EP0460459A1 - Tamper evident seal for envelopes - Google Patents

Abstract

An envelope (1), in particular a dispatch envelope made of paper, thin card or a composite material, exhibits a fold-down closure flap (6) with a tamper-indication closure (11). In order to make tampering with the foil bag or its contents unmistakably evident, the tamper-indication closure exhibits a metal layer (13) of a few mu thickness connected to the closure flap (6) and an adhesive layer (14) applied to it, which is provided with a protective layer (15) covering it before use, after whose removal and after the closure flap is folded down the metal layer can be connected to the envelope (1) via the adhesive layer. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a bag, in particular a shipping bag made of paper, cardboard or composite material with a foldable closure flap with a guarantee closure.

Mailing bags in the sense of the invention are understood to mean all envelope-like, bag-shaped packaging means which are used to hold documents, printing units, samples or the like and which are used either for shipping or for in-house transport of the aforementioned goods. This primarily includes envelopes, envelopes, bags in padded or non-padded design, flat cardboard packaging and the like. Paper, cardboard, plastic paper and composite materials, e.g. made of cardboard, paper and plastics.

Both for shipping and for in-house transport, there is often a demand for a guarantee closure, which ensures that the contents of the mailing bags reached intact and completely from the sender to the recipient or the recipient can determine whether the shipping bag has been opened unauthorized during transport. The conventional mailing bags, which are only closed by gluing the flap, do not meet this requirement adequately, since they open undamaged through careful, possibly with the help of suitable tools, chemicals or even solely through thermal treatment, e.g. at low temperatures, and then again close it. This also applies if additional sealing means such as adhesive tapes or the like are used.

The only known safe method is sealing with sealing wax, which is, however, extremely time-consuming and requires additional tools of a different type, namely sealing wax and heating source. Larger shipping quantities cannot be processed economically in this way. The bulky seal also leads to obstacles in machine distribution, sorting, etc.

The invention has for its object to provide a shipping bag of the structure described above with a guarantee closure, the tampering of any kind can be recognized properly or prevents third parties from tampering because of easy recognition.

This object is achieved in that the guarantee closure has a metal layer of a few microns thick connected to the flap and an adhesive layer applied thereon, which is provided with a protective layer covering it before use, after its removal and folding over of the flap, the metal layer over the adhesive layer can be connected to the mailing bag.

The handling of the mailing bag designed according to the invention is essentially the same as in the prior art. After the mailing bag has been filled, the protective layer is removed from the adhesive layer, the closure flap is folded over and the metal layer is connected to the mailing bag by pressing on the adhesive layer. An essential part of the guarantee closure designed according to the invention is the extremely thin metal layer, which is obtained by metallizing, e.g. B. vapor deposition, spraying or the like can be obtained or can be formed from an extremely thin film. Such a thin metal layer has only a very low tensile strength and thus tear strength, which is considerably lower than that of the material of the mailing bag. Furthermore, the metal layer stands out visually from the mailing bag, which can be supported by the fact that it is a mirror-like shiny metal layer. The low tensile strength means that when the tamper-evident seal is tampered with, no matter how low the adhesive force of the adhesive, the metal layer tears and parts of the layer stick to one side or the other. The guarantee lock can then never be closed in such a way that this damage to the metal layer would not be recognizable. In the case of a mirror-reflective metal layer, such damage can be readily recognized by the irregular reflection.

Even if the guarantee closure or the adhesive layer is exposed to elevated or very low temperature, the remaining low adhesive force is sufficient to show the aforementioned effects. The training according to the invention is quite suitable to take on the task of a conventional sealing.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the metal layer is applied to a transparent carrier tape and can be connected over part of its width to the closure flap and to the part projecting beyond it by means of the adhesive layer arranged on the other side with the mailing bag.

The guarantee closure, which is embodied in the form of a separate band in this embodiment, can be attached to the mailing bag at the factory or can be attached to the closure flap by the user afterwards. Part of the metal layer adheres to the closure flap, while the other part adheres to the mailing envelope after closure. The metal layer is protected against damage by the transparent carrier tape. The slightest manipulation of the carrier tape or the flap will damage the metal layer. The entire closure can be formed solely by the adhesive layer. Advantageously, however, as in the known designs, the closure flap has its own adhesive layer covered by a protective layer in order to obtain a tight and large-area closure which absorbs the forces acting during transport. The adhesive layer of the closure flap can, but does not have to fulfill a guarantee function. Tampering with the guarantee closure, d. H. Damage to the metal layer can be easily recognized optically due to the transparent design of the carrier tape. This embodiment is also particularly suitable for the sealing of the mailing bag by the user.

If the carrier tape is only attached by the user or the sender of the mailing bag, it is provided that the protective layer is divided lengthwise, one part of which is the part of the carrier tape to be connected to the closure flap and the other part of which is the part of the carrier tape to be connected to the mailing bag or is assigned to the metal layer.

The user peels off part of the protective layer and adheres the carrier tape with the metal layer to the closure flap. He then peels off the second part of the protective layer, puts the flap over and adheres the other part of the carrier tape with the metal layer to the mailing bag via the adhesive layer. The metal layer thus bridges the edge of the closure flap, so that opening the flap or even just trying to open it will damage the metal layer.

It is advantageously provided that the carrier tape with the metal layer, the adhesive layer and the protective layer is formed as an endless tape from which the required length for the guarantee closure can be separated. This version is advantageous both for machine processing by the consumer and for use by the consumer.

The carrier tape is preferably made of transparent polyester, which has the necessary strength properties and, at the same time, bending properties that are favorable for processing.

As already indicated, the metal layer can be applied by vapor deposition, so that it can be made as thin as desired.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that the metal layer is designed as a two- or three-dimensional hologram.

By forming the metal layer as a hologram, any information, company logo or the like can be made visible. Furthermore, training as a hologram has the advantage that tampering with the guarantee closure tends to damage not only the metal layer but also the hologram and is therefore even more easily recognizable. Also Such holograms can be designed in a manufacturer-specific manner, so that a guarantee chain can be concluded from the manufacturer of the carrier tape with the hologram, via the manufacturer of the mailing bag to the recipient.

Mailing bags are also used by banks, authorities etc. for internal and external transport, in particular for the messenger transport of money, other valuables, documents or the like. For this purpose, the mailing bag has a labeling field in which the sender, the recipient and the messenger are entered by name and, if necessary, the delivery date and other information intended for the recipient are entered. As a rule, the closure flap is provided with a detachable slip strip, which the sender detaches when the seal is closed and is kept as a slip. The mailing bag and voucher are provided with the same identification number.

To prevent the mailing bag from being opened on the way from the sender to the recipient and parts of its contents being removed without authorization, the mailing bag has a guarantee closure. This consists of an adhesive layer on the inside of the closure flap with strong adhesive force, which is initially covered by a protective layer, e.g. B. a silicone paper is covered. Furthermore, one or more lines of weakness, e.g. B. perforations on the closure flap, which are in the region of the adhesive layer. After filling the mailing bag, peeling off the protective layer and folding the flap over, it is pressed onto the mailing bag so that the adhesive comes into effect. An opening of the closure flap by tearing open is possible without any problems, however, the closure flap tears open in the area of the material weakening lines and can then no longer be closed in a way as is the case with the undamaged guarantee closure. Unauthorized manipulations can consequently be detected on the closure flap and the recipient can Check the content to determine whether parts of the content have been removed during transport.

It has been shown that manipulations are nevertheless possible in practice and cannot be noticed by the recipient. The reason lies in the inadequate temperature stability of the adhesives known for plastics. The adhesive force of these adhesives is reduced by heating or also by low temperatures to such an extent that the closure flap can be released without damage and the lines of weakness of the material do not tear open.

The aforementioned mailing bag with a document strip can also be used in connection with the design of the guarantee closure according to the invention. If the guarantee closure is formed by a carrier tape with a metal layer, then, as in the prior art, the document strip can be part of the closure flap and connected to it via a material weakening line. In this case, the carrier tape is then applied to the closure flap so that the longitudinal division of the protective layer coincides approximately with the line of weakness.

If, in this embodiment, the carrier tape or the metal layer is already applied at the factory, then its other part and the protective layer still present there protrude above the line of weakness between the flap and the slip strip. In this case, the cover strip is separated after the flap has been flipped over and pressed on using its own adhesive layer. Then the protective layer on the adhesive layer of the carrier tape or the metal layer is peeled off and adhered to the mailing bag. In this case, too, it bridges the edge of the closure flap.

Instead, the document strip can also be a part separate from the mailing bag and then form part of the protective layer on the carrier tape.

In this version, there is no duplication of document strips and carrier tape and the protective layer also fulfills the function of the document strip. The user only needs to pull off the document strip and thus the protective layer in order to be able to close the flap with the guarantee closure in one go.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer einfachsten Ausführungsform der Versandtasche;

Figur 2

einen Schnitt II - II im Bereich des Garantieverschlusses im vergrößerten Maßstab vor dem Verschließvorgang;

Figur 3

einen Schnitt des Trägerbandes mit der Metallschicht vor dem Anbringen an der Versandtasche;

Figur 4

einen der Figur 2 ähnlichen Schnitt der Versandtasche im geschlossenen Zustand;

Figur 5

eine der Figur 1 ähnliche Ansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform der Versandtasche;

Figur 6

einen Schnitt VI - VI gemäß Figur 5 und;

Figur 7

die Versandtasche gemäß Figur 6 im geschlossenen Zustand.

The invention is described below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1

a perspective view of a simplest embodiment of the mailing bag;

Figure 2

a section II - II in the area of the guarantee closure on an enlarged scale before the closing process;

Figure 3

a section of the carrier tape with the metal layer before attachment to the mailing bag;

Figure 4

a similar to Figure 2 section of the mailing bag in the closed state;

Figure 5

a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of the mailing bag;

Figure 6

a section VI - VI of Figure 5 and;

Figure 7

the mailing bag according to Figure 6 in the closed state.

The mailing bag 1 according to FIG. 1 consists of paper, cardboard or a composite material and is used for the expedition of documents, printing units, samples or the like. It is made from an endless web, which is folded, for example, along a line forming the later lower edge 2 to form a double layer. The double-layered material web is connected to one another at intervals corresponding to the width of the pocket to form the longitudinal edges 3, e.g. by gluing, as indicated on the edge strip 4. On the side of the mailing envelope which later forms the opening 5 (FIG. 2), one layer of material projects beyond the other, forming a closure flap 6.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the flap 6 has an adhesive layer 9 on the inside, which by a protective strip 10, z. B. a silicone paper, or the like is covered and can be exposed by pulling the same.

The mailing bag also has a guarantee closure 11, which is produced from a material strip according to FIG. 3. The material tape has a transparent carrier tape 12, e.g. B. made of polyester, which is provided on one side with a metal layer 13 which is applied for example by vapor deposition, spraying or the like. This metal layer 13 is preferably designed in the form of a two- or three-dimensional hologram. In turn, an adhesive layer 14 is applied to the metal layer, which is covered by a protective layer 15. The protective layer 15 is in the embodiment shown from two cover strips 17 separated along line 16. The material strip shown in FIG. 3 is either attached to the closure flap at the factory, as is the case with the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. In this case, the cover strip 17 can be omitted and the carrier tape 12 is connected to the metal layer 13 via the adhesive layer 14 exposed there to the outside of the closure flap 6, in such a way that the dividing line 16 coincides approximately with the material weakening line 7. It is also possible, however, to attach the material strip according to FIG. 3 subsequently in the manner shown in FIG. 2 or only after the closure flap 6 has been closed.

In the starting position shown in Figure 2, the mailing bag is filled through the opening 5. The protective layer 10 is then removed and the closure flap 6 with the covering strip 8 and the partially adhered carrier tape 12 with the metal layer 13 and adhesive layer 14 and a cover strip 17 are folded over. The flap is attached to the outside of the mailing bag by pressure using the adhesive layer 9. The shipper then pulls off the cover strip 17 which is still present and presses the carrier tape 12 onto the back of the mailing bag, so that the carrier tape is connected to the bag via the metal layer and the adhesive layer 14, as shown in FIG.

Instead, the carrier tape with the metal layer can only be stuck across the edge after the flap 6 has been folded over and glued.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7 serves primarily for the internal transport of valuable goods, for example cash and non-cash means of payment, documents, securities, etc. Such bags are used in particular by banks. In this embodiment, part of the closure flap 6 is used as a slip strip 8 formed of the closure flap through a material weakening line 7, z. B. a perforation or the like, is delimited and can be separated from the flap in this way.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the pocket 1 is provided on the outside with an identification number which is also indicated on the document strip 8. In addition, the date of the expedition and, for example, the amount of means of payment inserted can be indicated on the document slip. The bag also has a label, in which, for example, the name of the sender, the date, the name of the messenger and that of the recipient are given. In addition, a usage note, for example an account number or the like, can also be given. FIG. 5 shows the bag during the closing process, namely immediately after the closure flap has adhered to the back of the bag via the adhesive layer 9 and before the document strip 8 has been removed and the guarantee closure has been closed, which is done in the manner explained in relation to FIGS. 2 to 4 and shown in Figs. 6 and 7. In contrast to this, the document strip 8 is cut off on the material weakening line 7 before or, as shown in FIG. 5, after the closure flap has been folded over. It remains with the sender.

If necessary, in both embodiments, an adhesion promoter can be arranged between the transparent carrier tape and the metal layer 13. If the metal layer is designed as a hologram, even minor injuries can be seen as optically perceptible irregularities.

Claims (9)

A bag, in particular a mailing bag made of paper, cardboard or composite material with a foldable closure flap with a guarantee closure, characterized in that the guarantee closure (11) has a metal layer (13) of a few μ thickness connected to the closure flap (6) and an adhesive layer (14) applied thereon which is provided with a protective layer (15) covering it before use, after its removal and folding over of the closure flap the metal layer can be connected to the mailing bag (1) via the adhesive layer. Bag according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal layer (13) is applied to a transparent carrier tape (12) and by means of the adhesive layer (14) arranged on the other side over a part of its width with the closure flap (6) and with it projecting part can be connected to the mailing bag (1). Bag according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protective layer (15) is divided lengthwise, one part (17) of the part of the carrier tape (12) to be connected to the closure flap (6) and the other part of that of the mailing bag ( 1) part of the carrier tape (12) or the metal layer (13) to be connected. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier tape (12) with the metal layer (13), the adhesive layer (14) and the protective layer (15) is designed as an endless tape, of which the required length for the guarantee closure (11 ) is separable. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier tape (12) consists of transparent polyester. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the metal layer (13) is applied by vapor deposition. Bag according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the metal layer (13) is designed as a two- or three-dimensional hologram. Bag according to one of Claims 1 to 7 with a slip strip that can be detached after being closed, characterized in that the slip strip (8) is part of the closure flap (6) and is connected to it via a material weakening line (7), and in that the carrier tape (12) is applied to the closure flap (6) such that the longitudinal division (16) of the protective layer (15) coincides approximately with the material weakening line (7). Bag according to one of Claims 1 to 7 with a slip strip that can be detached after being closed, characterized in that the slip strip (8) is a part separated from the film bag (1) and part of the protective layer (15) on the carrier tape (12) forms.

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