Tie-type security seal

Abstract

A tie-type security seal is described that comprises a body (2) of thermoplastic material with a passage (7) therethrough, a metallic insert element (11) that is fixed in the passage and has at least one opening (15) aligned therewith, as well as a locking tooth (14). An elongated strip of thermoplastic material (4) is integral, at one end, with the body (2) and has another free end for insertion through the passage (7) in a first direction where it is locked by the tooth (14) against removal from the cavity in the opposite direction, the body and strip having been manufactured by a plastic injection operation. In accordance with the invention, the seal is not only highly secure against tampering, but can also easily be mass manufactured since the metallic insert element (11) is incorporated into the body of thermoplastic material (2) during the injection operation.

Description

PRIOR ART [0001] This invention relates to tie-type security seals made of injection molded plastic material. Such type of seal is usually composed of a body with a locking cavity in the form of a passage through the body and provided with internal locking teeth, and—integral with the body—a strip or “tie” with one free end, which passes through the cavity and locks the strip with ratchet action, preventing its withdrawal, but allowing tightening of the tie, in the direction the strip was introduced. [0002] Seals of this type, made of one single injection moulded piece of thermoplastic material, are generally of relatively low security, since there is a risk that a non authorized person releases the strip from the teeth by inserting a needle or the like, thus removing it. Such risk has been reduced by means of a new generation of seals in which a metallic insert element provided with teeth is introduced into the locking cavity. The insert element is inserted into the locking cavity ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] A seal in accordance with this invention can easily be manufactured in a plastic injection operation, together with a plurality of other similar seals. Thus, it is advantageous if each of the lateral extensions of the insert element is integral with a corresponding end of a lateral extension of a metallic insert element of another similar seal, the seal then being part of a “comb” of similar seals manufactured in the same injection operation, the individual seals being separable by breaking the junctions between the ends of the lateral extensions of the metallic insert elements.

Problems solved by technology

Seals of this type, made of one single injection moulded piece of thermoplastic material, are generally of relatively low security, since there is a risk that a non authorized person releases the strip from the teeth by inserting a needle or the like, thus removing it.

This results in two considerable inconveniences.

This kind of tampering is hard to detect.

Secondly, it is clear that manufacture of the seal becomes considerably more difficult because of the three additional steps of introducing the insert element, covering it with the plastic disc, and creating the welding seam.

In this case, when the seal is closed, it becomes impossible to remove the insert element because the strip is passing through it in a direction at right angles to that in which it should be removed.

However, the problem of complicated manufacture remains.

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