Tamper-Evident Enclosure With Irreversible Lock And Flexible Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tamper-evident containers for storing and transporting documents, such as bank notes, are expensive and not adequately secure, as they can be breached with determination, and existing solutions do not provide immediate evidence of tampering.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident enclosure featuring a frame spanned by flexible material with a cover plate that forms an irreversible lock, incorporating holes for marking and frangible portions to prevent content withdrawal, and resilient flaps for document storage, ensuring that any tampering is visibly evident.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid box with plunger mechanism is used, then documents can be stored securely, but the mechanism can trap fingers and damage nails, and money can still be fished through the slot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful plunger mechanism entirely and replaces it with a simple flap system. The flap is manipulated by pushing documents through the slot, eliminating the mechanical complexity that caused finger trapping while maintaining the security function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, inexpensive flap mechanism instead of a complex, expensive locking system. The flap is designed to be simple and robust, providing adequate security without the harmful mechanical components of previous designs.
2Reliability
If a rigid box with slotted barrier is used, then documents can be stored, but money behind the barrier is still accessible through the opening and can be fished using adhesive tape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex locking mechanism and slotted barrier system, replacing it with a simple flap that covers the slot. This eliminates the vulnerability where money could be fished through slots while maintaining security through the flap's covering action.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is positioned specifically to cover the slot opening locally, providing security exactly where needed. The flap's movement is controlled to cover the slot during storage while allowing document insertion, creating a localized security solution without complex overall mechanism.
3Reliability
If a cover plate with tongue lock is used, then tampering evidence is provided, but the container can still be breached with determination and does not provide immediate evidence of tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a visible indicator system where the flap's position or appearance changes to provide immediate visual evidence of tampering. This allows for quick identification of breached containers without requiring complex locking mechanisms that can be breached with determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap is designed to be in a predetermined secure position that immediately indicates whether tampering has occurred. This preliminary positioning provides instant tamper evidence upon opening or inspection, eliminating the need for complex verification processes.
4Reliability
If holes are added to the cover plate, then contents can be marked in event of tampering, but the cover plate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates holes in the flap or cover plate structure to allow marking materials (such as dye or ink) to pass through and mark the contents in case of tampering. This simple porous structure provides tamper evidence functionality without requiring complex mechanical systems.
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 solution provides enhanced security by making tampering immediately apparent, preventing content removal without damage, and ensuring that any breach is detectable, thus facilitating identification and accounting adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a frame spanned by flexible material
Implementation Method 2
one or more flaps, which may be resilient, biased to or towards a co-planar attitude, said flaps being deflectable to allow passage
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for storage and transport of documents such as bank notes, visa slips, gift tokens, cheques and the like is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a frame spanned by flexible material and a cover plate slideable therealong to close the frame, the cover plate having a leading edge comprising a first member shaped to form an irreversible lock with a correspondingly shaped second member on the frame.