Security device

• US 6,533,335 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2000
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tebco International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tebco Party Limited
• Inventors: Hudson, Barry
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US09/736,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 292/307.R, 292/317, 292/318, 292/319, 292/320, 292/321, 24/305.L, 243/87, 247/042, 70/66, 70/68, 383/97, 383/5
• US Class Current: 292/307.00R
• 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 33/2585 being provided with tamper-indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 190/903 Zipper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/81 Zipper, i.e. receptacle securement
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/15 Bag fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/158 Slides to lock bag end within housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2511 with distinct, stationary means for anchoring slider
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2586 including pull tab attaching means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2598 including means for obstructing movement of slider
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/505 including additional fastener structure linking parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/491 Distorted shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/494 Interengaging shackle ends, inclosing housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/495 Resilient and rigid engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/496 Resilient engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/498 Rigid engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/499 Resilient engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5044 Pivoted rigid jaw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5053 Interengageable slide fastener type

Abstract

A security device for a slide fastener, including a housing adapted to be fitted to an object to which the slide fastener is attached, the housing substantially surrounding the slider of the slide fastener in its fully closed position, a closure member adapted to cooperate with the housing which, in use, covers the slider to prevent access thereto and a frangible locking element adapted to link the housing to the closure member, the locking element being resiliently yieldable and slidably insertable into the closure member but not retractable therefrom without fracturing the frangible locking element. The closure member is attached at one end to a puller and the puller is attached to the slider. In a preferred embodiment the closure member can pivot about the housing and block withdrawal of the slider from the housing in its closed position.

Claims

1. A seal enclosure for use with a tamper evident frangible seal for securing file having zippered opening;

the enclosure comprising;

a housing permanently affixed to said file adjacent said zippered opening;

a closure member pivotally and releasably attached to said housing and forming a selectively closed barrier around said seal to prevent access to said seal without first breaking said seal.

2. The seal enclosure recited in claim 1 wherein said closure member comprises an aperture for receiving said seal.

3. The seal enclosure recited in claim 1 wherein said zippered opening comprises a slider and wherein said closure member is attached to said slider for movement along said zippered opening for opening said file.

4. The seal enclosure recited in claim 1 wherein said closure member and said housing each comprise a frame for entirely surrounding said seal.

5. The seal enclosure recited in claim 3 wherein said closure member and said housing each comprise a barrier for substantially surrounding said slider.

6. An improved tamper evident seal which uses a breakable seal member to provide evidence of opening a file, the seal member having at least one spring-loaded hook, and also having a seal receptacle receiving said hook for preventing hook removal without first breaking the seal member;

the improvement comprising;

a multi-piece seal enclosure having a housing permanently affixed to said file and a closure member pivotally secured to said housing by said seal member;

said seal enclosure entirely enclosing said at least one spring-loaded hook for denying external access to said hook without first separating said closure member from said housing.

7. The improvement recited in claim 6 wherein said file comprises a zippered opening and a slider for opening and closing said zippered opening, and wherein said closure member is affixed to said slider.

8. The improvement recited in claim 6 wherein said closure member comprises an aperture for receiving said seal.

9. The improvement recited in claim 6 wherein said closure member and said housing each comprise a frame for entirely surrounding said seal.

10. The improvement recited in claim 7 wherein said closure member and said housing each comprise a barrier for substantially surrounding said slider.

11. A security device for a slide fastener;

the security device comprising;

a housing having fasteners to be fitted to an object to which the slide fastener is attached, the housing substantially surrounding a slider of said slide fastener in its fully closed position;

a closure member pivotally cooperating with said housing to selectively prevent access to said slider;

a locking element being resiliently yieldable and slidably insertable into said closure member, but not retractable from said closure member without first fracturing the locking element.