EP1557368B1 - Récipient fermable - Google Patents
Récipient fermable Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1557368B1 EP1557368B1 EP04257826A EP04257826A EP1557368B1 EP 1557368 B1 EP1557368 B1 EP 1557368B1 EP 04257826 A EP04257826 A EP 04257826A EP 04257826 A EP04257826 A EP 04257826A EP 1557368 B1 EP1557368 B1 EP 1557368B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- lock unit
- flap
- seal
- envelope
- plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 7
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000013290 Sagittaria latifolia Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000004676 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000122 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 235000015246 common arrowhead Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229910000760 Hardened steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920006351 engineering plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D27/00—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents
- B65D27/12—Closures
- B65D27/20—Closures using self-locking integral or attached elements
- B65D27/22—Tongue-and-slot or like closures; Tuck-in flaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D27/00—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents
- B65D27/12—Closures
- B65D27/28—Applications of separate closing elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D27/00—Envelopes or like essentially-rectangular containers for postal or other purposes having no structural provision for thickness of contents
- B65D27/12—Closures
- B65D27/30—Closures with special means for indicating unauthorised opening
Definitions
- the invention relates to a closable container, for example a box with a lid with a flap, or an envelope or pouch with a flap.
- the container has a lock unit with which the flap registers, the flap being temporarily locked in its closed position by means of a disposable locking member.
- the disposable locking member (generally referred to as a "seal") has a head part, a stem part and a plug part.
- the plug part goes through an aperture in the pull tab of the zipper and engages in an aperture in the lock unit.
- the envelope is opened by removal of the head part of the locking member, which causes rupture of the stem part with the plug part being left behind in the lock unit or envelope. Because the envelope can only be opened by breaking the locking member, a tamper evident seal to the envelope is provided.
- This same reference also discloses an envelope with a lock unit over which the puller tab of the zipper fits, a seal being fitted into the lock unit from the side, on top of the puller tab.
- the seal is a substantially flat element, having a body part and a head part substantially in the shape of an arrow-head with resilient barbs.
- a locking device which is in the form of a keyless padlock.
- a locking bar is inserted into the locking device and is locked in place by means of a disposable locking element.
- the locking element has a locking post and a plug part and incorporates a tear line by means of which the locking element can be split into two parts for removal and thus unlocking of the padlock.
- WO-A-01/53163 a similar disposable locking element is described for use in closing the opening of a bag or pouch.
- a location plate on one side of the bag registers over a lock unit on the other side and a disposable locking element is pressed through the location plate and into the lock unit to temporarily lock the two sides of the opening of the bag together.
- GB-A-2364688 there is described a reusable envelope with a tamper evident closure.
- the top of the envelope has two apertures which register with each other when the top is folded over, and which register with a seal receiving assembly on the front of the envelope when the envelope is closed. A breakable seal is then plugged into the front of the envelope, to lock the envelope.
- WO-A-02/04306 describes another reusable and lockable envelope, with a complex fold-over top. After the top is folded closed, apertures in the top register with a lock unit on the envelope and a seal is plugged into the front.
- a similar plug-in seal to that shown in GB-A-2364688 is disclosed in US-A-5651652 , for use in closing a reusable box-like container with overlapping flaps.
- the present applicant in the 1990s made and sold a reusable envelope with a two part lock unit, one part being on the flap of the envelope and one part being on the front of the envelope.
- the two parts formed a lock unit into which a breakable seal was inserted at the side, along the surface of the flap.
- the lock unit part on the flap formed the outer surface or roof of the lock unit, i.e. the flap did not have an aperture through which the lock unit part on the envelope passed.
- the invention aims to provide an anew and improved closable container with a tamper-evident locking mechanism.
- a closable container having an opening which is closed by a flap of the container, the flap having an aperture therethrough which in use registers with a lock unit formed on a wall or side of the container with the lock unit extending through the aperture, the lock unit having an opening for receiving the head of a breakable seal which locks into the opening in such a manner that it cannot be removed without breaking, the seal in its inserted position locking the flap over the lock unit in a tamper evident fashion, wherein the opening of the lock unit is arranged on one side of the lock unit, whereby in use the seal is inserted substantially parallel to the plane of the flap.
- the lock unit has a closed roof and preferably on the inside of the roof there is fonned a rib or groove for registration with a corresponding groove or rib on the head part of the seal.
- the aperture is preferably formed in a first plate fitted to the flap and which locates over the lock unit, and the lock unit can be formed on a second plate.
- the container may be in the form of an envelope, bag or pouch with a folding flap, or a box with a lid with a flap
- Fig. 1a shows a container which in this embodiment is in the form of an envelope.
- the envelope 1 is closed by means of a flap 2.
- the flap 2 folds over the front of the envelope in a conventional fashion.
- the flap 2 has an aperture 5 at a central position.
- the aperture 5 extends through the material of the flap and is also defined by a first plate 6 which is glued to the outside of the flap (see Fig. 1b).
- a second plate 7 is provided on the front of the envelope in a middle portion of which is formed a lock unit 8.
- the second plate 7 is fitted on the inside of the envelope, with the lock unit extending through a hole in the front of the envelope (although it could be fitted on the outside if desired).
- the second plate can be glued to the material of the envelope.
- Fig. 1b shows the flap 2 of the envelope 1 in its closed position, with the flap 2 folded onto the front of the envelope.
- the first and second plates 6,7 are positioned such that the aperture 5 on the flap 2 fits over the lock unit 8 on the front of the envelope.
- FIG. 1c The closed position of the flap 2, with the first plate 6 lying over the second plate 7, and the lock unit 8 extending through the aperture5, is shown in Fig. 1c.
- This Figure also shows a disposable locking member or seal 10 which is inserted in the lock unit 8 and fits on top of the first plate 6.
- the seal 10 thus provides a locking of the envelope, which envelope can then only be opened by breaking the seal.
- the seal 10 is pushed into the lock unit 8 from below, in a direction parallel to the plane of the envelope and to the plane of the first plate (and along the surface of the flap), rather being pushed or plugged into the lock unit from the front of the envelope.
- Fig. 2a shows the first plate 6 which in plan view is substantially barrel shaped.
- the central aperture 5 is clearly visible.
- the plate also has a series of interconnecting ribs 13, which provide rigidity to the plate.
- Fig. 2b shows the second plate 7, which is of a similar shape to the first plate 6.
- the lock unit 8 is in the form of a raised enclosure or housing which on one side (the lower side as seen in Fig. 1c) has an opening 15.
- the lock unit or chamber 8 has a closed roof 16 which prevents access to the head of the seal 10 from above.
- the first plate In use, with the first plate 6 fitted to the flap of the envelope and the second plate 7 fitted to the front of the envelope, the first plate locates over the second plate, with the aperture 5 registering with the housing 8. In this position, the opening 15 is partly blocked by the first plate 6 (as viewed looking directly into the housing through the opening) but has still defines an open mouth which has height substantially the same as the thickness of the seal 10. The seal is then pushed into the mouth of the housing (from the lower right hand comer as seen in Fig. 2b), the seal 10 fitting over the border of the first plate 6 to lock the flap 2 in place.
- Fig. 3 shows the disposable and frangible seal 10 which in this embodiment has a head part 21 and a body part 22.
- the head part 21 has arrow-head configuration with barbs 23, in a known fashion.
- the body part 22 is substantially square with rounded comers, but it could be of any other desired shape.
- Between the body part 22 and the head part 21 is an elongate recess 24 which provides a reduced thickness and thus a weakened and breakable connection between the head and body parts.
- the seal also has a central recessed portion 26 which reduces the use of material in the seal.
- An important and preferred feature of the seal is that the head part has a groove 27 running along its length, for registration with the rib 20 on the roof of the housing 8.
- the head of the seal may have an indent 28 at its end for locating on a lug inside the housing 8.
- the first plate locates over the second plate and the seal 10 is locked in the housing 8, over part of the flap (or the plate on the flap).
- the seal is pushed into the housing 8 with, the resilient barbs 23 locating behind the edges of the mouth 15 of the housing.
- the seal cannot be removed without the breaking the body part 22 from the head part 21.
- Fig. 4a and 4b show the seal 10 approaching the housing (Fig. 4a) and then the seal located within the housing (Fig. 4b).
- the opening 15 of the housing is tapered, that is the edge of the roof of the housing above the opening is inclined with respect to the plane of the base of the housing, which allows a close tolerance to be achieved between the thickness of the seal and the top of the opening, while at the same time the tapered shape provides no hindrance to the seal being inserted.
- the opening or mouth 15 of the housing has a height (when the first plate is not on the second plate) which is substantially greater than the thickness of the head 21 of the seal 10 (for example at least twice the thickness of the seal head). This means that after the seal is broken and the flap lifted, the head of the seal can easily fall into the bottom of the housing and out of the housing, through the opening.
- the lock unit may be formed of a suitable material, such as hardened steel, but is preferably formed of plastics such as nylon, polypropylene, ABS, styrene or engineering plastics.
- the disposable seals which will generally be supplied in bulk, are formed of a suitable resilient but frangible plastics material, such as styrene, ABS, nylon or polypropylene.
- Typical dimensions for the seal are 25mm long, by 11mm wide, the seal having the thickness of from 2-3mm. However, it will be appreciated that it is the thickness of the head part of the seal which is critical, in that it needs to be consistent with the internal dimensions of the chamber when the plates are overlapping, and the body part of the seal could be of a greater thickness if desired.
- the container may be a bag or pouch which is closed by means of a flap.
- the container could be in the form of a box 1, for example as shown in Fig.5.
- the box is closed by means of a lid 3 which has a flap 2 equivalent to the flap of the envelope of Fig.1.
- the flap 2 fits over the front 4 of the box in a conventional fashion.
- the aperture 5 extends through the material of the flap of the lid and is, as in Fig. 1, defined by a first plate 6 which in this embodiment is riveted to the flap (although it could be glued).
- a first plate 6 which in this embodiment is riveted to the flap (although it could be glued).
- the second plate 7 is provided on the front 4 of the box.
- the second plate 7 is also riveted to the material of the box.
- the first and second plates 6,7 are positioned such that the aperture 5 on the flap 3 fits over the lock unit 8 on the front of the box.
- the box In the closed position of the flap 3, with the first plate 6 lying over the second plate 7, and the lock unit 8 extending through the aperture 5, the box can be locked by a disposable locking member or seal which is inserted in the lock unit 8 and fits on top of the first plate 6, in the same way as with the envelope described earlier.
- the seal thus provides a locking of the box, which box can then only be opened by breaking the seal.
- the seal is pushed into the lock unit 8 from below, in a direction parallel to the plane of the front 4 of the box and to the plane of the first plate.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Claims (5)
- Récipient fermable (1) comportant une ouverture qui est fermée par un rabat (2) du récipient, le rabat comportant en lui une ouverture (5) qui lors de l'utilisation coïncide avec une unité de fermoir (8) aménagée sur une paroi ou une face du récipient avec l'unité de fermoir s'étendant à travers l'ouverture, l'unité de fermoir comportant elle-même une ouverture (15) pour accueillir la tête d'un sceau cassable (10) qui se verrouille dans l'ouverture de telle manière qu'il ne peut pas en être retiré sans se rompre, le sceau dans sa position insérée verrouillant le rabat (2) sur l'unité de fermoir d'une façon inviolable, dans lequel l'ouverture (15) de l'unité de fermoir est aménagée sur une face de l'unité de fermoir, en vertu de quoi lors de l'utilisation le sceau est inséré de façon sensiblement parallèle au plan du rabat.
- Récipient selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ouverture (5) est aménagée dans une première plaque (6) montée sur le rabat et qui se situe au-dessus de l'unité de fermoir (8), et l'unité de fermoir est préférablement aménagée dans une deuxième plaque (7).
- Récipient selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel l'unité de fermoir (8) comporte un toit sur la face intérieure duquel est aménagée une nervure (20) ou gorge destinée à coïncider avec une gorge (27) ou nervure correspondante aménagée sur la partie tête du sceau.
- Récipient selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, qui est sous la forme d'une boîte comportant un couvercle doté d'un rabat.
- Récipient selon les revendications 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le récipient est un sac, une bourse ou une enveloppe doté(e) d'un rabat pliable.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0401241 | 2004-01-20 | ||
GBGB0401241.5A GB0401241D0 (en) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-01-20 | Closable container |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1557368A1 EP1557368A1 (fr) | 2005-07-27 |
EP1557368B1 true EP1557368B1 (fr) | 2007-11-14 |
Family
ID=31971170
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04257826A Ceased EP1557368B1 (fr) | 2004-01-20 | 2004-12-16 | Récipient fermable |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050156019A1 (fr) |
EP (1) | EP1557368B1 (fr) |
CN (1) | CN1644462A (fr) |
AU (1) | AU2005200150B2 (fr) |
DE (1) | DE602004010057D1 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB0401241D0 (fr) |
ZA (1) | ZA200500429B (fr) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7201410B1 (en) * | 2005-01-28 | 2007-04-10 | The United States Of America As Represented By The National Security Agency | Reusable tamper evident security device |
US9272808B2 (en) * | 2012-03-13 | 2016-03-01 | Multi Packaging Solutions, Inc. | Packaging and integrated utility item |
US9145236B2 (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2015-09-29 | Hallmark Cards, Incorporated | Article with a latching mechanism |
CN104085602A (zh) * | 2014-07-17 | 2014-10-08 | 朱瑞清 | 一种采用子母扣锁定的防盗纸箱 |
CN108750347A (zh) * | 2018-04-16 | 2018-11-06 | 蔡思杰 | 一种免胶纸可多次循环使用的环保快递袋 |
CN114030731B (zh) * | 2020-10-17 | 2024-05-10 | 深圳市摩码赢联科技有限公司 | 一种具有防伪扣体结构的包装盒 |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US522007A (en) * | 1894-06-26 | Fastening device for package-wrappers | ||
US1455803A (en) * | 1921-07-01 | 1923-05-22 | Frank B Nofsinger | Cartridge box |
US1814773A (en) * | 1927-10-29 | 1931-07-14 | Ancira Lock & Seal Corp | Seal |
US1950803A (en) * | 1930-12-12 | 1934-03-13 | Gen Seal & Lock Corp | Safety lock |
US2015013A (en) * | 1932-09-10 | 1935-09-17 | Horsley John | Envelope, box, container, and such like |
US2053491A (en) * | 1934-07-13 | 1936-09-08 | Smithe Machine Co Inc F L | Envelope fastener |
US2214169A (en) * | 1939-03-09 | 1940-09-10 | Kubinyi Joseph | Safety envelope |
US2252813A (en) * | 1939-10-05 | 1941-08-19 | Paoly Cassianus | Seal |
US5651652A (en) * | 1996-09-19 | 1997-07-29 | Williams; David J. | Breakaway tamperproof fastener |
-
2004
- 2004-01-20 GB GBGB0401241.5A patent/GB0401241D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2004-12-16 EP EP04257826A patent/EP1557368B1/fr not_active Ceased
- 2004-12-16 DE DE602004010057T patent/DE602004010057D1/de active Active
- 2004-12-29 CN CN200410103000.0A patent/CN1644462A/zh active Pending
-
2005
- 2005-01-13 AU AU2005200150A patent/AU2005200150B2/en active Active
- 2005-01-17 ZA ZA2005/00429A patent/ZA200500429B/en unknown
- 2005-01-18 US US11/036,143 patent/US20050156019A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1644462A (zh) | 2005-07-27 |
DE602004010057D1 (de) | 2007-12-27 |
GB0401241D0 (en) | 2004-02-25 |
EP1557368A1 (fr) | 2005-07-27 |
ZA200500429B (en) | 2005-09-28 |
US20050156019A1 (en) | 2005-07-21 |
AU2005200150B2 (en) | 2006-09-28 |
AU2005200150A1 (en) | 2005-08-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9688440B2 (en) | Sealed container | |
AU2001275729B2 (en) | Container with tamper-evident seal | |
CA2538396C (fr) | Fermeture de securite | |
US7029178B2 (en) | Zip-lock closure | |
AU2001275729A1 (en) | Container with tamper-evident seal | |
US20050156019A1 (en) | Closable container | |
US7021826B2 (en) | Lockable container having tamper evident lock unit | |
EP1547932B1 (fr) | Fermeture inviolable | |
EP1248539B1 (fr) | Recipient refermable | |
WO2002004306A1 (fr) | Récipient refermable | |
GB2367805A (en) | A tamper evident security sleeve for cash boxes or the like | |
JPH0678217U (ja) | 不正開封防止機能付き紙箱 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20050112 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR LV MK YU |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): CH DE ES FR GB IT LI |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE ES FR GB IT LI |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602004010057 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20071227 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: ES Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080225 Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20071114 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20071114 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080214 |
|
EN | Fr: translation not filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20080815 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20080829 |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20081216 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20081216 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20071231 |