EP1797547B1

EP1797547B1 - Safety seal

Info

Publication number: EP1797547B1
Application number: EP04791880A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano GRIGGIO
Original assignee: SAPISELCO Srl
Current assignee: SAPISELCO Srl
Priority date: 2004-10-05
Filing date: 2004-10-05
Publication date: 2009-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 2024-10-05
Also published as: WO2006038232A1; EP1797547A1; DE602004021203D1; ES2328363T3; ATE431956T1

Abstract

Safety seal, comprising a generically linear and flexible body provided at one end with a head with passing hole for the insertion and the blocking of said body, that has, on one or both edges, an alternate sequence of flexible foils and rigid elements for the blocking or the limiting of the flexion of the foils, and wherein each foil has width greater than the hole of the head and it is flexible towards the ends of the body, and wherein each element for the blocking or the limiting of the flexion of the foils, has width equal to or smaller than the hole of the head.

Description

This patent application relates to the field of seals, and in particular it concerns safety seals applicable on containers as a guarantee of the integrity of the closing.
Safety seals constituted by a linear body comprising at one end a closing head and having the other end tapered for its insertion in the closing head are known. The head has a passing hole with dimensions equal to the section of the body and is provided inside said hole with a tooth or tab flexible and inclined in order to allow the passage in the hole in only one sense.
The body has on its surface a saw-toothed knurling, perpendicular to the length of the linear body itself and extended all along the body.
The body and the head of the seal are realized in plastic material while the tab or tooth is realized in metal and drown-incorporated in the head during the forming of the seal.
Patent application EP 0 540 475 relates to a seal having a flat flexible body with a housing at one end, said body provided with ratchet-like teeth on one surface, suited to prevent the extraction of the body from the housing, and further mesas on part of the opposite surface, suited to indicate the properly or improperly insertion of the body in the housing.
Patent application US 4537 432 relates to a seal having a housing frangibly connected to a tab, wherein said tab is connected to a flexible flat body, provided with teeth suited to prevent the extraction of the body from the housing. Said tab allows quick tear of the seal.
When it is necessary to keep two parts closed or close one to the other and to assure that they are not violated, like for example sacks, boxes, doors and/or windows, cutoff valves, containers in general, a seal as afore described is utilized, by inserting the body of the seal in the eyelets of the parts that have to be sealed, and then said seal body is inserted in the head in a way to insert it as much as possible.
The slot formed by the body of the seal assures the not opening of the parts that have to be kept united or closed.
The tooth or tab inside the head of the seal prevents the extraction of the body of the seal from the head.
To open the seal it is necessary to break it, for example using scissors, or hack-saws.
Substantially the blocking of the extraction of the body from the head is assured by only one tooth or tab which insists every time on the offset shaped part that in that moment is inside the head.
By inserting a thin and sharp object in the hole of the head it is possible to lift the tooth or tab from the body of the seal, thus releasing it from the saw-toothed knurling of the body itself.
In this way the body, not being held by the tooth or tab, can be extracted from its head, thus opening the seal.
This operation is not destructive, because the tooth or tab is flexible, and it is reversible, that is it is possible to close the seal again without it being damaged. The opening and the closing again of the seal without damaging the seal itself makes it impossible for anyone to note its opening, thus thwarting its function as a seal.
Moreover, the known seals have also other drawbacks.
The part of the body already inserted in the head of the seal is free and can causes troubles, for example during the transport of the container closed by the seal or when trying to reach other machines near to the object closed by the seal.
The closing of the seal requires particular manual skills and care because when the body is pulled through the head, the head of the seal slides on the object that has to be closed, thus making it difficult to close the seal.
In order to overcome to the above cited drawbacks a view safety seal has been studied and carried out.
Aim of the new safety seal is to make the opening of the seal itself irreversibly evident.
Another likewise important aim of the new seal is to prevent the
the opening without damages to the seal itself.
Further likewise important aim of the new seal is to prevent the extraction without damages of the body from the head.
Another aim of the new seal is to facilitate the closing or the pulling of the body through the head, that is to hold the position of the head on the object that has to be closed.
These and other direct and complementary aims are achieved by the new safety seal comprising a generically linear and flexible body, provided at one end with a closing head and having the opposite end tapered.
The body of the new seal has a generically strip shape provided on each edge with an alternate sequence of flexible foils or elements for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils themselves.
Each foil has a generically rectangular shape, it is perpendicular to the length of the body and has section with such dimensions to allow its flexion in only one direction and in only one sense, that is in the sense of the ends of the body.
Each element for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils is shaped like a trapezoid or an arrow, in order to allow the flexion of the next foils towards the head of the seal and to prevent the flexion of the foil towards the tapered tip
The width of each element for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils is smaller than the width of the foils themselves, that is the width of each element for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils is equal to the width of the foils in their position of maximum flexion.
On one side of the body there is a central rib parallel to the length of the body itself.
The head of the seal has a passing hole with section, or span, equal to the section of the body in correspondence to an element for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils:
Said passing hole has internal steps or offsets fit for facilitating the passing of the body of the seal during insertion and to prevent its extraction.
Moreover the head is provided with an appendix or plate fit for receiving writings, codes or inscriptions and more than everything the unambiguous identification number of the seal itself. On said appendix or plate there is a U-shaped hole capable of holding the tapered end of the body.
It is foreseen the presence of conical relieves, on the surface of the body next to the head and on the same side that is in contact with the object that has to be closed, fit for blocking or anyway limiting the sliding of the head itself on the object to be closed.
By inserting the body of the seal in the hole of the head, the foils flex until they lean on the inclined wall of the elements for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils, so as to reduce their lateral encumbrance and to permit the sliding through the hole of the head.
The pulling of the body in the opposite sense, that is through the head, causes the flexion of the foils in the opposite sense, so that they come immediately in contact with the blocking element that prevent such sliding.
Substantially the blocking of the extraction of the body from the head is assured by each couple of foils and of blocking or limiting elements.
The central rib of the body prevent the insertion in a not correct sense of the body itself into the hole of the head.
The U-shaped hole present in the tab allows to secure the end or the free part of the body.
Safety seal for the guarantee of the closing, comprising a generically linear and flexible body provided at one end with a head with passing hole for insertion and blocking of said body, having the body provided, on both edges, with an alternate sequence of flexible foils and elements for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils, and wherein each foil has width greater than the hole of the head and it is flexible towards the ends of the body, and wherein each element for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils has width equal to or smaller than the hole of the head and it is shaped like a trapezoid or an arrow so that to allow only the flexion of the adjacent foils towards the head of the seal and to prevent the flexion of said foils towards the tapered tip.
The characteristics of the new safety seal will be clarified by the following description, referring to the figures attached as a non-limitative example.
In figure 1 the new seal is represented, while figures 2, 3, 4 show three views, front, lateral and section, of the body (C), of the new seal comprising a generically linear and flexible body (C), provided at one end with a closing head (T) and having the opposite end (C1) tapered.
The body (C) of the new seal has a generically strip shape with, on each edge, an alternate sequence of flexible foils (C2) and elements (C3) for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils (C2).
Each foil (C2) has a generically rectangular or anyway linear shape and it is perpendicular to the length of the body (C).
The section of each foil (C2) is also preferably rectangular and has dimensions such to allow its flexion only towards the ends of the body (C).
Each element (C3) for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils (C2) is shaped like a trapezoid or an arrow, in order to allow the flexion of the adjacent foils (C2) only towards the head (T) of the seal and to prevent the flexion of said foils (C2) towards the tapered tip (C1).
Substantially each blocking element (C3) has the wall (C3a) directed towards the head (T) perpendicular to the length of the body (C), while the wall (C3b) directed towards the tapered tip (C1) is inclined in a direction that is opposite to said tapered tip. (C1).
In this way each foil (C2) can be flexed towards the head (T) until it leans on the inclined wall (C3b) of the blocking element (C3), but is blocked in its flexion towards the tapered tip (C1) by the wall (C3a) of the blocking element (C3) perpendicular to the length of the body (C).
The width of each blocking or limiting element (C3) is smaller than the width of the foils (C2).
Specifically the width of each element (C3) for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils (C2) is equal to the width of the foils (C2) in their position of maximum flexion.
On one side of the body (C), in the lower or in the upper part, there is a central rib (C4) parallel to the length of the body (C) itself.
On the tapered tip (C1) of the body (C) relieves or splines (C1a) perpendicular to the length of the body (C) can be present.
The head (T) of the seal is generically parallelepiped shaped and it has a passing hole (T1) for insertion of the body (C) of the seal.
To reach this aim the passing hole (T1) of the head (T) has section, or span, equal to the section of the body (C) in correspondence to an element (C3) for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils (C2), that is it has rectangular section with a notch (T1a) for the passing of the rib (C4) of the body (C).
In figure 5 a section of the head (T) is shown in details: it is possible to see the body (C) inserted in the passing hole (T1) of the head (T) itself.
Said passing hole (T1) has internal steps or offsets (T1b) fit for facilitating the passing of the body (C) of the seal in the insertion, closing, and to prevent its extraction.
On the head (T), in the side opposite to the body (C), it is foreseen an appendix or plate (A) fit for receiving writings, codes or inscriptions. On said appendix or plate (A) there is a U-shaped hole (A1) capable of holding the tapered end (C1) of the body (C).
On the surface of the body (C) next to the head (T) and on the same side that is in contact with the object that has to be closed, generically conical relieves (C5) are present; they are fit for blocking or anyway limiting the sliding of the head (T) on the object during the closing of the body (C) to the head (T) itself.
When the body (C) of the seal is inserted in the hole (T1) of the head (T), the foils (C2) flex until they lean on the inclined wall (C3b) of the blocking or limiting elements (C3), so as to reduce their lateral encumbrance and to pass through the hole (T1) of the head (T).
The rib (C4) of the body (C) prevent the insertion in a not correct sense of the body (C) itself into the hole (T1) of the head (T).
The pulling of the body (C) in the opposite sense through the head (T), that is for the extraction-opening, makes the foils (C2) flex only partially in the opposite sense, because they are thwarted by the blocking or limiting elements (C3).
In this way the block of the extraction of the body (C) from the head (T) is assured by each couple of foils (C2) and of blocking or limiting elements (C3). Any forcing in the extraction of the body (C) from the hole (T1) of the head (T) damages irreparably and showily the foils (C2) of the body (C).
The tapered tip (C1) of the body (C), already passed through the hole (T1) of the head (T) can be inserted and held by the U-shaped hole (A1) present in the tab.
The new seal has many advantages.
Any opening or tried opening of the seal is immediately visible and made evident by the deformation or fracture of the foils (C2).
Any opening or tried opening of the seal irreversably damages the seal itself. The blocking of the extraction of the body (C) of the head (T) is assured by the large amount of foils (C2), each of which is, by itself, enough to prevent said extraction.
The rib (C4) present in the body (C), prevents the reverse and wrong insertion of the body (C) in the hole (T1) of the head (T) and prevent, in the meantime, the lateral motion of the body (C) inside the hole (T1) of the head (T).
The closing of the new seal is facilitated by conical relieves (C5) present in the body (C) that prevent or anyway limit the sliding of the head (T) itself on the object that has to be closed.
The U-shaped hole (A1) present on the appendix or plate (A) allows to hold the part of the body (C) already inserted and passed through the hole (T1) of the head (T).
The above are the basic outlines of the invention, on the basis of which the technician will be able to provide for implementation; therefore any change which may be necessary upon implementation is to be regarded as completely protected by the present invention
With reference to the above description the following claims are put forth.

Claims

Safety seal, comprising a generically linear and flexible body (C) provided at one end with a head (T) with passing hole (T1) for insertion and blocking of said body (C), and at the other end with a tapered tip (C1), characterized in that the body (C) has, on one or both edges, an alternate sequence of flexible foils (C2), having a generally linear shape and perpendicular to the length of the body (C), and rigid elements (C3) for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils (C2), each foil (C2) having width greater than the hole (T1) of the head (T) and being flexible towards the ends of the body (C), and each element (C3) for blocking or limiting the flexion of the foils (C2) having width equal to or smaller than the hole (T1) of the head (T), and wherein each blocking element (C3) is shaped like a trapezoid or an arrow so that to allow the flexion of the adjacent foils (C2) towards the head (T) of the seal and to prevent the flexion of said foils (C2) towards the tapered tip (C1).
Safety seal, according to claim 1, characterized in that each blocking element (C3) has the wall (C3a) directed towards the head (T) perpendicular to the length of the body (C), while the wall (C3b) directed towards the tapered tip (C1) is inclined in a direction that is opposite to said tapered tip (C1), so that each foil (C2) can be flexed towards the head (T) until it leans on the inclined wall (C3b) of the blocking element (C3), but is blocked in its flexion towards the tapered tip (C1) by the wall (C3a) of the blocking element (C3) perpendicular to the length of the body (C).
Safety seal, according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that the hole (T1) of the head (T) has internal steps or offsets (T1 b) fit for facilitating the passing of the body (C) of the seal in the insertion, closing, and to prevent its extraction.
Safety seal, according to claims 1, 2, 3, characterized in that the body (C) has a central rib (C4) parallel to the length of the body (C) itself, and wherein the hole (T1) of the head (T) has a notch (T1 a) for the passing of said rib (C4) of the body (C).
Safety seal, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, characterized in that the head (T) has, on the surface related to the insertion of the body (C), some generically conic relieves (C5) fit for preventing or anyway limiting the sliding of said head (T) on the object during the closing of the body (C) to the head (T) itself.
Safety seal, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, characterized in that it has an appendix or plate (A) on the head (T), in the side opposite to the body (C), fit for receiving writings, codes or inscriptions, and wherein on said appendix or plate (A) there is a U-shaped hole (A1) capable of holding the tapered end (C1) of the body (C).
Safety seal, according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, characterized in that the tapered tip (C1) of the body (C) has relieves or splines (C1 a) perpendicular to the length of the body (C).