CA2133395C - Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member - Google Patents
Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member Download PDFInfo
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- CA2133395C CA2133395C CA002133395A CA2133395A CA2133395C CA 2133395 C CA2133395 C CA 2133395C CA 002133395 A CA002133395 A CA 002133395A CA 2133395 A CA2133395 A CA 2133395A CA 2133395 C CA2133395 C CA 2133395C
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- plug
- tubular member
- locking
- closure
- halves
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- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
- G09F3/02—Forms or constructions
- G09F3/03—Forms or constructions of security seals
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
A one-piece injection molded tamperproof security seal for sealing the ends of tubular members, such as are found in some types of electricity meters, is described. The seal is compact, may be applied where there is limited space and has a high degree of inviolability. The seal comprises a plug adapted to be received in the tubular end, blocking means on the plug adapted for cooperation with engagement means on the end of the tubular member, first locking means on the plug and a closure portion hingeably attached to the plug and pro-vided with second locking means. The seal has an open configuration in which the closure portion is remote from the plug portion and a second sealed configuration in which the closure portion is folded over the plug with the first and second locking means in mutual locking cooperation. Displacement means on the closure portion cooperate in use with the plug in the sealed configuration with the plug within the end of the tubular member to be sealed, to displace the blocking means from an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration in cooperation with the engagement means on the end of the tubular member.
Description
Security Seal for Sealing the End of a Tubular Member The present invention refers to a one-piece security seal for inviolable sealing of the end of a tttbular niember of the type that comprises, adjacent the ed~.;e of such end, means for receiving locking elenlents, such as slits in its side wall or even internal ribs, disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the opening at the end to be sealed.
It is known to provide a seal shaped as a cover to be placed over the end of a tubular meniber to be sealed, the end being foi-n7ed with two dianletrically opposite openings. Sueh seal is shaped as a cover-seal placeable so as to embrace the end to be sealed of the tubular member which has, adjaceiit is edge, a pair of diametrically opposite openings. The cover-seal has a top panel and a cylindrical skirt split dian-ietrically in two halves hinged to each other along a vertical line at the division between the two halves of the skirt, an inner protuberance in each said half fitting into one of the diametrically opposite openings in the tubular member, so tliat the cover-seal can be closed by means of a hinge inovement around the end of the tubular member and that, in the closed position, its axial movenleat is prevented by the interlocking engagement of a male locking element with a female locking element, respectively provided on the two halves of the cover-seal.
Although it inviolably seals the end of the tubular member, the above described seal has a feature that, in certain applications, may limit its use, that is to say, the fact that the seal embraces (froni the outside) the end of the tubular member, makes its application difficult and sometimes impossible when there is little space available around the end of the tubular member. For example, wheli the latter is closely adjacent a wall or any other object, it is impossible to place the seal over and around the end of the hibular member.
An example of a tubular niember of the type mentioned herein is an electricity meter commonly used in the United States of America.
It is tlierefore an object of the present invention to provide a seal that may be installed totally within the end of the tubular membei-, without the neeci for space in the outer region immediately adjacent such end, and that provides a tamper-proof seal for that end.
This object is attained in accordance with the present invention by a one-piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubul.ar member provided with engagement means in its side wall, which comprises: a plug portion adapted to be received in the tubular end; blocking means on the plug portion adapted for cooperation with the engagement nleans on the end of the tubular nlenlber;
first locking means on the plug portion; a closure portion hingeably attached to thc plug portion and provided with second locking means, the seal having an open configuration in which the closure portion is renlote from the plug portion and a second sealed configuration in whicll the closure portion is folded over the plug portion with the first and second locking means in mutual locking cooperatiou;
and displacenlent means on the closLire portion, that cooperate in use with the plug means in the sealed configuration with the plug portion within the end of the tubular member to the sealed, to displace the blocking means froni an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration in cooperation with the engagement mcans on the end of the tubular member.
Preferably, the plug portion comprises two halves expandable from a position in which they are relatively adjacent each other to a second position in which they are rela-tively separated from each other and said displacement means comprise a wedge on the closure portion positioned to enter between and separate said two halves as the seal passes from the open configuration to the sealed configuration.
The blocking means may suitably comprise an outer protuberance on each of the halves of the plug portion and the engagement means may be a pair of openings in the wall of the tubular member, such openings being adapted to receive the protuberances in the sealed configuration.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a one-piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member provided with a pair of engagement means in its side wall, the seal comprising: a closure portion provided with a pair of locking teeth and, between the locking teeth, a wedge portion;
a plug portion comprising a pair of independent plug halves, each plug half having a locking formation for locking cooper-ation with a respective one of the locking teeth; a pair of flexible arms independently connecting the plug halves to the closure portion; each plug half being formed externally with a blocking portion cooperable with a respective one of the en-gagement means when the plug portion is inserted into the end of the tubular member with the plug halves relatively adjacent to each other and the closure portion is folded over the plug halves about the flexible arms so that the wedge portion en-ters between the plug halves and forces them into a relatively separated position in which the locking teeth cooperate with the locking formations.
In order to facilitate authorized opening of the de-vice being sealed (i.e. authorized breakage of the seal), each locking tooth may be joined to the closure portion by a weak-ening. In a preferred embodiment, the locking teeth are formed on a tearaway strip of the closure portion.
The present invention will now be described in greater detail, but only by way of example, with reference to four preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first side of a security seal according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, in its open position;
It is known to provide a seal shaped as a cover to be placed over the end of a tubular meniber to be sealed, the end being foi-n7ed with two dianletrically opposite openings. Sueh seal is shaped as a cover-seal placeable so as to embrace the end to be sealed of the tubular member which has, adjaceiit is edge, a pair of diametrically opposite openings. The cover-seal has a top panel and a cylindrical skirt split dian-ietrically in two halves hinged to each other along a vertical line at the division between the two halves of the skirt, an inner protuberance in each said half fitting into one of the diametrically opposite openings in the tubular member, so tliat the cover-seal can be closed by means of a hinge inovement around the end of the tubular member and that, in the closed position, its axial movenleat is prevented by the interlocking engagement of a male locking element with a female locking element, respectively provided on the two halves of the cover-seal.
Although it inviolably seals the end of the tubular member, the above described seal has a feature that, in certain applications, may limit its use, that is to say, the fact that the seal embraces (froni the outside) the end of the tubular member, makes its application difficult and sometimes impossible when there is little space available around the end of the tubular member. For example, wheli the latter is closely adjacent a wall or any other object, it is impossible to place the seal over and around the end of the hibular member.
An example of a tubular niember of the type mentioned herein is an electricity meter commonly used in the United States of America.
It is tlierefore an object of the present invention to provide a seal that may be installed totally within the end of the tubular membei-, without the neeci for space in the outer region immediately adjacent such end, and that provides a tamper-proof seal for that end.
This object is attained in accordance with the present invention by a one-piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubul.ar member provided with engagement means in its side wall, which comprises: a plug portion adapted to be received in the tubular end; blocking means on the plug portion adapted for cooperation with the engagement nleans on the end of the tubular nlenlber;
first locking means on the plug portion; a closure portion hingeably attached to thc plug portion and provided with second locking means, the seal having an open configuration in which the closure portion is renlote from the plug portion and a second sealed configuration in whicll the closure portion is folded over the plug portion with the first and second locking means in mutual locking cooperatiou;
and displacenlent means on the closLire portion, that cooperate in use with the plug means in the sealed configuration with the plug portion within the end of the tubular member to the sealed, to displace the blocking means froni an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration in cooperation with the engagement mcans on the end of the tubular member.
Preferably, the plug portion comprises two halves expandable from a position in which they are relatively adjacent each other to a second position in which they are rela-tively separated from each other and said displacement means comprise a wedge on the closure portion positioned to enter between and separate said two halves as the seal passes from the open configuration to the sealed configuration.
The blocking means may suitably comprise an outer protuberance on each of the halves of the plug portion and the engagement means may be a pair of openings in the wall of the tubular member, such openings being adapted to receive the protuberances in the sealed configuration.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a one-piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member provided with a pair of engagement means in its side wall, the seal comprising: a closure portion provided with a pair of locking teeth and, between the locking teeth, a wedge portion;
a plug portion comprising a pair of independent plug halves, each plug half having a locking formation for locking cooper-ation with a respective one of the locking teeth; a pair of flexible arms independently connecting the plug halves to the closure portion; each plug half being formed externally with a blocking portion cooperable with a respective one of the en-gagement means when the plug portion is inserted into the end of the tubular member with the plug halves relatively adjacent to each other and the closure portion is folded over the plug halves about the flexible arms so that the wedge portion en-ters between the plug halves and forces them into a relatively separated position in which the locking teeth cooperate with the locking formations.
In order to facilitate authorized opening of the de-vice being sealed (i.e. authorized breakage of the seal), each locking tooth may be joined to the closure portion by a weak-ening. In a preferred embodiment, the locking teeth are formed on a tearaway strip of the closure portion.
The present invention will now be described in greater detail, but only by way of example, with reference to four preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first side of a security seal according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, in its open position;
Figure 2 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 1, but showing the opposite side of the same security seal;
Figure 3 is side elevation of the seal of Figures 1 and 2, the opposite side being identical;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the seal, corresponding to the side shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a plan view, similar to that of Figure 4, but corresponding to the side of the seal seen in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is an end elevation of the seal, seen from the left side of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the seal, seen from the right side of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is side elevation of a seal according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the end of a tu-bular member to be sealed by a seal according to the present invention;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the end of the tubular member of Figure 10, sealed by the seal shown in Fig-ures 1 to 7;
Figure 12 is a plan view of a security seal accord-ing to a third embodiment of the present invention, similar to that of Figure 5, but illustrating an alternative form of fitment/locking means;
Figure 13 is a top view, similar to that of Figure 7, of the seal of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a partial side elevation of the seal of Figure 12, showing only the portion corresponding to the seal closure plate;
Figure 15 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 2, of a seal according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of a tubular member sealed with the fourth embodiment seal which is in the process of being opened.
As can be seen from Figures 1 to 7, a plastic in-jection molded one-piece security seal according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a closure plate 1 having an outer or top surface 2 visible in Figures 1 and 4, an inner or bottom surface 3 visible in Figures 2 and 5, and 5 two flexible arms 4 extending from one edge of the closure plate 1. At the end of each flexible arm 4 there is one half 5A of a plug element 5 designed to be introduced into the in-terior of an end E of a tubular member (Figures 10 and 11) to be sealed , as will be explained later.
The inner surface 3 of closure plate 1 is provided centrally, along its length, with a wedge member 6 in the form of a wall provided with separator ribs 7 on both sides. Inner surface 3 of closure plate 1 is also provided, on both sides of wedge member 6, with a pair of locking means or teeth 8 in the form of protuberances extending normally from surface 3 and having recesses 9 in their side walls that face the flexi-ble arms 4 in the open configuration of the seal.
Plug element 5, in this embodiment formed by the two halves 5A that are respectively connected to the flexible arms 4, is formed internally of each half 5A with a pair of second locking means 10, each in the form of a cavity having a small protuberance 11 therein that cooperates with the corresponding locking tooth 8 on the inner surface 3 of closure plate 1, as will be described below.
The small protuberances 11 and the recesses 9 are so shaped that, on introducing the locking teeth 8 into the cavi-ties 10, the protuberances 11 enter the recesses 9 and make it impossible to remove teeth 8 from cavities 10 without destroy-ing the teeth or the protuberances.
Each of the halves 5A of the plug element 5 also has an outer rib 12, extending normally from its outer wall and designed for fitting into slot openings R formed in the wall of end E of the tubular element to be sealed (see Figure 10 and 11). Each half 5A also has an outer end circumferential flange 13 for resting on the end edge of the tubular member in the sealed configuration.
The application of the seal of the first embodiment of the invention with a view to sealing the end E of a tubular member will now be described. Firstly, flexible arms 4 are flexed inwardly so that halves 5A of plug element 5 close against each other. The plug element 5 is then, in such con-figuration, inserted into the end E of the tubular member. As soon as ribs 12 register with slot openings R in the tubular member and pressure is released from arms 4, the latter to-gether with halves 5A expand to their original configuration and ribs 12 enter slot openings R, axially locking the plug element 5 in the inserted position.
Closure plate 1 is then folded over plug element 5, flexible arms 4 acting a hinge, and teeth 8 enter cavities 10 until the small protuberances of the latter click into the small recesses 9 in the teeth, thus locking the seal in the closed or sealed configuration shown in Figure 11.
It is important to note that, as closure plate 1 is folded over, wedge 6 forces its way between halves 5A of plug member 5 and separator plates 7 then expand halves 5A to main-tain the plug tightly inside the end E of the tubular member with ribs 12 thus positively blocked in slot openings R. Con-sequently, once the seal has been closed, it is impossible to remove it since the cooperation between the ribs 12 and the slots openings R prevent any axial movement of the seal, whereas opening of the seal itself is prevented by the cooper-ation between locking teeth 8 and protuberances 11.
It will also be noted from Figures 1, 4 and 11 of the drawings that the bases of teeth 8 are weakened at 8' so that, when access to the end E of the tubular member is au-thorized (for example when an authorized employee of the elec-tricity company has to gain access to the electricity meter being protected by the seal), closure plate 1 may be forcibly lifted until pins 8 break off at their weakened bases. As clo-sure plate 1 is lifted, wedge 6 leaves the interior of plug element 5 and permits the latter to be removed simply.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which a plug element 5', instead of ribs 12, is formed with axial splines 14 of deformable material along the outer wall of each half 5A. This embodiment of the in-vention may be used for sealing the ends of tubular member having internal ribs or protuberances in planes substantially parallel to the plane of the end edge, that is to say, perpen-dicular to splines 14.
On applying such a seal basically as described above, splines 14 are forced against the internal ribs (not shown) in the end of the tubular member and are thus deformed so as to provide a means for positively preventing the removal of the seal.
Referring now to Figures 12, 13 and 14, a seal ac-cording to a third embodiment of the invention has first lock-ing means situated on the inner surface 3 of a closure plate 1, in the form of two lateral recesses 9', one on each outer side of a centrally arranged wedge member 6'. There are also two wall sections 15 adjacent and parallel respectively to the other two sides of the wedge member 6'.
Similarly to the seals of Figures 1 to 9, the plug element 5'' of the seal of Figures 12 to 14 is split into two halves 5A''. Each half 5A'' is similar to halves 5A and 5A' of the previously described embodiments, but they have locking means on their inner side walls in the form of two flexible projections 10' that cooperate with the lateral recesses 9' in wedge member 6'.
Consequently, when the closure plate 1 is folded over plug element 511, in a manner similar to that described above, wedge element 6' forces halves 5A'' of plug element 5'' against the inner walls of the end E of the tubular member be-ing sealed at the same time that the flexible projections 10' penetrate recesses 9' to lock the seal closed.
Wall sections 15 serve, in the sealed configuration, to prevent access to the region of the locking means 9', 10', thus improving the degree of security offered by the seal.
It will naturally be understood that Figures 12 to 14 do not show the ribs 12 or the splines 14 or any equivalent means for locking the closed seal within end E of the tubular member being sealed. This is merely for the purpose of simpli-fying the visualization of the embodiment, it being obvious that such locking means will also be provided in this case.
Finally, a fourth preferred embodiment is illus-trated in Figures 15 and 16. The basic difference between this fourth embodiment and the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 11 is the manner in which authorized opening of the seal is facilitated and, moreover, unauthorized opening is more easily observed. In the case of the seal of Figures 15 and 16, the two halves 5A "' of the plug 5" ' are joined together by a pair of peripheral flexible connections 16 to make the plug element more sturdy, the two halves 5A "' then pivoting about such connections to when the plug is inserted into the end E
of the tubular member being sealed.
The locking teeth 8' of the fourth embodiment seal do not have individual weakened bases as in the case of the first embodiment. Instead, closure plate l' is itself formed with a pair of parallel weakening lines 17 from one side to the other to define a tearaway strip 18 on which the wedge 6' is formed. Locking teeth 8' are arranged on closure plate 1' externally (one on each side) of strip 18. One end of tearaway strip 18 extends outwardly from the rest of the seal in the form of a blade 19. When the seal is to be opened (see Figure 16), the authorized person grips the blade 19 and pulls upwardly so the strip 18 is torn away from the rest of the seal, taking wedge 6' with it. This permits both easy removal of the plug portion 5''' and destroys the closure plate 1' so that there is no possibility that a tampered seal can ever be replaced to avoid detection in a cursory inspection.
Finally it will be understood that the present in-vention has been described with respect to only four presently preferred embodiments given purely by way of example and that any modifications within the same inventive concept should be considered within the scope of the invention which should only be limited by the terms of the following claims.
Figure 3 is side elevation of the seal of Figures 1 and 2, the opposite side being identical;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the seal, corresponding to the side shown in Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a plan view, similar to that of Figure 4, but corresponding to the side of the seal seen in Figure 2;
Figure 6 is an end elevation of the seal, seen from the left side of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is an end elevation of the seal, seen from the right side of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is side elevation of a seal according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the detail indicated in Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the end of a tu-bular member to be sealed by a seal according to the present invention;
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the end of the tubular member of Figure 10, sealed by the seal shown in Fig-ures 1 to 7;
Figure 12 is a plan view of a security seal accord-ing to a third embodiment of the present invention, similar to that of Figure 5, but illustrating an alternative form of fitment/locking means;
Figure 13 is a top view, similar to that of Figure 7, of the seal of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a partial side elevation of the seal of Figure 12, showing only the portion corresponding to the seal closure plate;
Figure 15 is a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 2, of a seal according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 16 is a perspective view of a tubular member sealed with the fourth embodiment seal which is in the process of being opened.
As can be seen from Figures 1 to 7, a plastic in-jection molded one-piece security seal according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a closure plate 1 having an outer or top surface 2 visible in Figures 1 and 4, an inner or bottom surface 3 visible in Figures 2 and 5, and 5 two flexible arms 4 extending from one edge of the closure plate 1. At the end of each flexible arm 4 there is one half 5A of a plug element 5 designed to be introduced into the in-terior of an end E of a tubular member (Figures 10 and 11) to be sealed , as will be explained later.
The inner surface 3 of closure plate 1 is provided centrally, along its length, with a wedge member 6 in the form of a wall provided with separator ribs 7 on both sides. Inner surface 3 of closure plate 1 is also provided, on both sides of wedge member 6, with a pair of locking means or teeth 8 in the form of protuberances extending normally from surface 3 and having recesses 9 in their side walls that face the flexi-ble arms 4 in the open configuration of the seal.
Plug element 5, in this embodiment formed by the two halves 5A that are respectively connected to the flexible arms 4, is formed internally of each half 5A with a pair of second locking means 10, each in the form of a cavity having a small protuberance 11 therein that cooperates with the corresponding locking tooth 8 on the inner surface 3 of closure plate 1, as will be described below.
The small protuberances 11 and the recesses 9 are so shaped that, on introducing the locking teeth 8 into the cavi-ties 10, the protuberances 11 enter the recesses 9 and make it impossible to remove teeth 8 from cavities 10 without destroy-ing the teeth or the protuberances.
Each of the halves 5A of the plug element 5 also has an outer rib 12, extending normally from its outer wall and designed for fitting into slot openings R formed in the wall of end E of the tubular element to be sealed (see Figure 10 and 11). Each half 5A also has an outer end circumferential flange 13 for resting on the end edge of the tubular member in the sealed configuration.
The application of the seal of the first embodiment of the invention with a view to sealing the end E of a tubular member will now be described. Firstly, flexible arms 4 are flexed inwardly so that halves 5A of plug element 5 close against each other. The plug element 5 is then, in such con-figuration, inserted into the end E of the tubular member. As soon as ribs 12 register with slot openings R in the tubular member and pressure is released from arms 4, the latter to-gether with halves 5A expand to their original configuration and ribs 12 enter slot openings R, axially locking the plug element 5 in the inserted position.
Closure plate 1 is then folded over plug element 5, flexible arms 4 acting a hinge, and teeth 8 enter cavities 10 until the small protuberances of the latter click into the small recesses 9 in the teeth, thus locking the seal in the closed or sealed configuration shown in Figure 11.
It is important to note that, as closure plate 1 is folded over, wedge 6 forces its way between halves 5A of plug member 5 and separator plates 7 then expand halves 5A to main-tain the plug tightly inside the end E of the tubular member with ribs 12 thus positively blocked in slot openings R. Con-sequently, once the seal has been closed, it is impossible to remove it since the cooperation between the ribs 12 and the slots openings R prevent any axial movement of the seal, whereas opening of the seal itself is prevented by the cooper-ation between locking teeth 8 and protuberances 11.
It will also be noted from Figures 1, 4 and 11 of the drawings that the bases of teeth 8 are weakened at 8' so that, when access to the end E of the tubular member is au-thorized (for example when an authorized employee of the elec-tricity company has to gain access to the electricity meter being protected by the seal), closure plate 1 may be forcibly lifted until pins 8 break off at their weakened bases. As clo-sure plate 1 is lifted, wedge 6 leaves the interior of plug element 5 and permits the latter to be removed simply.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which a plug element 5', instead of ribs 12, is formed with axial splines 14 of deformable material along the outer wall of each half 5A. This embodiment of the in-vention may be used for sealing the ends of tubular member having internal ribs or protuberances in planes substantially parallel to the plane of the end edge, that is to say, perpen-dicular to splines 14.
On applying such a seal basically as described above, splines 14 are forced against the internal ribs (not shown) in the end of the tubular member and are thus deformed so as to provide a means for positively preventing the removal of the seal.
Referring now to Figures 12, 13 and 14, a seal ac-cording to a third embodiment of the invention has first lock-ing means situated on the inner surface 3 of a closure plate 1, in the form of two lateral recesses 9', one on each outer side of a centrally arranged wedge member 6'. There are also two wall sections 15 adjacent and parallel respectively to the other two sides of the wedge member 6'.
Similarly to the seals of Figures 1 to 9, the plug element 5'' of the seal of Figures 12 to 14 is split into two halves 5A''. Each half 5A'' is similar to halves 5A and 5A' of the previously described embodiments, but they have locking means on their inner side walls in the form of two flexible projections 10' that cooperate with the lateral recesses 9' in wedge member 6'.
Consequently, when the closure plate 1 is folded over plug element 511, in a manner similar to that described above, wedge element 6' forces halves 5A'' of plug element 5'' against the inner walls of the end E of the tubular member be-ing sealed at the same time that the flexible projections 10' penetrate recesses 9' to lock the seal closed.
Wall sections 15 serve, in the sealed configuration, to prevent access to the region of the locking means 9', 10', thus improving the degree of security offered by the seal.
It will naturally be understood that Figures 12 to 14 do not show the ribs 12 or the splines 14 or any equivalent means for locking the closed seal within end E of the tubular member being sealed. This is merely for the purpose of simpli-fying the visualization of the embodiment, it being obvious that such locking means will also be provided in this case.
Finally, a fourth preferred embodiment is illus-trated in Figures 15 and 16. The basic difference between this fourth embodiment and the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 11 is the manner in which authorized opening of the seal is facilitated and, moreover, unauthorized opening is more easily observed. In the case of the seal of Figures 15 and 16, the two halves 5A "' of the plug 5" ' are joined together by a pair of peripheral flexible connections 16 to make the plug element more sturdy, the two halves 5A "' then pivoting about such connections to when the plug is inserted into the end E
of the tubular member being sealed.
The locking teeth 8' of the fourth embodiment seal do not have individual weakened bases as in the case of the first embodiment. Instead, closure plate l' is itself formed with a pair of parallel weakening lines 17 from one side to the other to define a tearaway strip 18 on which the wedge 6' is formed. Locking teeth 8' are arranged on closure plate 1' externally (one on each side) of strip 18. One end of tearaway strip 18 extends outwardly from the rest of the seal in the form of a blade 19. When the seal is to be opened (see Figure 16), the authorized person grips the blade 19 and pulls upwardly so the strip 18 is torn away from the rest of the seal, taking wedge 6' with it. This permits both easy removal of the plug portion 5''' and destroys the closure plate 1' so that there is no possibility that a tampered seal can ever be replaced to avoid detection in a cursory inspection.
Finally it will be understood that the present in-vention has been described with respect to only four presently preferred embodiments given purely by way of example and that any modifications within the same inventive concept should be considered within the scope of the invention which should only be limited by the terms of the following claims.
Claims (14)
1. A one-piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member provided with engagement means in its side wall, wherein said seal comprises:
a plug portion adapted to be received in said tubu-lar end;
blocking means on said plug portion adapted for co-operation with said engagement means on said end of said tubu-lar member;
first locking means on said plug portion;
a closure portion hingeably attached to said plug portion and provided with second locking means, said seal hav-ing an open configuration in which said closure portion is re-mote from said plug portion and a second sealed configuration in which said closure portion is folded over said plug portion with said first and second locking means in mutual locking co-operation; and displacement means on said closure portion that co-operate in use with said plug portion in said sealed config-uration with the plug portion within said end of the tubular member to be sealed, to displace said blocking means from an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration in cooper-ation with said engagement means on said end of said tubular member.
a plug portion adapted to be received in said tubu-lar end;
blocking means on said plug portion adapted for co-operation with said engagement means on said end of said tubu-lar member;
first locking means on said plug portion;
a closure portion hingeably attached to said plug portion and provided with second locking means, said seal hav-ing an open configuration in which said closure portion is re-mote from said plug portion and a second sealed configuration in which said closure portion is folded over said plug portion with said first and second locking means in mutual locking co-operation; and displacement means on said closure portion that co-operate in use with said plug portion in said sealed config-uration with the plug portion within said end of the tubular member to be sealed, to displace said blocking means from an unblocked configuration to a blocked configuration in cooper-ation with said engagement means on said end of said tubular member.
2. A one-piece security seal according to claim 1, wherein said plug portion comprises two halves expandable from a position in which they are relatively adjacent each other to a second position in which they are relatively separated from each other and wherein said displacement means comprise a wedge on said closure portion positioned to enter between and separate said two halves as said seal passes from said open configuration to said sealed configuration.
3. A one-piece security seal according to claim 2, wherein said blocking means comprise an outer protuberance on each of said halves of said plug portion and wherein said en-gagement means comprises a pair of openings in the wall of said end of said tubular member, said openings being adapted to receive said protuberances in said sealed configuration.
4. A one-piece security seal,according to claim 3, wherein said second locking means comprises locking teeth.
5. A one-piece security seal according to claim 4, wherein said two halves of said plug portion are connected to said closure portion by two respective flexible arms defining a hinge between said plug portion and said closure portion.
6. A one-piece security seal according to claim 4, wherein said locking teeth are attached by weakening means to said closure portion.
7. A one-piece security seal according to claim 6, wherein said two halves of said plug portion are connected to said closure portion by two respective flexible arms defining a hinge between said plug portion and said closure portion.
8. A one-piece security seal according to claim 4, wherein said wedge is formed on a tearaway strip of said clo-sure portion.
9. A one-piece security seal according to claim 8, wherein said closure portion is a closure plate adapted to cover transversally the said end of said tubular member to be sealed.
10. A one-piece security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member provided with a pair of engagement means in its side wall, wherein said seal comprises:
a closure portion provided with a pair of locking teeth and, between said locking teeth, a wedge portion;
a plug portion comprising a pair of independent plug halves, each said plug half having a locking formation for locking cooperation with a respective one of said locking teeth;
a pair of flexible arms independently connecting said plug halves to said closure portion;
each said plug half being formed externally with a blocking portion cooperable with a respective one of said en-gagement means when said plug portion is inserted into said end of said tubular member with said plug halves relatively adjacent to each other and said closure portion is folded over said plug halves about said flexible arms so that said wedge portion enters between said plug halves and forces them into a relatively separated position in which said locking teeth co-operate with said locking formations.
a closure portion provided with a pair of locking teeth and, between said locking teeth, a wedge portion;
a plug portion comprising a pair of independent plug halves, each said plug half having a locking formation for locking cooperation with a respective one of said locking teeth;
a pair of flexible arms independently connecting said plug halves to said closure portion;
each said plug half being formed externally with a blocking portion cooperable with a respective one of said en-gagement means when said plug portion is inserted into said end of said tubular member with said plug halves relatively adjacent to each other and said closure portion is folded over said plug halves about said flexible arms so that said wedge portion enters between said plug halves and forces them into a relatively separated position in which said locking teeth co-operate with said locking formations.
11. A one-piece security seal according to claim 10, wherein said locking teeth are joined to said closure portion by weakening means.
12. A one-piece security seal according to claim 10, wherein said wedge portion is formed on a tearaway strip of said closure portion.
13. A one-piece security seal according to claim 10, wherein said closure portion is a closure plate adapted to cover transversally the said end of said tubular member to be sealed.
14. A one-piece security seal according to claim 12, wherein said closure portion is a closure plate adapted to cover transversally the said end of said tubular member to be sealed.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002133395A CA2133395C (en) | 1994-09-30 | 1994-09-30 | Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002133395A CA2133395C (en) | 1994-09-30 | 1994-09-30 | Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2133395A1 CA2133395A1 (en) | 1996-03-31 |
| CA2133395C true CA2133395C (en) | 2007-05-15 |
Family
ID=4154440
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002133395A Expired - Lifetime CA2133395C (en) | 1994-09-30 | 1994-09-30 | Security seal for sealing the end of a tubular member |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2133395C (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-09-30 CA CA002133395A patent/CA2133395C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2133395A1 (en) | 1996-03-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20140930 |