Security device

• US 8,646,198 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mikoh Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mikoh Corporation
• Inventors: Atherton, Peter Samuel, Rodriguez, David G., Robertson, Jeffrey Charles, Semmler, Bruce John
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbermann, Joanne
• Assistant Examiner(s): VERAA, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US12/988,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20110147256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 206/459.5, 283/100, 283/101, 283/80, 283/81, 283/98, 283/99, 704/39, 704/40, 406/49, 40/6, 292/307.A, 292/307.R
• US Class Current: 40/649
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/42 Devices for identifying luggage; Means for attaching same
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/026 Inserts
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/20 for adjustable, removable, or interchangeable labels

Abstract

A container to receive goods to be held securely. The container includes a hollow body with walls, and a lid with walls. A security assembly extends between one of the walls and one of the walls to provide evidence of opening and/or tamper. The security assembly includes a pair of inserts between which a tag (seal) extends that is altered if a container is opened or tampered with.

Claims

1. A plurality of inserts to be located each in a respective slot so that the inserts have adjacent major surfaces between which a label, seal or tag is to extend and to be fixed thereto, said inserts including:

a first insert to be inserted in one of the slots in a first insert direction, the first insert having a first one of the major surfaces and at least one first security surface interrupting said first major surface so as to extend therefrom, said first security surface extending in said first insert direction;

a second insert to be inserted in another of said slots in a second insert direction, the second insert having a second one of the major surfaces and at least one second security surface interrupting the second major surface so as to extend therefrom, said second security surface extending in said second insert direction; and

wherein

each security surface is provided by a groove in said major surface or a ridge on said major surface, said groove or ridge extending longitudinally in the direction of the respective insert and said first insert direction is generally normal to said second insert direction.

2. The inserts of claim 1, wherein each insert has at least two of said security surfaces.

3. The inserts of claim 1, wherein each insert has at least one groove and at least one ridge.

4. The inserts of claim 1, wherein said first insert has a leading edge, and said second insert includes a lateral edge, and wherein said edges are configured to engage to prevent separation of the inserts by movement in said first insert direction and/or said second insert direction.

5. The inserts of claim 4, wherein said leading edge includes a projection, and said lateral edge includes a recess to matingly engage said projection.

6. The inserts of claim 1, wherein said first insert direction is inclined to said second insert direction by an angle greater than 0°

but equal to or less than 180°

.

7. The inserts of claim 1, wherein said first insert direction is opposite said second insert direction.

8. In combination the inserts of claim 1 with said label, seal or tag secured to said adjacent surfaces.

9. A security assembly to be fixed to a container having a body and lid, said assembly including:

the plurality of inserts as recited in claim 1;

a first base, said first base being fixed to said body, and a second base to be fixed to said lid, and wherein said first base provides a slot to receive the first insert, and said second base provides a second slot to receive the second insert, with each base having a ridge or groove to matingly engage the ridge or groove of the associated insert.

10. A container having a body and lid, and the security assembly of claim 9.

11. A plurality of inserts to be located each in a respective slot so that the inserts have adjacent major surfaces between which a label, seal or tag is to extend and to be fixed thereto, said inserts including:

a first insert to be inserted in one of the slots in a first insert direction, the first insert having a first one of the major surfaces and at least one first security surface interrupting said first major surface so as to extend therefrom, said first security surface extending in said first insert direction;

a second insert to be inserted in another of said slots in a second insert direction, the second insert having a second one of the major surfaces and at least one second security surface interrupting the second major surface so as to extend therefrom, said second security surface extending in said second insert direction;

wherein

each security surface is provided by a groove or ridge extending longitudinally in the direction of the respective insert; and

said first insert direction is generally normal to said second insert direction.

12. The inserts of claim 11, wherein said first insert has a leading edge, and said second insert includes a lateral edge, and wherein said edges are configured to engage to prevent separation of the inserts by movement in said first insert direction and/or said second insert direction.

13. The inserts of claim 12, wherein said leading edge includes a projection, and said lateral edge includes a recess to matingly engage said projection.

14. The inserts of claim 11, wherein each insert has at least two of said security surfaces.

15. A plurality of inserts to be located each in a respective slot so that the inserts have adjacent major surfaces between which a label, seal or tag is to extend and to be fixed thereto, said inserts including:

a first insert to be inserted in one of the slots in a first insert direction, the first insert having a first one of the major surfaces and at least one first security surface interrupting said first major surface so as to extend therefrom, said first security surface extending in said first insert direction;

a second insert to be inserted in another of said slots in a second insert direction, the second insert having a second one of the major surfaces and at least one second security surface interrupting the second major surface so as to extend therefrom, said second security surface extending in said second insert direction;

wherein

each security surface is provided by a groove or ridge extending longitudinally in the direction of the respective insert; and

at least one of said inserts has a securing portion spaced from the major surface thereof to inhibit deformation of the one insert thereby inhibiting removal of the one insert from its associated slots.

16. In combination with the inserts of claim 15, wherein the combination further includes a first base to receive said first insert and providing the slot within which the first insert is located, and a second base, the second base providing the slot within which said second insert is to be located, and wherein at least one of said bases has a recess to engage the securing portion to prevent deformation of the one insert to thereby inhibit removal of the one insert from within the associated slots.

17. A plurality of inserts to be located each in a respective slot so that the inserts have adjacent major surfaces between which a label, seal or tag is to be fixed thereto, said inserts including:

a first insert to be inserted in one of the slots in a first insert direction, the first insert having a first one of the major surfaces and at least one first security surface interrupting said first major surface so as to extend therefrom, said second security surface extending in said second insert direction;

a second insert to be inserted in another of said slots in a second insert direction, the second insert having a second one of the major surfaces and at least one second security surface interrupting the second major surface so as to extend therefrom, said second security surface extending in said second insert direction; and

wherein

each security surface is provided by a groove in said major surface or a ridge on said major surface, said groove or ridge extending longitudinally in the direction of the respective insert;

the first insert has a leading edge having projections and recesses;

the second inset has a leading edge with a plurality of projections and recesses, with the projections and recesses of the inserts being engaged to provide for location of said adjacent surfaces so that the label, seal or tag can be applied thereto; and

at least one of said inserts has a securing portion spaced from the major surface thereof to inhibit deformation of the one insert thereby inhibiting removal of one insert from its associated slots.

18. In combination with the inserts of claim 17, wherein the combination further includes a first base to receive said first insert and providing the slot within which the first insert is located, and a second base, the second base providing the slot within which said second insert is to be located, and wherein at least one of said bases has a recess to engage the securing portion to prevent deformation of the one insert to thereby inhibit removal of the one insert from within the associated slots.