GB2512591A

GB2512591A - Sealing device

Info

Publication number: GB2512591A
Application number: GB1305898.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Sheehan
Original assignee: Versapak International Ltd
Current assignee: Versapak International Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-02
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2014-10-08
Also published as: GB201305898D0

Abstract

A seal 2 comprises a head portion, including a planar element 10 with a platform 14, and a tail portion extending orthogonally from the head portion and frangibly connected thereto. The platform 14 is provided with at least one feature 18 which registers with a corresponding feature (32, Fig 5b) in the housing 6 into which the seal is inserted. The provision of these corresponding features, e.g. recess, indent, lug or projection, prevents rotation of the seal in the housing when it is fully inserted. Accidental breakage of the seal is reduced due to inadvertent rotation and the tamper evident nature of the seal is improved. The planar element 10 may also have a projection 12 which corresponds with a recess in order to aid positioning and alignment of the seal. The seal is preferably for use with an envelope having a zip fastener, the seal and housing locking the zip puller in a closed position in use.

Description

I

SEALING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an improved sealing device and lock housing particularly adapted for use in sealing reusable mailing pouches, although the arrangement may be used in other applications.

GB 2 357 738 describes a known sealing device of the type used for sealing reusable mailing pouches, which are closed by means of a zip fastener. The sealing device is an expendable item, typically formed from plastics material, having a tail portion adapted for engagement with a lock, the lock being located in a conventional housing mounted on the mailing pouch adjacent the zip fastener, and a head portion. When the zip fastener is closed, the slider of the zip fastener is positioned to overlie the lock housing and the tail portion of the sealing device is inserted through an aperture in the slider and into the lock opening to engage the lock. The head portion covers the lock opening thereby preventing access to the lock and retaining the zip fastener in the closed position.

The tail portion comprises a pair of resiliently deformable legs having mutually opposed feet for latching engagement behind respective interior shoulders provided on either side of the lock opening of the lock housing. The feet have adjacent ends which are adjacent to each other and remote ends remote from each other, the feet adapted to move together when the tail portion is inserted into the lock opening, the adjacent ends of the feet deflecting or distorting past each other to reduce the distance between the remote ends of the feet and allow entry into the opening.

The legs are joined to a mounting on the base of the head portion by a narrow join so that the legs can pivot about an axis extending through the join, and further each leg of the tail portion is joined to the head portion by an easily broken, narrow join, The arrangement enables the head portion to be broken away from the tail portion by the recipient of the mailing pouch to gain access to its contents. The bag can then be reused with a new seal.

One of the primary functions of a sealing device and lock housing is to ensure that access to an object within the locked space can only be achieved by breaking the sealing device, so that a broken sealing device provides evidence that access to the contents has been sought, and possibly achieved. In the case of a sealing device for a reusable mailing pouch, the sealing device generally is useful to indicate if the contents of the mailing pouch have been tampered with in transit. In particular, in order to gain access to the contents of a mailing pouch sealed by such means, the sealing device must be broken and removed from the pouch, and this would be evident to the recipient, who would notice either the absence of a sealing device, a broken sealing device, or the presence of a replacement sealing device.

Known sealing devices are generally effective in provision of tamper evident sealing, however present seals, when in position in present lock housings, are loose, allowing for a lot of play so that the seal is easily moved in the lock housing and is not firmly IS held. Such a loose engagement of the seal in the lock renders the seal vulnerable to catching' during transit, so that the seal may break accidentally. In particular, the loose engagement means that the seal can rotate in the housing, placing a particular strain on frangible portions and making the seal much more likely to break accidentally, thereby destroying the use and benefit of the seal and lock arrangement.

The present invention seeks to address this problem and provide an improved sealing device, which is held more securely within a locking housing to prevent jiggle and rotation of the seal within the housing.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a seal comprising a head portion, including a planar element with a platform, and a tail portion, The tail portion extends orthogonally from the head portion, is frangibly connected thereto, and is adapted for latching engagement with a locking portion in a locking housing. The platform has at least one feature for registration with a corresponding feature in the locking housing.

Preferably the at least one feature is a plurality of features. The plurality of features may be distributed in a spaced arrangement around the platform.

Preferably the at least one feature comprises a recess, or an indent, for engagement with a lug in a locking housing. Alternatively the at least one feature may be a lug for engagement with a recess or indent in a locking housing.

Preferably the recess is on an opposite side of the platform to the at least one indent.

Preferably the recess extends from a position adjacent the tail portion to an outer perimeter of the platform.

Preferably the or each recess, indent or lug is adapted to engage with a respective corresponding lug, recess, or indent in a locking housing to restrict lateral and/or rotational movement of the seal in the lock.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a locking housing including an opening for receiving at least part of a tail portion of a seal, and further comprising, on a surface of the housing adjacent the opening, at least one feature for registration with a corresponding feature on a platform of a head portion of the seal.

Preferably the at least one feature is a plurality of features, The plurality of features may be distributed in a spaced arrangement around the opening.

Preferably the at least one feature is a lug positioned on one side of the opening, for registration with a recess or indent in the seal platform.

Preferably the at least one feature is a recess or indent positioned for registration with a lug on the seal platform Preferably the at least one feature includes a further lug positioned on an opposite side of the opening for registration with a corresponding recess or indent in the seal.

Preferably each lug, recess or indent is adapted to engage with a respective corresponding recess, indent or lug in a seal platform to restrict lateral and/or rotational movement of the seal in the lock.

Preferably each recess or indent is adapted to engage with a respective corresponding lug.

Features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows a perspective view of a seal and locking housing in accordance with a first aspect; Figure 2(a) and (b) show side views of the seal of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a plan view of the seal of Figure tin the plane A of Figure 2(b); Figure 4 shows a view from the base of a seal in accordance with Figure 1; Figure 5(a) shows a plan view of the lock housing of Figure 1, including an opening for receiving at least part of the tail of the seal of Figure 2, and Figure 5(b) shows a detail of the opening of the lock housing of Figure 5(a).

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a seal 2 approaching an opening 4 of a lock housing 6, positioned for entry of at least part of the seal 2 into the opening.

Figure 2(a) shows a view from a first side of the seal of Figure 1, The seal of Figure 2(a) comprises a head portion 8 including a planar piece 10 with a positioning beak 12 and, in a central position on the piece, a platform 14. Figure 2(a) further indicates the position of an opening 18 in platform 14.

The seal of Figure 2(a) further comprises a tail portion 20, extending generally perpendicularly away from platform 14 and connected thereto by mountings 22, the mountings 22 comprising three tongues extending away from the platform towards the tail portion. The tail portion comprises a pair of generally parallel legs 24 S extending in a direction generally orthogonal to the head portion 8, the legs joined to each other and to mountings 22 at the proximal ends thereof Legs 24 have respective feet 26a and 26b, arranged generally at right angles to the respective legs adjacent the distal ends thereof.

Figure 2(b) shows a view of the seal of Figure 2 (a) from an opposite side, showing indents 28 in platform 14, with mountings 22 joining legs 24 to platform 14, Mountings 22 include a first, larger tongue between the platform 14 and a proximal end of the legs 24, and two thinner tongues between the platform 14 and a proximal end of the legs 24, the thicker tongue being in a mid-position between the proximal end of the legs, and each respective thinner tongue being positioned towards an external side of a respective leg.

Figure 3 shows a plan view of the head portion 8 of the seal of Figure 1, looking from the tail towards the head, along the line A of Figure 2(b). As can be seen, platform 14 includes an opening 18 on one side and two openings 28, comprising indents into platform 14, positioned on the opposite side to the opening 18. These openings are arranged and positioned for registration with corresponding lugs in a lock housing for secure engagement of the seal with the lock housing.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the seal of Figure I from the tail towards the head, with legs 24 and respective feet 26a and 26b in position on platform 14. As can be seen feet 26a and 26b are arrow shaped, each arrow pointing toward the other, with the tail extending away from the arrow head and the opposing foot. The arrangement is such that the legs are resiliently deformable, deflecting towards each other to allow entry of the tail into the lock opening, and moving back to a rest position in which respective arrow tails abut an internal shoulder of the lock opening to fix the seal in place in the lock housing. The seal may then be removed from the lock housing only by breaking the frangible mountings 22 separating the head of the seal from the tail. A recipient of a bag secured by means of such a seal and lock can therefor be satisfied, on receipt of the bag with an intact seal, that the contents of the bag have not been tampered with during transit.

Figure 5(a) shows a lock housing 6 in accordance with the present invention, including an opening 4 positioned in the lock housing 6 and a receiving slot 30, adjacent the opening 4, for positioning beak 12.

Opening 4 is shaped to allow tail portion 20 of the seal 2 to pass therethrough. In particular the opening is shaped such that, with the seal tail urged into the lock opening, the legs 24 are guided to flex towards each other to allow entry of at least a portion of the tail of the seal into the lock opening. Once the tail portion has entered into the opening legs 24 flex back to their rest position and feet 26 abut shoulders within, and either side of, the opening to secure the seal within the opening. In addition the opening is shaped and adapted for registration with features present on platform 14 of seal 2 such that the seal, once engaged with the lock via entry of the tail into the opening, is held firmly in the lock, avoiding play of the seal in situ and avoiding accidental breakage of the seal during use.

Figure 5(b) shows a detail of the opening 4 of the lock housing 6 including a lug 32 positioned and adapted to engage with recess 18 on platform 14 of a seal, and further lugs 34a and 34b positioned and adapted for engagement with indents 28a, 28b on the seal.

With the tail 20 of seal 2 positioned within lock opening 4, beak 12 is received into slot 30 on the lock housing, lug 32 engages with recess 18 on platfonn 14 of the seal, and indents 28a and 28b on platform 14 of the seal engage with respective lugs 34a and 34b on the lock housing, to hold the seal in place and minimise play of the seal within the lock.

The present arrangement has an advantage that several features are present on the seal and lock housing which co-operate to secure the seal in position in the lock housing and prevent lateral and rotational movement of the seal in the lock. While the drawings show a seal platform with recesses or indents for engagement with respective corresponding lugs in a lock housing, it may be that the seal platform includes a mixture of recesses, indents and lugs to more securely fix the seal in position in the lock.

As stated, generally a seal and lock arrangement is provided to secure the contents of a bag, and to ensure that the contents may only be accessed by breaking the seal. On receipt of such a bag, if the seal is intact, it will be clear to the recipient that the contents of the bag have not been accessed, and correspondingly if the seal is broken then the recipient will be aware that the contents may have been accessed. As stated, current seals are held loosely in lock housings and this permits significant play of the seal in the lock. As a consequence there is a risk that some portion of the seal may be caught or snagged during the journey from the sender to the recipient, and this may result in movement of the seal relative to the lock, causing unintentional breakage of the frangible mountings 22 connecting the head 8 to the tail 20. In particular the seal may rotate in the lock housing exerting sufficient force on the frangible mountings 22 to break the tail portion from the head portion, thereby destroying the usefulness of the seal and lock arrangement.

In use, a bag such as a mail bag with a locking housing including an opening in accordance with the present invention may be prepared for sending a confidential document or other content. With the confidential document placed in the bag, the bag zipped closed and the slider of the zip fastener positioned to overlie the lock housing, a seal in accordance with the present invention may be inserted into the opening of the locking housing. The tail of the seal may be inserted into the opening, the opening adapted to guide the legs 24 into position and the legs may flex towards each other to fit into the opening. Once the legs are fully inserted they flex back to their at rest position such that the feet latchingly engage shoulders within the locking housing either side of the opening to secure the seal in position. Beak 12 is received into slot of the locking housing and lug 32, positioned on the locking housing engages with opening 18 on platform 14 of the head portion of the seal. In addition, lugs 34a, 34b positioned on the locking housing engage with indents 28a, 28b provided to platform 14 of the head portion of the seal to secure the position of the seal in the lock and reduce or eliminate play of the seal in the lock. With the seal held in position by the beak held in slot 30, the lug 32 held in position in opening 18 and lugs 34a, 34b held in position in respective indents 28a, 28b the seal is held very securely in the locking housing. During transit the seal will be securely mounted in the locking housing with little opportunity for play, the seal being held by lugs in the locking housing engaging with openings in the seal and also by openings in the locking housing engaging with beak 12 on the seal. This secure engagement means that during the normal rough and tumble the bag is subject to during transit the seal is protected from snagging or otherwise catching on any items, or being caught or subject to forces that may act on the frangible portion of the seal to break the seal and destroy the utility of the seal and IS lock tamper proof transport.

The present invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments.

For example, the feet at distal ends of legs 24 may be any suitable shape, and are not restricted to arrow shaped.

The mountings 22 may comprise more or less than three tongues connecting the head and tail portion, and may be of different respective sizes.

The seal may include lugs corresponding with recesses in the locking housing or the seal may include both lugs and recesses for engagement with corresponding recesses and lugs in the lock housing, although the most beneficial arrangement adopted will ensure that the seal remains easy to break at the frangible mountings 22.

The tail portion may comprise engaging portions other than legs resiliently flexible towards each other, and may include any suitable means for engaging the seal with the opening.

The features in the platform and lock housing may comprise alternative features to recess and lug to securely engage the seal with the lock, or may include additional or fewer features, or differently shaped features.

S In the present case features present on the seal for engagement with corresponding features on the lock housing are present on a platform, however it is contemplated that such features may also or alternatively be present in a variety of positions on the seal head, not restricted to the platform.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A seal comprising a head portion, including a planar element with a platform, and a tail portion extending orthogonally from the head portion and frangibly connected thereto; characterised by the platform having at icast one feature for registration with a corresponding feature in a locking housing.
2. The seal of claim 1, wherein said at least one feature is a plurality of features.
3. The seal of claim 2, wherein said plurality of features are distributed in art spaced arrangement around said platform.
4. The seal in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said feature comprises a recess for engagement with a lug in a locking housing.
5. The seal in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said feature comprises at least one indent for engagement with a lug in a locking housing.
6. The seal in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said feature comprises a lug for engagement with a recess in a locking housing.
7. The seal of claim 5, wherein said recess is on an opposite side of the platform to said at least one indent.
8. The seal of claim 4, wherein said recess extends from a position adjacent said tail portion to an outer perimeter of the platform.
9. The seal in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the or each recess, indent or lug is adapted to engage with a respective corresponding lug, recess, or indent in a locking housing to restrict lateral and/or rotational movement of the seal in the lock.
10. A locking housing including: an opening for receiving at least part of a tail portion of a seal, and including, on a surface of the housing, at least one feature for registration with a corresponding feature on a platform of a head portion of said seal.
11. A locking housing in accordance with claim 10, wherein said at least one feature is a plurality of features.
12, A locking housing in accordance with claim 11, wherein said plurality of features are distributed in a spaced arrangement around said opening.
13. The locking housing of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one said feature is a lug positioned on one side of said opening for registration with a recess or indent in said seal platform.
14. The locking housing of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one said feature is a recess or indent positioned for registration with a lug on said seal platform.
15. The locking housing of claim 13, wherein the at least one feature includes a ftirther lug positioned on an opposite side of said opening for registration with a corresponding recess or indent in said seal.
16. The locking housing in accordance with any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the or each lug, recess or indent is adapted to engage with a respective corresponding recess, indent or lug in a seal platform to restrict lateral and/or rotational movement of the seal in the lock.
17. The locking housing in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 9 and 13 to 16, wherein each recess or indent is adapted to engage with a respective corresponding lug.
18. The seal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. The locking housing substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.