Anti-theft tag for a product having a ridged portion and method of use

1. An anti-theft tag for use with a product having one or more ridges, the tag comprising:

a base constructed and arranged to support an electronic article surveillance sensor;

a body including a product engagement portion having an opening configured and sized to receive a portion of the product therein;

a locking member including a flexible portion constructed and arranged to move over the one or more ridges in a first direction and to engage the one or more ridges in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to deter removal of the tag from the product; and

a detachment section including a channel having a first end constrained by the detachment section and a second end that extends into the opening of the body, the detachment section being constructed and arranged to be cut by a consumer;

wherein to remove the tag from engagement with the product, at least a portion of the detachment section is severed from the body such that the first end of the channel becomes un-constrained in order that the opening may be expanded to remove the engagement portion from the product.

2. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion is a plurality of flexible fingers supported by the body and extending into the opening.

3. The anti-theft tag of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are disposed about the perimeter of the opening.

4. The anti-theft tag of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are tapered and include a channel disposed between adjacent fingers.

5. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , wherein the detachment section includes a groove having a thickness less than a thickness of the body of the tag, the groove being constructed and arranged to receive a cutting tool therein.

6. The anti-theft tag of claim 5 , wherein the detachment section is a tab supported by the body.

7. The anti-theft tag of claim 5 , wherein the detachment section is formed within the product engagement portion.

8. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , wherein the opening has a circular shape.

9. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , wherein the base includes a cavity constructed and arranged to support the electronic article surveillance sensor.

10. The anti-theft tag of claim 9 , wherein the base includes a cover constructed and arranged to fit over the cavity.

11. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , further including an electronic article surveillance sensor supported by the base.

12. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , wherein the base and the body are formed as a single, unitary member.

13. The anti-theft tag of claim 1 , in combination with the product having one or more ridges on a portion thereof.

14. The anti-theft tag of claim 13 , wherein the ridges are a threaded connection.

15. An anti-theft tag for use with a product having one or more ridges, the tag comprising:

a base constructed and arranged to support an electronic article surveillance sensor;

a body including a product engagement portion having an opening configured and sized to receive a portion of the product therein;

a locking member including a plurality of flexible fingers supported by the body and constructed and arranged to move over the one or more ridges in a first direction and to engage the one or more ridges in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to prevent movement of the tag in the second direction; and

a detachment section including a channel having a first end constrained by the detachment section and a second end that extends into the opening of the body, and a groove having a thickness less than a thickness of the body of the tag, the groove being constructed and arranged to receive a cutting tool therein.

16. The anti-theft tag of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are disposed about the perimeter of the opening and extend from the body into the opening.

17. The anti-theft tag of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of flexible fingers are tapered and include a channel disposed between adjacent fingers.

18. The anti-theft tag of claim 15 , wherein the detachment section is a tab supported by the body.

19. The anti-theft tag of claim 15 , wherein the detachment section is formed within the product engagement portion.

20. The anti-theft tag of claim 15 , wherein the base includes a cavity constructed and arranged to support the electronic article surveillance sensor.

21. The anti-theft tag of claim 20 , wherein the base includes a cover constructed and arranged to fit over the cavity.

22. The anti-theft tag of claim 15 , further including an electronic article surveillance sensor supported by the base.

23. A method of using an anti-theft tag with a product having one or more ridges, comprising the steps of:

providing an anti-theft tag including:

a) a product engagement portion having an opening configured and sized to receive a portion of the product therein;

b) a locking member including a plurality of flexible fingers constructed and arranged to move over the one or more ridges in a first direction and to engage the one or more ridges in a second direction, opposite the first direction, to deter removal of the tag from the product; and

c) a detachment section including a channel having a first end constrained by the detachment section and a second end that extends into the opening of the body; and

inserting the ridged portion of the product into the opening of the product engagement portion and into engagement with the locking member.

24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising the steps of:

cutting through the detachment section into the channel so as to free the first, constrained end of the channel;

expanding the circumference of the opening of the product engagement portion; and

removing the locking member from engagement with the ridged portion.