Patent Description:
These types of seal are used for the security closure of container or similarly used for the transportation of goods.

Known seals are widely used to lock the containers so as to ascertain their protection and know whether any tampering or tampering attempt has been made; to be removed or opened, the e-seal has to be deeply, irremediably and evidently damaged. A tampered security e-seal will give immediate signal about the tampering or tampering attempt of the container, as proof that goods inside have been stolen or damaged.

A known type of seals, called bolt seals, include a metallic bolt that could be covered partially or completely with plastic, and a second part to close the metallic bolt, with a metallic bushing seat that can be covered with plastic. When the metallic bolt is inserted in the bushing seat, the seal cannot be opened anymore so to secure the container and the goods inside.

Bolt seals have several advantages as they are very strong and they show evident tampering attempts.

Moreover, they can support passive RFID technology - RFID stands for Radio- Frequency Identification), which can signal remotely the seal identification and the tampering event. Seals of this type are called e-seals. An e-seal is a device with RFID chip inside it which can be read by enabled devices via fixed reader, handheld reader or any other mode. Each e-seal has a unique RFID tag which contains electronically stored information.

E-seals are widely used to lock the containers so as to ascertain their protection and know whether any tampering or tampering attempt has been made. But not all e-seals existing in market are fully tamper proof. Indeed, known e-seal are not capable of informing about 'Open' e-seal status, which means that the intended user even when the e-seal is not in use is able to verify open/unlock e-seal status (i. e not used at all) along with states that is tampered and non-tampered later upon use. <CIT> discloses a Radio frequency Identification (RFID) seal for containers. The application is focused on detecting status of a seal based on tracking position of an RFID chip in the seal. In addition, the seal records auxiliary data and transmits the recorded data (i.e. the status information and the auxiliary data) to a communication center via Global positioning satellites (GPS). Another example of a known sealing device is shown in <CIT>, which discloses a sealing device including a housing and a closure member. The sealing device detects unauthorized access events by authorizing and validating identity of transponders associated with the sealing device. Further, <CIT> discloses a self-locking security seal. The security seal includes two locking devices, an RFID tag, RFID detection means and a safety means to secure the locking devices and activate the RFID tag. The RFID detection means detects conditions of the security seal i.e., condition of seal open, condition of seal closed and condition of seal tempered and transmits corresponding logic signals.

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques and processes.

It is an object of the invention to provide a security e-seal with passive RFID incorporating relevant improvements for tampering resistance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide the disclosed e-seal with RFID tag that aids to acknowledge whether the e-seal is locked- 'Non-Tampered' (when the pin and lock part are connected) or it is unlocked- 'Open' (when the pin and lock part are not connected) or tampered.

It is another object of the present invention that the product/cargo/container can be tracked until it arrives at the destination location.

How the foregoing objects are achieved will be clear from the following brief description. In this context, it is clarified that the description provided is non-limiting and is only by way of explanation. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the foregoing description proceeds, taken together with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

These and other objects are achieved by e-seal according to the first of the appended claims. Further features of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the e-seal according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings wherein:.

According to the figures, the bolt e-seal according to the invention comprises a lock body <NUM>, a bolt <NUM> and a flag <NUM> firmly connected to a first end <NUM> of the bolt <NUM>. The bolt <NUM> also comprises a second end <NUM>, or free end <NUM>.

A first RFID tag (not shown) is inserted into the flag <NUM>. The first RFID tag emits an own identification signal. If the bolt <NUM> is cut the first RFID tag stops to emit signal.

The lock body <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> defining a housing <NUM>. On a lateral wall 1a of the frame <NUM> is made a hole <NUM> for the insertion of said free end <NUM> of the bolt <NUM> inside the housing <NUM> along a vertical insertion axis or axis Y.

Inside the housing <NUM> an insertion channel oriented along the vertical axis Y is defined for the insertion of the free end <NUM> of the bolt <NUM>. The insertion channel is defined by a first tubular insert <NUM>, preferably, but not limit to, made of metal. The first tubular insert <NUM> is firmly housed inside the housing <NUM> and in a coaxial position with respect to the hole <NUM> and aligned along the vertical axis of insertion Y.

The tubular insert <NUM> provides an inlet portion 120a of a diameter and an outlet portion 120b of a minor diameter than the inlet portion. A step 120c is defined between the inlet 120a and the outlet 120b portion of the first tubular insert <NUM>.

Inside the outlet portion 120b is coaxially housed a second tubular insert <NUM>, preferably but not limit to, made of plastic. The second tubular insert <NUM> are arranged in continuity with the first tubular insert <NUM>, in order to define the insertion channel, along the vertical axis Y.

The second tubular insert <NUM> abuts against the step 120c. An e-sealing spring is located between the second tubular insert <NUM> and the step 120c. Also the second tubular insert <NUM> is firmly housed inside the housing <NUM> of the lock body <NUM>.

Activation means <NUM> for the detection of the Closed state of the e-seal are housed into the housing <NUM> of the lock body <NUM>. The activation means <NUM> are capable of sliding according to the insertion axis Y in order to activate the Closed condition of the e-seal, i.e. in order to cause a change of state of a second RFID tag located into the lock body <NUM>.

More in detail, the activation means <NUM> comprises a plug <NUM> arranged in a sliding manner inside the insertion channel; in the example shown in the figures the plug <NUM> is arranged in a sliding manner inside the second tubular insert <NUM>.

The activation means <NUM> also comprises a main portion <NUM>. A horizontal <NUM> and a vertical <NUM> arms project from the main portion <NUM> respectively parallel to said horizontal axis X perpendicular to Y and to said vertical axis Y. The plug <NUM> projects from the horizontal arm <NUM> according to said vertical axis Y.

The activation means <NUM> are slidingly movable along the vertical axis Y from a non-activated position to an activated position.

When the e-seal is closed, i.e. when the free end <NUM> of the bolt <NUM> is inserted inside the channel, the free end <NUM> pushes against the top of the plug <NUM> causing the shifting of the activation means <NUM> along the insertion axis Y toward the activated position.

In a first embodiment of the invention, shown in the figures from <NUM> to <NUM>, the second RFID tag is an ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag <NUM>, i.e. a RFID tag that operate between <NUM> to <NUM> and can send information about state of the e-seal at distance of several meters.

In a second embodiment of the invention, shown in <FIG>, the second RFID tag is a near-field communication (NFC) RFID tag <NUM>, i.e. a RFID tag from which the information about the state of the e-seal can be read through a reader in the e-seal proximity.

As far as the first embodiment of the invention is concerned, the activation means <NUM> comprises a pin <NUM> that projects orthogonally with respect to the plane defined by the directions X and Y, along a direction Z (defining with X and Y a Cartesian coordinate system). The UHF RFID tag <NUM> comprises a printed circuit <NUM> and a planar board <NUM> on which the circuit <NUM> is printed. The planar board <NUM> is housed into the lock body <NUM> in a superimposed arrangement with respect to the activation means <NUM> along the direction Z, according to an XY plane.

The UHF RFID tag comprises a passage hole <NUM>, formed into the planar board <NUM> and aligned along the Y direction.

When the activation means <NUM> are in the non-activated position the pin <NUM> crosses the UHF RFID planar board <NUM> through the passage hole <NUM> and projects over the planar board <NUM> without to intercept the circuit <NUM>. The UHF RFID tag <NUM> and the first tag located into the flag <NUM> emit an own identification signal and this condition corresponds to the Open state of the e-seal.

When the activation means <NUM> are in the activated position by the insertion of the free end <NUM> of the bolt <NUM>, the pin <NUM> is moved along the Y direction and brakes the planar board and the circuit <NUM>, interrupting the signal emitted by the UHF RFID tag <NUM> (the interruption of the signal emitted by the second tag <NUM> corresponds to the change of state caused by the activation means); the tag into the flag <NUM> still emits its own signal. This condition is read as the Closed state of the e-seal according to the invention.

Preferably, a support insert <NUM> for the UHF RFID tag <NUM> is provided and arranged between the activation means <NUM> and the planar board <NUM> of the tag. The support insert <NUM> also comprises a slot <NUM> oriented along axis Y and corresponding, when in use, with the passage hole <NUM> and the pin <NUM> slides inside the slot <NUM>. The slot <NUM> is longer than the passage hole <NUM> and it extends below the planar body <NUM> therefore the pin <NUM> can slide into the slot <NUM> in order to break the circuit <NUM>.

The support insert <NUM> also comprises means for the firmly housing of the first and second tubular insert into the housing <NUM>. For example, in <FIG> this means are visible in the form of a shaped profile 53a.

As far as the second embodiment of the invention is concerned, a NFC tag <NUM> is provided attached to the activation means <NUM>, and in particular to the main portion <NUM>. In this embodiment also shield means are provided. The shield means comprises a metallic leaf <NUM>. The metallic leaf <NUM> is firmly connected to the lock body <NUM> of the e-seal in an at least partially superimposed position with respect to the activation means <NUM>, and in particular to the main portion <NUM>.

When the activation means <NUM> are in the non-activated position the NFC RFID tag <NUM> is completely covered by the shield means. Therefore, the NFC RFID <NUM> cannot be read, while the tag into the flag emits it owns signal, and this condition corresponds to the Open state of the e-seal. When the activation means <NUM> are pushed by the insertion of the free end <NUM> of the bolt <NUM> along the insertion axis Y towards the activated position, the NFC RFID slides with respect to the shield means and results not more covered by them (<FIG>); in this position, the identification signal emitted by the NFC RFID tag <NUM> can be read, while the tag into the flag still emits its own signal, and this condition corresponds to the Closed state of the e-seal (and the passage from a non-readable signal to a readable signal corresponds to the change of state of the tag caused by the movement of the activation means).

The shield means can be attached to the support insert <NUM> in appropriate position.

The lock body <NUM> also comprises a closure cap <NUM>.

The e-seal according to the invention also detects two tampered states; a first tampered state in the open condition of the e-seal (i.e. bolt not inserted into the lock body <NUM>) and a second tampered state in the closed condition (i.e. bolt inserted into the lock body <NUM>).

The e-seal also comprises tampering detection means <NUM>. With reference to the figures, the tampering detection means <NUM> are able to close the insertion hole <NUM> of the lock body <NUM>. The tampering detection means <NUM> slides from a free-hole position wherein they do not intercept the hole <NUM> to a blocked-hole position wherein they intercept the passage hole <NUM>.

More in detail in case of tamper attempt, the bolt <NUM> is not inserted into the hole <NUM>; on the contrary, another can be tamper tool inserted into the hole and then extracted. The insertion of the tamper tool into the hole causes the sliding of the activation means <NUM> and the detection of the closed state by the second RFID tag <NUM>, <NUM>. Nevertheless, the extraction of the tamper tool from the hole <NUM> causes the activation of the tampering detection means <NUM>, i.e. their sliding toward the blocked-hole position. The closing of the hole <NUM> avoids the unauthorized use of the e-seal. Therefore, a first tampered state is detected.

If the tampered consists in the cutting of the bolt, both the signals of both the first and second RFID <NUM>, <NUM> tags will read as interrupted. This is the second tampered state.

Substantially, in the first tampered state the tampering detection means <NUM> are able to avoid the insertion of the bolt <NUM> into the lock body <NUM>. In the second tampered state the tampering action occurs when the bolt is yet inserted into the lock body.

With reference for example to <FIG> and <FIG> the sliding movement from the free-hole position to the blocked-hole position is activated as a consequence of the movement of the activation means <NUM> and of the extraction of the tampering tool from the hole <NUM>. In the free-hole position the activation means <NUM> engages the tampering detection means <NUM>; activation means <NUM> comprises engagement means in order to engage tampering detection means <NUM>. In the preferred solution, shown in the figures, the engagement means are the vertical arm <NUM>. The disengagement between the activation means <NUM> and the tampering detection means <NUM> makes the latter free to move towards the blocked-hole position.

More in detail, the activation means <NUM> and in particular the vertical arm <NUM> directed along the Y direction stop the tampering detection means <NUM> in the free-hole position. When the activation means <NUM> slides along the Y direction, the vertical arm <NUM> disengaged from the tampering detection means <NUM>. A spring <NUM> is provided to exert a pushing action along the X direction. In particular the spring <NUM> exerts a force that push the tampering detection means <NUM> away from the bolt, towards the blocked-hole position in an X' direction. When the activation means <NUM> disengages the tampering detection means <NUM>, the spring <NUM> push them towards the blocked-hole position. If the bolt is inserted into the insertion hole <NUM> the engagement between the tampering means <NUM> and the bolt <NUM> avoids the sliding of the tampering detection means <NUM>; if the bolt is not into the hole <NUM>, the tampering detection means <NUM> are free to slide towards the blocked-hole position.

The tampering detection means <NUM> comprises a L-shaped body <NUM> with a horizontal planar face <NUM> adapted to abuts, in use, against the inner surface of the lateral face of the lock body <NUM> of the seal; the planar face <NUM> is arranged along the X axis. A second hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) is formed on the horizontal planar face <NUM> and in the free-hole position the second hole <NUM> are aligned coaxially with the insertion hole <NUM>, along the Y axis.

The L-shaped body <NUM> also comprise a vertical planar face <NUM> that projects substantially perpendicular from the horizontal planar face <NUM>. The vertical planar face <NUM> is arranged along the Y axis and defines an abutment surface for the spring <NUM>. The spring <NUM> exerts a pushing action against the vertical planar face <NUM> in the axis X'.

A tooth <NUM> projects from the horizontal planar face <NUM>. The vertical arm <NUM> of the activation means <NUM> engages with the tooth <NUM> in order to avoid the sliding of the horizontal planar face <NUM> under the pushing action of the spring <NUM>.

The disclosed e-seal overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art. In particular, the e-seal according to the invention is highly secure and effective as it's a three states e-seal supporting two RFID, one in the body and the other one in the flag. The three states or conditions that the current invention e-seal can communicate are namely:.

Again, the e-seal aims the scope of reading the tampered state both when opened (i.e. bolt not inserted) and closed (i.e. bolt inserted). In other words, the e-seal with RFID tag permits to acknowledge whether the e-seal is locked- 'Non-Tampered' or it is unlocked- 'Open' or tampered.

Accordingly, the present invention results in an improved e-seal, having UHF or NFC capabilities showing tamper and non-tamper status.

The e-seal according to the invention has tamper evident capabilities, resulting in systematic tracking of the products along with provision of long read range, larger memory, and ability to read using any appropriate non-expensive device.

The e-seal permits to track safely the product/cargo/container until it arrives at the destination location.

Claim 1:
An e-seal for security and traceability in transport comprising:
- a lock body (<NUM>);
- a flag (<NUM>);
- a bolt (<NUM>) firmly connected to the flag (<NUM>), said bolt (<NUM>) comprising a free end (<NUM>) for the insertion according to an insertion axis (Y) into said lock body (<NUM>) for the closing of the e-seal, through an insertion hole (<NUM>) of the lock body (<NUM>);
- a first RFID tag adapted to emit an own identification signal and housed into said flag (<NUM>);
- a second RFID tag (<NUM>, <NUM>) located into said lock body (<NUM>) and adapted to emit an own identification signal when activated;
- activation means (<NUM>) of said second RFID tag (<NUM>, <NUM>) adapted to move from a non-activated position to an activated position, wherein the moving of said activation means (<NUM>) from said non-activated position to said activated position causes a change of state of said second RFID tag (<NUM>, <NUM>), said movement of said activation means (<NUM>) being caused by the insertion of said bolt (<NUM>) into said lock body (<NUM>);
- tampering detection means (<NUM>) located into said lock body (<NUM>), wherein the insertion of the bolt (<NUM>) or the tampering tool inside said lock body (<NUM>) causes the disengagement between said activation means (<NUM>) and said tampering detection means (<NUM>) and wherein the subsequent extraction of said bolt (<NUM>) or the tampering tool from said lock body (<NUM>) causes the movement of said tampering detection means (<NUM>) from said free-hole position to said block-hole position, characterized in that the tampering detection means (<NUM>) is configured to be movable from a free-hole position, and is configured to not intercept said insertion hole (<NUM>) to a blocked-hole position, and to intercept the insertion hole (<NUM>) in order to avoid the insertion of the bolt (<NUM>) or a tampering tool inside said lock body (<NUM>), wherein in said non-activated position, the said activation means (<NUM>) engages said tampering detection means (<NUM>) in order to maintain the tampering detection means (<NUM>) in the free-hole position.