AU738059B2 - Security seal - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: HARCOR SECURITY SEALS PTY LIMITED Gary Bortz Chrysiliou Moore Chrysiliou Solicitors and Attorneys CMC Centre, 143 Sydney Road Fairlight, Sydney, NSW 2094 Security Seal The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: \\server\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893.doc This invention relates to a security seal, especially suitable for use with cash boxes. In particular, this invention is concerned with a security seal which presents obstacles to tampering and/or which can indicate that tampering has taken place.

Although the description below will deal with cash boxes, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited thereto.

It has been described (for example, with reference to Australian Registered Design No.

70338 and Australian Patent No. 648044) to use a cash box with a hinged lid having a closure into which may be inserted a frangible seal. The closure includes a first aperture in a flange or lip for the lid, the first aperture overlying a second aperture in a flange or lip for the base of the box when the lid is closed. When a frangible seal is inserted though the first and second apertures, detents associated with the second aperture prevent withdrawal of the frangible seal. In addition, the lower part of the seal is inaccessible. In order to open the box, the seal must be broken. Because the first and e second apertures are located externally of the compartment in which cash is stored, it s15 would be immediately apparent upon inspection of the cash box if the seal had been tampered with.

It has also been described (from Australian Registered Design No. 117081) to provide a cash box with a sliding, instead of a hinged, lid. When the lid slides to a closed position e over the cash compartment, a first aperture in a flange or lip for the lid overlies a second 20 aperture in a flange or lip for the base ofthe box. When a frangible seal is inserted though the first and second apertures, detents associated with the second aperture prevent withdrawal of the frangible seal. In addition, the lower part of the seal is .inaccessible. In order to open the box, the seal must be broken and consequently •inspection of the cash box will reveal whether tampering has taken place.

In the case of Australian Registered Design No. 70338, the seal is inserted into the first and second apertures from above. When the seal is broken, the lower half can fall from the closure and be lost.

In the case of Australian Patent No. 648044, the seal is also inserted into the first and second apertures from above. However, in one embodiment, the lower part of the broken seal is retained, to be ejected when the lid is opened.

In the case of Australian Registered Design No. 117081, once again the seal is inserted into the first and second apertures from above. The lower part of the seal, when broken, can fall from the closure and be lost.

\\server\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893.doc The seals used in connection with the prior art containers have taken one general form: the detents have protruded to each side oftheseal and so have remained in the same plane as the seal.

The above description of the prior art is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, an indication of the common general knowledge pertaining to the invention, but rather to assist the person skilled in the art in understanding the developmental process which lead to the invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved security seal and an improved container and lid combination.

Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention provides a security seal having: a first portion lying in a plane; and a second portion spacially fixed by and connected to the first portion by at least one line of weakness and lying in the plane, wherein 15 the first portion includes at least a one detent; the or each said detent extends outwardly and upwardly towards the second portion and terminates at a free end; the free end is spaced from the first portion and the or each said detent lies outside the plane when at rest; and 20 the or each said detent is deformable into the plane.

This invention also provides a container and lid combination, comprising a container having a first compartment for containing goods and a second compartment isolated o from the first compartment; and a lid capable of sliding onto the container to cover both the first and second compartments, wherein the second compartment has an aperture for receiving a security seal according to one aspect of the invention and the lid includes a third compartment adapted to mate with the second compartment.

The container and lid in the combination of the invention may be made of any suitable material. Preferably, the material chosen has a certain amount of rigidity and strength as well as a degree of brittleness. One suitable material, for example, is medium density styrene. Another suitable material is a polycarbonate or a glass-filled polycarbonate.

Preferably, the container and lid are made of a relatively transparent material, so that the general nature of the contents can be ascertained by inspection. It is also preferred that the material of the container and lid is sufficiently robust to avoid accidental breakage i under normal circumstances.

\\server\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893doc The security seal may have a single detent or a plurality of detents. In one preferred embodiment, the seal has a single detent which comprises a leaf spring formed in the first portion of the seal. In another embodiment, the seal has a pair of detents each comprising a leaf spring formed in the first portion of the seal. However, it is within the scope of this invention that more than two detents may be provided. In addition, the or each detent may take the form of a barb.

The seal of the invention may include one or more barbs separate from each detent.

Where there are two or more detents, they may be spaced from one another or otherwise arranged so that when the seal is broken the detents separate.

The first portion may be shorter or narrower than the second portion, which may include a large printable area for serial numbers or similar unique identification of the seal.

To avoid the possibility of someone breaking the seal of the invention and then S:attempting to glue the first and second portions of the seal together, it may be desirable to reduce or minimise the seal material along the or each weakness line, so that the join is area is small.

Each line of weakness is preferably a score line formed between the first and second portions, but may take any other suitable form, such as one or more holes or depressions oooo** in the line of weakness.

0000 In the container and lid combination of the invention, the second and third 20 compartments may be completely enclosed, may omit a wall or may have a gap in at least one wall for example, to accommodate the or each detent. The second compartment may mate with the third compartment by being received within the third •o compartment, or vice versa.

Preferably, the container of the combination of the invention is shaped so that, when empty, a plurality of containers may nest together. It is also preferred that the lid includes locating lugs or ridges or other means which can enable a plurality of containers, with lids attached, to be stacked one above the other. For example, the side walls of a first container may taper inwardly towards the base of the container, the base being adapted to fit within locating lugs or ridges on the lid of a container stacked underneath the first container.

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description with reference to preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: \\server\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893doc Figure 1 is a perspective rear view of a first embodiment of the seal of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective front view of the seal of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the seal of Figure 1; Figure 3a is a top view of the seal of Figure 3; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the seal of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of the container according to the invention, featuring the second compartment; Figure 6 is a plan view of the second compartment in Figure 1Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the lid according to the 10 invention, featuring the third compartment, viewed from inside the lid in an upside o• .o down position; Figure 8 is a perspective rear view of a second embodiment of the seal of the invention; Figure 9 is a perspective front view of the seal of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows in perspective view the seal of Figure 8 in position locking the 15 container and lid combination of Figures 11 to 14, with certain parts omitted for convenience; Figure 11 is a partial perspective view from above of a second embodiment of the :container according to the invention, featuring the second compartment; S Figure 12 is a partial perspective view from below of the container of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the lid according to the invention, featuring the third compartment, viewed from inside the lid in an upside down position; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the lid of Figure 13, viewed from above with the lid in the upright position; and Figure 15 is a sectional side elevation of the container of Figures 11 to 12 and the lid of Figures 13 and 14, assembled with the seal of Figures 8 and 9 in place.

\Xserver\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893.doc Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, seal 40 has a first portion 42 and a second portion 44.

Second portion 44 is separated from first portion 42 by a line of weakness 4, which is a score line assisting correct breaking of seal 40 into parts 42 and 44.

First portion 42 has a detent 1 being a leaf spring which projects out of the plane A (see Figure 1) in which first portion 42 and second portion 44 lie. Barrier 5 serves to prevent tampering with detent 1 by limiting the range of travel of detent 1.

Seal 40 includes a large printable area 7 on which may be recorded a serial number, or similar unique identification.

As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, seal 40 has two holes 6 in line of weakness 4, to minimise the seal material in line of weakness 4 and to make it more difficult to attempt to join first portion 42 to second portion 44 after they have broken apart.

Seal 40 has tapered sides 2 to ensure that seal 40 is correctly inserted in slot 10 of container 50 (see Figure In addition, seal 40 has tapered upper corners 3, to assist insertion of seal 40 in slot 10. Recess 8 serves to reduce the quantity of material 15 necessary for seal 40 and can also be used to house identifying numbers.

Turning now to Figure 5, container 50 has a first compartment (not shown) for containing goods, such as bank notes, and a second compartment 52 which is isolated from the first compartment by wall 14. Second compartment 52 includes an aperture or slot 10 (refer especially Figure 6) adapted to receive seal Ribs 13 are mounted on the outside wall of the first compartment, and serve to space seal 40 away from wall 14, thus making it easier to grip seal "As shown in Figure 6, slot 10 has a tapered profile to ensure that seal 40 is inserted correctly not back-to-front). Tapered edge 11 is formed only halfway through the material of slot 10, to aid ejection of the second portion 44 of seal 40 after it is broken from first portion 42. Similarly, ramp 12 into slot 10 aids ejection of second portion 44.

Turning now to Figure 7, container lid 60 is adapted to slide on to container 50. When lid 60 is in position, it will cover both the first compartment and second compartment 52, with third compartment 62 being received with second compartment 52.

As can be seen in Figure 7, third compartment 62 has an opening 15 in wall 16, to accommodate detent 1. In addition, wall 16 is designed to lock against seal 40, and has cutaway portions 64 and 66, to aid ejection of second portion 44 of seal

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\\server\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893doc Side walls 17 of third compartment 62 strengthen end wall 16 and prevent tampering with seal 40 when in position.

Front wall 18 of third compartment 62 is elongated to overlap the front of third compartment 62 and prevent tampering.

To operate the seal and container and lid of the invention, after bank notes or other goods are placed in the first compartment of container 50, lid 60 is slid into position over the first compartment and second compartment 52, with third compartment 62 being received in second compartment 52. Seal 40 is then inserted into slot 10 from below container 50, optionally sliding along ribs 13. Detent 1 will close up during io insertion into slot 10, and will spring open again as soon as detent 1 has cleared slot Thus, first portion 42 of seal 40 will be retained inside compartments 52 and 62. Front wall 18 limits access to the compartments 52 and 62.

If an attempt is made to open lid 60, wall 16 of lid 60 will bear against seal 40 and continued pressure will cause seal 40 to break at line of weakness 4, breaking seal into first portion 42 and second portion 44. First portion 42 will be retained in compartment 52, thus remaining separate from any goods in the first compartment and being easily locatable. Second portion 44 will be ejected from slot 10. The absence of second portion 44 will immediately signal that tampering has occurred.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, seal 20 has a first portion 21 and a second portion 22.

First portion 21 is separated from second portion 22 by a V groove 23 (refer Figure 9).

*o•g 9First portion 21 has a pair ofdetents or spring action legs 24 and 25, which project out of plane A (refer Figure 9) in which first portion 21 and second portion 22 lie.' Detents 24 and 25 are tapered towards their upper ends to increase their spring. Detents 24 and are separated by gap 26. Gap 26 provides the means whereby detents 24 and 25 can be compressed towards each other during insertion of seal Seal 20 also includes side barbs 27 and 28.

Seal 20 includes printable area 29; printing on seal 20 is facilitated by the use of locating notch Turning now to Figures 11 and 12, container 31 has a first compartment 32 which, as in the previous embodiment, can contain goods such as bank notes, and a second compartment 33, which is isolated from first compartment 32 by wall 34. Second compartment 33 has an upper opening 35 communicating with a lower opening 36 9 'AL aIr*ugh which detents 24 and 25 can fall once they have been broken away from second \\server\e\docs\patents\amendments\6893.doc portion 22. Second compartment 33 includes returns 37 and 38, to restrict lateral movement of-seal 20 when inserted in second compartment 33. Flange 39 is for the purpose of mounting lid 45 (see below).

With reference to Figures 13 and 14, lid 45 is adapted to slide onto container 31 by sliding flange 39 into channel 41 (refer Figure 10). When lid 45 is in position, it will cover both first compartment 32 and second compartment 33, second compartment 33 being received within third compartment 46.

When lid 45 is slid into position on container 31, slot 47 in third compartment 46 lines up with upper opening 35 and lower opening 36 in container 31. Seal 20 can be inserted from above into slot 47, upper opening 35 and lower opening 36. The mating between second compartment 33 and third compartment 46 is snug, to prevent lid 45 from inadvertently sliding off container 31 before seal 20 is inserted. After insertion of seal 20 into slot 47, side barbs 27 and 28 project out of lower opening 36, as can be seen in .i Figure 10 (which omits front wall 48 of third compartment 46 and front wall 19 of 1 second compartment 33). Detents 24 and 25 retain seal 20 inside compartments 33 and 46 and hold container 31 and lid 45 in a closed configuration. In order to open container 31 by sliding lid 45, it is necessary to exert pressure on seal 20 by breaking detents 24 and 25 on first portion 21 from second portion 20 along groove 23. Detents 24 and are designed to fall free of lower opening 36 and their absence upon authorised opening 20 of container 31 is an indication of unauthorised tampering.

oo.: :As can be seen in Figure 15, lid 45 has locating lugs 53 spaced around the perimeter of o lid 45, to facilitate stacking of container and lid combinations, one on the other.

i. Locating lugs 53 have been omitted from Figure 14, for simplicity. However, by way of example, there may be eight such locating lugs around the perimeter, two on each side.

As will be readily appreciated by one skilled in the art, the seal of the present invention in its various embodiments can be used with the lid and container combination of the present invention, in various embodiments. However, the seal of the invention is not limited to use with the container and lid combination of the invention. For example, the seal can be used on an appropriately designed reusable bag, rather than in connection with a container.

Other embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention.

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7 ~o ~4k \\server\e\docs\patents\amendmentsx6a93doc Throughout the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the context requires otherwise.

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Claims (12)

1. A security seal having: a first portion lying in a plane; and a second portion spacially fixed by and connected to the first portion by at least one line of weakness and lying in the plane, wherein the first portion includes at least a one detent; the or each said detent extends outwardly and upwardly towards the second portion and terminates at a free end; the free end is spaced from the first portion and the or each said detent lies outside the plane when at rest; and the or each said detent is deformable into the plane.

2. A security seal according to claim 1, wherein the first detent comprises a leaf spring extending from the first portion of the seal. 15 3. A security seal according to claim 1, wherein the first and second detents each comprise a leaf spring extending from the first portion of the seal.

4. A security seal according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first *oo* and second detents are spaced from each other or otherwise arranged so that, when the seal is broken, the first and second detents separate from each other. 20t 5. A security seal according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material of the seal is reduced along the or each line of weakness.

6. A security seal according to claim 5, wherein each line of weakness is a score line or groove formed between the first and second portions.

7. A security seal according to claim 5 or 6, wherein one or more holes are -formed in the or each line of weakness.

8. A security seal according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the seal also includes one or more barbs.

9. A security seal according to claim 8, wherein the one or more barbs lie in a single plane. .\server\e\docspatents\claims\6893.doc A security seal according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, where there is more than one barb, the two or more barbs are configured to engage surfaces which lie in separate planes.

11. A security seal according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each of the one or more barbs are not adapted to be deformable outside the plane of rest.

12. A security seal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A container and lid combination, comprising a container having a first compartment for containing goods and a second compartment isolated from the first compartment; and a lid capable of sliding onto the container to cover both the first and second compartments, wherein the second compartment has an •aperture for receiving a security seal according to any one of the preceding claims and the lid includes a third compartment adapted to mate with the second compartment. 15 14. The container and lid combination according to claim 13, wherein the third :compartment has a gap in one wall.

15. The container and lid combination according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the second compartment is adapted to mate with the third compartment by being 20 received within the third compartment. 20 16. The container and lid combination according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the third compartment is adapted to mate with the second compartment by being received within the second compartment.

17. The container and lid combination substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 26th day of June, 2001 HARCOR SECURITY SEALS PTY LIMITED by its Patent Attorneys CHRYSILIOU LAW