Closure fasteners – Seals – Encasing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-03
2001-12-11
Mancene, Gene (Department: 3727)
Closure fasteners
Seals
Encasing
C292S322000, C206S001500, C220S265000, C220S266000, C220S324000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06328355
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a security seal, especially suitable for use with cash boxes. In particular, this invention is concerned with a security seal which presents obstacles to tampering and/or which can indicate that tampering has taken place.
Although the description below will deal with cash boxes, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited thereto.
It is known (for example, with reference to Australian Registered Design No. 70338 and Australian Patent No. 648044) to use a cash box with a hinged lid having a closure into which may be inserted a frangible seal. The closure includes a first aperture in a flange or lip for the lid, the first aperture overlying a second aperture in a flange or lip for the base of the box when the lid is closed. When a frangible seal is inserted though the first and second apertures, detents associated with the second aperture prevent withdrawal of the frangible seal. In addition, the lower part of the seal is inaccessible. In order to open the box, the seal must be broken. Because the first and second apertures are located externally of the compartment in which cash is stored, it would be immediately apparent upon inspection of the cash box if the seal had been tampered with.
It is also known (from Australian Registered Design No. 117081) to provide a cash box with a sliding, instead of a hinged, lid. When the lid slides to a closed position over the cash compartment, a first aperture in a flange or lip for the lid overlies a second aperture in a flange or lip for the base of the box. When a frangible seal is inserted though the first and second apertures, detents associated with the second aperture prevent withdrawal of the frangible seal. In addition, the lower part of the seal is inaccessible. In order to open the box, the seal must be broken and consequently inspection of the cash box will reveal whether tampering has taken place.
In the case of Australian Registered Design No. 70338, the seal is inserted into the first and second apertures from above. When the seal is broken, the lower half can fall from the closure and be lost.
In the case of Australian Patent No. 648044, the seal is also inserted into the first and second apertures from above. However, in one embodiment, the lower part of the broken seal is retained, to be ejected when the lid is opened.
In the case of Australian Registered Design No. 117081, once again the seal is inserted into the first and second apertures from above. The lower part of the seal, when broken, can fall from the closure and be lost.
The seals used in connection with the prior art containers have taken one general form: the detents have protruded to each side of the seal and so have remained in the same plane as the seal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved security seal and an improved container and lid combination.
Accordingly, in one aspect, this invention comprises a security seal having a first portion and a second portion separated from the first portion by at least one line of weakness, the first portion having at least one detent, wherein the first and second portions lie in a single plane and the or each detent protrudes out of that plane.
This invention also provides a container and lid combination, comprising a container having a first compartment for containing goods and a second compartment isolated from the first compartment; and a lid capable of sliding onto the container to cover both the first and second compartments, wherein the second compartment has an aperture for receiving a security seal and the lid includes a third compartment adapted to mate with the second compartment.
The container and lid in the combination of the invention may be made of any suitable material. Preferably, the material chosen has a certain amount of rigidity and strength as well as a degree of brittleness. One suitable material, for example, is medium density styrene. Another suitable material is a polycarbonate or a glass-filled polycarbonate. Preferably, the container and lid are made of a relatively transparent material, so that the general nature of the contents can be ascertained by inspection. It is also preferred that the material of the container and lid is sufficiently robust to avoid accidental breakage under normal circumstances.
Preferably, the container and lid combination of the invention is adapted to receive the security seal of the invention.
The security seal may have a single detent or a plurality of detents. In one preferred embodiment, the seal has a single detent which comprises a leaf spring formed in the first portion of the seal. In another embodiment, the seal has a pair of detents each comprising a leaf spring formed in the first portion of the seal. However, it is within the scope of this invention that more than two detents may be provided. In addition, the or each detent may take the form of a barb.
The seal of the invention may include one or more barbs separate from each detent.
Where there are two or more detents, they may be spaced from one another or otherwise arranged so that when the seal is broken the detents separate.
The first portion may be shorter or narrower than the second portion, which may include a large printable area for serial numbers or similar unique identification of the seal.
To avoid the possibility of someone breaking the seal of the invention and then attempting to glue the first and second portions of the seal together, it may be desirable to reduce or minimise the seal material along the or each weakness line, so that the join area is small.
Each line of weakness is preferably a score line formed between the first and second portions, but may take any other suitable form, such as one or more holes or depressions in the line of weakness.
In the container and lid combination of the invention, the second and third compartments may be completely enclosed, may omit a wall or may have a gap in at least one wall—for example, to accommodate the or each detent. The second compartment may mate with the third compartment by being received within the third compartment, or vice versa.
Preferably, the container of the combination of the invention is shaped so that, when empty, a plurality of containers may nest together. It is also preferred that the lid includes locating lugs or ridges or other means which can enable a plurality of containers, with lids attached, to be stacked one above the other. For example, the side walls of a first container may taper inwardly towards the base of the container, the base being adapted to fit within locating lugs or ridges on the lid of a container stacked underneath the first container.
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Harcor Security Seals Pty Limited
Mancene Gene
Merek Joseph C
Welsh & Katz Ltd.
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