GB2088345A - Keg Seal - Google Patents

Abstract

A keg seal comprises a plastics cowl made in two parts 2,3 which together embrace the opening of a keg. The parts are fixed together by non-removable fastening means 10- 14. The material from which the seal is made (e.g. polypropylene) is such that a visual indication of stress having been applied is given. The parts may be joined by a hinge 4. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tamperproof Keg Seal This invention relates to so-called tamperproof seals for use on bear kegs.

One of the problems encountered by breweries lies in the sealing of beer kegs so that beer cannot be removed or other liquid inserted by unauthorised persons. In particular, one of the areas where a seal is required is on partially empty kegs being returned to the brewery for credit after being inspected on the customers premises. Such credits are given on beer which is sub-standard in some way and it is essential that it is not tampered with during transit. Similarly, such a seal is advisable when kegs are leaving the brewery for supply to customers.

An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a keg seal comprising a cowl moulded from plastics materials in two parts each adapted to embrace part of the keg and in which said parts are connectible by non-removable fastening means.

Preferably, said seal is moulded from a plastics material which gives visual indication of stress having been applied.

Preferably, also, said seal is moulded from polypropylene.

Preferably also, said parts are permanently hinged together at one side.

Preferably also, said fastening means comprises a distortable peg co-operable with a relatively undistortable hole in one of said parts and with a hole in a lug formed on the other of said parts.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a part sectionai plan view of a keg seal according to the invention in its open position; and Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing the seal in its sealing position.

Referring now to the drawings, a keg seal indicated generally at 1 is moulded from polypropylene or similar plastics material which display stress marks if any attempt is made to distort its shape. The seal is moulded in two parts 2 and 3, in the present example, hinged together at 4. Each part 2, 3 is half moon shaped and is provided with a recess 5 adapted to co-operate with a keg outlet. One wall 6 of the recess is adapted to mate with a lip 7 provided on the corresponding wall 6 of the other part and the other wall 8 is substantially annular in shape and is provided with an annular reinforcing strip 9.

One of the parts is provided with a hinged lug 10 having a hole 11 therethrough and cooperable with a hole 12 in the circular wall of the other part. A shaped peg 13 is attached through a fly lead 14 to one of the parts and is shaped and dimensioned to pass through the holes 11 and 12 by eiastically deforming same so as to lock the parts together as shown in Fig. 2. The peg is shaped so that it cannot readily be removed so that the parts cannot be separated to allow access to a keg with cutting the lug 10 or breaking the hinge 4.

An identification tag may also be provided on the seal and in a modification the hinge 4 is replaced by a second lug and hole arrangement.

Claims

1. A keg seal comprising a cowl moulded from plastics material in two parts each adapted to embrace part of the keg, said part being connectible by non-removable fastening means.

2. A keg seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal is moulded from a plastics material which gives visual indication of stress having been applied.

3. A keg seal as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the seal is moulded from polypropylene.

4. A keg seal as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said parts are permanently hinged together at one side.

5. A keg seal as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said fastening means comprises a distortable peg co-operable with a relatively undistortable hole in one of said parts and with a hole in a lug formed on the other of said parts.

6. A keg seal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Tamperproof Keg Seal This invention relates to so-called tamperproof seals for use on bear kegs. One of the problems encountered by breweries lies in the sealing of beer kegs so that beer cannot be removed or other liquid inserted by unauthorised persons. In particular, one of the areas where a seal is required is on partially empty kegs being returned to the brewery for credit after being inspected on the customers premises. Such credits are given on beer which is sub-standard in some way and it is essential that it is not tampered with during transit. Similarly, such a seal is advisable when kegs are leaving the brewery for supply to customers. An object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid problems. According to the present invention there is provided a keg seal comprising a cowl moulded from plastics materials in two parts each adapted to embrace part of the keg and in which said parts are connectible by non-removable fastening means. Preferably, said seal is moulded from a plastics material which gives visual indication of stress having been applied. Preferably, also, said seal is moulded from polypropylene. Preferably also, said parts are permanently hinged together at one side. Preferably also, said fastening means comprises a distortable peg co-operable with a relatively undistortable hole in one of said parts and with a hole in a lug formed on the other of said parts. An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a part sectionai plan view of a keg seal according to the invention in its open position; and Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing the seal in its sealing position. Referring now to the drawings, a keg seal indicated generally at 1 is moulded from polypropylene or similar plastics material which display stress marks if any attempt is made to distort its shape. The seal is moulded in two parts 2 and 3, in the present example, hinged together at 4. Each part 2, 3 is half moon shaped and is provided with a recess 5 adapted to co-operate with a keg outlet. One wall 6 of the recess is adapted to mate with a lip 7 provided on the corresponding wall 6 of the other part and the other wall 8 is substantially annular in shape and is provided with an annular reinforcing strip 9. One of the parts is provided with a hinged lug 10 having a hole 11 therethrough and cooperable with a hole 12 in the circular wall of the other part. A shaped peg 13 is attached through a fly lead 14 to one of the parts and is shaped and dimensioned to pass through the holes 11 and 12 by eiastically deforming same so as to lock the parts together as shown in Fig. 2. The peg is shaped so that it cannot readily be removed so that the parts cannot be separated to allow access to a keg with cutting the lug 10 or breaking the hinge 4. An identification tag may also be provided on the seal and in a modification the hinge 4 is replaced by a second lug and hole arrangement. Claims

1. A keg seal comprising a cowl moulded from plastics material in two parts each adapted to embrace part of the keg, said part being connectible by non-removable fastening means.

2. A keg seal as claimed in claim 1 wherein the seal is moulded from a plastics material which gives visual indication of stress having been applied.

3. A keg seal as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the seal is moulded from polypropylene.

4. A keg seal as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said parts are permanently hinged together at one side.

5. A keg seal as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said fastening means comprises a distortable peg co-operable with a relatively undistortable hole in one of said parts and with a hole in a lug formed on the other of said parts.

6. A keg seal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.