Tamper-proof bag seal and method for manufacturing the same

The present invention is a tamper-proof security seal which includes a shackling tape and a tape-gripping element with two deformable tape-gripping sections. The first gripping section includes a structural flap folded toward an inside bag-receiving side of the seal so that the fold is essentially concealed when the seal is used. The first section also includes an enlarged tooth integral with the first section to grip a bag around which the seal is applied. The second tape-gripping section has a plurality of inwardly pointing teeth inside the second section. A method of manufacture of the security seal is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to seals for securely closing bags such as 
those used by banks, armored car companies, vending companies, telephone 
companies and cash and coin handlers. The function of the seal is to 
detect unauthorized access to the contents of the bag or pilferage and 
removal of some or all of tee contents without evidence that tampering has 
occurred. In another embodiment this invention can be used as a cable tie. 
More particularly, the present invention relates to security seals with 
enhanced strength and ease of detection of tampering and a method for 
manufacturing these security seals 
Prior art security seals exist which employ a tape as a shackle and a 
sealing element which can be deformed with a cinching tool. 
In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,961 to Moberg discloses a bag seal with 
a deformable sealing block, a deformable sheet metal tape-gripping element 
with two portions and a length of tape with one end clinched within the 
first portion of the tape-gripping element. The tape-gripping element has 
a second portion to receive and grip the distal portion of the tape when 
the second portion is clinchingly deformed upon the tape. The second 
portion has an oblong passage and a reentrant wall portion constituting a 
bridge through which the distal portion of the tape is passed and the 
second portion extends into the sealing block. After the tape is engaged, 
the sealing block and the second portion therewithin are deformed 
However, the first tape-gripping element is constructed so that metal flaps 
are exposed on the outside of the seal when the seal is placed around a 
bag. In addition, a tab is provided which bulges in the direction of the 
bag and which is connected to the distal end of the first tape-gripping 
element. Teeth are provided on only one wall inside the oblong passage of 
the second portion and the tape is of fabric such as regenerated 
cellulose. 
If metal seals have flap portions folded toward the outside of the seal so 
that the flap portions are exposed when the seal is placed around a bag, 
the flaps can be pried apart and later replaced without evidence of 
tampering. In addition, if the seal does not provide adequate means for 
strongly gripping the bag, the seal and its tape can be slipped off the 
bag and later replaced. Furthermore, if the seal does not grip the tape 
with sufficient strength, the tape can be pulled completely out of the 
seal. It is also important to supply a tape which is strong and resilient, 
and yet still can demonstrate tamper evidence. 
In view of the above potential problems, it is apparent that the prior art 
does not achieve a security seal with a combination of features which 
include 
(i) a tape-gripping mechanism which cannot be pried apart and later 
replaced without evidence of tampering 
(ii) an enlarged tooth integral with a tape-gripping section to grip the 
bag so that the seal cannot be slipped off the bag; 
(iii) horizontally opposed teeth inside the tubular structure of the second 
tape-gripping section to prevent the tape from being pulled out; and 
(iv) a polypropylene shackle tape which provides strength and resilience 
but will also show evidence of tampering. 
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a security 
seal with enhanced strength and which has a metal seal which will evidence 
tampering. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a bag seal with 
greater tape pull-out resistance which will show tamper evidence. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a bag seal having a 
metal seal which cannot be pried open and later reclosed. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a bag seal 
with an adequate holding mechanism to engage an encircled bag and prevent 
the seal from being slipped off the bag. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tape-gripping 
mechanism which prevents the tape from being pulled out of a seal while at 
the same time providing evidence of tampering. 
Still another object of the present invention is to eliminate unnecessary 
tabs and provide an effective yet streamlined bag seal for purpose of 
economy, efficiency of manufacture, and ease of handling while at the same 
time providing a security seal with enhanced strength 
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of 
manufacture of the security seals. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a security seal with enhanced strength and a 
method for making the security seal. The security seal comprises a length 
of shackling tape with a securing end and a distal end. The security seal 
has a bag engaging side and an outer side, and a tape-gripping element 
with two tape-gripping sections. The secured end of the tape is fixedly 
connected into the first tape-gripping section and the second 
tape-gripping section is adapted to receive the distal end of the tape. 
The second tape-gripping section is provided with a tape-gripping passage 
having a plurality of inwardly pointing teeth for engagement with all 
surfaces of the tape and is deformable for clinching and holding the tape. 
The second tape-gripping section can be extended into a sealing block and 
the first tape-gripping section has a strong, enlarged tooth integral with 
it and projecting inward toward a bag-receiving side of the seal to grip a 
bag. In addition, the first tape-gripping section is folded in such a 
fashion that its metal flaps are folded toward the inside bag-receiving 
side of the seal so that the fold is essentially concealed when the seal 
is applied to a bag. The second tape-gripping section has a plurality of 
inwardly pointing horizontally opposed teeth in mating relationship on 
opposite sides inside the second tape-gripping section. 
Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method of manufacturing 
the security seal. The method of manufacture comprises stamping a length 
of sheet metal to form interconnected blanks which have essentially flat 
rectangular first and second tape-gripping sections connected in a central 
area. 
The first section has a first central area with two side flaps. One of 
these side flaps has a triangular area pointing in an opposite direction 
from the second section and this triangle will be bent in the manufacture 
process to form a projection which will grip a bag around which the 
security seal is placed. Another side flap of the first section has a tab 
which will be bent to close one end of the first tape-gripping section. 
The second tape-gripping section has a second central area with a plurality 
of teeth projecting upward from its surface and a side flap with a 
plurality of teeth projecting upward, and another side flap opposite the 
side flap with projecting teeth. 
The blanks are bent so that first and second interconnected tape-gripping 
sections are formed. When the second tape-gripping section is bent, a 
tape-receiving passage is formed with inwardly pointing horizontally 
opposed teeth in mating relationship on opposite sides inside its 
structure. 
As a result of the present invention, a security seal with enhanced 
strength is provided which will evidence tampering. 
In particular, the security seal of the present invention achieves secure, 
tamper-evident sealing which: 
1. Has greater tape pull-out resistance; 
2. Will exhibit evidence of an attempt at stretch tampering; 
3. Has a metal seal with a concealed flap which cannot be pried open and 
later reclosed; 
4. Includes a strong and substantial holding mechanism to engage an 
encircled bag and prevent the seal from being slipped off the bag; 
5. Is economical and can be efficiently manufactured. 
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other 
and further objects, reference is made to the following description, taken 
together with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out 
in the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The illustrated seal comprises a shackling tape and a tape-gripping 
element. 
The tape-gripping element is formed of sheet metal which is bendable and 
deformable by suitable bending and deforming tools and which tends 
strongly to retain a shape to which it is bent or deformed. 
The tape-gripping element of the present invention includes two sections 
each of which receives an opposite end of a shackling tape. 
The tape-gripping element can be made by stamping and/or cutting a piece of 
metal into a substantially flat blank of a shape and condition shown in 
FIG. 2. 
In that condition, the blank of FIG. 2 has a first tape-gripping section 1 
and a second tape-gripping section 2 joined by a neck 3. The first section 
1 has side flaps 4, 5 of a first central area 6. Side flap 4 has a 
triangular projection 7 pointing in the opposite direction from second 
section 2 and this triangular projection 7 can be bent thereafter upward 
from the plane of FIG. 2 to form an enlarged tooth projecting upward to a 
distance of about 0.180 in. to about 0.190 in. and preferably to a 
distance of 0.185 in. to grip a bag (not shown) which is being closed by 
the security seal. Side flap 5 has a tab 8 extending rearwardly toward the 
second section 
The first central area 6 of first section 1 is joined by neck 3 to a second 
central area 9 of second section 2. The second central area 9 has side 
flaps 10 and 11. Also as viewed in FIG. 2, side flap Il and second central 
area 9 have a plurality of teeth 12 projecting upwardly from the surface 
of the plane of the blank illustrated in FIG. 2 to a height of at least 
0.015 inches as shown in FIG. 5, and positioned so that when side flap II 
is folded over along a longitudinal axis to approach second central area 
9, the projecting teeth 12 extend inwardly toward the second central area 
9 and the projecting teeth -2 on second central area 9 to form opposed 
teeth on both surfaces in mating relationship so that each tooth fits 
cooperatively with a region on the opposite surface where no tooth is 
present, for gripping shackling tape 19 which is positioned between side 
flap 11 and second central area 9. A side view of the teeth after folding 
of the blank is shown in FIG. 4. An optional circular hole is provided 
centrally in neck 3 (not shown). 
In the manufacture of the seal, the blank shown in FIG. 2, is bent by 
suitable metal-forming process from its FIG. 2 condition to the condition 
shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7. Thus, as viewed in FIG. 3, side flaps 4 and 
5 of the first section 11 are bent upwardly and inwardly in overlapping 
relationship to form a first tape-receiving passage 13. It will be noted 
that the folded configuration of the first tape-receiving passage 13 is 
such that the side flaps 4 and 5 when folded, close toward the inside 
bag-receiving side of the seal to deprive view of and access to the flaps 
when the seal is applied to a bag thereby eliminating one source of 
possible tampering. 
In addition to the inward folding of side flaps 4 and 5, as shown in FIGS. 
3 and 7 triangular projection 7 can be sharply deflected upwardly in the 
direction of an encircled bag to provide a single strong, enlarged tooth 
for improved gripping strength on the encircled bag. As a result of this 
unique design, a strong, deep-penetrating tooth can be provided for more 
effective bag-gripping capability. Tab 8 on side flap 5 is bent downwardly 
toward neck 3 to effectively close one end of the first tape-receiving 
passage 13 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. The closure of the first 
tape-receiving passage insures that when a shackling tape is urged into 
the passage, the tape is inserted to the proper distance. FIG. 6 shows a 
cross sectional view through the open end 14 of the first tape-receiving 
passage 13 with triangular area 7 deflected so as to grip an encircled 
bag. 
An end portion of the shackling tape 19 is inserted through opening 14 into 
the first tape-receiving passage 13, up to the tab 8 which terminates 
passage 13. The thus assembled first section 1 is secured to the tape by 
deforming the first section 1 with a cinching tool known in the art, so 
that the end portion of the shackling tape is firmly gripped by the first 
section. 
As shown in FIG. 3, in the second section 2, side flap 11 is bent upwardly 
and inwardly toward second central area 9, and side flap 10 is bent 
upwardly and inwardly in overlapping relationship to side flap 11 to form 
a second tape-receiving passage 15 with opening 16 of a sealing 
tape-clinching portion in second section 2. 
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the second tape-receiving passage 16 
with opposed teeth 12 which were previously molded on side flap 11 and 
second central area 9. 
A sealing block 21 of suitable material (FIG. 8) known in the art is 
optionally provided, with a cross sectionally rectangular, longitudinal 
passage 20 extending therethrough. This passage is of such size as to 
receive the second tape-receiving passage therewithin with friction fit. 
The distal end of a tape is inserted into the second tape-receiving 
section, and the section is deformed with a deforming tool. The actual 
gripping or locking action holding the tape in the second tape-receiving 
passage 15 is enhanced by the teeth 12 in mating configuration within the 
second tape-receiving passage 15. This design produces substantially 
greater holding strength as well as shredding of the tape if enough 
reverse pressure is applied to remove the tape thus showing positive 
tamper evidence. 
The shackling tape is preferably made of polypropylene. Polypropylene 
maintains its strength after repeated flexing, and is flexible and 
resilient. It will also shred when sufficient reverse pull is applied and 
thereby show tamper evidence 
To use the seal, the tape is encircled around the neck of a bag. The distal 
end of the tape is passed through opening 16 of second tape-receiving 
passage 15, and the tape is extended through the second tape-receiving 
passage, protruding out the opposite end. The tape is pulled by the 
protruding end tightly around the bag and the second tape-receiving 
passage is tightened and cinched with a sealing tool in a manner known in 
the art. Optionally, the second tape-receiving passage may be inserted 
into a deformable sealing block before cinching. The cinching of the 
second tape-receiving passage 15, engages the teeth 12 located therein. 
The polypropylene tape has sufficient "memory" that it continually engages 
the teeth and the tape is thereby prevented from being pulled out of the 
seal. If sufficient force is exerted to stretch the tape to gain access to 
the bag, the tape will shred and thereby exhibit evidence of tampering. 
The manufacture of the security seal tape-gripping element is illustrate in 
FIG. 9. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, a length of sheet metal 17 is provided and 
supported in a longitudinal orientation. The sheet metal length is stamped 
to form substantially flat linearly connected blanks 18. The blanks are 
stamped to have essentially rectangular sections including a first 
tape-gripping section 1 and second tape-gripping section 2 connected in a 
central area by a neck 3. The first section 1 has a first central area 6 
with side flaps 4, 5. Side flap 4 has a triangular projection 7 pointing 
in an opposite direction from the second section. Side flap 5 has a tab 8 
extending rearwardly toward the second section in the region of the neck. 
The second section 2 has a second central area 9 with a plurality of teeth 
12 projecting upward from its upper surface to a height of at least 0.015 
in. The second section 2 also has side flaps 10, 11 adjoining the second 
central area 9 and opposite each other. Side flap 11 has a plurality of 
teeth projecting upward from its upper surface to a height of at least 
0.015 in. 
In manufacture, the blanks 18 are subjected to deformation so that side 
flaps 4, 5 are bent upwardly and inwardly in overlapping relationship over 
the first central area 6 to form a first tape-gripping section with a 
first tape-receiving passage 13 with the triangular projection 7 connected 
to the first side flap 4 deflected upwardly from the surface of the plane 
of the first passage and the tab connected to side flap 11 bent downwardly 
from the plane of the first tape-gripping passage toward the neck 
effectively closing an end of the first passage. 
In the second section 2, side flaps 10, 11 are bent upwardly and inwardly 
in overlapping relationship over the second central area 9 to form a 
second tape-gripping section which includes a second tape-receiving 
passage 15. Side flap 11 is positioned over the second central area 9 so 
that the teeth projecting upward from the upper surface of the second 
central area 9 and the teeth projecting from the surface of side flap 22 
are disposed in mating configuration so that each tooth approaches a 
region on the opposite area where no tooth is present on the opposite wall 
inside the second passage 15. 
The linearly connected stamped and bent blanks are cut apart to provide 
tape-gripping elements comprising a first tape-gripping section 1 
connected by a neck 3 to a second tape-gripping section 2. 
The end of a length of shackling tape 19 is inserted into the first 
tape-receiving passage 13 as shown in FIG. 3 and the tape is fixedly 
attached in the first tape-gripping section. Optionally, the second 
tape-gripping section may be inserted into a deformable sealing block. 
Thus is provided a manufactured security seal in accordance with the 
present invention. 
While there have been described what are presently believed to be the 
preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will 
realize that changes and modifications may be made thereto without 
departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim 
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true scope of the 
invention.