FR2867596A1 - Tamper-proof or check seal for e.g. merchandise protection, has locking ring that locks by its central part deformation and by return of retaining units in notches of tie wire, where wire and ring have edges with specific blocking angle - Google Patents

Abstract

The seal has an elongated locking ring (2) whose central part alone is deformable, and a tie wire (3) to be introduced without gap in a central passage (23). The locking is obtained by deformation of the central part, then by return of retaining units in notches (8) of the wire. The wire and the ring (2) with a central ring (4) have edges that have a blocking angle of 90 degrees to lock the seal.

Description

One-piece safety seal

  The present invention relates to objects and control devices commonly called security seals or control seals. The fixing of the security seal to one or more elements to be protected makes it integral with the latter in such a way that a separation can only be achieved by deterioration or any violation of the seal or one or more elements to be protected.

  The purpose of the security seal is therefore to lock and check the correct locking of the element (s) under control, in a defined time and place. The separation by rupture or destruction or any means of deactivation of the seal is carried out under control by an authorized operator at the end. security seal mission. The protected element (s) are objects of any kind, such as goods, containers, contents.

  The security seal (also called control seal) generally has a fine shape in length that comes around or in the element to be protected, and position in a closed loop in its locking zone.

  The seal of control is a means of combating fraud and theft; it is also a means of traceability of the elements under control The control seals are generally used in the control of bags, briefcases, parcels, containers, containers and various contents, all objects, elements or components integrated in a set, when mobile transport operations, or fixed storage, international in-bond transport, guarding, exhibitions, exhibition-sales, large-scale distribution, and or even in specific object traceability operations in a place or in time.

  The seal of control is a physical guarantee of inviolability and maintenance of the integrity of the elements under control by the seal. Only the destruction of the control seal releases the protected element and terminates the guarantee of control. The control seal is only used once. It is thus also a legal guarantee since the seal of control is the material proof of a guarantee of inviolability of the elements concerned during an exchange and act of trade, deemed loyal and conforms by definition.

  Thus any device, such as padlock with key or other releasable and re-lockable reusable devices, are not considered as control seals according to the strict definition adopted here, since on the one hand during the time and course of the protected element (s), the control seal can undergo undetectable unlocking by any suitable means such as a key, and secondly at the end of mission because by nature it is reusable and ultimately uncontrollable.

  Sealing techniques have evolved considerably over time. The first seals date back to ancient times, ropes, hot-locked rings, special knots, wax seals. More recently we find fasteners, plastic links including inverted inner notches acting as anti-return by internal locking. These seals are not perfect because they still allow subtle possibilities of disassembly without destruction, by means of the introduction of small active objects such as screwdrivers while combining a strong traction in the direction of unlocking the seal. These seals contain rudimentary information and no longer quite adapted to the modern techniques required by the traceability of the products, such as for example an attached label, which can always be removed and replaced. These disadvantages are therefore major in the face of fraud of all levels, organized, or carried out by the simple consumer. Seals of control, important means in the fight against fraud and theft, must be and remain completely reliable, in the time of their implementation, by definition, with regard to the logistical and legal implications.

  In this global approach, we notice new links or seals that are more or less elaborate, as described in the utility certificate FR N 2 695 011/93 10378, the patent ITW / EP 1 347 429 A1, the STOBA patent NVO 01/71699 Al, the patent BROOKS / EP 0 223 905 A1, the patent STRALOCK / US D457 417 S, the patent application US 2003/0111846 A1, the patent WO 01/75842 A1, the patent MALACHOWSKI N 2,632,431 / 88 07514. These techniques are not yet perfect for the following reasons, either they are still too simple and the heart of the locking device is too easily accessible by any attempt to fraud that may allow unlocking the link or sealed, or comprising complicated and expensive locking systems with multiple components. Let us retain for analysis the patent 88 07514 in summary of the imperfections encountered in the techniques already known. On the one hand this seal includes several components such as steel lock washer, washer cover, and the actual body of the seal, resulting in high manufacturing costs and assembly and therefore lower competitiveness. on the other hand, this product allows risks of quality defects and non-detectable fraud, in that the cap having access to the locking washer, the fundamental element of the seal, is laid in force or welded, or glued, but that precisely there also is a major weak point; this cap in fact can also be handled discreetly, the oriented blocking washer can be removed or reversed, which cancels the function supposed inviolable by definition of the control seal in question. Finally, gap equally serious, we can engage the wire, by mistake or fraud, in the opposite direction, which cancels the lock function, without this can not be noticed.

  The present invention overcomes these drawbacks by the fact that it aims at a control seal made in one piece mono-block, by thermoplastic molding, and possibly in combination with modern and inviolable elements of anti-fraud and traceability. FIG. 1 represents an overall view of the invention. FIG. 2 represents a view of the device, ring zone, section BB. FIG. 3 represents a section, wire zone. FIG. 4 represents a section, ring zone, section AA. FIG. axis, variant of the wire The part according to the invention is made in a single piece.It comprises 4 zones, 11 the central body, elongate, ring-shaped (2), comprising an open passage (23) in its axis in all its length.

  2 / a central ring (4) in the center of the ring (2), of smaller section In the periphery of the contral ring (4), are positioned studs (10) connecting the central ring (4) to the ring (2). 3 / peripherally to the ring (2), a plate (11) flat for receiving traceability information information visible from the outside such as text, barcode, numbers, codes, acronyms, chips, 4 / the tie wire (3) or link, of round shape, which has the function of being fully secured to the object to be controlled (22), by its complete one-way introduction cad without any possible return in the passage (23) of the ring (2) until definitive and complete locking.

  The central ring (4) of the ring (2) comprises, in its axis on the inside face of the passage (23), an oriented circular notch edge (5) at an angle of 90 or less than 90, made by a slope progressive whose departure is quoted entry (6) of the wire (3). The fastening wire (3) comprises at regular intervals the same but recessed edge device (8) and in opposition to the edges (5) of the passage (23) of the central ring (4). The fastening wire (3) is of a section for a tight sliding passage without play in the inner axis (23) of the ring (2) which does not allow any introduction or passage of a foreign body other than the wire fastener (3); the ring (2) in its areas outside the central ring (4) being of thick section to be rigid and dimensionally stable.

  The locking of the wire (3) is obtained by the following means: The central ring (4) has a thinner section than the ring (2) and thus allows an elastic flexion of its edges (5) to contact and passage of the wire , during the introduction and passage of the latter in the ring. During the introduction and passage of the wire (3) in the passage (23), during this contact out of the recesses (8), the wire thus exerts a distorting elastic pressure (21) of the wall (4) towards the outside. ) by contact on the edges (5) which are then removed from their nominal position in the passage (23) of the central ring (4). As the wire (3) is introduced, the hollow zone (8) of the wire (3) then releases and cancels the deforming flexion of the ring (4) whose diameter and the edges (5) return at this point in their normal nominal position; at this point, the ridges (7) of the ring and edges (9) of the wire are in perfect opposition to completion of the seal lock without possibility of return of the wire (3).

  The passage of a wire (3) with clearance would not have the effect of deforming elastic pressure or blocking on edges.

  This one-way locking device is repeated as the progress of the wire (3) according to the number of edges (9) that will include the wire (3), and the length of the wire.

  The edges (5) and (9) are located all around their respective bodies, which are the central ring (4) and wire (3). edges (5) and (9) have a locking angle of 90 or less; the ridges (5) are optionally discontinuous (30); all these provisions in order to create a perfect lock against the return of the wire in the ring and to make any attempt at physical manipulation impossible by any means of fraud intended to release the edges (5) and (9) of their association in opposition, creating the seal lock. The section of the central ring (4) allowing a flexion, one could still imagine the possibility of a subtle fraud maneuver by the introduction of objects such as screwdriver blade or manipulation of the whole by learned bending in the purpose of releasing the edges (9) of the wire (3) from their locking against the edges (5) of the central ring; This is also the reason why the passage (23) is made at a dimension without play of the passage of the wire (3) and that the wire (3) is integrated in the monobloc device, avoiding any attempt of fraud However for this purpose highly improbable, if need be more, in order to make rigorously impossible the task of fraud by mechanical and manual manipulations combined with various twists which could with an influence of stalling edges (5) and (9) while in opposition of locking, main device, the invention comprises three complementary secondary devices * the edges (5) of the central ring are circular, * the edges (5) are made in discontinuity (30), * the presence of one or more studs (s) ) (10) connecting the central ring (4) to the ring (2). These studs (10), by sufficiently stiffening the entire ring (2) prohibit on the one hand bending, compression, stretching of the ring in order to obtain an unlocking of the edges (5) and ( 9), and on the other hand prevent by their mere presence a constraint by any external manipulation on the ring to unlock the locking edges; a manipulation of fraud by action on the outside of the ring (4) is impossible with regard to 3 simultaneous means supposed necessary for this purpose, by a pinch tool which is uniformly circular, and which has taken in direct contact with the outside the ring (4); indeed, the ring (4) is smooth on its outside having no possible grip and the presence of the pads (10) prohibit the passage of such a gripper to grip the ring (4). The passage (23) in its outlet can be closed by a slight safety diaphragm (24), this membrane being easily perforated during the passage of the wire (3) in the direction (6), complementary proof of the achievement of locking and correct use of the seal.

  This intact membrane (24) is proof that the device is new and has not been tampered with in any previous job.

  The wire (3) at its free end has a ridge 90 (32) for preventing an improper passage in the device by the direction (33), the edges (32) abut and oppose the edges (7) the central ring; All these devices being security elements. The ring (2) comprises a plate (11) intended to receive all visible or hidden traceability information (13) such as codes, bar codes, electronic tags, abbreviations, detachable control heels, various markers.

  The invention may in combination receive in its mass or its exterior tracers control and traceability devices, internal or external, more or less sophisticated, such as electronic chips magnetic detector wire, active detectors, ball sensors, passive sensors such as as ink or gas or sound internal signal or masked signal detectable electronically released at break and connected to any other means of information or intervention light or powerful such as video surveillance, audible alarms.

  These complementary devices would facilitate the anti-fraud task, especially in supermarkets, in the face of consumer fraud; the surveillance would be lightened, since the fraud well targeted to a precise catchment area, ie the place of the flight, or in detection on zone of passage forced like the cash register.

  It can be imagined that the invention is also associated with self-recognition devices, such as, for example, in mass distribution, observing the consumer, and giving various but valuable information (observation time, manipulation.

  ) on the research and habits of the consumer The realization of the seal can be done in a transparent material, which would allow the control of the good locking of the internal devices of the seal, and which would also detain the fraudster in the sight of the secondary devices embarked in the sealed. In order to improve the traceability of the product monitored and controlled by the security seal, the wafer (11) may comprise several detachable sub-elements (12) with identical information, detachable by severing small tabs for connection to the wafer (11). ; these heels (12) are very useful because used by the control operators during the phases of the chain of circulation, and necessary for storage operations, shipping, receiving, transport, sale ... DTD: In a variant, the invention is not made in one piece but comprises 2 separate elements, an axis (31) replacing the wire (3) and the ring (2) in which the axis (31) is locked; this variant of seal responds to controls and locks of elements to be controlled in forms, technical constraints and heavy footprint; this axis (31) in fact allowing more strength in its design, since it can be made in shapes, dimensions and suitable materials such as steel or other; The axis (31) has the same function as the wire (3), to be secured to the object under control (22) and to lock in the ring (2). The plastic ring (2) of the seal receiving this axis (31) unchanged in its design, may possibly receive dimensions adapted to the axis (31). The invention is aimed primarily at the control of all objects of all kinds, in all logistical and control operations, in all industries, but also covers all other control activities such as the control of animals or even persons in certain cases special and legal, or such as any food products or all consumer goods.

Claims (1)

7 Claims   1 / Sealed control device for control of objects and goods and of control elements (22), produced by thermoplastic molding in one piece, and characterized in that it comprises a wire (3) and an elongate body (2) of which only the central portion (4) is deformable, provided with a central passage in its major axis.   2 / control seal device, according to claim 1, characterized in that the ring (2) for locking comprises a central ring (4) smooth surface state on its outer periphery and lower section having elastic flexibility during the passage of the wire (3), and in that it is rigid and dimensionally stable in its ends on either side of the central ring (4), 3 / Control seal device, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the central ring (4) has a central passage (23) and in its inner face in the center of the ring (2) aretes (5) whose maximum angle is right (7) and located output side (20). 4 / Sealing device control according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that a wire (3) is of a section allowing its passage without play in the passage (23) of the ring (2), and that said wire (3) has recesses (8) with ridges (9) in opposition to the ridges (5) of the ring (4), and that the wire (3) during its passage through the ring (2), exerts a deforming elastic pressure (21) by contact on the edges (5) of the ring (4) and that opposite its edges (9) and recesses (8), the edges (5) of the ring (4) return to their nominal position thus creating the locking device.   5 / Sealing device control according to claim 4 characterized in that the wire (3) has at its detached end an edge (32) whose maximum angle is right prohibiting an introduction maneuver in the ring device (3). ) in the direction (33). 6 / control seal device, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises one or more pads (10) for stiffening between them areas of the body (2) located on either side of the zone central (4). 7 / control seal device according to claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it is made of transparent material partially or in its entirety. 8 / control seal device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a membrane (24) to control that the device is new if the membrane is intact, and that the seal lock is well done if the membrane is perforated by the passage of the wire (3)