DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of seals. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to strap seals.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Conventional strap seals have a locking mechanism and an integrated strap as a single unit. The locking mechanism includes a lock having a metal or a plastic insert. The metal or plastic insert is required to be loaded in a cassette and fused into the strap by ultrasonic welding. The conventional strap seal is, therefore, manufactured using three different components that are required to be assembled and fused together using ultrasonic welding, thereby making the whole process of manufacturing conventional strap seals laborious and time consuming.
Further, the conventional strap seals have an opening which, in some cases, may allow unrestricted access to the metal lock, making them prone to tampering. Furthermore, the conventional strap seals are costly and cause metal wastage. Additionally, such seals cannot be used in locations or applications where use of metal is to be avoided.
There is, therefore, felt a need to provide a tamper evident seal that alleviates the drawbacks of the above mentioned conventional strap seals.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal that has simple configuration.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal that is easy to manufacture.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal that is cost effective.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal that eliminates the requirement of metal locks.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal that eliminates the requirement of ultrasonic welding for manufacturing the seal.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a tamper evident seal that indicates any attempt of tampering the seal.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a tamper evident seal configured to seal an article. The seal comprises a support portion, a strap, a housing chamber, and a locking insert. The strap integrally extends from the support portion. The strap is configured to be wound around the article. The strap includes a plurality of projections and a plurality of locking notches. Each locking notch is defined between two adjacent projections. A housing chamber is disposed on the support portion. The housing chamber has a body defining space therewithin. The body has a first opening. A passage is defined within the body to allow the strap to pass through the housing chamber. A pair of tamper indicative flaps is connected on opposite sides of the body via a frangible connection. The tamper indicative flaps are configured to allow the strap to pass through the passage when the flaps are removed from the body. The locking insert is receivable within the housing chamber through the first opening. The locking insert has at least one pair of locking prongs and a wall. The locking prongs are configured to be engaged with a notch of the strap and to prevent pull back of the strap. The wall is configured to break away when an attempt to tamper the locking insert is made.
In an embodiment, each of the projections has a buttress configuration.
In another embodiment, each of the tamper indicative flaps has an extension configured to be deformed upon application of a predetermined force.
In yet another embodiment, the strap and the tamper indicative flaps are of a Polypropylene copolymer.
In still another embodiment, each of the locking prongs is of a material selected from the group consisting of Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polycarbonate, Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), and Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate glycol-modified (PCTG).
In one embodiment, the seal includes an authentication unit configured to facilitate authentication of the seal. In another embodiment, the authentication unit includes at least one of a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to authenticate the seal (100).
In yet another embodiment, the seal includes a tracking unit configured to facilitate tracking of the seal. In still another embodiment, the tracking unit includes a combination of a radio frequency identification (RFID) and global positioning system (GPS) tag configured to facilitate real time tracking of a sealed article.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a tamper evident seal in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a zoom-in view of the tamper evident seal of Figure 1 depicting a housing chamber;
Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the housing chamber of Figure 2; and
Figure 4 and Figure 5 illustrate different views of a locking insert of the tamper evident seal of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Tamper evident seal
101 – Support portion
102 – Strap
104 – Tamper indicative Flaps
104A – Extension
106 – Housing chamber
106a – Opening
108A – Projections
108B – Locking notches
110 – Locking insert
110A – Locking prongs
110B – Wall
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc. when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
A preferred embodiment of a tamper evident seal, of the present disclosure, will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure.
The tamper evident seal (hereinafter referred as “the seal 100”) is now described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 5.
The seal (100) is configured to seal an article. The seal (100) comprises a support portion (101), a strap (102), a housing chamber (106), and a locking insert (110). The strap (102) integrally extends from the support portion (101). The strap (102) is configured to be wound around the article. The strap (102) has a plurality of projections (108A) and a plurality of locking notches (108B). Each locking notch (108B) is defined between two adjacent projections (108A). The housing chamber (106) is disposed on the support portion (101). The housing chamber (106) has a body defining space therewithin. The body has a first opening (106A). A passage is defined within the body to allow the strap to pass through the housing chamber (106). A pair of tamper indicative flaps (104) is connected on opposite sides of the body via a frangible connection. The tamper indicative flaps (104) are configured to allow the strap (102) to pass through the passage when the flaps (104) are removed from the body. The locking insert (110) is receivable within the housing chamber (106) through the first opening (106A). The locking insert (110) has at least one pair of locking prongs (110A) and a wall (110B). The locking prongs (110A) are configured to be engaged with a notch (108B) of the strap (102) and to prevent pull back of the strap (102). The wall (110B) is configured to break away when an attempt to tamper the locking insert (110) is made.
In an embodiment, each of the projections (108A) has a buttress configuration. The buttress configuration facilitates strengthening of the body of the projections (108A).
In another embodiment, each of the tamper indicative flaps (104) has an extension (104A) configured to be deformed upon application of a predetermined force. The corners of the extension (104A) have a thin configuration to facilitate deformation on application of the predetermined force. This enables the extension (104A) to act as a lever that breaks away at the corners to leave a white evident mark of tampering when the predetermined force is applied.
In an operative embodiment, a user is required to tear away the tamper indicative flaps (104) in order to employ the seal (100) for sealing an article (not shown in figures). The strap (102) is wound around the article to be sealed and a free end of the strap (102) is passed through the housing chamber (106) through the tamper indiactive flap (104). The strap (102) is passed through the locking insert (110) wherein, a locking notch (108) is engaged with at least one pair of prongs (110A) to form a cross-directional interlock. As a result, the strap (102) is allowed to move only in one direction and it becomes impossible to pull back the strap (102). The user is required to pull the strap (102) around the article, in order to tightly grip the article and form a neck portion around the gripped article. The only way to release the article from the grip of the strap (102) is by cutting away the strap (102). Thus, the tampering of the seal (100) is prevented.
Further, the wall (110B) is configured to break away on application of a predetermined force to restrict access to the locking insert (110). The wall (110B) is provided at the first opening (106A) of the housing chamber (106) to shield the opening of the housing chamber (106), thereby restricting any access to the locking insert (110). A broken or damaged wall (110B) indicates an attempt of tampering the seal (100).
Any attempt to tamper the seal (100) is indicated by the pair of tamper indicative flaps (104) and the wall (110B). More specifically, a damaged pair of tamper indicative flaps (104) clearly indicates the signs of tampering before use. As a result, tampered seals in a supply chain can be spotted quickly and eliminated. Further, a damaged wall (110B) indicates tampering of the seal after the article is sealed.
In one embodiment, the strap (102) and the tamper indicative flaps (104) are made of a material that is flexible and has properties favorable for use in cold or hot surrounding conditions. In another embodiment, the material used for fabricating the strap (102) and the tamper indicative flaps (104) is selected to ensure that the strap (102) shears away completely when pulled with a predetermined force. In another embodiment, the strap (102) and the tamper indicative flaps (104) are of a Polypropylene copolymer.
In another embodiment, each of the locking prongs (110A) is of a material having hardness higher than the material of the strap (102). In another embodiment, each of the locking prongs (110A) is of a material selected from the group consisting of Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polycarbonate, Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate glycol-modified (PCTG) and any other suitable engineering plastic material having a hardness higher than the material of the strap (102).
The seal (100) includes an authentication unit configured to facilitate the authentication of the seal (100). In another embodiment, the authentication unit includes at least one of a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to facilitate the authentication of the seal (100).
The seal (100) includes a tracking unit configured to facilitate the tracking of the seal (100). In another embodiment, the tracking unit includes a combination of a radio frequency identification (RFID) and global positioning system (GPS) tag configured to facilitate real time tracking of a sealed article.
The seal (100) of the present disclosure is used for sealing all types of bags and vehicles.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a tamper evident seal that:
• has a simple configuration;
• is easy to manufacture;
• is cost effective;
• eliminates the requirement of metal locks;
• eliminates the requirement of ultrasonic welding for manufacturing the seal; and
• indicates any attempt of tampering the seal.
The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A tamper evident seal (100) configured to seal an article, said seal (100) comprising:
• a support portion (101);
• a strap (102) integrally extending from said support portion (101), and configured to be wound around said article, said strap (102) having:
o a plurality of projections (108A); and
o a plurality of locking notches (108B), wherein each locking notch (108B) is defined between two adjacent projections (108A);
• a housing chamber (106) disposed on said support portion (101), said housing chamber (106) having:
o a body defining space therewithin, said body having a first opening (106A);
o a passage defined within said body to allow said strap to pass through said housing chamber; and
o a pair of tamper indicative flaps (104) connected on opposite sides of said body via a frangible connection, and configured to allow said strap (102) to pass through said passage when said flaps (104) are removed from said body; and
• a locking insert (110) receivable within said housing chamber (106) through said first opening (106A), said locking insert (110) having:
o at least one pair of locking prongs (110A) configured to be engaged with a notch (108B) of said strap (102), and to prevent pull back of said strap (102); and
o a wall (110B) configured to break away when an attempt to tamper said locking insert (110) is made.
2. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said projections (108A) has a buttress configuration.
3. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said tamper indicative flaps (104) has an extension (104A) configured to be deformed upon application of a predetermined force.
4. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strap (102) and said tamper indicative flaps (104) are of a Polypropylene copolymer.
5. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said locking prongs (110A) is of a material selected from the group consisting of Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polycarbonate, Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG), and Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate glycol-modified (PCTG).
6. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seal (100) includes an authentication unit configured to facilitate authentication of said seal (100).
7. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said authentication unit includes at least one of a barcode, a quick response (QR) code, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag configured to facilitate authentication of said seal (100).
8. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seal (100) includes a tracking unit configured to facilitate tracking of said seal (100).
9. The seal (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said tracking unit includes a combination of a radio frequency identification (RFID) and global positioning system (GPS) tag configured to facilitate real time tracking of said sealed article.