Device for automated removal of security tags and associated systems and methods

1. A device for removing a security tag, having a tag body and a retainer pin, from an article, the device comprising:

a housing including an opening positioned to receive the security tag and at least a portion of the article;

a magnet supported in the housing adjacent the opening and operative to retain the tag body and to release the retainer pin from the tag body when the security tag is inserted into the opening;

a pin retractor positioned in the housing opposite the magnet and operative to capture the retainer pin and separate the retainer pin from the tag body; and

a release frame supported in the housing, the release frame positioned proximate the magnet and movable between a first position wherein the magnet retains the tag body, and a second position wherein the tag body is moved away from the magnet, thereby releasing the tag body from the magnet.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a frame actuator coupled to the release frame for moving the release frame between the first and second positions.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the frame actuator comprises a rotary actuator coupled to a pinion gear, and a gear rack engaging the pinion gear and coupled to the release frame.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors positioned proximate the opening.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the pin retractor comprises one or more retractor rods, each including a retractor magnet positioned on a distal end thereof.

6. The device of claim 5 , further comprising a rotary actuator coupled to a pinion gear, and a gear rack engaging the pinion gear and coupled to the one or more retractor rods.

7. The device of claim 5 , further comprising a collar wherein the one or more retractor rods extend through the collar.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the collar includes a surface oriented at an angle with respect to the one or more retractor rods.

9. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a collection bin for capturing portions of the security tag, the collection bin positioned on the same side of the opening as the pin retractor; and

a frame actuator coupled to the release frame and configured to move the release frame between the first and second positions, wherein the frame actuator retracts the release frame away from the opening toward the collection bin.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the release frame is configured to release the tag body into a retainer bin while the article is within the opening.

11. A system for removing a security tag, having a tag body and a retainer pin, from an article, the system comprising:

a housing including an opening positioned to receive the security tag and at least a portion of the article;

one or more sensors positioned proximate the opening;

a magnet supported in the housing adjacent the opening and operative to retain the tag body and to release the retainer pin from the tag body when the security tag is inserted into the opening;

a pin retractor positioned in the housing opposite the magnet and operative to capture the retainer pin;

a retractor actuator coupled to the pin retractor;

a release frame supported in the housing and positioned proximate the magnet;

a frame actuator coupled to the release frame; and

at least one memory device storing instructions for causing at least one processor to:

receive information from the one or more sensors indicating the presence of the article in the opening;

activate the retractor actuator to move the pin retractor away from the magnet, thereby separating the retainer pin from the tag body; and

activate the frame actuator to move the release frame away from the magnet, whereby the tag body is moved away from the magnet thereby releasing the tag body from the magnet.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the frame actuator comprises a rotary actuator coupled to a pinion gear, and a gear rack engaging the pinion gear and coupled to the release frame.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the pin retractor comprises one or more retractor rods, each including a retractor magnet positioned on a distal end thereof.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a rotary actuator coupled to a pinion gear, and a gear rack engaging the pinion gear and coupled to the one or more retractor rods.

15. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a collar wherein the one or more retractor rods extend through the collar and wherein activating the retractor actuator to move the pin retractor away from the magnet includes moving the retractor magnets into the collar, wherein the retainer pin is moved away from the retractor magnets thereby releasing the retainer pin from the retractor magnets.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the collar includes a surface oriented at an angle with respect to the one or more retractor rods.

17. A method for removing a security tag, having a tag body and a retainer pin, from an article, the method comprising:

positioning a release frame in a first position proximate a magnet, wherein the release frame and the magnet are supported in a housing;

retaining the tag body against the release frame with the magnet;

releasing the retainer pin from the tag body with the magnet;

separating the retainer pin from the tag body; and

moving the release frame to a second position away from the magnet, whereby the tag body is moved away from the magnet thereby releasing the tag body from the magnet.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising sensing the presence of the article prior to retracting the retainer pin from the tag body.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising returning the release frame to the first position.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein retracting the retainer pin includes capturing the retainer pin with one or more retractor magnets and moving the magnets away from the tag body.