U.S. patent application number 11/638134 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for cable ties authentically verifiable.
This patent application is currently assigned to Thomas & Betts International, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard Laporte, Robert L. Wallgren.
Application Number | 20080016655 11/638134 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38626687 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080016655 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Laporte; Richard ; et
al. |
January 24, 2008 |
Cable ties authentically verifiable
Abstract
An authentically verifiable cable tie made from a formulation
that includes a plastic resin in an amount of from about 90% to 99%
by weight and an additive in an amount of from about 1% to 10% by
weight that is viewable by the unassisted eye when exposed to an
infrared light source. The plastic resin is preferably nylon, more
preferably nylon 6,6, and the additive is a nylon modified
concentrate. The cable tie can have a locking mechanism and,
preferably, once the locking mechanism is engaged, it cannot be
opened without damaging it.
Inventors: |
Laporte; Richard;
(Collierville, TN) ; Wallgren; Robert L.;
(Bartlett, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOFFMAN & BARON, LLP
6900 JERICHO TURNPIKE
SYOSSET
NY
11791
US
|
Assignee: |
Thomas & Betts International,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38626687 |
Appl. No.: |
11/638134 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60831511 |
Jul 18, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/16PB |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G 3/30 20130101; H02G
3/26 20130101; Y10T 24/1498 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/16PB |
International
Class: |
B65D 63/00 20060101
B65D063/00 |
Claims
1. An authentically verifiable cable tie made from a formulation
comprising: a plastic resin; and an additive that is viewable by
the unassisted eye when exposed to an infrared light source.
2. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the plastic resin is nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate
or polyethylene.
3. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the plastic resin is nylon 6,6.
4. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein formulation has a plastic resin to additive ratio by
weight of about 50:1.
5. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the formulation contains from about 90% to 99% by weight
plastic resin and about 1% to 10% by weight additive.
6. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the formulation contains from about 95% to 99% by weight
plastic resin and about 1% to 5% by weight additive.
7. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the formulation contains from about 97% to 99% by weight
plastic resin and about 1% to 3% by weight additive.
8. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the additive is a nylon modified concentrate.
9. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
1, wherein the plastic resin is nylon and the additive is a nylon
modified concentrate.
10. An authentically verifiable cable tie made from a formulation
comprising: a plastic resin; and an additive that is viewable by
the unassisted eye when exposed to an infrared light source,
wherein the cable tie has a locking mechanism.
11. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein once the locking mechanism is engaged, it cannot be
opened without damaging the locking mechanism.
12. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein the plastic resin is nylon, polypropylene,
polycarbonate or polyethylene.
13. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein the plastic resin is nylon 6,6.
14. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein formulation has a plastic resin to additive ratio of
50:1.
15. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein the formulation contains from about 90% to 99% by
weight plastic resin and about 1% to 10% by weight additive.
16. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein the additive is a nylon modified concentrate.
17. The authentically verifiable cable tie in accordance with claim
10, wherein the plastic resin is nylon and the additive is a nylon
modified concentrate.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 60/831,511, filed on Jul. 18, 2006. This
application also incorporates in their entirety U.S. application
Serial No. ______, filed on Dec. ______, 2006 titled "Buoyant
Detectable Cable Tie" and U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed
on Dec. 13, 2006 titled "Detectable Cable Tie."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a cable tie, and
more specifically, to a cable tie that can be used as a security
device to detect tampering or unauthorized access.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Heightened security concerns have led many companies and
government agencies to look for new security devices that can be
easily implemented at a minimum cost. Many different solutions to
the security problem have been proposed including chemical
detectors, detectors for radioactive materials, high resolution
cameras and other high tech electronic devices. In contrast to
these new security devices, cable ties are relatively low tech and
have been used for years as security seals against tampering and
unauthorized access to containers, equipment and facilities.
[0004] Cable ties are well known devices used to bundle or secure a
group of articles such as electrical wires or cables. U.S. Pat. No.
3,102,311 to Martin et al. is an early example of ties used for
such purposes. However, cable ties with locking mechanisms have
also found utility as inexpensive security devices Cable ties of
conventional construction include a cable tie head, a longitudinal
strap extending from the head and a tail at the opposite end of the
strap. The strap is wrapped around a bundle of articles and the
tail is inserted through an aperture or passage in the head. The
head of the cable tie typically includes a locking element in the
passage which engages the strap after it is inserted into the
passage. Once the tail is pulled through the passage, the locking
element secures the strap in the head.
[0005] Advances in cable tie construction have taken many forms and
shapes. Many of these advances have been in the area of the locking
element carried in the cable tie head to secure the strap therein.
The art has seen the use of flexible locking elements which are
integrally molded with the head. Also, ties have been developed
employing metallic barbs embedded into the head which serve as the
locking element. The metallic barb cable ties have been long known
to exhibit exceptional pull-out performance in that the barb
securely bites into the strap locking the strap in place in the
head. These metallic barb ties have the barb embedded in the cable
tie head at an acute angle with respect to the strap so that the
strap can easily pass through the head in only one direction. Due
in part to the bending characteristics of the barb as well as the
angle at which it is embedded, the metal barb permits insertion of
the cable tie strap through the head aperture. However, if the
strap is withdraw in a direction opposite to the insertion
direction, the barb end bites into the strap, preventing such
withdrawal.
[0006] Attaching locking cable ties to a bundle of cables, sealed
containers, windows or gates provides a minimum level of security.
In order to gain access, the cable ties have to be removed either
by cutting or forcibly opening the locking mechanism. In either
case, tampering can easily be detected. In addition, colored cable
ties that are used as security seals also provide an easy means of
identification. However, even colored cable ties can be easily
copied, allowing a thief to cut a cable tie and then replace it
with an identical copy. Thus, the thief can gain undetected access
without leaving any sign of tampering or breach of security.
[0007] Thus, there exists a need to provide a cable tie which
cannot be easily copied by a thief and which can be easily verified
as an authentic cable tie by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, an authentically
verifiable cable tie is provided. The cable tie is made from a
formulation that includes a plastic resin and an additive that is
viewable by the unassisted eye when exposed to an infrared light
source. Preferably, the plastic resin is nylon polypropylene,
polycarbonate or polyethylene, more preferably nylon 6,6, and the
additive is a nylon modified concentrate. In the preferred
embodiments, the cable tie has a locking mechanism. In the most
preferred embodiments, once the locking mechanism is engaged, it
cannot be opened without damaging it.
[0009] The formulation preferably contains from about 90% to 99% by
weight plastic resin and from about 1% to 10% by weight additive,
more preferably, from about 95% to 99% by weight plastic resin and
about 1% to 5% by weight additive and, most preferably, from about
97% to 99% by weight plastic resin and about 1% to 3% by weight
additive. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the formulation
has a plastic resin to additive ratio by weight of about 50:1.
[0010] The authentically verifiable cable ties provide security
devices that can be easily identified when breached and which
cannot easily be duplicated and replaced.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is a cable tie that contains an
additive that provides simple "yes/no" authentication of cable ties
through use of a light source or energy scanner. The present
invention is also a method of authenticating cable ties containing
an additive in the cable tie material using an infrared
detector.
[0012] The present invention uses an additive in the plastic
formulations for cable ties, which is not visible in ordinary
light, but emits a vivid color when exposed to an infrared light
source. Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a
wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that
of radio waves, which cannot be seen with the unaided eye. The name
infrared means "below red," red being the color of visible light of
longest wavelength. Infrared radiation spans three orders of
magnitude and has wavelengths between approximately 750 nm and 1
mm. The additive of the present invention contain particles that
refract infrared light so that it can be viewed by the unassisted
eye. When a cable tie that contains the additive is viewed in
normal light, it looks like a typical cable tie. When the same
cable tie is exposed to an infrred light source, bright colors can
be viewed.
[0013] As used herein, the term "cable tie" is intended to include
cable ties as well as cable tie accessories, such as mounting
bases, identification tags, markers, and other clamps, clips and
retainers normally associated with cables or cable ties. Such cable
ties and cable tie accessories are sold by Thomas & Betts
Corporation under its TY-RAP.RTM. brand name. Moreover, the term
"cable tie" as used herein is not limited to ties that are used
with bundled wires and cables, but also refers to any type of
plastic tie which includes a strap and a locking head on opposing
ends or which has opposing ends that can be attached together to
form a closed loop. Examples of such ties are found in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,186,047 to Schwester et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,621,949 and
5,630,252 to Wells; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,076,235; 6,128,809; and
6,185,791 to Khokhar; U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,237 to Magno, Jr. et al.;
and U.S. Des. 205,940 to Miller; all of which are incorporated
herein in their entirety. However, the examples in these patents
are not intended to limit the construction of the term "cable tie"
as used herein in any way.
[0014] Cable ties of the present invention are typically molded
from formulations that include plastic materials such as polyamide
or polycarbonate resins. Different types of nylon have been found
to be preferable, although polypropylene, polyethylene and other
plastics, as well as combinations thereof can be used. In addition,
varying amounts of colorants and processing additives can be
included. The present invention combines an additive to these
formulations, which acts as an identifier so that cable ties made
from these formulations can be easily authenticated. Accordingly,
any formulation of plastic materials that is suitable for making a
cable tie can be used in the present invention.
[0015] A variety of different additives can be used as an
identifier in the cable tie formulations. For example, additives
that can be used in the present invention are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,432,715 to Nelson et al. and U.S. Publication No.
2002/0122878 to Kerns et al., both of which are incorporated herein
in their entirety. A preferred additive that can be used in the
present invention is a nylon modified concentrate sold by Amco
Plastic Materials, Inc. of Farmingdale, N.Y. When formulations that
include this additive are molded into cable ties, the cable ties
are rendered reactive to infrared light so that they can be
identified by an infrared detector. When these cable ties are used
as security seals against tampering and replacement, they can be
easily and quickly authenticated.
[0016] The cable ties molded with the additives of the present
invention are reactive to infrared detectors. The cable ties emit a
vivid color when exposed to an infrared light, which allows them to
be quickly and easily authenticated. The additive does not affect
the properties of the modified cable ties and the strength and
appearance of the cable ties are essentially the same. Therefore,
the cable ties containing the additive can be molded into a variety
of shapes and sizes and have various colors.
[0017] The additives of the present invention can be detected using
a variety of portable infrared scanners. When exposed to infrared
light, the additive in a cable tie can be visually identified by a
change in the color of the cable tie and the presence of the
additive can also trigger an audible infrared detector. One of the
major benefits of the present invention is that the detection
systems are simple and can be used in the field by law enforcement
and customs agents as well as private manufacturers and individual
end-users.
[0018] The formulations that are used to make the cable ties of the
present invention are plastic resins which are modified with an
additive that reacts to infrared light. The cable ties made from
the modified resins can be used for all plastic (one-piece) or
2-piece cable tie constructions, wherein a metal barb is inserted
in the locking mechanism. In a preferred embodiment the additive is
added to nylon 6,6. However, any type of resin used in the
construction of cable ties can be modified with the additive and
used to form the cable ties of the present invention. The reactive
additive can be added to the formulation prior to molding or it can
be added during the molding process. It is also within the scope of
the present invention to add the additive as a secondary process,
such as a coating process.
[0019] The formulations of the present invention preferably contain
from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the additive, more
preferably from about 1% to about 5% by weight and most preferably
from about 1% to about 3% by weight. The balance of the
formulations are selected from a number of different plastics that
are well know to those skilled in the art and contain from about
90% to about 99% by weight of materials that are commonly used in
the manufacture of cable ties, preferably polyamides and
polycarbonate resins. Preferred formulations contain from about
from about 95% to about 99% by weight and the most preferred
formulations contain from about 97% to about 99% by weight.
Colorants and processing additives, when used, are present in an
amount of less than 5% by weight and are part of the balance of the
formulations.
[0020] The cable ties have a locking mechanism at one end that
engages the opposing end to form a loop. Such locking mechanisms
are well know to those skilled in the art. In preferred embodiments
of the present invention, the locking mechanisms are designed for a
single use. Once the locking mechanism is engaged, it cannot be
opened without visibly damaging it. This allows any tampering to be
easily detected.
EXAMPLES
[0021] The examples set forth below serve to provide further
appreciation of the invention but are not meant in any way to
restrict the scope of the invention.
Example 1
[0022] In this example, the additive was a nylon modified
concentrate obtained form AMCO Plastic Materials, Inc. and it was
mixed with nylon 6,6 in a ratio 1:50 (i.e., one part additive to 50
parts nylon 6,6) and heated to a temperature of about 600.degree.
F. The heated additive/nylon 6,6 mixture was then molded into cable
ties and cooled to room temperature.
[0023] A laser pen similar to the GPA-Series Professional Green
Laser Pointers sold by Lasermate Group, Inc. was used as an
infrared detector to scan the cable ties. An infrared signature was
observed from the cable ties which emitted a bright, fluorescent
green color when exposed to the laser pen. This confirmed that the
cable ties contained an additive that reacts to infrared light.
[0024] Thus, while there have been described the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will
realize that other embodiments can be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to include all such
further modifications and changes as come within the true scope of
the claims set forth herein.
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