Tamper proof tag for watches

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11970883-B2
Application number	US-202217865090-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 14, 2022
Priority date	Sep 12, 2018
Publication date	Apr 30, 2024
Grant date	Apr 30, 2024

Abstract

Disclosed is a tamper proof tag and accompanying method for verifying that a watch is authentic and has not been tampered with. The tamper proof tag, when affixed to the watch, ensures that the watch is authentic and prevents a user from tampering with the watch. The tamper proof tag also allows the watch to be worn while the tamper proof tag is affixed to watch and is minimally obstructive to the aesthetics of the watch. This provides a purchasing user with confidence that the watch is authentic, while also allowing the user to try on the watch without having to remove the tamper proof tag. The tamper proof tag also protects the seller from a user that may attempt to tamper with the watch after purchase. For example, the seller may condition returns for a sold watch on the tamper proof tag remaining affixed to the watch.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A tamper proof tag comprising:
a first fastening arm configured to fasten the tamper proof tag to a strap of a wearable item, the first fastening arm including:
a first fastener comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end configured to fasten the first fastening arm to the strap of the wearable item; and
a first tamper proof component comprising adhesive that covers at least a portion of the first end and not the second end of the first fastener and provides a visual indication when the first end and the second end of the first fastener are not affixed to one another; and

a second fastening arm for fastening the tamper proof tag to the strap of the wearable item, the second fastening arm including:
a second fastener comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end configured to fasten the second fastening arm to the strap of the wearable item; and
a second tamper proof component comprising adhesive that covers at least a portion of the first end and not the second end of the second fastener and provides a visual indication when the first end and the second end of the second fastener are not affixed to one another.

2. The tamper proof tag of claim 1 , further comprising a cover component that is coupled to the first fastening arm and the second fastening arm, the cover component covering a back side of a face of the wearable item when the first fastening arm is fastened to the strap on a first side of the face of the wearable item and the second fastening arm is fastened to the strap on a second side of the face of the wearable item.

3. The tamper proof tag of claim 2 , wherein the cover component includes an outer portion that is removable to adjust a size of the cover component.

4. The tamper proof tag of claim 2 , further comprising a first attachment piece affixed to the cover component and the first fastening arm, the first attachment piece including at least one portion that sets a distance between the first fastening arm and the cover component.

5. The tamper proof tag of claim 4 , further comprising a second attachment piece affixed to the cover component and the second fastening arm, the second attachment piece including at least one portion that sets a distance between the second fastening arm and the cover component.

6. The tamper proof tag of claim 1 , further comprising a first visual indicator that the wearable item has been authenticated by a trusted entity and a second visual indicator that an authentication by the trusted entity is voided by unfastening the tamper proof tag.

7. The tamper proof tag of claim 6 , wherein the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator are visible when the first fastening arm is fastened to the strap on a first side of a face of the wearable item and the second fastening arm is fastened to the strap on a second side of the face of the wearable item.

8. A tamper proof tag comprising:
a fastening arm configured to fasten the tamper proof tag to a strap of a wearable item, the fastening arm including:
a fastener comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end configured to fasten the fastening arm to the strap of the wearable item; and
a tamper proof component comprising adhesive that covers at least a portion of the first end and not the second end of the fastener and provides a visual indication when the first end and the second end of the fastener are not affixed to one another.

9. The tamper proof tag of claim 8 , further comprising a cover component that is coupled to the fastening arm, the cover component covering a back side of a face of the wearable item when the fastening arm is fastened to the strap of the wearable item.

10. The tamper proof tag of claim 9 , wherein the cover component includes an outer portion that is removable to adjust a size of the cover component.

11. The tamper proof tag of claim 9 , further comprising an attachment piece affixed to the cover component and the fastening arm, the attachment piece including at least one portion that sets a distance between the fastening arm and the cover component.

12. The tamper proof tag of claim 8 , further comprising a first visual indicator that the wearable item has been authenticated by a trusted entity and a second visual indicator that an authentication by the trusted entity is voided by unfastening the tamper proof tag.

13. The tamper proof tag of claim 12 , wherein the first visual indicator and the second visual indicator are visible when the fastening arm is fastened to the strap.

14. A method, comprising:
fastening a first fastening arm of a tamper proof tag to a strap of a wearable item, the first fastening arm including a first tamper proof component having adhesive that covers at least a portion of a first end of the first fastening arm and not a second end of the first fastening arm, the fastening including wrapping the first fastening arm around the strap and fastening the first end of the first fastening arm to the second end of the first fastening arm using the adhesive, wherein unfastening the first end of the first fastening arm from the second end of the first fastening arm causes the first tamper proof component to provide a visual indication; and
fastening a second fastening arm of the tamper proof tag to the strap of the wearable item, the first fastening arm including a second tamper proof component having adhesive that covers at least a portion of a first end of the second fastening arm and not a second end of the second fastening arm, the fastening including wrapping the second fastening arm around the strap and fastening the first end of the second fastening arm to the second end of the second fastening arm using the adhesive, wherein unfastening the first end of the second fastening arm from the second end of the second fastening arm causes the second tamper proof component to provide a visual indication.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tamper proof tag further includes a cover component that is coupled to the first fastening arm and the second fastening arm, and fastening the first fastening arm and the second fastening arm to the strap of the wearable item on opposite sides of a face of the wearable item causes the cover component to cover a back side of the face of the wearable item.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cover component includes an outer portion that is removable to adjust a size of the cover component.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein fastening the first fastening arm includes attaching the first fastening arm to one of multiple attachment pieces affixed to the cover component on a first side of the face of the wearable item, respective ones of the multiple attachment pieces being selectable to set a distance between the first fastening arm and the cover component.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein fastening the second fastening arm includes attaching the second fastening arm to one of multiple attachment pieces affixed to the cover component on a second side of the face of the wearable item, respective ones of the multiple attachment pieces being selectable to set a distance between the second fastening arm and the cover component.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the tamper proof tag includes a first visual indicator that the wearable item has been authenticated by a trusted entity and a second visual indicator that an authentication by the trusted entity is voided by unfastening the tamper proof tag.

20. The method of cl

Assignees

• Ebay Inc

Inventors

• Zamansky Noah Andrew
• Hendy James William

Classifications

• E05B73/0017 Primary

  Anti-theft devices, e.g. tags or monitors, fixed to articles, e.g. clothes, and to be removed at the check-out of shops · CPC title

• G09F3/0292 Primary

  tamper indicating labels · CPC title

• G09F3/03

  of security seals {(means for indicating unauthorised opening of container closures B65D, e.g. B65D27/30, B65D55/02; theft deterrent tags E05B73/0017)} · CPC title

• G09F3/0376

  using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means · CPC title

• G09F3/08

  Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself · CPC title