DE102021113056A1 - seal - Google Patents

Abstract

A seal (01) with a seal body (02) and a seal strip (03) is described. At least the seal body (02) consists of a biodegradable material.

Description

The invention relates to a seal according to the preamble of claim 1.

A seal consists of a seal body and a seal strip. In order to withstand extreme weather conditions, it consists of weather-resistant material. Today this is typically metal or plastic.

When sealing, the sealing strip is placed in a bow through two opposite openings in elements that move away from one another when opening or actuating, for example a closure. The seal strip is then fixed into a loop by means of the seal body. The loop is dimensioned in such a way that it must be irreversibly destroyed in order to be removed, for example to gain access to the contents of a container or to a device, or to change a setting.

It is important to emphasize here that the term loop in this document means a fixed eye in rope and/or webbing that does not loosen and does not tighten.

Because a seal can only be removed by destroying it, in the best case it contributes to the accumulation of waste or, in the worst case, is spontaneously released into the environment. Both are detrimental to environmental protection.

An object of the invention is to provide a seal which is less detrimental to environmental protection.

The object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are reproduced in the claims, the drawings and in the following description, including those associated with the drawings.

The invention accordingly relates to a seal comprising a seal body and a seal strip. At least the seal body consists of a biodegradable material.

The biodegradable material particularly preferably consists at least partially of self-compostable material.

By using a biodegradable material at least for the body of the seal, the environmental balance of the seal is significantly improved compared to the prior art. If the seal is spontaneously released into the environment, it will compost by itself over time. If it is properly disposed of, for example in household or commercial waste, its ability to compost independently reduces the total amount of waste.

Additional advantages over the prior art that go beyond the complete solution of the task and/or the aforementioned advantages are listed below.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing. The proportions of the individual elements to one another in the figures do not always correspond to the real proportions, since some forms are shown in simplified form and other forms are shown enlarged in relation to other elements for better illustration. Identical reference symbols are used for elements of the invention that are the same or have the same effect. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments only represent examples of how the invention can be configured and do not represent any final limitation.

• 1 eine Plombe in einem Ausgangszustand in einer Draufsicht auf deren erste Flachseite.
• 2 die Plombe aus 1 in dem Ausgangszustand in einer Draufsicht auf deren ihrer ersten Flachseite gegenüberliegende Flachseite.
• 3 die Plombe aus 1 in dem Ausgangszustand in einer Seitenansicht deren Längsseite.
• 4 die Plombe aus 1 in dem Ausgangszustand in einer Seitenansicht deren Schmalseite.
• 5 die Plombe aus 1 in dem Ausgangszustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.
• 6 die aus dem Ausgangszustand in einen Zwischenzustand überführte Plombe aus 1 in einer Draufsicht auf deren erste Flachseite.
• 7 die Plombe aus 6 in dem Zwischenzustand in einer Draufsicht auf deren ihrer ersten Flachseite gegenüberliegende Flachseite.
• 8 die Plombe aus 6 in dem Zwischenzustand in einer Seitenansicht deren Längsseite.
• 9 die Plombe aus 6 in dem Zwischenzustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.
• 10 die aus dem Zwischenzustand in einen Betriebszustand überführte Plombe aus 6 in einer Draufsicht auf deren erste Flachseite.
• 11 die Plombe aus 10 in dem Betriebszustand in einer Seitenansicht deren Längsseite.
• 12 die Plombe aus 10 in dem Betriebszustand in einer Seitenansicht deren Schmalseite.
• 13 die Plombe aus 10 in dem Betriebszustand in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

They show in a schematic representation:

• 1 a seal in an initial state in a top view of its first flat side.
• 2 the seal off 1 in the initial state in a top view of its flat side opposite its first flat side.
• 3 the seal off 1 in the initial state in a side view of the longitudinal side.
• 4 the seal off 1 in the initial state in a side view of the narrow side.
• 5 the seal off 1 in the initial state in a perspective view.
• 6 the seal that has been transferred from the initial state to an intermediate state 1 in a plan view of the first flat side.
• 7 the seal off 6 in the intermediate state in a plan view of its flat side opposite its first flat side.
• 8th the seal off 6 in the intermediate state in a side view of its longitudinal side.
• 9 the seal off 6 in the intermediate state in a perspective view.
• 10 the seal that has been transferred from the intermediate state to an operational state 6 in a plan view of the first flat side.
• 11 the seal off 10 in the operating state in a side view of the longitudinal side.
• 12 the seal off 10 in the operating state in a side view of the narrow side.
• 13 the seal off 10 in the operating state in a perspective view.

• - einen Plombenkörper 02, und
• - ein ausgehend von einem Ausgangszustand (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) zur Überführung in einen Zwischenzustand (6, 7, 8, 9) an dem Plombenkörper 02 zu einer Schlaufe 30 legbares und zum Erhalt eines Betriebszustands (10, 11, 12, 13) mit dem Plombenkörper 02 betriebsgemäß verbindbares Plombenband 03.

one inside 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8th , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 Seal 01 shown in whole or in part includes:

• - a seal body 02, and
• - a starting from an initial state ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) to transition to an intermediate state ( 6 , 7 , 8th , 9 ) on the seal body 02 to form a loop 30 and to maintain an operating state ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ) with the seal body 02 operationally connectable seal band 03.

At least the seal body 02 consists of a biodegradable material.

According to this, preferably at least the seal body 02, preferably all functional parts of the seal 01, and particularly preferably the entire seal 01 consists of one or more biodegradable materials.

In other words, the seal 01, which can also be referred to as a seal, comprises the seal strip 03 as a flexible means and/or such a strip, such as a rope and/or a chain, with two end parts 31, 32 that can be operationally connected to the seal body 02. The seal 01 is characterized in that, for example, at least the functional parts of the seal 01 are made of biodegradable material.

Biodegradable materials, BAW for short, must be decomposed within 6-10 weeks in a large-scale composting facility. BAWs are tested by the DIN standard EN 13432. They do not necessarily have to consist of biological raw materials. Examples of this are so-called starch blends, for example based on corn, or certain polyesters.

The biodegradable material can be a biodegradable plastic, preferably a biodegradable and bio-based plastic.

However, it is preferably a naturally occurring, compostable material.

The biodegradable material particularly preferably consists at least partially of self-compostable material.

The possibility of self-composting ensures that seals 01 that are sent for non-industrial recycling in the course of their disposal also have the least possible harmful impact on the environment.

Composting, also known as composting, refers to the part of the nutrient cycle in which organic material is broken down by soil organisms under the influence of atmospheric oxygen. In addition to carbon dioxide, water-soluble minerals are also released that act as fertilizer. Some of the intermediate products produced during this degradation are converted into humus.

• - einen biologisch abbaubaren Kunststoff, und/oder
• - einen biologisch abbaubaren und biobasierten Kunststoff, und/oder
• - ein festes Material der Polymilchsäure, und/oder
• - Cellulose, und/oder
• - Celluloseester, und/oder
• - Celluloid, und/oder

handelt, der biologisch abbaubare Werkstoff hierauf basiert, oder der biologisch abbaubare Werkstoff dies umfasst.The biodegradable material can be, for example:

• - a biodegradable plastic, and/or
• - a biodegradable and bio-based plastic, and/or
• - a solid material of polylactic acid, and/or
• - cellulose, and/or
• - cellulose esters, and/or
• - Celluloid, and/or

is, the biodegradable material is based on it, or the biodegradable material includes it.

In all of the configurations described, the seal body 02, which is also referred to below for short as the base, can advantageously be made entirely or partially from a waterproof cellulose-based material.

Alternatively or additionally, the base or parts of it may be made of waterproof paper or cardboard.

The seal strip 03 can be a flexible or flexurally elastic strip. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the seal strip 03 is a flexible strip.

As a seal strip 03, for example in the form of a flexible element that can be fixed into a loop ments, a thread or cord or ribbon made of vegetable raw materials can be provided.

It is important to emphasize at this point that the sealing strip 03 can alternatively or additionally consist of a natural, bio-based, biodegradable polymer.

In principle, the seal body and the seal strip can be made from the same biodegradable material. An adhesive strip that may be provided for producing a seal, as described below, can also include a bio-based, biodegradable plastic.

It is just as important to emphasize that the term seal strip 03 includes a strand-shaped element with a greatest extent along the strand and with any geometry of its cross section transverse to the extent of the strand. In this context, the term band restricts the cross-section neither to a flat geometry, in the event of which the band would most likely be described as a strip, nor to a circular geometry, in the event of such the band being most likely to be described as a rope or cord or a wire would be writable. For the present seal 01, both the geometries mentioned and those lying in between of the cross section of the linear element can be used. The seal strip 03 can be flexible, flexible, flexible or rigid without restricting the basic usability of the seal 01.

In order to stop the harmful spontaneous entry of plastics and metals, as they are commonplace nowadays for sealing, into the environment in the sign of increasing environmental awareness and environmental protection, the goal is achieved with the seal 01, both by a spontaneous entry and no longer required seal 01 into the environment - which fundamentally cannot be stopped - as well as by properly disposing of a seal that is no longer required, to minimize the harmful impact on the environment.

The seal body 02 can advantageously be releasably connected to at least two parts of the seal strip 03 that are spaced apart from one another, for example at least around the circumference of the loop 30, for example the end parts 31, 32 of the seal strip 03, and can be secured in an in 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 shown operating state inextricably sealed.

An advantageous embodiment of the seal 01 provides that the seal body 02 consists of two parts 21, 22 that can be connected at least in an inseparably sealable manner to one another in one operating state.

The seal body 02 particularly preferably consists of two parts 21, 22 that can be connected to one another in an articulated manner.

The two together in one 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 The parts 21, 22 that can be connected in a non-detachably sealable manner shown can be bonded to one another.

This serves to produce a seal using seal 01 by removing it from its in 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 illustrated initial state, in which initially only one end section 32 is fixed to the seal body 02, in its in 6 , 7 , 8th , 9 shown intermediate state is transferred. For this purpose, the other end section 31 is passed, for example, through two opposite openings in elements that move away from one another when they are opened, for example a closure of a container or device to be sealed, and placed in a bay. The seal strip 03 is then fixed into a loop 30 by means of the seal body 02 in order to 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 shown operating state of the seal 01, which corresponds to its state after the seal has been made.

For fixing, an adhesive layer can be placed between the two in one in 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 shown operating state can be arranged non-detachably sealable connected parts. The loop 30 is dimensioned in such a way that it must be irreversibly destroyed in order to be removed, for example to gain access to the contents of a container or to a device, or to change a setting.

One section, for example one end section 32, is advantageously arranged between the two parts 21, 22 of seal body 02, while the other section, for example the other end section 31, passes through a first part 21 of the two parts 21, 22 of seal body 02 and can be connected to this.

For this purpose, the first part 21 can have at least two continuous openings 23, 24 with a groove 25 in between, which can be adapted to the dimensions of the sealing strip 03 used as a flexible means and/or flexible strip, such as a rope and/or a chain with two end parts preferably to the cross-sectional dimensions ments of the seal strip 03 and/or are adapted to the flexural rigidity of the seal strip 03.

Advantageously protrudes in the in 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 illustrated operating state of the seal usable as a seal 01 at least the other end portion 31 out of the seal body 02.

According to the preferred embodiment described above, the seal body 02 can be designed with parts 21, 22 that are hinged to one another in the form of two book covers that are hinged to one another along a bending strip 23 that serves as the spine of a book. A first part, for example a first end part 32 of the seal strip 03, can be fixed in a first book cover or on the bending strip 20 between the two parts 21, 22. In the first part 21, referred to as the first book cover in the example, openings 23, 24 that merge into one another in the form of a feed-through channel are additionally provided by means of the groove 25 in the form of feed-through openings for the remaining part, in particular for the remaining free other end part 31 of the seal strip 03. Opposite the feed-through channel, wedges can be arranged in the remaining book cover, which protrude into the feed-through channel, advantageously when the two book covers are folded on top of one another, and when the book covers are folded together they form a labyrinth in the feed-through channel, which when the two parts 21, 22 are folded together and glued together, for example, in the operating state remaining part, for example the remaining free other end part 31 of the seal strip 03 immovably fixed in the feed-through channel.

As a result, an ecological indicator seal can be created in the form of a seal 01 made of biodegradable materials, which as a seal band 03 is a flexible element that can be fixed into a loop 30, and as a seal body 02 a base in the form of a mirror-symmetrical sheet with an inner and outer surface the possibility of bending the base inwards and consisting of first and second parts 21, 22 separated along the line of symmetry by a bending strip 20 to the inner surface of which an end part 32 of the flexible element is fixed. In the first part 21 of the base there are two openings 23, 24, also referred to as holes for short, for pulling through a free remaining end part 31 of the flexible element when the seal 01 is transferred from its initial state ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ) in their intermediate state ( 6 , 7 , 8th , 9 ) for the purpose of maintaining an operating state ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ) carried out for the production of a lead or seal, wherein on the inner surface of the first part 21 of the base as the first part 21 is applied a plate with a thickness not exceeding the thickness of the flexible enclosing element and in which a groove 25 is made, which includes the holes for pulling through a free remaining other end portion 31 of the flexible enclosing element when sealing. A layer of adhesive with residual tack is applied to the inner surface of the second portion 22 of the base and is covered by a protective release liner. The outer surface of at least one of the parts 21, 22 of the base is designed with the possibility of applying thereto identification or other type of information, a biodegradable protective tag or an RFID tag.

In the base, for example in the first part 21, perforations 26 can be made between the holes.

It is important to emphasize that an opening 23, 24 with a groove 25 leading to an opposite edge can be provided for each end section 31, 32 of the seal strip 03. As a result, both end parts 31, 32 of the seal strip 03 are inserted through their own opening 23, 24 into their own groove 25 for sealing and are fixed in their respective groove 25 when the two parts 21, 22 of the seal body 02 are folded together.

This creates an ecological indicator seal in the form of a seal 01 made of biodegradable materials, which comprises a flexible element as seal band 03 that can be fixed into a loop 30, and which as seal body 02 has a base in the form of a mirror-symmetrical sheet with an inner and outer surface with the possibility of bending the base inwards, and consisting of the first part 21 and the second part 22, separated along the line of symmetry by a bending strip 20, to the inner surface of which an end portion 32 of the flexible embracing element is fixed. A plate is fixed as the first part 21 of the base on the inner surface. Two through-holes are made in the plate for pulling through a remaining free other end part 31 of the flexible element that can be fixed to form a loop when sealing. Between the holes forming the openings 23, 24 there is a recess, preferably in the form of a groove 25 let into one of the two parts 21, 22, in order to receive the element which can be fixed into a loop 30 during the sealing. A through-groove 25 is also made for each hole, which leads from the hole to the next edge of the base. A layer of adhesive with residual tack is applied to the inner surface of the second portion 22 of the base and is covered by a protective release liner. the The outer surface of at least one of the parts 21, 22 of the base is designed with the possibility of applying identification or other type of information, a biodegradable protective label or an RFID label to it.

A temperature indicator can advantageously be applied at least to the outer surface of one of the parts 21, 22 of the seal body 02, also referred to as the base.

Alternatively or additionally, seal 01 can have individual features or a combination of several features described in the introduction in connection with the prior art and/or in one or more of the documents mentioned on the prior art and/or in the above description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings exhibit.

The seal 01 can be used, for example, to seal containers or devices, for example on their housing, for example in the international movement of goods and goods as a customs seal.

For example, by attaching the seal 01 to the closure of a container or device, referred to as sealing, it can be determined whether a container or device was opened without authorization after sealing, for example. The same applies to other types of use of seal 01, for example as proof that a setting made on a device has not been changed, as a replacement for admission tickets, to render technical connections unusable without deactivating them, and in military installations.

The invention is not limited by the description based on the exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention encompasses every new feature and every combination of features, which in particular includes every combination of features in the claims, even if this feature or this combination itself is not explicitly specified in the claims or exemplary embodiments.

The invention is industrially applicable particularly in the field of making customs seals and the like.

The invention can also be used commercially in the field of manufacturing and operating systems and devices in which an unauthorized change to a setting or unauthorized access must be able to be detected retrospectively by breaking a seal.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that modifications or variations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

reference list

01

seal

02

seal body

03

seal tape

20

bending strips

21

Part

22

Part

23

opening

24

opening

25

groove

26

perforation

30

loop

31

end part

32

end part

Claims (10)

Seal (01) with a seal body (02) and a seal strip (03), wherein at least the seal body (02) consists of a biodegradable material. seal after claim 1 , wherein the biodegradable material consists at least partially of self-compostable material. seal after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the biodegradable material: - a biodegradable plastic, and/or - a biodegradable and bio-based plastic, and/or - a polylactic acid, and/or - cellulose, and/or - cellulose ester, and/or - celluloid, the biodegradable material is based thereon, or the biodegradable material is this. seal after claim 1 , 2 or 3 , wherein the seal body (02) can be releasably connected to at least two parts (31, 32) of the seal strip (03) spaced apart from one another and can be permanently sealed in an operating state. Seal after one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the seal body (02) consists of two at least parts (21, 22) which can be connected to one another in an inseparably sealable manner in an operating state. Seal according to one of the preceding claims, in which the seal body (02) consists of two parts (21, 22) which can be connected to one another in an articulated manner. seal after claim 5 or 6 , wherein the two parts (21, 22) which can be connected to one another in an inseparably sealable manner in an operating state can be glued to one another. seal after claim 7 An adhesive layer being arranged between the parts (21, 22) which are connected to one another in an inseparably sealable manner in an operating state. Seal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one part (32) is arranged between the two parts (21, 22) of the seal body (02), while the other part (31) comprises a first part (21) of the two parts (21, 22) traverses and can be firmly connected to it. Seal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first part (21) of the two parts (21, 22) of the seal body (02) has at least two through openings (23, 24) with a groove (25) in between, which corresponds to the dimensions of the Seal strips (03) are adapted, and that in the operating state of the seal (01) at least the other end part (31) protrudes from the seal body (02).

Images