Security seal of the padlock type

Abstract

A seal of the type resembling a padlock and comprising a plastic housing having a pair of apertures for receiving a shackle of the type formed of a U-shaped piece of wire which reversely bent end portions, the extreme ends of which are intended to dig into the walls of the body apertures to prevent removal of the shackle. The body is provided with at least one longitudinal groove which is centrally located between the position of the shackle apertures, and the ends of the shackle are sharpened or beveled in a manner such that if an excessive tension is applied to a shackle leg, the sharpened end will penetrate the side wall of the groove, pass across the groove or just behind the bottom of the groove, and enter the opposite groove wall. The shackle, or a portion of raised plastic from the bottom of the groove is thereafter visible in the groove and gives visual evidence of tampering. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the seal body is made of a pigmented plastic of a type which produces a white blush when deformed, so that any deformed plastic in the groove has a milky white appearance which is readily visible against the background of colored material. The fact that the sharpened end of the shackle is either disposed in the groove or enters the opposite wall of the groove insures that the sharpened end does not protrude from the seal body, which could be hazardous to persons handling the seal or the sealed article.