GB2530049A

GB2530049A - Seal for apparel

Info

Publication number: GB2530049A
Application number: GB1416008.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Walker
Original assignee: Linhope Internat S A
Current assignee: Linhope Internat S A
Priority date: 2014-09-10
Filing date: 2014-09-10
Publication date: 2016-03-16
Also published as: GB201416008D0

Abstract

A seal for clothing apparel 20 comprises a strip of material having first and second ends (Fig. 1) and a tamperproof coupler 40 for coupling the first and second ends of the strip together. The coupler 40 includes a first coupling element 42 and a second coupling element 44 which lock together to retain the first and second ends. The second coupling element preferably comprises a base 48 and a stem 52 with a head 54. The head and stem are received in holes (34, Fig. 2) provided in the first and second ends of the strip. The first coupling element may be a valve element through which the head of the second coupling element can pass in a first coupling direction but through which the head cannot pass in a second uncoupling direction. The second coupling member may be frangible, in particular the head 54 may be adapted to snap off where it joins the stem 52 to indicate tampering.

Description

SEAL FOR APPAREL

The present invention relates to a seal for apparel in particular useful for indicating usage of apparel, as well as to an item of apparel provided with such a seal. The term apparel as used herein is intended to include items such as clothing or garments, items of jewellery, bags and other personal apparel. The invention also provides a method of sealing apparel.

It is common practice and in many countries a legal requirement for retail sellers to accept from a customer the return of an item purchased by the customer, for the sole reason that the item is not suitable or unwanted by the customer. However, a significant problem for many retailers, particularly for retailers who operate an internet based store, is that it is possible for customers to purchase items, to use them for a short period of time, for example for one evening, and then to return the item to the retailer as unwanted, asking for a refund.

Seals for apparel are seals which can be attached to items of apparel in such a way that they will allow the item to be assessed, for example in the shop or in a customer's home. Where the item is a garment, it will allow the customer to try on the garment. However, the seal impairs the appearance of the item and therefore discourages the customer from using the item in public with the seal for apparel attached. Therefore, the customer will remove the seal for apparel before using the item in public. The removal of the seal for apparel indicates to the retailer, should the item be returned, that the customer has made his or her assessment of the item and has decided to keep it, and that the item may therefore not be eligible for a refund.

Examples of seals for apparel include W0201 4/027166, US 201 0/0050487 and FR2739634.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved seal for apparel.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a seal for apparel, including: a strap of material having first and second ends; and a coupler for coupling the first and second ends together in a coupling arrangement; wherein the coupler includes a first coupling element for retaining the first end in the coupling arrangement and a second coupling element for retaining the second end in the coupling arrangement; wherein the first coupling element includes a first locking member, and the second coupling element including a base and a second locking member, the second locking member being for locking with the first locking member in the coupling arrangement, the second locking member being frangible.

The strap of material is preferably for passing through openings in a garment so as to link the seal to the garment.

In order for a seal for apparel to work, it is important that the seal cannot be removed and then reapplied to the item of apparel by the customer. In general, the way this has been approached is to try to provide a seal for apparel which cannot be removed without permanently destroying the integrity of the seal. However, the inventors have discovered that there is a potential for some forms of attachment of a strap of material, with a degree of care, to be undermined such that the strap can be detached from itself, to allow the item to be used, and then reattached by the end-user before being returned to the retailer. Preferred embodiments of the invention minimise this risk by providing a frangible locking member which breaks when the coupler is uncoupled, thereby preventing easy reconstruction of the seal.

Preferably, the base includes a stem, the second locking member includes a protrusion extending laterally from the stem, and the first locking member includes a valve element configured to allow the second locking member to pass through it in one direction only. However, in other embodiments, the first locking member can include a stem with a protrusion, and the second locking member can include a valve element.

In preferred embodiments, the stem can provide a small point of connection with the second locking member, meaning that once the second locking member has snapped off the stem, it is difficult to glue it back on without also gluing the coupler to the strap. Couplers of preferred embodiments can be coupled to the strap without adhesive, and, preferably, in the coupling arrangement, the coupler can be rotated about a point of coupling between the first and second coupling elements, allowing them to rotate with respect to the strap. When a coupler is glued to the strap, it will not be able to rotate, meaning that a retailer will easily be able to see that the seal has been removed and reapplied.

The strap preferably includes one or more holes at each of the first and second end through which the coupler can couple, for example through which the stem can be passed. The holes can for example be pre-punched.

Preferably, the diameter of the or each hole is less than a diameter of the first and second coupling elements, such as the diameter of a base part of the first and second coupling elements, to prevent the first and second coupling elements being able to pass all the way through the holes.

Preferably, the first and second coupling elements are permanently connected by an arm extending laterally from the first and second coupling elements, whereby rotation of the coupler is made clearly visible by movement of the arm. This can mean that all a retailer needs to do is move the arm to see whether the seal has been broken and reapplied.

The strap can have a width of 10 cm or less, although it is not excluded that it could be wider than 10cm. In most instances, it is preferable for the strap to have a width of 5 centimetres at most and in one example a width in the range of about 0.2 centimetres to around 5 centimetres, preferably about 0.5 centimetres to around 2.5 centimetres, more preferably of at least 1 centimetres to 2.5 centimetres.

It will be appreciated that the length of the strap will be dependent upon the item of apparel which is to be secured by the strap and the manner in which it is desired to feed the strap through the item. In general, the strap will have a length of at least 24 centimetres to around 180 centimetres, in particular a length of at least 24 centimetres for a seal used for jewellery, a length of at least 120 centimetres for a seal used for items of clothing, a length of at least 80 centimetres for a seal used for bags and the like. In some embodiments, the strap may have a maximum length of around 30 centimetres for a seal used for jewellery, around 250 centimetres for a seal used for items of clothing, 200 centimetres for a seal used for bags and the like. A long garment such as floor length gown or overcoat may have a longer strap.

The strap of the seal is preferably made of a flat flexible compliant material, most preferably of a soft material. In one embodiment the strap is made of a woven material but in other embodiments it may be made of a flexible sheet.

Furthermore, in other embodiments, other sorts of fabric, or other sorts of material can be used. Furthermore, rope or cord can be used rather than a flat material.

However, a light and flat material is preferred to minimise distortion to the item of apparel.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an item of apparel including a seal wherein the seal is wrapped around a part of the item and extends over at least one externally visible part thereof.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applying a seal to an item, including: passing a strap around an item to link the item and strap together so that the strap extends over at least one externally visible part of the item, the strap having first and second ends; placing the first end adjacent to the second end; applying a coupler to the first and second ends to couple and retain the first and second ends in a coupling arrangement, the coupler including a first coupling element for retaining the first end in the coupling arrangement and a second coupling element for retaining the second end in the coupling arrangement; wherein applying the coupler includes locking a first locking member of the first coupling element with a second locking member of the second coupling element, the second locking member being frangible.

Preferably, the second coupling element includes a base and a stem, and applying the coupler includes passing the stem through a hole in the first end of the strap and a hole in the second end of the strap.

Preferably, the first locking member includes a valve element, the second locking element includes a protrusion extending laterally from the stem, and applying the coupler includes passing the protrusion through the valve element in a first direction, wherein the valve is configured to prevent the passage of the protrusion through the valve element in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Passing the strap around an item can include passing the strap through a first opening in the item and through a second opening in the item.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a garment including a seal for apparel according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a portion of the seal for apparel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a coupler for the seal of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a top view of a coupling element of the coupler of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of the coupler of Figure 3 and 4 in a coupling arrangement; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another coupler for the seal of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the coupler of Figures 3 to 5; Figure 8 is a top view of the coupler of Figures 3 to 5 and 7; Figure 9 is a view of the coupler of Figures 4 to 5 and 7 to S once it has been uncoupled and broken; Figure 10 is a view of the coupler of Figures 4 to 5 and 7 to 9 in the coupling arrangement; Figure 11 is a top view of the coupler of Figure 6; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the coupler of Figures 6 and 11.

The seal for apparel of embodiments of the invention can be used with a wide variety of items of apparel, including clothing or garments, items of jewellery, bags and other personal apparel. The embodiments below are described in the context of application to a dress. However, the seals described can be applied to other items of apparel in other embodiments.

Figure 1 shows a dress 10 with a seal for apparel 20 applied to it.

The seal for apparel 20 includes a strap, in this embodiment a strip of material 22, which includes a first end 24 and a second end 26. The first and second ends 24, 26 are coupled together at a coupling point 28 in order to provide a continuous loop of material. The seal is threaded through openings in the dress 10 in such a way that the seal cannot be removed from the dress without either breaking the continuous loop of the seal 20 or damaging the dress 10 and provides a part of the seal extending over an externally visible part of the dress.

As can be seen in Figure 1, in this example, the seal passes through a neck portion 30 of the dress, passes down through a centre of the dress 10, out through a bottom of the dress 32, and up the front of the dress, where the first and second ends of the strip 22 are coupled. In this way, the seal and the dress are inseparably linked together. The coupling point does not need to be on the outside of the dress. The dress and the seal are not fixedly attached, but are separate components, and accordingly, the seal can be rotated about the dress to present any part of the seal on the outside of the dress. The seal can also be removed from the dress once the seal is broken.

The seal is light, flexible, compliant, and soft. In this embodiment the strip is an elongate flat band of woven fabric. The lightness, flexibility, compliance and softness of the seal both individually and in combination allow the dress to be worn without removing the seal. They mean that the dress hangs on a wearer in a similar manner to how it would hang if the seal were not attached. In other words, the seal does not significantly distort the dress when it is worn. This enables a person to try on the dress and gain an impression of the size, look, and feel of the dress without removing the seal.

The strip 22 typically has a width of 10 cm or less, although it is not excluded that it could be wider than 10 cm. In most instances, it is preferable for the strip to have a width of 5 centimetres at most and in one example a width in the range of about 0.2 centimetres to around 5 centimetres, preferably about 0.5 centimetres to around 2.5 centimetres, more preferably of at least 1.0 centimetres to 2.0 centimetres. In the majority of embodiments the strip preferably has a width of at least 1.5 centimetres.

The strip 22 has a sufficient length to allow it to loop around the appropriate part of the item to which it is applied. In this embodiment, the strip has a length sufficient for it to loop around the dress in the manner depicted in Figure 1. It may have a length in the region of 1 to 2 metres. However, in other embodiments, different lengths can be provided, generally guided by the size of the item to which they are to be applied. In some embodiments, a plurality of seals of different lengths can be provided to allow a retailer to choose an appropriately sized seal for each item to which the seal is to be applied.

The seal is typically provided in a high visibility colour, such as a fluorescent colour, so that it is clearly visible when the dress is being worn in order to make it undesirable to wear the dress with the seal attached. The seal can be provided in a colour that contrasts with the colour of the dress, or at least with the predominant colour of the dress. In one embodiment, the seal is or includes regions of fluorescent pink.

The seal can also be provided with markings, for example indicating the origin of the item and that removal of the seal will mean that the item is not entitled to a refund should it be returned.

As explained above, an important feature of seals for apparel is that a user would wish to remove the seal before using the item in public, but would then be unable to reattach the seal, thereby making clear to a retailer that the decision had been taken to keep the item, and that the purchaser may not be entitled to a refund.

However, a problem that some existing seals for apparel can face is that, with a degree of care, users may be able to reattach the seal for apparel to the item.

As described below, embodiments of the present invention make it considerably more difficult to reattach the seal for apparel without thereby making it evident that the seal has been interfered with.

As can be seen in Figure 2, which shows only the first and second ends 24, 26 of the strip 22, the first end and the second end are each provided with a plurality of holes 34. The holes 34 are typically provided in a line, and can be aligned with a longitudinal centre of the strip 22. Nevertheless, other positions for the holes are possible, but the holes are preferably arranged so that a hole in the first end can be placed over or under a hole in the second end in a plurality of different degrees of overlap of the first and second ends, thereby allowing a plurality of lengths for the loop formed by the coupling of the first and second ends. The holes are typically circular and have a diameter in the region of 2mm to 5mm, typically in the region of 3mm. However, other shapes and sizes can be used in other embodiments.

The first and second ends can be coupled together in a coupling arrangement by a coupler 40 at the coupling point 28. A coupler according to an embodiment is shown in Figures 3-5.

The coupler 40 includes a first coupling element 42 for retaining the first end 24 in the coupling arrangement and a second coupling element 44 for retaining the second end 26 in the coupling arrangement.

The first coupling element 42 includes a first locking member, in this embodiment in the form of a valve element 46.

The second coupling element includes a base 48. The base 48 includes a strap retainer which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the holes 34 so that the strap retainer cannot pass through the holes 34. In this embodiment, the strap retainer is a circular disc 50 with a diameter in the region of 0.5cm to 1.5cm, preferably in the region of 1cm. However, discs or plates of other shapes and sizes can be used or in some cases any three dimensional shape, provided that it has a diameter greater than the diameter of the holes 34 so that it cannot pass through the holes 34.

The base includes an elongate stem 52 having a longitudinal length extending from the disc 50. The stem 52 has a transverse diameter smaller than the holes 34 and is arranged with respect to the disc 50 so that the stem can pass through the holes 34 but the disc is prevented from following the stem through a hole 34.

This is achieved by arranging the stem with respect to the disc so that the diameter of the disc that is greater than the diameter of the holes 34 is transverse to the longitudinal length of the stem 52. The transverse diameter of the stem is typically in the region of 1-3mm.

Where features are described as being transverse herein, in preferred embodiments, they are substantially perpendicular.

The stem 52 includes a second locking member in this embodiment in the form of a protrusion in the form of a bulbous head 54. The bulbous head 54 has a diameter transverse to the longitudinal length of the stem which is greater than the transverse diameter of the stem 52 but smaller than the diameter of the holes 34 so that the bulbous head 54 can pass through the holes 34. The diameter of the bulbous head is typically in the region of 3-5mm.

The bulbous head 54 is frangible so that it can be snapped off the stem 52.

The coupler of this embodiment is made entirely of plastic. However, the coupler can be made of other materials, provided that the second locking member 54 is frangibly coupled, in this embodiment to the base 48.

In this embodiment, the frangible head 54 is configured so that it will snap at the point of narrowest diameter of the stem 52.

The valve element 46 is configured to allow the bulbous head 54 of the second coupling element 44 to pass through it in one direction only.

As can be seen from Figure 4, which is a top view of the valve element 46, the valve element 46 includes an annulus 56 with an opening 58 inside the annulus 56, the opening 58 being of sufficient diameter to allow the bulbous head 54 to pass through it. In other words, the diameter of the annular opening is greater than the transverse diameter of the bulbous head.

In this embodiment, the annulus 56 is circular and has a diameter in the region of 0.5cm to 1.5cm, preferably in the region of 1cm, but other shapes and sizes are possible in other embodiments.

The valve element 46 includes first, second and third resilient valve flaps 60 attached to the annulus 56 and extending into the annular space 58. The valve flaps 60 in this embodiment do not extend all the way to the centre of the annular space 58 but leave a valve space 59 which is not obstructed by valve flaps 60.

The diameter of the valve space 59 is less than the transverse diameter of the bulbous head 54 to prevent the bulbous head passing through the annular space 58 without displacing one or more valve flaps 60. However, it is not excluded that the valve flaps 60 in some embodiments can completely close the annular space 58 leaving no gaps.

The first, second and third valve flaps 60 are configured to be displaceable to allow the bulbous head 54 to displace them and pass them in a coupling direction but not in an uncoupling direction. The uncoupling direction of the second coupling element 44 is shown in Figure 5 by arrow 62. Displacing a valve flap includes bending a free end of the respective valve flap in order to increase the size of the valve space 59. The first, second and third valve flaps 60 are configured to be displaceable to increase the size of the valve space to a diameter at least as great as the transverse diameter of the bulbous head 54.

The valve element 46 can be considered to have a first valve end 47 and a second valve end 49. The first valve end 47 is designed to face the second coupling element 44 in the coupling arrangement. The valve flaps 60 are displaceable in the direction from the first valve end to the second valve end, but not in the direction from the second valve end to the first valve end. In other words, the valve element 46 allows the bulbous head to pass in the direction from the first valve end to the second valve end, but not in the direction from the second valve end to the first valve end.

The coupler in the coupling arrangement can be seen in Figure 5 in which at least one of the valve flaps 60 is preventing the movement of the bulbous head 54 in an uncoupling direction 62.

The first and second coupling elements 42, 44 are permanently connected by an arm 64 which extends laterally from both the first and second coupling elements.

In this embodiment the arm and all of the components of the first and second coupling elements are integral. However, in other embodiments, the coupler can be manufactured from multiple components by attaching them together.

The first and second coupling elements are attached to the arm 64 so that the first end 47 of the first coupling element can be pushed over the stem 52.

The arm 64 is bendable so as to allow the first coupling element 42, in particular the first end 47 of the first coupling element 42, to be moved towards the stem 52 in a coupling direction.

In use, in the depicted embodiment, the strip of material 22 is threaded through the neck and base openings in the dress lOso that one part of the strip is on the inside of the dress and one part of the strap is on the outside of the dress, and the first and second ends 24, 26 are brought together.

One of the holes 34 on each of the first end 24 and second end 26 is selected to be the coupling hole for that end. The selection will generally be made in dependence upon the length of the strip desired in order to provide a continuous loop with an appropriate length for the item, in this case for the dress 10.

The stem 52 of the coupler 40 is then placed through the two selected coupling holes 34 and the arm 64 is bent around an edge of the strip 22 so that the valve element 46 can be pushed over the bulbous head 54 in the coupling direction in such a way that the first and second ends of the strip 22 are sandwiched between the disc 50 and the annulus 56.

The valve element46 is pushed over the bulbous head 54 to displace the first, second and third valve flaps 60 as the bulbous head is pushed through the valve element 46. Once the bulbous head 54 is beyond the first, second and third valve flaps 60, the valve flaps 60 spring back into position as shown in Figure 5, preventing passage of the bulbous head 54 through the valve space 59 and thereby preventing the uncoupling of the first and second coupling elements.

Because the diameter of the annulus 56 and the diameter of the disc 50 are both greater than the diameter of the holes 34, the first and second ends of the strip 22 are retained sandwiched between the coupling elements. Furthermore, the bulbous head 54 is locked by the valve flaps 60 to prevent uncoupling.

Additionally, because there is no adhesive in this coupling, the coupler 40 can rotate with respect to the holes 34, and this rotation is made particularly visible by the arm 64 which moves with respect to the strip 22 when the coupler 40 is rotated.

As discussed above, the user can try on the dress 10 without removing the seal 20. The seal 20 remains in place even after the sale of the article to a customer and it is intended that the responsibility for removing the seal is left with the customer. The construction of the seal 20, in particular the strip 22, enables the article to be worn by the customer without noticeably impinging upon the customer's ability to assess the suitability of the article without noticeable discomfort. In this regard, the flexibility and softness of the strip 22 will enable this to change shape for the comfort of the customer. However, at least a major part of the strap (typically 50% or so) will remain visible from the exterior of the dress when this is worn. The visibility of the seal 20 and the inability of the customer to hide this readily will make it difficult for the customer to wear the article as their own with the seal 20 in place. This can therefore substantially avoid or prevent the risk of the customer using the article and then returning it to the seller as if it has not been used.

It is preferred that the seal 20 is disposed around the article in such a way that it remains visible over a major portion of the article, such as along a substantial part of the entire length of the article as shown in the example of Figure 1. Where this is not practicable or preferred, a plurality of seals 20 can be used.

Once the customer is satisfied with the article, the seal 20 can be removed, by cutting through the strip 22 or by breaking the coupler 40. Once the seal is broken.

the seller may refuse to accept the return of the article as unused or unwanted.

This can be achieved, it will be appreciated, without denying the customer the full opportunity to assess the suitability of the article in the same manner as with articles not having such a seal.

If the strip 22 is cut in removing the seal, it will be very difficult to restore the integrity of the strip without it being evident that the strip has been tampered with.

However, it will also be very difficult to restore the integrity of the strip without it being evident that the strip has been tampered with if the coupler is uncoupled.

Because the bulbous head 54 is frangible and cannot pass through the valve element in the uncoupling direction, uncoupling the first and second coupling elements of the coupler 40 causes the bulbous head 54 to be permanently broken from the stem 52.

When the valve element 46 is pushed over the stem a second time in an attempt to restore the seal, there will be no corresponding locking member on the base 48 to hold the first coupling element 42 in place, meaning that the first and second ends of the strip 22 can no longer be coupled in the same way. This can be seen for example in Figure 9 which shows the stem 52 after the bulbous head has been broken off it.

In order to lock the first and second coupling elements together again, a user may try to glue the bulbous head 54 back onto the stem 52. However, because the stem is elongate, there is a very small surface area of the stem to which to glue the bulbous head. This is particularly true where the bulbous head is configured to break from the stem at the point of smallest diameter. Accordingly, attempts to attach the coupler 40 in this way result in adhesive coming into contact with the strip 22 and effectively gluing the coupler back into place on the strip. This can be immediately detected by a retailer because the coupler will not be able to rotate with respect to the strip 22. When a retailer wishes to determine whether or not the item has been used, the retailer simply needs to wiggle the arm 64 of the coupler to see whether it can still move freely with respect to the strip 22. If it cannot, the retailer can identify that a coupler has been glued back together and the item may not be entitled to a refund.

The seal 20 can be fitted to the item at the point of manufacture, at the point of distribution or by the retail outlet. As mentioned above, in some embodiments, a plurality of couplers and a plurality of strips of different lengths can be provided to a retailer or distributor to allow the retailer or distributor to select an appropriate length strip for the item being sold/distributed and to apply the seal as described above. In other embodiments, a length of material can be supplied on a spool, with desired lengths cut by a user prior to applying to an item.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment which includes a second arm 66 extending laterally from the base 48 in a different direction from the arm 64. Typically, the arm 66 extends from the opposite side of the base 50. The second arm 66 terminates in an annulus 68 which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the holes 34 to prevent the annulus 68 from passing through the holes 34. It may have a diameter in the region of 0.5cm to 1.5cm, preferably in the region of 1cm. In this embodiment, the stem 52 includes a shoulder 70 which can retain the annulus 68 when in coupling arrangement.

The embodiment of Figure 6 has advantages in that it provides two arms to demonstrate the ability of the coupler to rotate with respect to the strip 22.

Modifications are possible to the embodiment described above. For example, it is possible to place a washer in between first and second coupling elements, over the stem 52.

It is to be appreciated that the seal 20 could be disposed around a plurality of articles, such as a set of bangles or rings or around two items of clothing to be worn together, for instance.

Furthermore, the bulbous head 54 does not need to be configured to snap at the point of smallest diameter of the stem in all embodiments, but is preferably configured to snap at a point of sufficiently small diameter to allow the coupler to uncouple.

It is not necessary to provide the arm 64 in all embodiments, nor is it necessary to provide the arm 66. However, as mentioned above, the arms 64 and 66 assists with seeing whether the seal has been broken.

Although the valve element has been described as including first, second and third valve flaps, other numbers of valve flaps can be provided, or other forms of valve can be provided. Furthermore, the first locking member does not need to be a valve element in all embodiments, but should be able to lock with the second locking member.

The second locking member does not need to be a bulbous head in all embodiments. It can be a different form of protrusion, for example a protrusion extending from only one side of the stem 52. The size of the protrusion can correspond to the size of the bulbous head described above. The second locking member can in some embodiments be provided without a stem 52. For example, it can be a catch provided directly on the base 48 for catching the first locking member. However, the second locking member should in any event be able to be locked with the first locking member for example in a corresponding manner to that described above and be frangible so that the coupler is broken when uncoupled.

Furthermore, although the bulbous head is described above as being frangible, in other embodiments, the frangible element can be in the valve element, for example the first coupling element can include a base as described above and the protrusion described above can provide a first locking member, except that the protrusion is not necessarily frangible. Furthermore, the second coupling element can include a valve element as described above including a base such as the annulus 56, and a frangible second locking member, such as one or more valve flaps 60.

In some embodiments multiple parts of the coupler may be frangible, provided that the breaking of at least one frangible part prevents recoupling of the coupler.

In addition, features and modifications of the seal as described in WO 201 4/0271 66, which is incorporated herein by reference, can be utilised in embodiments of the present invention.

All optional and preferred features and modifications of the described embodiments and dependent claims are usable in all aspects of the invention taught herein. Furthermore, the individual features of the dependent claims, as well as all optional and preferred features and modifications of the described embodiments are combinable and interchangeable with one another.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A seal for apparel, including: a strap of material having first and second ends; and a coupler for coupling the first and second ends together in a coupling arrangement; wherein the coupler includes a first coupling element for retaining the first end in the coupling arrangement and a second coupling element for retaining the second end in the coupling arrangement; wherein the first coupling element includes a first locking member, and the second coupling element including a base and a second locking member, the second locking member being for locking with the first locking member in the coupling arrangement, the second locking member being frangible.
2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein one of the first and second coupling elements includes a stem and a protrusion extending laterally from the stem, and the other of the first and second coupling elements includes a valve element configured to allow the protrusion to pass through it in one direction only.
3. A seal according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion includes a bulbous head of the stem.
4. A seal according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the valve element includes an annul us.
5. A seal according to claim 4, wherein the valve element includes at least one resilient valve flap within the annulus.
6. A seal according to claim 5, wherein the valve element includes first, second and third resilient valve flaps within the annulus.
7. A seal according to any preceding claim, wherein the strap includes at least one hole at the first end.
8. A seal according to claim 7, wherein the strap includes at least one hole at the second end, whereby in the coupling arrangement the first and second ends of the strap are sandwiched between the first and second coupling elements.
9. A seal according to claim 8, wherein the strap includes a plurality of holes at each of the first and second ends to allow a user to select a hole in the first end and a hole in the second end to use for the coupler.
10. A seal according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the diameter of the or each hole is less than a diameter of the first and second coupling elements to prevent the first and second coupling elements passing completely through.
11. A seal according to any preceding claim, wherein in the coupling arrangement, the coupler can be rotated about a point of coupling between the first and second coupling elements.
12. A seal according to claim 11, wherein the first and second coupling elements are permanently connected by an arm extending laterally from the first and second coupling elements, whereby rotation of the coupler is made clearly visible by movement of the arm.
13. A seal according to any preceding claim, wherein the second locking member is plastic.
14. A seal according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupler is plastic.
15. An item of apparel including a seal according to any preceding claim, wherein the seal is wrapped around a part of the item and extends over at least one externally visible part thereof.
16. An item according to claim 15. wherein the strap passes through a first and a second opening in the item and the first and second ends are coupled together by the coupler to prevent the seal being removed from the item without breaking the seal or the item.
17. An item according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the item is a garment.
18. A method of applying a seal to an item, including: passing a strap around an item to link the item and strap together so that the strap extends over at least one externally visible part of the item, the strap having first and second ends; placing the first end adjacent to the second end; applying a coupler to the first and second ends to couple and retain the first and second ends in a coupling arrangement, the coupler including a first coupling element for retaining the first end in the coupling arrangement and a second coupling element for retaining the second end in the coupling arrangement; wherein applying the coupler includes locking a first locking member of the first coupling element with a second locking member of the second coupling element, the second locking member being frangible.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein one of the first and second coupling elements includes a base and a stem, and applying the coupler includes passing the stem through a hole in the first end of the strap and a hole in the second end of the strap.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein one of the first and second locking members includes a valve element, the other of the first and second locking elements includes a protrusion extending laterally from the stem, and applying the coupler includes passing the protrusion through the valve element in a first direction, wherein the valve is configured to prevent the passage of the protrusion through the valve element in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
21. A method according to any of claims 18 to 20, wherein passing the strap around an item includes passing the strap through a first opening in the item and through a second opening in the item.
22. A seal for apparel substantially as described herein and with reference to each of the accompanying drawings.
23. An item of apparel substantially as described herein and with reference to each of the accompanying drawings.
24. A method substantially as described herein and with reference to each of the accompanying drawings.