PH12018000020A1

PH12018000020A1 - Tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder

Info

Publication number: PH12018000020A1
Application number: PH12018000020A
Authority: PH
Inventors: Chu Long Au
Original assignee: Wesglow Ind Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2017-03-14
Filing date: 2018-01-23
Publication date: 2018-09-24
Also published as: MY197606A

Abstract

A tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder having a side outlet valve is disclosed. The seal comprising: a cap (1) dimensioned to fit over the outlet of the valve and having a peripheral flange (6) extending around its closed end; and a strap (2) coupled to the flange (6) at one end and engagable to a locking member (4) at the other end to form a loop around the valve for securing the cap (1) to the valve, wherein the loop is breakable along a frangible line (11) extending within the flange (6).

Description

TAMPER PROOF SEAL FOR A GAS CYLINDER i

FIELD OF INVENTION

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This invention relates generally to a security device, and more particularly to a oe seal for providing an evident to indicate when tampering of a gas cylinder has - occurred. on

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION = =

There are many types of industrial and potentially hazardous and expensive fluid 2 or gases stored in pressured containers or gas cylinder provided with valves for filling and discharging the gases. Such containers are periodically monitored to ensure that the content will not be stolen by cracking or opening the valve.

However, the valve cannot be monitored continuously, there is always a possibility of tampering the valves during intervals between inspections.

Furthermore, it may not always be possible to determine if tampering has occurred without complete inspection of the content in the container.

A number of security seals that will indicate if tampering of a gas cylinder has occurred already exist in the market place. One example of such seal is found in

US 20040244836 Al which discloses a device for providing notification of tampering and preventing of particular contamination of fluid stored in tanks equipped with valves. The device comprises a fitting block which is insertable within an opening of a valve, a first and second straps bendable around the valve and fastenable to each other. The device further comprises a frangible portion on one of the straps. The strap is torn on the frangible portion when the user tries to remove the device from the valve. The broken strap of the device provides evidence of tampering

However, this type of seal may be possible, by using a hand or tool to tie or attach the broken ends of the strap together, thereby defeating the tamper evident.

Thus, the seal may give the appearance of being not tampered.

Es ————————————— ESS

SUMMARY OF INVENTION -

One object of the invention is to provide a tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder which consistently provides obvious evidence of tampering, and cannot easily be deflected. 0 - TT = o

The present invention provides a tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder having a bs side outlet valve, the seal comprising: a cap dimensioned to fit over the outlet of = the valve and having a peripheral flange extending around its closed end; and a on strap coupled to the flange at one end and engageable to a locking member at the oo other end to form a loop around the valve for securing the cap to the valve, = wherein the loop is breakable along a frangible line extending within the flange. on

Preferably, the seal is moulded in one piece. The seal is preferably made from plastic.

The strap is preferably bendable. Preferably, the strap tapers toward its free end and has a series of teeth projecting from one of its surfaces for engaging within the locking member such that the strap is irreversibly insertable into the locking “member.

Preferably, the seal further comprising a pull tab extending from the flange.

The present invention consists of features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by references to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The

SE ——————e ee eee eee invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail ~~ through the accompanying drawings in which: ~ -

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder i according to the present invention; ie .

Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view of the seal; -

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of a cap of the seal; fe = fo

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cap of the seal; oo

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the seal is broken along a frangible line; and

Figure 6 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the seal is broken.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 and 2 show a tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder having a side outlet valve according to the present invention which is preferably moulded in one piece. The seal comprises a cap (1) having a side wall (3) and a closed end. The cap (1) is sized to fit over the outlet of the valve so that the cap (1) can be threaded or pushed into or about the outlet of the valve. The shape and/or size of the cap (1) is variable depending on the size and/or shape of the outlet to be covered. The outlet of the valve is used to connect with a fluid distribution system when fluid dispensation is desired. Thus, the cap (1) serves to protect the valve from any connection to the fluid distribution system. Besides that, the cap (1) prevents dirt such as dust from entering the outlet to avoid contamination of the fluid. The cap (1) may have a tapered side wall which can facilitate the entry of the cap (1) into the outlet.

As shown in detail in Figure 3 and 4, the closed end of the cap (1) provides an integral peripheral flange (6) extending outwardly from the circumference of the closed end. A frangible line (11) is formed on the flange (6) along which the flange (6) can be teared into separate segments ( 6a, 6b) as shown in Figure 5 and ~ 6. The figure 5 and 6 show two embodiments of the seal is broken along the - frangible line. The frangible line (11) is extending within the flange (6). The ny frangible line (11) is formed to be fractured easily by bare hand. =

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The flange (6) further comprises a pull tab (5). The pull tab (5) is extending - outwardly from the flange (6) along the frangible line (11). Pulling on the pull tab co (5) will cause the flange (6) to tear at the frangible line (11). on

The seal further comprises a strap (2) extending from one side of the flange (6). =

The length of the strap (2) is variable depending on the size of the valve to which = it will be surrounded and attached. The strap (2) comprises a surface carrying a series of teeth (8) of a generally triangular shape. Each of the teeth (8) is formed by a sloping surface (12) and a flat surface (13) extending outwardly from the surface of the strap (2). The tail of the strap (2) is formed with a tapered tip (7) which is provided with a plurality of grooves (7). The straps may be made of bendable plastic or any other suitable material.

A locking member (4) is coupled to the other side of the flange (6). The locking member (4) is formed with an aperture (10) therethrough such that the locking member (4) has a strap-receiving entrance and exit. The locking member (4) has at least one engaging member (not shown) which engages with the teeth (8) of the strap. The engaging member allows the teeth (8) to pass through the locking member (4) when the tapered tip (7) of the strap (2) is inserted in to the entrance and the strap (2) is drawn through the locking member (4). However, the locking member (4) prevents the teeth (8) from passing in the opposite direction to withdraw the strap (2) from the locking member (4). Therefore, the strap (2) is irreversibly inserted into the locking member (4) to form a loop.

In operation, the cap (1) is placed on the outlet of the valve. Then, the strap (2) is wound around the valve and inserted into the entrance and out from the exit of the locking member (4). The strap (2) is pulled from the exit of the housing until the sloping surface (12) of the teeth (8) is met with the engaging member such as : a resilient leg within the locking member (4). As the strap (2) is pulled tighter, the

EEE ————————————————————————————————— eee reer _ resilient leg will deflect and allow the teeth (8) of the strap (2) to slide forward. =

Once the teeth (8) slide forward over the resilient leg, the strap (2) cannot be . withdrawn from the locking member (4) because the flat surface (13) of the teeth ~ and the resilient leg are engaged. -

Before access to the outlet, the cap (1) must be removed from the outlet so that i. the valve can be available for connection and fluid communication with the fluid = + distribution system. In order to remove the cap (1) from the valve, the strap (2) must be removed from the locking member (4). However, the seal is intended to oe prevent a user from removing the strap (2) from the locking member (4) without oo breaking or cutting the strap (2). Therefore, the seal would typically be removed = by pulling on the pull tab (5) at the frangible line (11) around the flange (6) thus ~~ breaking the strap (2) from the seal and allowing for removal of the cap (1).

However, the seal may be also compromised with other methods.

Once the seal is compromised, a party will be made aware that the outlet was made available for connection with the fluid distribution system, and thus will put on notice that fluid from the cylinder may have actually potentially been dispensed or tampered. Further, the flange (6) on the cap is broken into separate segment (6a, 6b), serving as an obvious visual evidence that the seal was compromised that the valve and/or the fluid was accessible and possibly tampered.

In order for the user to remove the seal from the gas cylinder, a pulling force is applied to the pull tab to tear the flange of the seal along the frangible line.

Therefore, the present invention provides the seal that allows easily removing without any tool.

The herein described seal is particularly made of plastics because of the unique ability of the material to easily mould in one piece, have hardness and flexibility characteristics as the seal to function as described above and cost advantages.

However, it is to be understood that the seal can be made of other types of suitable material.

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The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing - from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the =o invention is, therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the = foregoing description. All changes, which come within the meaning and range of fo equivalency of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope. a.

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Claims

CLAIMS - Fl LE

1. A tamper proof seal for a gas cylinder having a side outlet valve, the seal ~~ fot comprising: Co fronts a cap (1) dimensioned to fit over the outlet of the valve and having a peripheral oe flange (6) extending around/fts closed end; and bi Ly ot a strap (2) coupled to the flange (6) at one end and engagable to a locking " member (4) at the other end to form a loop around the valve for securing the cap co (1) to the valve, wherein the loop is breakable along a frangible line (11) i extending within the flange (6). 7 o

2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the strap (2) is'bendable] ve

3. A seal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the strap (2) has a series of teeth (8) projecting from one of ‘its surfaces for engaging within the locking member (4) such that the strap (2) is irreversibly insertable into the locking member (4).

4. A seal according to any one of claim1 to ‘3 further comprising a pull tab (5) extending from the flange (6). A. ’

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5. A seal according to any one of ¢laim 1 to 4, wherein the strap (2) tapers toward its free end.

6. A seal according to any one of claim 1 to 5 is moulded in one piece. \ A Po (0 ie i g i j i IA Cre bow

7. A seal according to any one of claim 1 to 6 is made from plastic! fo Lu TR : - a AGS 414 mpf © giogf snl Seng ony” A Teg dt uit vodve ) RB . Cooned ey Neg ly Tar j . luting hd 00 owulded em enn pUICE - pl astic ’