrane switch is disposed between the medial and lower flanges.

Claim 7

The detection system of claim 1, in which movement of the membrane switch for producing a theft alarm is about 0.002 to about 0.003 inches.

Claim 8

The membrane switch of claim 1, in which the membranes comprise plastic film.

Claim 9

A switch sensor, comprising: a. a deformable membrane switch sensor, including: i. a first membrane providing conducting electrical networks on both sides with an electrical shielding network on one side thereof; ii. a second membrane disposed adjacent the first membrane with an electrical conducting network therefore; iii. a third membrane disposed between and insulating the first and second membranes; and iv. electrical leads connecting the conducting networks and the shielding network with an alarm means, the membranes being adapted on deformation to effect contact between the conducting and shielding networks and produce a signal from the sensor to the alarm means, b. a moveable piston assembly in close proximity to the membrane switch, and radially spaced from the electrical networks, the piston being adhesively secured to an article of merchandise, the piston being adapted: i. on an initial slight movement, to temporarily deform the membrane switch and produce a test signal from the sensor when the alarm means is in a test mode; ii. upon termination of the initial movement, to rebound to its initial state and terminate the test signal; and iii. to deform the membrane switch and produce a theft alarm when actuated by a theft movement when the alarm means is active; c. container means for the membrane switch sensor and piston, the container being adhesively secured to the article of merchandise, a cavity being defined within the container means, the membrane switch being adhesively secured to an interior surface of the cavity, and the piston at one end thereof is in close proximity to an opposing surface of the cavity; whereby, separation of the merchandise from the container means will move the piston, deform the membranes and produce a theft alarm, and following removal of the container from the merchandise, the sensor, including the piston and membrane switch will rebound to the original electrical state of the sensor.

Claim 10

A switch sensor, comprising: a. a deformable membrane switch sensor, including: i. a first membrane providing conducting electrical networks on both sides with an electrical shielding network on one side thereof; ii. a second membrane disposed adjacent the first membrane with an electrical conducting network therefore; iii. a third membrane disposed between and insulating the first and second membranes; and iv. electrical leads connecting the conducting networks and the shielding network with an alarm means, the membranes being adapted on deformation to effect contact between the conducting and shielding networks and produce a signal from the sensor to the alarm means, b. a moveable piston assembly in close proximity to the membrane switch, and radially spaced from the electrical networks, the piston being adhesively secured to an article of merchandise, the piston being adapted: i. on an initial slight movement, to temporarily deform the membrane switch and produce a test signal from the sensor when the alarm means is in a test mode; ii. upon termination of the initial movement, to rebound to its initial state and terminate the test signal; and iii. to deform the membrane switch and produce a theft alarm when actuated by a theft movement when the alarm means is active; c. container means for the membrane switch sensor and piston, the container being adhesively secured to the article of merchandise, a cavity being defined within the container means, the membrane switch being adhesively secured to an interior surface of the cavity, and the piston at one end thereof is in close proximity to an opposing surface of the cavity; whereby, separation of the merchandise from the container means will move the piston, deform the membranes and produce a theft alarm, and following removal of the container from the merchandise, the sensor, including the piston and membrane switch will rebound to the original electrical state of the sensor.

Claim 11

The switch sensor of claim 8, in which the adhesive securing the piston to the container means is an elastic material, thereby enabling movement of the piston to deform the membrane, and produce a test alarm in the system.

Claim 12

The switch sensor of claim 9, in which the conducting and shielding networks are photoscreened onto their respective sides of the membrane.

Claim 13

The switch sensor of claim 10, in which the membrane switch defines a central aperture, and the piston is positioned within the aperture and is radially spaced therefrom, the piston providing a medial flange adapated to deform the least one membrane of the said switch.

Claim 14

The switch sensor of claim 11, in which the piston provides a lower flange adhesively secured to the merchandise, and the membrane switch is disposed between the medial and lower flanges.

Claim 15

The switch sensor of claim 12, in which movement of the membrane switch for producing a theft alarm is about 0.002 to 0.003 inches.

Claim 16

The switch sensor of claim 13, in which the membranes comprise plastic film.