GB2204299A

GB2204299A - Tamper-proof enclosure

Info

Publication number: GB2204299A
Application number: GB08710185A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-29
Filing date: 1987-04-29
Publication date: 1988-11-09
Also published as: GB8710185D0

Abstract

A tamper-proof enclosure comprises a container which can be closed by a lid, and a sealing member marked or adapted to be marked with a unique identification which can be secured to the container in such a manner that the container cannot be opened without destruction of said member. The sealing member comprises a strap, end regions of which are serrated to cooperate with internal teeth of bridge-like members 19 attached to the lid and body of the container. The enclosure may be used to prevent tampering with evidence recorded on a tape cassette. <IMAGE>

Description

TAMPER-PROOF ENCLOSURE This invention concerns a tamper-proof enclosure, particularly, though by no means exclusively, suitable for the storage of cassette tape recordings.

It is becoming increasingly common for the Police to make cassette tape recordings of interviews with suspected criminals and to offer such recordings in evidence at a subsequent court proceeding. It is of the utmost importance that the court and suspect can be satisfied that any such recording is the original and has not been the subject of any interference.

It is amongst the objects of the present invention to provide a tamper-proof enclosure for a cassette tape recording which will meet the requirements aforesaid.

According to the present invention there is provided a tamper-proof enclosure comprising a container which can be closed by a lid, and a sealing member marked or adapted to be marked with a unique identification which can be secured to the container in such a manner that the container cannot be opened without destruction of said member.

The container may be in the form of a box having a lid hingedly connected thereto.

The sealing member may be in the form of a strap which can be secured over a joint between the container and its lid.

The strap may be formed on at least one of its ends with a toothed rack adapted to be slid through a complementary toothed aperture to be retained irreversibly thereby.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the several figures of the accompanying drawings, which show, by way of example only, one form of tamper-proof enclosure embodying same.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the enclosure whilst open; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the enclosure whilst closed but unsealed; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a sealing member for the enclosure of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the reverse side of the sealing member of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side elevation of the enclosure when sealed; and Figure 6 shows a fragmentary cross-section on the line VI-VI of Figure 2 with the sealing member in position.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the enclosure which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 comprises a box having a base part 11 and lid 12 hingedly connected thereto.

The box is sized to house a cassette tape recording and the base part 11 may be formed with studs 13 adapted to locate within the drive spools of the cassette.

A sealing member 14 is provided and carries on one face a label 15 which can be signed or otherwise marked with a unique identification. The member 14 may be folded in two to conceal the label and form a strap having pointed ends 16 and 17.

Each end of the strap on one face thereof is formed with a plurality of transversely extending ridges forming a toothed rack 18.

Bridge-like members 19 are formed on the top face of the lid 12 and lower face of the base 11 respectively to define apertures 20 into which the ends of the strap may be slid. The underside of each bridge-like member 19 is formed with at least one tooth 21 adapted to engage with the teeth of one of the racks 18. The teeth are so shaped that once the strap ends have been inserted into the apertures 20 they are retained irreversibly and cannot be pulled free.

In use, for example, a cassette tape recording might be made of an interview between the Police and a suspect. The suspect would be required to sign the member 14 which would then be used to seal the recording within the enclosure. Subsequent removal of the recording, as for use as evidence in subsequent court proceedings, would require cutting of the member 14 enabling the court and suspect to be satisfied that the recording had not been subject to interference whilst retained by the Police.

The enclosure and sealing strap are formed from a plastics material by injection moulding.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible.

Thus, the enclosures might be sized differently for storage of a variety of different kinds of item, such as, for example, valuable documents to be lodged in a safety deposit.

The label 15 may be comprised by a paint-like coating of a kind which can be written upon.

Again, for example, the sealing member may be in the form of two straps which can be located around the container at right angles to one another, their ends being located in a securing member of cruciform shape.

Claims

1. A tamper-proof enclosure comprising a container which can be closed by a lid, and a sealing member marked or adapted to be marked with a unique identification which can be secured to the container in such a manner that the container cannot be opened without destruction of said member.

2. A tamper-proof enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the container is in the form of a box having a lid hingedly connected thereto.

3. A tamper-proof enclosure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sealing member is in the form of a strap which can be secured over a joint between the container and its lid.

4. A tamper-proof enclosure according to claim 3 wherein said strap carries a label which can be signed or otherwise marked.

5. A tamper-proof enclosure according to claim 4 wherein said strap can be folded in two to conceal the label.

6. A tamper-proof enclosure according to any one of claims 3 - 5 wherein the strap is formed on at least one of its ends with a toothed rack adapted to be slid through a complementary toothed aperture to be retained irreversibly thereby.

7. A tamper-proof enclosure according to claim 6 wherein said aperture is defined by a bridge-like member formed on a part of the container.

8. A tamper-proof enclosure according to claim 6 wherein both ends of the strap are formed with a toothed rack, there being two bridge-like members forming apertures to receive the two ends of the strap to retain them irreversibly, the bridge-like members being formed on parts of the container or opposite sides of said joint.

9. A tamper-proof enclosure according to any preceding claims adapted to contain a cassette tape recording.