Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Check – label – or tag – Fastener
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-16
2001-02-20
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Check, label, or tag
Fastener
C040S664000, C040S625000, C040S632000, C024S387000, C024S390000, C070S068000, C292S30700B
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189249
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to devices which discourage and detect tampering. More specifically, it relates to an innovative combination in which a security tag and a tag-receiving receptacle are used to maintain a container closure mechanism in a closed configuration until a flag portion of the security tag is separated from the tag stem portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Security devices for containers are well known. These security devices include various locks and seals. It is frequently desirable for containers to be secured in a closed configuration to discourage or at least detect tampering. While locks for containers are well known, users often find them inconvenient. Seals are well known for use with cargo containers. However, seals usually require specialized tools for installation and removal. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a device which would both discourage and detect tampering of a container, that could be easily used without tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The problems outlined above are in large measure solved by the tamper-proof security tag device in accordance with the present invention. The tamper-proof device hereof is easily installed on containers, such as luggage, which are closed by zippers, hasps and like devices.
Thus, there is provided a security tag assembly adapted for securing a container. The container may include a first member and a second member. The container may further include structure defining an aperture. The second member may be shiftable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the first member. The security tag assembly may include a tag. The tag may include a stem removably receivable through the container second member aperture. The tag may further include a preventer operably coupled to the stem, the preventer not being receivable through the aperture. The security tag assembly may further include a tag receiving assembly. The tag receiving assembly may include a securing element adapted for fixedly, operably attaching the tag receiving assembly to the container first member. The tag receiving assembly may further include a tag receiving fastener for operably, irreversibly receiving the stem therein. The security tag assembly may be configured whereby the stem can be received through the second member aperture and be lockingly received within the tag receiving fastener when the first and second container members are in the closed orientation, such that shifting the first and second container members to the open configuration must be preceded by the severance of the tag.
There is also provided a security tag assembly. The security tag assembly may include a tag and a tag receiving structure. The tag may include a stem with a cross sectional dimension and a preventer with a cross sectional dimension. A longitudinal axis of the stem may be generally transverse to the cross sectional dimensions of the stem and the preventer. The cross sectional dimension of the stem may be less than the cross sectional dimension of the preventer. The tag receiving structure may unidirectionally receive the stem therein. The tag receiving structure may unidirectionally receive a cross sectional dimension less than the cross sectional dimension of the preventer.
There is also provided a method of installing a tamper-proof seal assembly on a container with a closure assembly. The closure assembly may define an opening therein. The method may include the step of mounting a first outer button on a first surface of the container, proximate the closure assembly. The method may further include the steps of providing a tag with a stem and a preventer, and inserting the stem through the opening in the closure assembly, the opening accommodating a passage of a portion of the stem therethrough, the opening not accommodating passage of the keeper. The method may further include the step of mounting a second outer button on a second surface of the container proximate the closure assembly and opposite the first outer button. The step of mounting the first outer button may include mating a first inner button to the first outer button. The method may further comprise the steps of providing a tag with a stem and a preventer, the first and second outer button accommodating an irreversible insertion of the stem, the first and second outer button further not accommodating an insertion of the preventer; irreversibly inserting the stem through the first outer button; and irreversibly inserting the stem into the second outer button.
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Brittain James R.
Patterson Thuente Skaar
Pilaud Robert L.
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