Theft-resistant product packaging and related method

Abstract

Theft-resistant product packaging includes a front shell having a matrix of cut-resistant strands disposed within or adjacent to a plastic substrate, and a back cover secured to and disposed relative to the front shell so as to form a cavity configured to contain a product therebetween. The cut-resistant strands may be formed of metal, fiber or fabric forming a matrix of cut-resistant strands which are overlayed, weaved or twisted with respect to one another. The cut-resistant strands may be disposed in a grid so as to form squares, rectangles, diamonds or parallelograms which are welded, glued or bound at the points of intersection

1 . Theft-resistant product packaging, comprising:
 a front shell comprising a matrix of cut-resistant strands disposed within or adjacent to a plastic substrate;   a back cover disposed relative to the front shell so as to form a cavity configured to contain a product; and   means for securing the front shell to the back cover.   
     
     
         2 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the cut-resistant strands comprise metal, fiber or fabric. 
     
     
         3 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 2 , wherein the metal, fabric or fiber strands include a hard, outer shell comprising a hardened adhesive, a powdered metal, or a ceramic material. 
     
     
         4 . The theft-resistant product packaging of any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein the matrix comprises a grid of cut-resistant strands overlayed, weaved, or twisted with respect to intersecting strands. 
     
     
         5 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 4 , wherein the cut-resistant strands are disposed in the grid so as to form squares, rectangles, diamonds or parallelograms. 
     
     
         6 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 4 , wherein the intersecting strands are welded, glued or bound at the points of intersection. 
     
     
         7 . The theft-resistant product packaging of any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein the plastic substrate comprises a laminate of thermoplastic or bio-film material formed around the matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 7 , wherein the plastic substrate comprises first and second laminates of thermoplastic or bio-film material disposed on opposite sides of the matrix and formed around the matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The theft-resistant product packaging of any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein the front shell is preformed with a recess conforming to a shape of the product. 
     
     
         10 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the back cover comprises cardboard, wood, metal, plastic or a matrix of cut-resistant strands disposed within or adjacent to a plastic substrate. 
     
     
         11 . The theft-resistant product packaging of any of  claim 1 - 3  or  10 , wherein the securing means comprises folding, bonding, gluing and/or stapling edges of the front shell and back cover together. 
     
     
         12 . Theft-resistant product packaging, comprising:
 a front shell comprising a matrix of cut-resistant metal, fiber or fabric strands disposed within or adjacent to a plastic substrate, wherein the plastic substrate comprises a laminate of thermoplastic or bio-film material formed around the matrix, the front shell being preformed with a recess conforming to a shape of a product;   a back cover disposed relative to the front shell; and   means for securing the front shell to the back cover.   
     
     
         13 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the metal, fabric or fiber strands include a hard, outer shell comprising a hardened adhesive, a powdered metal, or a ceramic material. 
     
     
         14 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 12  or  13 , wherein the matrix comprises a grid of cut-resistant strands overlayed, weaved, or twisted with respect to intersecting strands, wherein the cut-resistant strands are disposed in the grid so as to form squares, rectangles, diamonds or parallelograms. 
     
     
         15 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 14 , wherein the intersecting strands are welded, glued or bound at the points of intersection. 
     
     
         16 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the plastic substrate comprises first and second laminates of thermoplastic or bio-film material disposed on opposite sides of the matrix and formed around the matrix. 
     
     
         17 . The theft-resistant product packaging of  claim 12 , wherein the back cover comprises cardboard, wood, metal, plastic or a matrix of cut-resistant strands disposed within or adjacent to a plastic substrate. 
     
     
         18 . The theft-resistant product packaging of any of  claims 12 , wherein the securing means comprises folding, bonding, gluing and/or stapling edges of the front shell and back cover together.