GB1591030A

GB1591030A - Antipilfering device

Info

Publication number: GB1591030A
Application number: GB4609376A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Smith Plastics Ltd R A
Current assignee: Smith Plastics Ltd R A
Priority date: 1977-11-01
Filing date: 1977-11-01
Publication date: 1981-06-10

Description

(54) IMPROVED ANTI-PILFERING DEVICE (71) We, R.A. SMITH PLASTICS LI MITED, a British Company, of 3 Crossness Road, Barking, Essex, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent be granted to us, and the method by which the same is to be performed, to be described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to an anti-pilfering device for use in securing the mouth of a bag or other item.

There is a need for a device which may be used to secure the mouth of a bag containing items of laundry or the possessions of a person taken into custody, the device being so designed that it cannot be removed from the bag without damage being caused in such a way as to indicate that tampering has taken place. Various forms of bundling strap are known. Such a strap has a head with a slot through which may be passed the free end of the strap. A flexible pawl within the slot prevents retraction of the strap.

Although such a strap is suitable for bundling together electric cables, for example, it is not suitable for use an an anti-pilfering device because it is relatively easy to insert an implement into the slot to deflect the pawl. The strap may then be removed, the contents of a bag secured by it pilfered, and the strap re-applied without leaving any evidence of tampering having taken place.

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-pilfering device which comprises a body member having an internal cavity, the body member having a wall through which is an opening into the cavity, and an elongate element having one of its ends connected to, or retainable by, the body member, the free end of the elongate element being arranged to pass into the cavity by way of the opening so as to retain an article to be secured, the cavity containing latching means adapted to cooperate with the elongate element to prevent its retraction through the opening, the opening closely surrounding the elongate element and the body member being so constructed that, when the device is applied to an article, interference with the latching means is possible only if damage is caused to the device.With this arrangement, it is impossible for an implement to be used to deflect the latching means without leaving on the device signs of physical interference. Conveniently, there is a second opening in another wall of the body member so that the elongate element may be passed through the body member, and a loop formed between the body member and elongate element may be tightened about the article to be secured.

By providing teeth on the elongate element and toothed ribs on the body member, so arranged that the teeth indent into the article as the loop is tightened, it may be made impossible for the article to be extracted from the loop without damage being caused to the article, again indicative of tampering. Preferably, the toothed ribs are disposed within a space defined by at least one projecting wall, to further reduce the possibility of interference with the article.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the body member, Figure 2 shows the strap, Figure 2A is a section on line A-A in Figure 2, Figure 2B is a view taken in the direction of arrow B in Figure 2, Figure 2C is a section taken on the line C-C in Figure 2, Figure 3 is a view of the body member looking from beneath Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view of the body member looking from above Figure 1 before attachment of the outer end wall, Figure 5 is a perspective view of the latching means to an enlarged scale, Figure 6 shows to an enlarged scale a detail of Figure 1 but showing the strap in its retained position.

Referring to the drawing, the device comprises a body 1 and a flexible strap 2, both moulded from suitable plastics material. The body has an internal cavity defined between parallel, spaced apart end walls 3 and 5 and a peripheral side wall 6. The end wall 3 extends beyond the wall 6 and terminates in a projecting peripheral wall 4 which bounds a space for receiving the neck of a bag to be secured. The end wall 3 has a pair of openings 7 and 8, while the outer end wall has an opening 9 in line with the opening 8. The opening 7 is constituted by a bore through projections 71, 72 on opposite sides of the wall 3. Extending throughout the length of the bore is an axial notch.The opening 8 is likewise constituted by a bore through projections 81 and 82 on opposite sides of the wall 3, the former of which projections is slotted to form a collet-like latching means including deflectable, resi lient radially inwardly projecting tongues located within the cavity. Reinforcing ribs are provided for the projections 71 and 81.

Projecting into the space bounded by wall 4 are pairs of longitudinally and transversely extending ribs 11 integral with the end wall 3. The ribs are formed with teeth 12 arranged to become indented in a bag inserted into the space.

At one end of the strap 2 is a head 13, from which extends a rectangular sectioned portion from which project teeth 10. A central section of the strap is formed with circular cross-sectioned tapering, barb-like formations 14. At its free end the strap has a narrow tail 15. The narrow edges of the rectangular sectioned portion has barbs 16.

The body, the outer end wall 5 and the strap are moulded separately. The strap is passed through the opening 7 until the head lies within a countersunk recess in the end of the projection 71. During such assembly, teeth 10 pass through the notch of the opening 7. The outer end wall is then secured in place, the wall 6 having a suitable bead or rib against which the outer end wall bears. The outer end wall may be bonded or welded in place, possibly ultrasonically, after assembly of the body and strap. Of course, the head of the strap could be concealed by any alternative form of cover for example a dished or boxlike cover applied to the end wall 3 or sleeved over the peripheral wall 4.

In use, the neck of the bag is inserted into the recess and the tail of the strap passed through the openings 8, 9 in turn and then pulled to draw the central portion of the strap through the openings until the neck of the bag is gripped tightely between the teeth 10 and toothed ribs 11. Cooperation of the tongues of the collet with a stop surface formed by the end surface of a respective one of the tapering formations 14 prevents the strap from being withdrawn such as to enlarge the loop, resilient flexing of the tongues (which thus serve as pawls) allowing the strap to be pulled through during securing of the bag. Ribs on the internal surface of the wall 4 also serve to grip the bag. The strap may be broken off where it emerges from the opening 9, the opening being blocked by the strap, so that interference with the collet by way of this opening is prevented.

The retention of the neck of the bag within the space bounded by the wall 4 makes it difficult for the bag to be worked out of the looped strap. The projection 82 also hinders the insertion of a tool through opening 8 in order to release the collet.

Other constructions of the body are possible. Thus, for example, the outer end wall may be integral with the body, and the inner end wall may be hinged thereto, being folded into position upon assembly. Also, instead of the neck of the bag being received within a space bounded on all sides by a continuous wall 4, it may be received within a space located between separate spaced apart side walls. Instead of being separate from the body and being retained thereby, the strap may be formed integral with the body, or it may be permanently affixed to the body.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An anti-pilfering device comprising a body member having an internal cavity, a wall of the body member having an opening into the cavity, and an elongate element having one end connected to, or retainable by, the body member, the free end of the elongate element being arranged to pass into the cavity by way of the opening so as to retain an article to be secured, the cavity containing latching means adapted to cooperate with the elongate element to prevent its retraction through the opening, the opening closely surrounding the elongate element and the body member being so constructed that when the device is applied to an article interference with the latching means is possible only by causing damage to the device.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the latching means comprises at least one resiliently deflectable tongue arranged to cooperate with formations on the elongate element.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the latching means comprises a plurality of such tongues in a collet-like arrangement on a tubular projection from said walls, the elongate element passing through the projection when the device is

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. latching means to an enlarged scale, Figure 6 shows to an enlarged scale a detail of Figure 1 but showing the strap in its retained position. Referring to the drawing, the device comprises a body 1 and a flexible strap 2, both moulded from suitable plastics material. The body has an internal cavity defined between parallel, spaced apart end walls 3 and 5 and a peripheral side wall 6. The end wall 3 extends beyond the wall 6 and terminates in a projecting peripheral wall 4 which bounds a space for receiving the neck of a bag to be secured. The end wall 3 has a pair of openings 7 and 8, while the outer end wall has an opening 9 in line with the opening 8. The opening 7 is constituted by a bore through projections 71, 72 on opposite sides of the wall 3. Extending throughout the length of the bore is an axial notch.The opening 8 is likewise constituted by a bore through projections 81 and 82 on opposite sides of the wall 3, the former of which projections is slotted to form a collet-like latching means including deflectable, resi lient radially inwardly projecting tongues located within the cavity. Reinforcing ribs are provided for the projections 71 and 81. Projecting into the space bounded by wall 4 are pairs of longitudinally and transversely extending ribs 11 integral with the end wall 3. The ribs are formed with teeth 12 arranged to become indented in a bag inserted into the space. At one end of the strap 2 is a head 13, from which extends a rectangular sectioned portion from which project teeth 10. A central section of the strap is formed with circular cross-sectioned tapering, barb-like formations 14. At its free end the strap has a narrow tail 15. The narrow edges of the rectangular sectioned portion has barbs 16. The body, the outer end wall 5 and the strap are moulded separately. The strap is passed through the opening 7 until the head lies within a countersunk recess in the end of the projection 71. During such assembly, teeth 10 pass through the notch of the opening 7. The outer end wall is then secured in place, the wall 6 having a suitable bead or rib against which the outer end wall bears. The outer end wall may be bonded or welded in place, possibly ultrasonically, after assembly of the body and strap. Of course, the head of the strap could be concealed by any alternative form of cover for example a dished or boxlike cover applied to the end wall 3 or sleeved over the peripheral wall 4. In use, the neck of the bag is inserted into the recess and the tail of the strap passed through the openings 8, 9 in turn and then pulled to draw the central portion of the strap through the openings until the neck of the bag is gripped tightely between the teeth 10 and toothed ribs 11. Cooperation of the tongues of the collet with a stop surface formed by the end surface of a respective one of the tapering formations 14 prevents the strap from being withdrawn such as to enlarge the loop, resilient flexing of the tongues (which thus serve as pawls) allowing the strap to be pulled through during securing of the bag. Ribs on the internal surface of the wall 4 also serve to grip the bag. The strap may be broken off where it emerges from the opening 9, the opening being blocked by the strap, so that interference with the collet by way of this opening is prevented. The retention of the neck of the bag within the space bounded by the wall 4 makes it difficult for the bag to be worked out of the looped strap. The projection 82 also hinders the insertion of a tool through opening 8 in order to release the collet. Other constructions of the body are possible. Thus, for example, the outer end wall may be integral with the body, and the inner end wall may be hinged thereto, being folded into position upon assembly. Also, instead of the neck of the bag being received within a space bounded on all sides by a continuous wall 4, it may be received within a space located between separate spaced apart side walls. Instead of being separate from the body and being retained thereby, the strap may be formed integral with the body, or it may be permanently affixed to the body. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An anti-pilfering device comprising a body member having an internal cavity, a wall of the body member having an opening into the cavity, and an elongate element having one end connected to, or retainable by, the body member, the free end of the elongate element being arranged to pass into the cavity by way of the opening so as to retain an article to be secured, the cavity containing latching means adapted to cooperate with the elongate element to prevent its retraction through the opening, the opening closely surrounding the elongate element and the body member being so constructed that when the device is applied to an article interference with the latching means is possible only by causing damage to the device.

applied to an article.

4. A device as claimed in any preceeding claim, including a second opening into the cavity through a wall spaced from the first-mentioned wall, the second opening being so located that the elongate element may be passed through the body member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second opening is dimensioned so as to be blocked by the elongate element.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3 and 4 in combination, wherein the opening in the first-mentioned wall is defined within the tubular projection.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a second tubular projection extends from the first-mentioned wall in the direction opposite to the first-mentioned projection, and the opening in the first-mentioned wall is constituted by a bore through the two projections.

8. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first-mentioned wall has therein another opening, and the elongate element has at its side one end a head wider than the other opening in the firstmentioned wall, the head being retained within the body member and the elongate element extending through the other opening.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body member is provided with at least one projecting wall surrounding or partially surrounding a space within which the elongate element may be formed into a loop to surround an article to be secured.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body member is formed with toothed ribs projecting into said space.

11. A device as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein the elongate element is formed with teeth arranged to become indented in the article about which the elongate element is looped.

12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elongate element is formed with barb-like formations.

13. A device as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the elongate element is adapted to be broken-off where it emerges from the body member.

14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body member is moulded from plastics in two separate, or interconnected, parts which mate to define the hollow interior of the body member.

15. A device as claimed in claim 14, wherein one of said parts consists of an end wall secured to a peripheral wall integral with the first-mentioned wall.

16. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate element is integral with the body member.

17. An anti-pilfering device comprising a body member having an internal cavity defined between spaced-apart end walls and a peripheral wall, each of the end walls having therein an opening into the cavity, and an elongate element having one end connected to, or retainable by, the body member, the free end of the member being passable through the body member by way of the openings, after being looped around an article to be secured, the cavity containing a latching means engageable with the elongate element such as to prevent its retraction through the body member, the openings being so dimensioned relative to the cross-section of the elongate element that, when the device is applied to an article, the insertion of an implement to interfere with the latching means is prevented, and the body member having no other apertures through which access may be gained to the latching means.

18. An anti-pilfering device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.