GB2115354A

GB2115354A - Security sealing system

Info

Publication number: GB2115354A
Application number: GB08301462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Netto Eduardo De Lima Castro
Original assignee: LIMA CASTRO NETTO E DE
Current assignee: LIMA CASTRO NETTO E DE
Priority date: 1982-01-19
Filing date: 1983-01-19
Publication date: 1983-09-07
Also published as: BR8200276A; IT8367049A0; IT8352852V0; GB8301462D0; AU1112083A; PT76097B; IT1161455B; PT76097A

Abstract

A security sealing system for selectively immobilising two relatively movable parts e.g. a postal envelope and a zip-fastener, comprises a housing 1 which is secured to the envelope as by trapping the envelope between the two parts 1a, 1b of the housing which is formed with a tunnel into one end of which a seal element 8 fixed to the slider 10 of the fastener and formed with a cavity 14 and detents 15 may enter to latch resiliently with detents on an elongate seat element 16 inserted into the other end of the tunnel. The device is also applicable to cabinets or freight containers. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Security sealing system The present invention relates to security sealing systems, particularly to seals for envelopes used in sending valuables by post.

Currently available envelope seals suffer from the disadvantage that their construction does not render the seal element completely inaccessible, and thus the possibility exists that a tool may be used to manipulate the seal to release it.

The present invention seeks to provide a construction for an envelope seal in which a resilient plastics seal element retains the slider of a zip-type fastener in its closed position, the seal element being rendered inviolable by being closely received within a housing.

Preferably the device comprises three parts; the housing, a seal receptor element attached to the slider of a sliding zip-type fastener and a resilient seal element of the type described in our Brazilian patent 7501943.

According to the present invention, a security sealing assembly comprises a housing adapted to be fixed to the first element and defining a tunnel having first and second ends in which are formed first and second openings, respectively, an insert having a leading and a trailing end, the trailing end being adapted to be fixed to the second element and the leading end being slidingly receivable within the tunnel through the first opening thereof, the leading end of the insert at least partially defining a cavity open at the leading end of the insert and having at least one internal detent surface facing away from the leading end, and the insert having an abutment surface facing the leading end positioned between its leading and trailing ends, and an elongate seal having a resilient detent at one end and an abutment surface spaced from and facing the detent, the seal and insert being so configured that when the leading end of the insert is positioned in the tunnel with the abutment surface of the insert engaging the first end thereof, the seal may be inserted through the second opening into the tunnel, the detent of the seal entering the cavity within the insert and engaging the detent surface therein and the abutment surface of the seal engaging the second end of the tunnel.

Two embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a first embodiment of the device applied to a "zip" fastener.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the device.

Figure 3 is a cutaway perspective view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the second embodiment.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the device comprises a two-piece housing 1, comprising upper part 1a and lower part 1 b.

Upper part 1 a comprises a generally rectangular flange 2, in the centre of which is formed a tunnel comprising sidewalls 3 and a roof 4. The tunnel is open at both of its ends, the opening at one end being wider than that the other in the embodiment shown. The flange 2 has an aperture 5, extending between the sidewalls 3 and the openings of the tunnel.

The lower part 1 b comprises a plate 6 of a size and shape substantially equal to flange 2 of upper part 1a, and a raised central area 7 which corresponds in shape and size to the aperture 5 of the upper part 1 a.

In use in an envelope having an opening which is closeable by a zip-fastener, the two series of teeth which comprise the zip are attached to the sides of the opening leaving a small space at one end of the opening. At the other end of the fastener the series of teeth are fastened together and to the envelope material.

The lower part 1 b of the housing 1 is then placed within the envelope so that the raised part 7 lies between the free ends of the teeth of the zip and the one end of the opening.

The upper part 1 a of the housing is then placed over the lower part 1 b, so that the raised area 7 enters the aperture 5, and the envelope material is trapped between the flange 2 and the plate 6. The flange 2 and plate 6 are then permanently fixed together, for example by welding. To assist in this, the flange and plate may be provided with cooperating formations such as projections and apertures, the projections penetrating the envelope fabric and entering the apertures, to be secured therein.

The housing thus provides a tunnel, accessible only from its ends, the axis of the tunnel aligned with the zip-fastener.

To the slider of the zip-fastener is attached an insert comprising a drawer-like element 8 capable of being slidingly received within the tunnel, and closely fitting therewithin. At the end of the drawer element 8 nearest to the slider 10 is a blanking wall 9, which serves to close completely the end of the tunnel when the drawer 8 is therewithin.

A tongue 11, perforated neat its free end, extends from the side of wall 9 remote drawer 8, and allows slider 10 to be attached to drawer element 8 by means of a hook 1 2 provided on the slider 1 0.

The drawer element 8 is formed with an open end 13, remote from wall 9, which open end allowes access to a cavity 1 4. Within the cavity 14, detent surfaces 1 5 are positioned on either side of opening 13, the detent surfaces facing the interior of the cavity towards wall 9. In the embodiment shown, the cavity is open at its ends and also at one side, being formed as a depression in the drawer element 8, for ease of moulding.

When the zip is in its closed position, with the slider 10 adjacent the housing 1, the drawer may be inserted into the tunnel so that wall 9 prevents access to one end thereof, and at the other end of the tunnel opening 1 3 of the drawer element is aligned with the other open end of the tunnel.

To seal the zip closed, a frangible seal 1 6 is inserted into the tunnel from the said other end. The seal includes a resilient arcuate nose 17, joined by a frangible section 1 8 to a body 19, to which is attached an abutment or fence 20. To the fence 20 is attached an elongated flattened strip 21, which may bear identifying marks, letter or numbers.

The arcuate nose 1 7 of the seal is resiliently flexed as it passes through the open end of the tunnel and the opening 13, and once inside the cavity regains its original form so that the ends of the nose 1 7 are situated adjacent the detent surfaces 1 5 within the cavity. The seal cannot then be withdrawn without breaking the frangible section 1 8.

The seal 1 b, tunnel and drawer 8 are so dimensioned that the body 1 9 of the seal completely fills both the opening 1 3 in the drawer 8, and the open end of the tunnel remote from the zip. Also, the fence 20 is held tightly against the end of the tunnel to prevent access to the interlocked parts.

To open the sealed envelope, the strip 21 is grasped and pulled, to break the frangible section 1 8. This allows the remainder of the seal to be withdrawn, leaving the nose part 1 7 within cavity 1 4. The drawer 8 may then be withdrawn from the tunnel by sliding the slider 10 to open the zip. The open-topped configuration of the drawer allows easy removal of the detached nose 1 7 whereupon the device is ready for re-use with a fresh seal 16.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention, in which the housing has been changed in certain details, but the action of which is as described previously.

The housing 101 comprises an upper part 101a and a lower part 101b, both of generally rectangular configuration.

Upper housing part 101a comprises an imperforate flange 102, in the centre of which is formed a tunnel comprising sidewalls 103 and roof 104. The tunnel has open ends, and adjacent that end of the tunnel which receives the seal 11 6 are formed guide walls 1 05a and ribs 105b.

The lower part of the housing 101 b comprises a simple plate 106, having an upstanding peripheral lip 107, and apertures 120 to receive legs 11 9 which extend from the flange 102 of the upper housing part 101a for fixing the two parts together. Cutaway areas in both the flange 102 and the plate 106 allow the slider 1 10 of the zip fastener to approach more closely the housing 101 when seal receptor 108 is inserted into the tunnel of upper housing part 101a.

The seal receptor 108 may have the same configuration as previously described, or may simply take the form of two parallel arms having spaced, rearwardly facing detent sur faces between their free ends. The cavity would then be defined by roof 104, flange 102, and the adjacent side faces of the arms of the insert element.

Clearly the device is applicable to sealing zip fasteners in particular, but may be adapted without difficulty to other applications where two relatively movable parts require selective immobilization, such as medicine cabinet doors, freight containers, etc. Clearly, the de vice will not prevent such movable parts from being moved, but will provide a clear indica tion that opening has taken place, thus- pre venting undetected movement.

The security of the device may be improved if the cavity 1 4 in drawer 8 is open down wardly rather than upwardly as shown in figure.

The device clearly is capable of being sim ply and economically formed of plastics ma terial. Embodiments are envisaged wherein the housing and drawer are transparent, or the housing is transparent and a window is formed in the drawer or vice versa, to permit visual inspection of the frangible section 1 8 of the seal.

Claims

1. A sealing system for immobilising first and second relatively movable elements, com prising: pnslng: a housing adapted to be fixed to the first element and defining a tunnel having first and second ends in which are formed first and second openings, respectively; an insert having a leading and a trailing end, the trailing end being adapted to be fixed to the second element and the leading end being slidingly receivable within the tunnel through the first opening thereof, the leading end of the insert at least partially defining a cavity open at the leading end of the insert and having at least one internal surface facing away from the leading end, and the insert having an abutment surface facing the leading end positioned between its leading and trail ing ends; and an elongate seal having a resilient detent at one end and an abutment surface spaced from the facing the detent, the seal and insert being so configured that when the leading end of the insert is positioned in the tunnel with the abutment surface of the insert engag ing the first end thereof, the seal may be inserted through the second opening into the tunnel, the detent of the seal entering the cavity within the insert and engaging the detent surface therein and the abutment surface of the seal engaging the second end of the tunnel.

2. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the seal and insert are provided with means to prevent access to the first and second openings.

3. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes superposed upper and lower flanges for fixing the housing to a flexible sheet material by interposing part of the material between the flanges.

4. A sealing system according to claim 3, wherein the upper flange has, on its side remote from the lower glange, two upstanding parallel sidewalls and a roof.

5. A sealing system according to claim 4, in which the tunnel is defined by the sidewalls, the roof, and part of the upper flange.

6. A sealing system according to claim 4, in which the tunnel is defined by the sidewalls, the roof, and a raised part of the lower flange extending into an aperture formed in the upper flange.

7. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the insert comprises a leading end portion of generally rectangular cross-section, one of its faces being formed with a recess open at the leading end of the insert and also at one lateral face thereof.

8. A sealing system according to claim 7 in which the recess is open to two opposing lateral faces of the insert element as well as to its leading end.

9. A sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the trailing end of the insert is formed as a perforated tongue for attachment to a slider of a zip-fastener.