Security Seal Closure With Anti-Rotation Tip Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plastic security seals can be bypassed by spinning the seal tip or pulling the seal tail in different directions, leading to failure before their rated strengths, compromising tamper evidence and security.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece security seal design featuring a tip with a slot, a middle portion, and a receptacle with inward extensions and a moveable end plate, which engages with a saddle to prevent axial and radial movement, ensuring secure closure and tamper-proof features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional plastic seal design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the seal can be bypassed by spinning the tip or pulling the tail in different directions, compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into distinct functional segments: a tip portion with a slot, a middle portion, and a receptacle portion with an end plate. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the slot restricts tip movement while the end plate with saddle prevents receptacle movement, collectively enhancing security without requiring multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The middle portion acts as an intermediary element connecting the tip and receptacle. It transmits and distributes forces between these components, ensuring that when the seal is installed, the tip and receptacle are securely linked while maintaining the ability of the slot and saddle to prevent unauthorized movement
2Ease of operation
If the seal tip can move side-to-side in the receptacle, then ease of installation is improved, but tamper evidence is compromised as the seal can be bypassed
Solution Approach 1:
The tip is designed with a slot specifically at its end portion, creating a localized constraint that prevents side-to-side movement only where needed. This local modification maintains ease of installation along the axial direction while eliminating lateral movement that would compromise tamper evidence
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal uses multiple separate pieces, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The tip, middle portion, and receptacle are combined into a single integrated seal component. This merging reduces device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining the functional adaptability needed for different installation scenarios, as the integrated design allows the various anti-tamper features to work together seamlessly
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances tamper-proofing by preventing side-to-side and rotational movement, maintaining security without additional pieces, thus reducing manufacturing costs and improving tamper evidence.
Implementation Method 1
the end plate is moveable with a living hinge to block the exit end and to insert the saddle into the cutout
Data Source
AI summary
A security seal including a receptacle, a tip and a middle portion therebetween. The receptacle includes a bore with an entrance end and an exit end, at least one tab extending into the bore and an end plate having thereon a saddle. The tip has a cutout therein. The tip is insertable into the receptacle bore and engageable with the at least one tab. The end plate is moveable with a living hinge to block the exit end of the bore and to insert the saddle into the cutout.