AU675619B2 - Security seal - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority Related Art:

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Name of Applicant: W.A. Deutsher Pty. Ltd.

Actual Inventor(s): Peter Schaede Address for Service: o or PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys 367 Collins Street Melbourne 3000 AUSTRALIA Invention Title: SECURITY SEAL Our Ref 428420 POF Code: 16/16 The following stateiment is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to applicant(s): -1- -2- SECURITY SEAL This invention relates to security devices and particularly such devices which provide observable evidence of improper access to or tampering with whatever is intended to be protected by the device. Such devices are typically such that they cannot be breached without destruction or partial destruction of the device, and it is that characteristic which provides visible evidence of the breach.

Security devices of the foregoing kind are well known and are used for a variety of purposes. They may provide high level or low level security depending upon the use situation. One typical use is to protect cash bags and document pouches against unauthorised access or tampering, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with particular reference to that example use.

Most bag or pouch seals are arranged to either encircle the neck or mouth of the bag, or pass through apertures in the bag walls. Some bags are held closed by a closure, and that closure may need to be protected by a *oo security seal if improper access to or tampering with the bag is to be avoided.

The closure may take various forms. For example, it may be a zip fastener, or it may be a rigid stud having a shank, a head at one end of the shank and a cap removably attached to the opposite end of the shank.

SSecurity seals for any one of the foregoing applications generally Sinclude a flexible strap or bar which is insertable into a hollow housing and which has at least one tooth or other abutment formed thereon. The hollow housing ;ncludes detent means which coacts with the tooth on the strap or bar so as to resist withdrawal of the strap or bar out of the housing. That is, the strap or bar can be moved through the housing in one direction, but not the reverse direction. An example security seal of that kind is the subject of Australian patent application 76030/91.

It has been found that seals of the foregoing kind can be tampered with before they are used so that they do not seal effectively. In particular, they can be modified in a manner which is not observable by casual inspection, and -3which enables the seal to be broken and reapplied without leaving visible signs of that activity.

An object of the present invention is to provide a security seal which overcomes or at least alleviates the foregoing problem. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a seal which is relatively easy to use.

A seal according to the invention is characterised in that the housing containing the detent means is composed of two parts, one of which is movable relative to the other. In particular, there is an outer part or body and an inner part which forms or includes the detent means and which is captured within the body so as to be non removable. In a preferred arrangement, the inner part is free to rotate relative to the outer part about an axis which is substantially coincident with the axis of a passage extending at least part way through the housing and which is the passage into which the strap or bar is moved to effect closure of the seal.

The detent means preferably includes a plurality of flexible fingers which are located around the aforementioned passage and which are relatively long.

Long fingers minimise the force necessary to push the strap or bar through the passage against the obstruction formed by the detent means, and also makes it difficult to improperly tamper with the detent means as hereinafter described.

Embodiments of the invention are described in detail in the following *passages of the specification which refer to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, however, are merely illustrative of how the invention might be put into effect, so that the specific form and arrangement of the various features as shown is not to be understood as limiting on the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view of a security seal according to one embodiment of the invention which shows the seal in the as-manufactured condition as distinct from the ready to use condition.

Figure 2 is a side olevation view of the seal shown in Figure 1 and again showing the seal in the as-manufactured condition with the detent part separate from the remainder of the seal.

-4- Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the detent part of the seal, taken along line II1-111I of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of Figure 1 and showing the detent element located within the hollow housing.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the cap of the housing closed in the open end of that housing to prevent separation of the detent section.

Figure 7 is a view of the housing assemble as shown in Figure 6 with the abutment means inserted into the housing.

*e Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 7.

ooooo S° Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a security seal according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the security seal shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of S-Figure The security seal shown in Figures 1 to 8 is composed of two separately formed pieces 1 and 2, each of which is preferably formed of a suitable plastics mateiial. The piece 1 comprises the main component of the seal, and the o piece 2 forms an inner detent part which is intended to be located within the S" housing previously referred to.

In the particular construction shown, the main component 1 includes a housing body 3, a locking bar 4, and means connecting the body 3 to the bar 4. That connecting means may, as shown, comprise a flexible strap 5 which is connected to one end of the bar 4 through a tab 6. The housing body 3 is attached to the end of the strap 5 remote from the tab 6.

The bar 4 comprises or includes abutment means which functions as hereinafter described, and in the example shown that abutment means is in the form of a locking tooth 7. The locking tooth 7 is provided at the end of the bar 4 which is remote from the tab 6, and that tooth can have any appropriate configuration. In the arrangement shown, the tooth 7 is formed by a head section 8 which is connected to the bar 4 through a reduced neck 9 (Figure 1).

The head section 8 may be tapered as shown to facilitate insertion into the housing body 3 as hereinafter described, and an abrupt end face 8a of the head section 8 functions as the operative abutment surface of the tooth 7 as also hereinafter described.

The inner part 2 includes or comprises the detent means of the seal and may be formed of a plastics material different to that used for the main component 1. In particular, the part 2 may be formed of a harder plastics material and one which has a relatively high melting temperature. Both characteristics assist in defeating modification of the part 2 by tampering, such as by inserting a heated probe into the housing before the seal is closed as i hereinafter described. By way of example, the main component 1 may be **formed of polypropylene, and the part 2 may be formed of acetal.

In the construction shown, the part 2 comprises a collar 10 and three flexible fingers 11 extending axially from one side of that collar. It will be appreciated that the number of fingers can vary according to requirements. An S°opening 12 is formed through the collar 10 and communicates with a space 13 surrounded by the fingers 11. The opening 12 and the space 13 form part of the pass.je of the housing which receives the bar 4, or at least receives the head 8 co,' ,lected to that bar 4.

°As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the fingers 11 are preferably long and therefore highly flexible. That feature maximises resistance to tampering as hereinafter explained.

The part 2 is dimensioned to fit loosely within a cavity 14 formed within the housing body 3 and which is preferably closed at one end by an end wall It is further preferred, as shown, that a step 16 is formed in the cavity 14 at a location between the wall 15 and the cavity open mouth 17. That step 16 forms a seat upon which the collar 10 rests when the part 2 is inserted into the cavity 14 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. When the part 2 is so positioned, it is free to rotate relative to the body 3 about the axis 18 as shown in Figure 2.

A cap 19 is used to provide a barrier over the open mouth 17 of the cavity 14 and thereby retain the part 2 against separation from the housing -6body 3. Such retention of the part 2 is achieved without seriously disturbing the ability of the part 2 to relatively rotate as referred to above. In the arrangement shown, the cap 19 includes a plug 20 which fits neatly within the cavity 14. The cap 19 may be secured in place by ultrasonic welding or any other suitable means. An entrance hole 21 is formed through the cap 19 for a purpose hereinafter described.

It is preferred that the cap 19 is formed integral with the main component 1, and in the particular arrangement shown it is connected to the housing body 3 through a flexible strap 22.

The seal is ready to use when the part 2 is within the housing body 3 and the cap 19 is secured in place. Any attempt to tamper with the detent fingers 11 by inserting a tool through the hole 21 will be defeated by the flexibility of the fingers 11 and the ability of the part 2 to rotate. That is, flexibility of the fingers makes it difficult to press a heated tool against them so as to modify the fingers to an extent such that they cannot function properly.

Also, modification by removal of material from the fingers 11 by a rigid tool such as file, is defeated by the fact that the part 2 is not rigidly located within the housing body 3, but is free to move within that body.

When it is desired to close the seal, the head 8 is inserted through the hole 21 and the space 13 between the fingers 11 and is thereby pressed against the inner sides of the fingers 11. Continued movement in that direction is permitted by the fingers 11 flexing radially outwards relative to one and other until the tooth 7 goes beyond the terminal ends of the fingers 11. At that time the fingers 11 snap inwards because of their resiliency, and thereby locate behind the tooth 7 so as to prevent withdrawal of the bar 4 from the housing body 3.

In the closed position of the seal, the bar 4, the tab 6 and the strap form a closed loop which can be broken only by causing visible damage to the seal.

It will be apparent that the security seal shown can be modified in a number of ways whilst still retaining the benefits of the invention. For example, the bar 4 may be flexible and may have a plurality of teeth provided along its -7length, and the passage within the housing may continue completely through that housing.

Figures 9 to 11 show an embodiment of the invention which utilises the aforementioned modifications. In those Figures, components corresponding to components of the Figures 1 to 8 embodiment are identified by like reference numerals, except that they are in the number series 100 to 199.

In the construction shown, the strap 105 is connected at one end to the housing body 103 through a tab 106, and has a plurality of teeth 107 formed along its length in spaced relationship. Each tooth 107 is of ratchet form so as to lock against the detent means only when the strap 105 is moved longitudinally in one direction relative to the detent means. The strap 105 is "°'•generally of circular cross-sectional shape and is flexible.

9*9*99 The housing body 103 is very much the same as that of the previously described embodiment, except that the passage through that body is open ended. A hole 123 is formed through the end wall 115 for that purpose, and is dimensioned to allow passage of the strap teeth 107.

An inner detent part 102 constructed as described in relation to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 8, is loosely located in the housing body 103 and is held against escape by a secured cap 119.

Operation of the seal is as discussed in relation to tie Figures 1 to 8 •embodiment, except that the strap 105 can be pulled completely through the S9 housing body 103 to adjust the size of the loop formed by the closed seal.

A seal according to the invention has the important benefit of being resistant to pre-use tampering and that enables users to be confident of the security of the seal when in use.

Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (24)

1. A security device including, a hollow housing, an entrance to the interior of said housing, detent means located within said housing and being movable relative thereto about an axis of rotation of said detent means which passes through said entrance, retaining means holding said detent means against removal from said housing, and abutment means insertable into said housing through said entrance and being cooperable with said detent means when so inserted so as to be thereby held against withdrawal from said housing through said entrance.

2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein said abutment means and said housing are connected through connecting means, at least part of which is flexible.

3. A security device according to claim 2, wherein said connecting means includes a flexible strap extending between said housing and a tab, and said abutment means is connected to said strap through said tab.

4. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein said detent means includes a passage which receives said abutment means, said passage is substantially aligned with said entrance, and said movement of the detent means relative to the housing includes or comprises movement of said detent 0*o**a 20 means about a longitudinal axis of said passage.

A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein said detent means includes a substantially annular collar and a plurality of flexible fingers extending from one side of said collar generally in the axial direction of the collar, and said one side the side of the collar remote from said entrance.

6. A security seal according to claim 5, wherein said retaining means includes an internal shoulder of said housing which is arranged in opposed relationship to said one side of the collar.

7. A security device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein there are three said fingers.

8. A security device according to claim 5, 6, or 7, when claim 5 is appended to claim 4, wherein said passage is substantially coaxial with said collar and is defined at least in part by said fingers. -9-

9. A seurity device according to claim 8, wherein at least a portion of said passage reduces in transverse cross-sectional size in a direction towards the end thereof remote from said collar.

A security device according to claim 9, wherein said passage has its minimum cross-sectional size at or adjacent the terminal ends of said fingers which are remote from said collar.

11. A security device according to any preceding claim, wherein said detent means is formed separate from said housing, said housing includes a body having an opening at one end and a wall at an opposite end thereof, and said retaining means includes a cap which is secured to said body to at least partially close said opening after said deteit means is located in said body.

12. A security device according to claim 11, wherein said entrance is formed .o.o•i through said cap.

13. A security seal according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a hole is formed through said wall to permit at least part of said abutment means to be passed completely through said housing.

14. A security seal according to any preceding claim, wherein said abutment means includes at least one locking tooth which is cooperable with said detent means.

15. A security device according to claim 14, wherein said locking tooth •includes a head section having a longitudinal axis and a substantially transverse abutment surface at one end, and said abutment surface i, engageable by said detent meanF effect said cooperation between the detent means and the abutment means.

16. A security device according to claim 15, wherein said head section reduces in transverse cross-sectional size in a direction away from said abutment surface.

17. A security device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said one end of said head section is connected to an elongate bar through a neck portion of reduced cross-sectional size.

18. A security device according to claim 17, wherein the end of said bar remote from said head section is connected to said housing.

19. A security seal according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said entrance is provided at one end of said housing and an exit opening is provided at another end of said housing in substantial alignment with said entrance, whereby at least part of said abutment means can be passed completely through said housing.

A security seal according to claim 19, wherein said abutment means includes an elongate member having a plurality of locking teeth formed thereon, each said tooth has an abutment surface which is engageable with said detent means to effect said cooperation, and said abutment surfaces are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of said elongate member.

21. A security seal according to any preceding claim, wherein said housing *is formed of a first material and said detent means is formed of a second material, and said second material has a higher melting temperature than said first material. I: 15

22. A security seal according to claim 21, wherein both said materials are plastics materials.

23. A security seal according to any preceding claim, wherein said abutment °means is formed integral with said housing.

24. A security seal substantially as herein particularly described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 4 December, 1996 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: W.A. DEUTSHER PTY. LTD. 11";116 11 ABSTRACT A security device of the kind intended to provide physical evidence of tampering, including a hollow housing containing detent means and a flexible strap or bar having one end connected to the housing. Abuimant means is provided on the other end of the strap or bar and is insertable through an opening in the housing to cooperate with the detent means and thereby form the device into a closed loop. Cooperation between the abutment means and the detent means is such that withdrawal of the abutment means from the housing is prevented. The detent means is formed separate from the housing and is mounted in the housing so as to be movable relative thereto about an axis of rotation. Retaining means serves to prevent separation of the detent means from the housing. 8941k **8941k