ES2759309T3 - Inviolability guarantee device with an improved cover and frangible seal - Google Patents

Abstract

A frangible seal (26) to insert into a security device (10), the frangible seal having: a. a main body (36); b. a pair of flexible legs (38, 40) extending from the main body (36); and, c. a locking member (42) connecting the pair of flexible legs (38, 40); characterized in that the blocking member provides a ramp-shaped coupling surface (48) and a second blocking surface (50), facing the ramp (48) in one direction and facing the second blocking surface (50) in another direction , the locking member (42) being configured to engage with a protrusion (30) extending from a cover (28) of the safety device (10), which provides a locking mechanism to prevent retraction of the frangible seal (26 ) from the safety device (10) except for its fracture.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Inviolability guarantee device with an improved cover and frangible seal

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to an inviolability guarantee device. In particular, this invention relates to an improved cover designed to form part of an inviolability guarantee device suitable for use with a sliding closure. This invention also relates to an improved frangible seal adapted to cooperate with the improved cover.

Background of the Invention

As an example of a prior art security device, reference is made to international patent application PCT / AU2007 / 000929. This prior art safety device is designed to cover the slider of the slide lock to prevent access thereto. The security device also includes a frangible locking element generally called a seal to indicate tampering.

WO2008 / 025052A1 describes a frangible seal according to the preamble of claim 1, a security device and a cover.

In general, it is desired in the security device industry to provide an inviolability guarantee device that offers a higher level of security and is less susceptible to being violated than that mentioned and described above.

Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide a security device with an improved cover and a corresponding frangible seal that can satisfy the above desire or that can at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the invention is achieved with a frangible seal according to claim 1, a security device according to claim 5 and a cover for a security device according to claim 13.

A security device for a container that can be closed by a sliding closure having a slider is described, including the security device:

a lower part adapted for attachment to the container;

means for attaching the safety device to the slider, directly or indirectly;

an upper part to retain the fixing means;

receiving means for receiving a frangible seal having a locking member and preventing retraction of the frangible seal except for fracture thereof; and

means for limiting access to the fixing means and the receiving means;

wherein the access limiting means includes a locking element adapted to engage the frangible seal locking member when the frangible seal is received in the receiving means to further prevent retraction of the frangible seal.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the access limiting means take the form of a cover for the security device. It is preferred that the locking element is a protrusion extending downward from the cover. Preferably, the protrusion is in the form of a wedge with a bevel and a first locking surface.

It is preferred that the frangible seal include a main body, a pair of flexible legs that extend from the main body and are joined by the locking member that provides a mating surface and a second locking surface. Preferably, the mating surface faces one direction while the second locking surface faces another direction. More preferably, the mating surface is in the form of a ramp. Even more preferably, as the frangible seal is inserted into the receiving means, the frangible seal ramp is urged against the cover bevel, thereby facilitating the pair of legs to flex downward. Even more preferably, once the frangible seal is fully inserted into the receiving means, the pair of legs is able to flex back to its original position, resulting in the first locking surface resting on the second locking surface. . As such, greater prevention of retraction of the frangible seal is achieved.

Preferably, each leg of the frangible seal includes an inclined tongue.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover includes a slot through which the frangible seal is inserted to be received by the receiving means. Preferably, the slot is partially defined by a protrusion adapted to prevent the main body of the frangible seal from entering the slot. More preferably, the protrusion includes an interruption configured to allow non-interference of the angled tabs when the legs enter the grooves.

Preferably, the cover also includes impeding means adapted to prevent the insertion of unauthorized or incompatible seals into the slot. More preferably, the impeding means includes one or more primary obstacles located at or near the center of the slot entrance. Even more preferably, the impeding means includes one or more primary obstacles located on or near the sides of the slot entrance. It is preferred that at least one of the legs of the frangible seal include a notch configured to accommodate the main obstacle when the leg enters the slot. Preferably, the main body of the frangible seal includes at least one cavity adapted to accommodate the secondary obstacle when the frangible seal engages the cover.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the slider includes a loop or opening to which the fixing means can be attached. It is preferred that the fixing means include a U-shaped closure having a pair of arms, each of which ends with an annular ring. The cover preferably includes a pair of extensions with corresponding annular rings. It is preferred that the security device include a pin adapted to traverse and be received in the aligned annular rings of the U-shaped closure and to cover the extensions to achieve fixing of the cover to the slider.

It is preferred that the cover include a pair of slits to receive the respective arms of the U-shaped closure to allow the slider (or zipper pull) to rotate as desired.

A cover for a safety device for a container that can be closed by a sliding closure having a slider is described, including the safety device:

a lower part adapted for attachment to the container;

means for attaching the safety device to the slider, directly or indirectly;

an upper part to retain the fixing means; and

receiving means for receiving a frangible seal having a locking member and preventing retraction of the frangible seal except for fracture thereof;

wherein the cover is adapted to limit access to the fixing means and the receiving means, and includes a locking element adapted to engage the frangible seal locking member when the frangible seal is received in the receiving means to further prevent the retraction of the frangible seal. Preferably, the upper part defines a camera and is attached to the lower part, the cover being adapted to cover the camera to limit access thereto.

A frangible seal for a security device is described for a container that can be closed by a sliding closure having a slider, including the security device:

a lower part adapted for attachment to the container;

means for attaching the safety device to the slider, directly or indirectly;

an upper part to retain the fixing means;

reception means to receive the seal and prevent retraction of the frangible seal except for fracture thereof; and means to limit access to the fixing means and the receiving means;

where the access limit means has a locking element while the frangible seal has a locking member, the locking element being adapted to engage the locking member when the frangible seal is received in the receiving means to further prevent the retraction of the frangible seal.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in connection with a certain non-limiting embodiment thereof in relation to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a safety device of the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled security device of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of a cover of the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the cover of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a top perspective view of the cover of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the cover of Figure 6;

Fig. 11 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a frangible seal of the third aspect of the invention;

Figure 12 is a top perspective view of the frangible seal of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a plan view of the upper part of the frangible seal of Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a side view of the frangible seal of Figure 11;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the bottom of the frangible seal of Figure 11;

Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view showing the cover of Figure 6 together with a closure and a slider;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the cover of Figure 6 connected to the slider through the closure; Figure 18 is a plan view of the cover, slider and closure of Figure 17; and

Figure 19 is a side view of the cover, slider and closure of Figure 17.

Detailed description of the drawings

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a safety device 10 is shown for a container (not shown) that can be closed by a sliding closure (not shown) having a slider 16 (see Figures 16 to 19). The safety device 10 has a lower part 12 for fixing to the container and fixing means 14 for fixing the safety device 10 to the slider 16.

The security device 10 also includes the upper part in the form of a camera base 20 that includes the camera 22, in which the reception means are located in the form of a passage 24 to receive a frangible seal 26. The camera base 20 retains the fixing means having the form of a U-shaped closure 14. With reference to Figures 1 to 5, but in particular to Figure 4, it can be seen that the chamber 22 of the present invention is also covered by an access limiting means in the form of a cover 28. However, this cover 28 has a design and configuration substantially different from those described in the aforementioned international patent application document. Furthermore, the frangible seal 26 to be received by step 24 has a design and configuration substantially different from those described in the same international patent application document.

Returning to Figures 6 to 8, very similar to the security device described in PCT / AU2007 / 000929, the fundamental functions of the cover 28 are to limit access to the U-shaped closure 14 and to step 24. To improve the For the integrity of the safety device 10, the cover 28 of the present invention has a locking element which is a protrusion 30 that extends downward. As best shown in Figures 7 and 8, the protrusion 30 is shaped like a wedge with a bevel 32 and a flat locking surface 34.

Referring to Figures 11-15, frangible seal 26 of the present invention has a main body 36 and a pair of flexible legs 38 and 40 extending from main body 36. Each leg 38, 40 of frangible seal 26 has an inclined tongue 44, 46. Legs 38 and 40 are joined by a locking member 42. Locking member 42 provides a docking surface in the form of a ramp 48 and a second locking surface 50. As best shown in Figures 11, 12, 13 and 15, the ramp 48 faces one direction while the second locking surface 50 faces another direction. As frangible seal 26 is inserted in step 24, ramp 48 of frangible seal 26 pushes against bevel 32 of cover 28, resulting in the pair of legs 38 and 40 flexing downward to allow let the frangible seal advance.

Once the frangible seal 26 is fully inserted in step 24, the pair of legs 38 and 40 are released from the locking member 42, and may flex back to their original position, resulting in the first locking surface 32 to be rests on the second locking surface 50. As such, the seal 26 is interlocked with the cover 28 and therefore greater prevention of retraction of the frangible seal 26 is achieved. This is significant as this design improves locking. 26 frangible seal insurance with two mechanisms.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10, cover 28 has a slot 52 through which frangible seal 26 is inserted to be received by step 24. Slot 52 is partially defined by two protrusions 54 and 56 adapted to prevent that the main body 36 of the frangible seal 28 enter the slot 52. Between the projections 54 and 56, a space 58 configured to allow non-interference of the inclined tabs 44, 46 when the legs 38 and 40 enter the slot is provided. 52.

As best shown in Figures 9 and 10, cover 28 also includes impeding means configured to prevent the insertion of unauthorized or incompatible seals (such as those of the security device described in document PCT / AU2007 / 000929) in the slot 52. The impeding means takes the form of main obstacles which are ribs 60 located at or near the center of the entrance 62 to the slot 52. The impeding means also includes secondary obstacles in the form of large ribs 64 located at or near the sides of inlet 62 to slot 52.

As best shown in Figures 11 and 15, each of legs 38 and 40 of frangible seal 26 has a notch 66 configured to accommodate main obstacle 64 when leg 38, 40 enters slot 52. Once the seal 26 is fully inserted, ribs 60 fit into respective cavities 84 and 86 provided in main body 36 of seal 26, as illustrated in Figure 5. Main body 36 of frangible seal 26 has a pair of cavities 68 provided to accommodate secondary obstacles in the form of large ribs 64 when frangible seal 26 engages cover 28.

Turning now to Figures 16 to 19, the slider 16 has a loop or opening 70 to which the U-shaped closure 14 that constitutes the fixing means is attached. The U-shaped closure 14 has a pair of arms 14, each of which ends with an annular ring 74. The cover 28 has a pair of extensions 76 with corresponding annular rings 78. A pin 80 is provided (see FIG. 16) to pass through and be received in each of the aligned annular rings 74 and 78 of the U-shaped closure 14 and the cover extensions 76 to achieve the fixing of the cover 28 to the slider 16. The configuration of the form-shaped closure U 14 offers the advantage of being able to pass and hook around the loop or opening 70 of slider 16 during mounting. This is significant since slider jumper 82 is configured such that jumper 82 creates a substantially closed loop for a high level of security. Therefore, it is important that the closure 14 have an open end to facilitate installation. The fixation between closure 14 and pin 80 is accomplished by interference or friction fit.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 16, the cover 28 has a pair of slits 78 to receive the respective arms 72 of the U-shaped closure 14 to allow the slider 16 (or zipper pull) to rotate as desired.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in some detail, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the security device, cover, and frangible seal of the present invention can offer at least the following advantages:

1. Allows for increased security with two locking mechanisms that prevent the seal from being removed without breaking the main body, indicating tampering;

2. the cover can be adapted to old safety devices to replace the original or pre-existing cover which allows the use of most of the original parts and therefore saves costs; and 3. is able to prevent the use of unauthorized and incompatible old stamps.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to other variations and modifications in addition to those specifically described. All these variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention, the nature of which will be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (14)

1. A frangible seal (26) to insert into a security device (10) , the frangible seal having: a. a main body ( 36 ); b. a pair of flexible legs ( 38, 40 ) extending from the main body ( 36 ); and, c. a locking member (42) attaching the pair of flexible legs (38, 40) ; characterized in that the blocking member provides a ramp-shaped coupling surface ( 48 ) and a second blocking surface ( 50 ), facing the ramp ( 48 ) in one direction and facing the second blocking surface ( 50 ) in another direction , the locking member (42) being configured to engage with a protrusion (30) extending from a cover (28) of the security device (10) , which provides a locking mechanism to prevent retraction of the frangible seal ( 26 ) from the safety device (10) except for its fracture. 2. The frangible seal (26) of claim 1, wherein the pair of legs ( 38, 40 ) are configured to flex from an original position to a flexed position during insertion of the seal into the security device. 3. The frangible seal (26) of claim 2, wherein the pair of legs (38, 40) are configured to flex from the flexed position to the original position after full insertion of the seal into the security device. 4. The frangible seal (26) of claim 2, wherein each of the pairs of legs (38, 40) includes an inclined tongue (44, 46) . 5. A security device (10) , for a closable container with a sliding closure having a slider, the security device (10) being configured to receive the frangible seal (26) of any one of claims 1 to 4, including the safety device (10): to. a lower part (12) adapted for attachment to the container; b. fixing means (14) for fixing the safety device (10) to the slider, directly or indirectly; c. an upper part (20) to retain the fixing means (14) ; d. a receiving means (24) for receiving the frangible seal (26) ; and, and. a cover that limits access to the fixing means and the receiving means, the cover including a locking element in the form of a protrusion adapted to engage the locking member of the frangible seal when the frangible seal is received in the receiving means to also prevent retraction of the frangible seal. The security device (10) of claim 5, wherein the protrusion (30) is wedge-shaped with a bevel (32) and a first locking surface (34) . 7. The security device (10) of claim 6, wherein the bevel (32) is adapted to contact the ramp (28) of the frangible seal (26) when the frangible seal (26) is inserted into the security (10) . The security device of claim 6, wherein the first locking surface (34) is adapted to abut the second locking surface (50) when the frangible seal (26) is fully inserted into the device. 9. The security device (10) of any of claims 5 to 8, wherein the cover includes a slot (52) for the frangible seal (26) , the slot (52) being partially defined by a projection (54, 56 ) adapted to prevent the main body (36) of the frangible seal (26) from entering the slot (52) . 10. The safety device of claim 9, wherein the protrusion (54, 56) includes an interruption to accommodate the pitch of the inclined tabs (44, 46) . The security device of any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the cover (26) includes an impeding means (60, 64) adapted to prevent the insertion of unauthorized or incompatible seals into the slot (52) . 12. The security device of claim 11, wherein the restraining means includes at least a main obstacle (60) located at or near the entrance (62) to the slot (52) , and the main body (36) of the frangible seal (26) includes at least one cavity (84, 86) adapted to accommodate the at least one obstacle (60) when the frangible seal (26) is attached to the cover (28) . 13. A cover (28) for a security device (10) , the cover (28) having a protrusion (30) extending therefrom, the protrusion (30) being configured to engage with the locking member (42 ) of the frangible seal (26) of any one of claims 1 to 4, the frangible seal (26) being configured to be inserted into the security device (10) , where the engagement of the protrusion and the locking member provides a mechanism lock to prevent retraction of the frangible seal (26) from the safety device (10) except for fracture thereof. 14. The cover of claim 13, wherein the security device is the security device of any one of claims 5 to 12.