IP Library Granted Patent US 7,259,357
Granted Patent B2
US 7,259,357 · App. 10/654,992 · Granted Aug 21, 2007

Electronically controlled sealing, unsealing and/or bonding with metal strip or wire coated with liquefiable substance for redundant application and tamper detection

Assignee: Kline and Walker LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,259,357
App. No.
10/654,992
Granted
Aug 21, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention seals, unseals and/or bonds plastics, waxes and resins via a thermal metal strip or wire coated with liquefiable substances that melt to open or separate and cool to congeal, seal, vulcanize or bond together when the wire or strip is energized in a shorted state (to heat) or not energized (to cool). Electronic switch modalities and sealing applications are optionally taught for security and tamper detection. In one modality, a unique signal is sent to the gate leg of a micro-processing chip (e.g. an SCR switch) where firmware recognizes the signal and permits current through a thermal wire. This innovation is optionally employed for Homeland Security.

Claims (11)

1. A security seal system for a tamper detection and sealing, unsealing and/or bonding, comprising:

a security switch mechanism activated via a shorted condition of a power source to exist through a conductive metal wire or thin metal strip when the appropriate electrical signal and/or mechanical lock switch is closed to complete a circuit through the conductive metal wire or thin metal strip; and

a security trigger circuit activating the shortened condition when the circuit is activated, optionally via entry of a coded security signal, wherein the security trigger circuit and conductive metal wire or thin metal strip coated with or imbedded in a substance that liquefies when the wire is heated by the system shorting out opposite poles of an identical power source connected to on either end of the thin metal strip or wire, to perform sealing, resealing and/or unsealing of electrical components packaged with different plastics, waxes and adhesives at varied thermal ranges, and for sealing, unsealing and resealing unions or joints between other materials, with a metal strip coated with plastic that melts into at least two metal locking security stamp wells and a receiving seal groove around any access port or panel.

2. a security seal system according to claim 1 , wherein the security trigger circuit activates a heating process, optionally via entry of the coded security signal.

3. A security seal system according to claim 1 , wherein said trigger circuit is embedded with the conductive metal wire or thin metal strip coated with or embedded in the substance in a finished product housing said security trigger circuit.

4. An activation system for secure sealing, unsealing and/or bonding, comprising:

a security trigger circuit activating a heating process for triggering a security application; and

means, responsive to said security trigger circuit and the heating process, comprising at least one of a conductive metal wire and thin metal strip coated with a substance that liquefies when the wire is heated by the system responsive to the heating process triggered by said security trigger circuit, for shorting out opposite poles of an identical power source connected to on either end of the at least one of the thin metal strip and the conductive metal wire, and said means for at least one of sealing, resealing and unsealing electrical components with at least one of different plastics, waxes and adhesives at varied thermal ranges, and for at least one of sealing, unsealing and resealing unions or joints between materials, and the at least one of the conductive metal wire and the thin metal strip coated with the substance preformed by a coated covering of plastic that melts into at least two metal locking seal wells and a receiving groove around an access panel.

5. A system according to claim 4 , wherein the activation system is used as a security switch mechanism that permits the shorted condition of the power source through the metal strip when the appropriate electrical signal and/or mechanical switch is closed to complete a circuit through the thin wire.

6. A system according to claim 4 , wherein said security trigger circuit activates the heating process via entry of a coded security signal.

7. A system according to claim 4 , wherein said security trigger circuit is embedded with the conductive metal wire or thin metal strip coated with or imbedded in the substance in a finished product housing said security trigger circuit.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2005
From: WALKER, RICHARD C.
To: KLINE AND WALKER LLC
Reel/Frame 015640/0667 →
Priority Claims (1)
WO PCT/US99/00919 · Jan 15, 1999 · international
Continuity (7)
Division 0973890100 · Dec 18, 2000
Continuation PCTUS991366800 · Jun 18, 1999
Provisional Application 6008978300 · Jun 18, 1998
Provisional Application 6012210800 · Feb 26, 1999
Provisional Application 6013975900 · Jun 15, 1999
Provisional Application 6014902900 · Aug 13, 1999
Related Publication 20040049324A1 · Mar 11, 2004