Tamper Evident Seal With Corrosion-Resistant Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tamper evident seals, such as padlock-type security seals, are vulnerable to non-forcible tampering methods like corrosive liquid attacks, which can compromise their integrity without visible signs of intentional tampering, leading to potential misuse.
Innovation Solution
A tamper evident seal design featuring a resilient galvanized or stainless steel wire hasp with uniquely shaped legs and a plastic insert with reinforcing extension members, where the wire hasp is securely locked within channels in the insert and body, and any tampering attempts result in visible blemishes on the extension members, indicating unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a plastic body with passages and a wire hasp is used in a padlock-type seal, then the seal provides basic tamper evident functionality, but the seal becomes vulnerable to corrosive liquid attacks that can dissolve the metal shackle without visible signs of intentional tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by integrating a metal wire hasp with a plastic body containing an insert. The insert acts as a protective barrier between the corrosive environment and the metal shackle, preventing chemical attack while maintaining mechanical locking functionality. This composite approach combines the strength of metal with the chemical resistance of plastic/insert materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is divided into distinct functional segments: the wire hasp for mechanical locking, the plastic body for structural support, and the insert specifically designed to protect against corrosive liquids. This segmentation allows each component to address specific threats independently, with the insert serving as a dedicated protective element against chemical degradation.
2Strength
If the passages and locking grooves are designed to limit picking, then the seal resists forcible tampering, but the seal creates opportunities for non-forcible tampering through environmental degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is pre-installed within the plastic body to provide proactive protection against corrosive liquids before any tampering attempt occurs. This preliminary protective measure ensures that even if the seal is subjected to environmental degradation over time, the metal shackle remains intact and functional, preventing the type of failure where corrosion enables unauthorized opening.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple padlock design is used, then the seal is easy to manufacture and install, but the seal lacks protection against sophisticated tampering methods
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is nested within the plastic body, creating a layered structure where the insert is housed inside the main body cavity. This nested configuration adds a protective layer against tampering without significantly complicating the manufacturing process, as the insert can be integrated during the molding process or installed as a separate component within the existing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper evident seal includes a wire hasp, an insert and a body for receiving the insert and the wire hasp. The one leg of the wire hasp must be located in the channel in the insert prior to the insert being located in the body. A coupling structure for coupling the insert in the body includes angularly extending supports extending angularly outwardly upwardly from the sides of the insert for engaging indentations in the sides of the body for further preventing removal of the insert and the wire hasp once they are fully inserted in the body and in the insert, respectively. The insert of the seal further includes centrally located reinforcing extension members, each including a round base portion partially extending above base surface of the insert and a centrally located, flattened side tamper evident extension member extending from the round base portion and which extension member which will show a blemish if the insert is tampered after the seal is completed.