Seals

• US 20050161958A1
• Filed: 12/21/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ITW Limited (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITW Limited (Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
• Inventors: Graves, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,360,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/322
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 19/301 at the end of their upward travel with any suitable device, e.g. pull member combined with a press-button, a hook, a key-operated lock
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 27/30 with special means for indicating unauthorised opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 33/2516 comprising tamper-indicating means, e.g. located within the fastener provided in the slider B65D33/2585
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/495 Resilient and rigid engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/50 Single piece, spring catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/502 Shiftable catch shackle operated

Abstract

The application describes breakable seal for a container, bag, pouch or reusable envelope which is closed by one part locating over a second part, the second part having an opening for receiving the head of the breakable seal which locks into the opening in such a manner that it cannot be removed without breaking, the seal in its inserted position locking the first part in place over the second part in a tamper evident fashion. The seal has an extended neck portion between the line of weakness and the main body part of the seal. Typically said one part is the fastener tab of the zipped opening of a reusable envelope and the second part is the enclosure or chamber of a lock unit mounted on the envelope, adjacent one end of the zipped opening.

Claims

1. A breakable and disposable seal for a container, bag, pouch or envelope which is closed by one part locating over a second part, the second part having an opening for receiving part of the breakable seal which locks into the opening in such a manner that it cannot be removed without breaking, the seal in its inserted position locking the first part in place over the second part in a tamper evident fashion, wherein the seal comprises a head part and a body part, the head part in use locating in the opening of the said second part and a line of weakness delimiting the head part from the body part, and wherein the body part has a neck portion which is substantially narrower than a main portion, the neck portion extending between the line of weakness and the main portion, shoulders being defined at the juncture of the neck portion and main portion so that in use a gap exist between the mouth of the opening and the said shoulders when the seal is inserted in the second part.

2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the head of the seal is formed with a groove or rib for registration with a corresponding rib or groove within the second part.

3. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the neck portion has substantially parallel sides.

4. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the length of the neck portion is from 1.5 to 4 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.

5. A seal according to claim 1, wherein the neck portion has substantially parallel sides.

6. A seal according to claim 2, wherein the length of the neck portion is from 1.5 to 4 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.

7. A seal according to claim 3, wherein the length of the neck portion is from 1.5 to 4 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.