WO2012048732A1

WO2012048732A1 - Security seal

Info

Publication number: WO2012048732A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/065229
Authority: WO
Inventors: René TOTH
Original assignee: Stoba Ag
Priority date: 2010-10-11
Filing date: 2010-10-11
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Also published as: EP2628149A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a security seal to be pulled trough comprising a basic body having a flat element (10) and a thereof protruding ribbon (12) with teeth shaped notches (127; 127') being arranged opposite to each other at least partly along two sides of the ribbon (12), and a cylindrical hollow housing (16) being arranged on the basic body and a latching element (162) being arranged within the housing (16), wherein the first teeth shaped notches (127) and the second teeth shaped notches (127') both have identical teeth tops (127a; 127a') and that the latching element (162) comprises a part with at least a comb with at least a recess (163) corresponding to the shape of the teeth tops (127a; 127a').

Description

Security seal

The present invention relates to a security seal to be pulled trough according to the preamble of claim 1.

Known security seals to be pulled through are utilized e.g. to seal a door of a trolley, for example of an aircraft trolley to be loaded with food or free goods. It is very important that any unauthorized access to the stored goods of the trolley is prevented or can be brought into light immediately.

Examples of such security seals to be pulled through are described in US 5 123 686 for example.

An object of the present invention was to provide a tamper resistant seal. It is conceivable to apply the tamper resistant seal according to the present invention in manifold fields, such e.g. sealing of aircraft trolleys, but also e.g. sealing of bags or zips fasteners of a bag or a case for example.

The object is solved by the features given in the

characterizing part of claim 1. Further embodiments of the invention are given in dependant claims.

A seal to be pulled trough according to the present

invention comprises a basic body and a thereof protruding ribbon with teeth shaped notches being arranged opposite to each other at least partly along two sides of the ribbon. Further, a cylindrical hollow housing is arranged on the basic body and a latching element is arranged within the housing. The first teeth shaped notches and the second teeth shaped notches both have identical teeth tops.

Furthermore, the latching element comprises at least a comb with at least one recess corresponding to the shape of the teeth tops. Thereby, tamper resistant sealing is achieved since the teeth shaped notches engage securely into at least one of the recesses, when inserting the ribbon into the housing independent of orientation of the teeth shaped notches .

In an embodiment of the present invention, a head part of the ribbon comprises no notches and is longer than a length of the housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention the first teeth shaped notches have a first regular pitch being different from a second regular pitch of second teeth shaped notches, wherein the pitch ratio according to formula (I) is an integer pitch ratio: pr = ^- (I).

p2

In another embodiment of the present invention, the

recesses of the comb are inclined in direction of a second opening of housing. Thereby, inserting the ribbon through the "wrong" opening of the seal is prevented.

In another embodiment of the present invention the

resilient latching element protrudes from a central region of a bottom part of the housing into an inside of the housing. Thereby, a fraudulent manipulation of the seal to be pulled through is hardly possible, e.g. manipulation by using a pin or a plastic sheet. In another embodiment of the present invention the flat element comprises a cut-out where a pulling element of the ribbon is arranged therein. Thereby, no separate tool, e.g. scissors or a knife, is needed for unsealing.

In another embodiment, the pulling element, the flat element and the housing are arranged in substantially horizontal manner in view to each other and that a pull through direction of the ribbon is parallel to the basic body. Thereby, the flat element, when utilized as a tag is adjusted in the desired direction, i.e. the user can see the tag since it always hangs in its readable position.

In another embodiment, a flat element of the basic body extends through the ribbon and the housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention the seal is made out of injection moulded resin material.

In another embodiment of the present invention the seal is a one-part seal.

In another embodiment of the present invention the seal according to the present invention is used for sealing the door of trolleys or bags or zip fasteners.

The present invention is further explained with the aid of examplified embodiments, which are shown in figures. There is shown in:

fig. 1, schematically, a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention;

fig. 2, schematically, shows a first bottom section of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention according to figure 1; fig. 3, schematically, shows a second bottom section of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention;

figure 4, schematically, shows a third bottom section of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention;

figure 5, schematically, shows an enlarged ribbon section according to figure 3;

figure 6, schematically, shows another enlarged ribbon section according to figure 4; and

figure 7 schematically, shows a front view of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention.

Schematically, figure 1 shows a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention with a basic body 1. The basic body 1 has a flat element 10 with a cutout 110. A ribbon 12 is moulded onto a first side ending 111 of the flat element 10. The ribbon 12 comprises a breath which is bigger than a depth of the ribbon 12. The first side ending 111 is elongated leading into a

triangular bending element 14. The bending element 14 comprises a bending recess 140. The ribbon 12 comprises pulling element 120 with knot shaped protrusions 121. The cut-out 110 receives the pulling element 120 such that an ending 122 of the pulling element 120 can easily be

captured in order to destroy a predetermined break-off line 123 being located between the first side ending 111 of the flat element 10 and a region of a longitudinal side of the pulling element 120. Furthermore, a cylindrical hollow housing 16 is arranged opposite to the first side ending 111 at a second side ending 112 of the flat element 10. Furthermore, a head part 124 of the ribbon 12 comprises at least partly protrusions 125. The head part 124 is shorter compared to a middle part 126 of the ribbon 12 carrying first and second teeth shaped notches 127, 127' . The head part 124 comprises no notches 127, 127' of the type of notches 127, 127' the middle part 126 of the ribbon 12 carries. The head part 124 is longer than a length L of a housing 16. Thus, the head part 124 will protrudes out of the housing 16, when the security seal according to the present invention is sealed, i.e. the ribbon 12 is pulled trough the housing 16. Furthermore, a first bottom section 18 which will be further described in figure 2 is depicted in figure 1.

Schematically, figure 2 shows the first bottom section 18 of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention according to figure 1. The reference signs already introduced in figure 1 correspond to the same reference signs used in figure 2 indicating identical features. The hollow housing 16 comprises a first opening 160 for inserting the ribbon 12 and a second opening 161 for pulling out the ribbon 12. A resilient latching element 162 comprising a comb 168 protrudes from a bottom part 164 of the housing 16 into an inside 165 of the housing 16. The comb 168 comprises three recesses 163 having a shape corresponding to teeth tops 127a, 127a' of the first teeth shaped notches 127 or second teeth shaped notches 127'. The second teeth shaped notches 127' are arranged opposite to the first teeth shaped notches 127 of the ribbon 12. The recesses 163 are located in a central region of the inside 165 of the housing 16. The housing 16 comprises a first side wall 166 and a second side wall 167. The first opening 160 is located between the bottom part 164 and the second side wall 167. Furthermore, the first side wall 166 of the housing 16 is firmly moulded to a first longitudinal side 113 of the flat element 10.

Schematically, figure 3 shows a second bottom section 180 of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention. The reference signs already introduced in figures 1 to 2 correspond to the same reference signs used in figure 3 indicating identical features. The difference to figure 2 is that the middle part 126 of the ribbon 12 is partly inserted into the housing 16 via the first opening 160 and exits via the second opening 161.

Thereby, the inserted ribbon 12 forms a loop (not depicted in figure 3) starting from the pulling element 120. The pull trough direction, indicated by an arrow PD in figure 3, is such that the ribbon 12 runs in parallel manner to the basic body 13. Three of the first teeth shaped notches 127 interlock into the corresponding recesses 163 of the latching element 162. The recesses 163 of the comb 168 are inclined in direction to the second opening 161 of housing 16. Thus, in case, the ribbon 12 is inserted against the pull through direction, i.e. against the arrow PD, the notches 127 will not interlock into the recesses. It is also conceivable that the recesses are arranged in straight manner, i.e. are not inclined towards the second opening (not depicted in Figure 3) . The first teeth tops 127a of the teeth shaped notches 127 correspond to the shape of the recesses 163, i.e. the teeth tops 127a interlock into the recesses 163 of the comb 168 of the latching element 162. The first opening 160 is almost filled-out with the ribbon 12. The first side wall 166 is straight and the second side wall 167 leads from a first straight part into a conical ending part, such that the second opening 161 is formed in a constricted manner. Thereby, the second opening 161 is almost filled-out with the ribbon 12, i.e. there is almost no gap between the ribbon 12 and both side walls 166, 167. A first ribbon section 128 is further described in the description of figure 5.

Schematically, figure 4 shows a third bottom section 181 of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention. The reference signs already introduced in figures 1 to 3 correspond to the same reference signs used in figure 4 indicating identical features. As

described in figure 3, the middle part 126 of the ribbon 12 is partly inserted into the housing 16 via the first opening 160 and exits via the second opening 161. The difference to figure 3 is that the second teeth shaped notches 127' are interlocked to only two recesses 163-1, 163-3 of the recesses 163 of the latching element 162.

Thus, a recess 163-2 located between the first recess 163-1 and the second 163-3 filled with the second teeth shaped notches 127' remains empty. This situation occurs, when the ribbon 12 is inserted into the housing 16 in 180°

overturned manner. Another ribbon section 129 is further described in the description of figure 6. It is also conceivable to provide a latching element 162 having more than one comb (not shown in figure 4). Furthermore, it is conceivable that the latching element 162 can be formed with at least one recess (not shown in figure 4) .

Schematically, figure 5 shows the enlarged ribbon section 128 according to figure 3. Each of the first teeth shaped notches 127 comprises the teeth top 127a, a sloping side 127b and a straight side 127c. A cutting point 163a

receives the teeth tops 127a of the corresponding teeth shaped cam 127. A second sloping side 163b and a second straight side 163c have such a shape in order to allow interlocking of the teeth shaped notches 127 into the recesses 163. Furthermore, a first regular pitch pi between two teeth tops 127a is depicted in figure 5. Another regular pitch p2 between two other teeth tops 127a' of corresponding teeth shaped notches 127' is depicted in figure 5. The regular pitch pi is shorter in relation to the regular pitch p2. Each of the second teeth shaped notches 127' comprise another teeth top 127a', another sloping side 127b' and another straight side 127c' .

Furthermore, each of the second teeth shaped notches 127' comprises a base part 127d' .

Schematically, figure 6 shows another enlarged ribbon section 129 according to figure 4. The difference to figure 5 is that two of the second teeth shaped notches 127' are interlocked into the first and the third recess 163-1, 163- 3. The second recess 163-2 is left empty. Thereby, the corresponding two peaks 127a' of the second teeth shaped notches 127' engage into the recesses 163-1, 163-3.

Schematically, figure 7 shows a front view of a security seal to be pulled through according to the present invention. The reference signs already introduced in figures 1 to 6 correspond to the same reference signs used in figure 7 indicating identical features. The flat element 10 is shown comprising the pulling element 120 at the first side ending 111 of the flat element 10 and comprising the hollow cylindrical housing 16 at the second side ending 112 of the flat element 10. Furthermore, a bar 114 is

protruding in upward manner from the flat element 10. The second opening 161 and the latching element 162 are also depicted. The latching element 162 fills at least more than a half of the inside 165 of the housing 16. Furthermore, a part of a first inner side wall 169 of the housing 16 is depicted in figure 7. The pulling element 120, the flat element 10 and the housing 16 are substantially aligned, i.e. arranged substantially in horizontal manner in view to each other.

Claims

1. A security seal to be pulled trough with a basic body (1) and a thereof protruding ribbon (12), characterized in that the ribbon (12) comprises teeth shaped notches (127; 127') being arranged opposite to each other at least partly along two sides of the ribbon (12), and a cylindrical hollow housing (16) being arranged on the basic body (1) and a latching element (162) being arranged within the housing (16), wherein the first teeth shaped notches (127) and the second teeth shaped notches (127') both having identical teeth tops (127a; 127a') and that the latching element (162) comprises at least a comb (168) with at least one recess (163) corresponding to the shape of the teeth tops (127a; 127a' ) .

2. A seal according to claim 1, characterized in that a head part (124) of the ribbon (12) comprises no notches (127; 127') and is longer than a length (L) of the housing (16) .

3. A seal to be pulled trough according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first teeth shaped notches (127) have a first regular pitch (pi) being different from a second regular pitch (p2) of second teeth shaped notches (127' ) , wherein the pitch ratio (pr) according to formula (I) is an integer pitch ratio: p2

4. A seal according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recesses (163) of the comb (168) are inclined in direction to a second opening (161) of housing (16) .

5. A seal according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the resilient latching element (162) protrudes from a central region of a bottom part (164) of the housing (16) into an inside (165) of the housing (16) .

6. A seal according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flat element (10) comprises a cut-out (110) where a pulling element (120) of the ribbon (12) is arranged therein.

7. A seal according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pulling element (120), the flat element (10) and the housing (16) are arranged in

substantially horizontal manner in view to each other and that a pull through direction (PD) of the ribbon (12) is parallel to the basic body (1) .

8. A seal to be pulled trough according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a flat element (10) of the basic body (1) extends through the ribbon (12) and the housing ( 16) .

9. A seal according to one of the claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that the seal is made out of injection moulded resin material.

10. A seal according to one of the claims 1 to 9,

characterized in that the seal is a one-part seal.

11. Use of a seal according to one of the claims 1 to 10 for sealing the door of trolleys or bags or zip fasteners.