AU2005202305A1 - Tamper Evident Cable Tie - Google Patents

Description

t Description Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a non-releasable plastic cable ties used to secure an object or group of objects. More particularly the present invention relates to purposely securing objects (such as a traveling luggage), that in any case of unsolicited tampering will leave evidence that such object had been tampered with.

Background of invention: A typical cable tie includes a head and a strap extending from head to tip. The strap is looped into or around an object and the tip is inserted through the passage in the head. The head of the cable tie supports a non-releasable locking element which extends into head passage which is engaged by the strap upon insertion into passage so that when tip is pulled through the head passage, the nonreleasable locking element secures the strap in the head. This secures the object, however it does not prevent the possibility of tampering by cutting the cable and simply replacing it with another of similar type.

The Tamper Evident Cable Tie in accordance with this invention has a moulded tab along the side of the strap near the head or as part of the head. The moulded tab will have a signature panel applied, using screen printing process and a lacquer is applied to the surface which as it dries forms a white panel which can be written upon (similar to that of the back of a bank card). An optional patterned print may also be used for personalization. In addition, it will also have a perforation through the tab allowing a section to break off from parent cable tie.

The purpose of the moulded tab is such that when signed or initialed, a section is then broken off from parent cable tie, the broken section of the tab is then retained for matching identification to that of the other remaining section on the parent cable tie.

A typical use would be for securing luggages during travel. Secure luggage with Tamper Evident Cable. Sign moulded tab. Break off section through perforation and retain for later identification.

Collect luggage from destination, compare retained section of tab to that of parent cable tie on the luggage to ensure that luggage had not been tampered with.

In c The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention which: Figure 1 is a plan view of Tamper Evident Cable Tie with signature tab 5 located on 0 the side of strap close to head.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Tamper Evident Cable Tie with signature tab 5 located on Sthe head.

r Referring to both Figure-1 and Figure-2 a cable tie of present invention is shown.

c Cable tie is typically an elongated moulded plastic which is used in manner well known to wrap around thereby securing an object or group of objects. Cable tie may be moulded from high strength plastic such as Nylon or polypropylene and is suitable for use both indoors or outdoors. Cable tie has a head 1 at one end thereof, locking teeth 4 along strap 3 extending from head 1, a signature tab 5 and a tip 7 at the opposite end of head 1. Head 1 of cable tie includes a locking element through passage 2 which accommodates tip 7 and strap 3 therein.

Signature tab 5 is screen printed and lacquered allowing the surface to be written upon. Perforation 6 allows a section of signature tab 5 to be broken away thereby separating a section for matching identification to that of remaining section of signature tab Applicant Elbert Estampador