US4940268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-proof tag
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-11-13
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2009-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-proof tag which is made of a unitary body, formed of molded plastic material, and comprises a fastener connected to a flexible strap, the latter being foldable into a ring and engageable into a catch defined at one end of the strap. The fastener is so configured that, once received in the catch, it may be forcingly engaged into one of a series of holes in the strap. Once engaged, the fastener can no longer be removed without damaging the tag.
Inventors
- 👤 Dominique Lesquir
- 👤 Bernard Landry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:25
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D63/00; B65D63/10; B65D63/1018; B65D63/1027; B65D63/1063; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/48; Y10T292/494; Y10T292/4945; Y10T292/496
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A tamper-proof tag consisting of a unitary body formed of molded plastic material and comprising: (i) a fastener defining a T-shaped body having a stem portion and a head portion; said head portion having, at each opposite end thereof, a depending flexible arm; said stem portion displaying an enlarged extremity having a cross-section greater than that of said stem portion; (ii) a flexible strap including an elongate portion displaying, from one end thereof and for a major portion thereof, a series of aligned openings, said openings having a cross-section smaller than that of said enlarged extremity of said fastener but slightly greater than that of said stem portion thereof; said strap further including, at an opposite end thereof, a catch for receiving therethrough said one end of said elongate portion and for receiving therein said fastener; said catch defining a slot having a cross-section slightly greater than that of said elongate portion, and an entrance for receiving therein said fastener whereby said stem portion is engaged with said folded elongate portion by forcingly introducing said enlarged extremity through one of said openings; said enlarged extremity being shaped so that, once introduced in said opening, it can not be removed therefrom; and (iii) flexible means connecting said fastener to said catch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A tamper-proof tag consisting of a unitary body formed of molded plastic material and comprising: (i) a fastener defining a T-shaped body having a stem portion and a head portion; said head portion having, at each opposite end thereof, a depending flexible arm; said stem portion displaying an enlarged extremity having a cross-section greater than that of said stem portion; (ii) a flexible strap including an elongate portion displaying, from one end thereof and for a major portion thereof, a series of aligned openings, said openings having a cross-section smaller than that of said enlarged extremity of said fastener but slightly greater than that of said stem portion thereof; said strap further including, at an opposite end thereof, a catch for receiving therethrough said one end of said elongate portion and for receiving therein said fastener; said catch defining a slot having a cross-section slightly greater than that of said elongate portion, and an entrance for receiving therein said fastener whereby said stem portion is engaged with said folded elongate portion by forcingly introducing said enlarged extremity through one of said openings; said enlarged extremity being shaped so that, once introduced in said opening, it can not be removed therefrom; and (iii) flexible means connecting said fastener to said catch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tamper-proof tag as defined in claim 1, wherein each said arm is made to flex by having reduced areas in the region where said arm is connected to said head portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tamper-proof tag as defined in claim 2, wherein said entrance of said catch includes opposite side walls inwardly and centrally tapering whereby said arms flex inwardly as they are introduced and contactingly engage said sidewalls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tamper-proof tag as defined in claim 1, wherein said catch defines a housing entirely enclosing said arms and said enlarged extremity when in engagement in said catch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tamper-proof tag as defined in claim 4, wherein said head portion of said fastener covers the entrance of said catch to fully close said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tamper-proof tag as defined in claim 5, wherein said head portion has a flange on opposite sides thereof for resting over corresponding upper edges of said catch when said fastener is received in said catch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |