IP Library Granted Patent US 8,087,705
Granted Patent B2
US 8,087,705 · App. 12/097,495 · Granted Jan 3, 2012

Sealing bolt

Assignee: The European Union, represented by the European Commission
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,087,705
App. No.
12/097,495
Granted
Jan 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sealing bolt for sealing a container lid to a body with a threaded bore includes a shaft, a head connected to a first shaft end, and a threaded second shaft end engaged with the bore to lock the lid between the head and the body. The bolt includes a security element with a breakable integrity element. The security element comprises a first part arranged at the second shaft end, connected to the shaft with a breakable integrity element therebetween. The first part has a first thread cooperating with the bore, and a second part between the first part and second shaft end includes, a second thread cooperating therewith. An entrainment device disposed between first and second parts such that when the shaft and first part rotate in a tightening direction, second part is entrained. When the shaft and first part rotate in a loosening direction, second part remains stationary.

Claims (19)

1. Sealing bolt for sealing a container lid to a container body with a threaded bore, said sealing bolt comprising a bolt shaft having a first shaft end and a threaded second shaft end opposite to said first shaft end, and a bolt head connected to said first shaft end, said threaded second shaft end cooperating with said threaded bore so as to allow said sealing bolt to lock said container lid between said bolt head and said container body, said sealing bolt further comprising a security element with a breakable integrity element for verifying the integrity of said sealing bolt, wherein said security element comprises:

a first part arranged at said second shaft end of said bolt shaft, said first part being connected to said bolt shaft and said breakable integrity element via a coaxially arranged shank, said first part having a first thread cooperating with said threaded bore;

a second part arranged between said first part and said second shaft end of said bolt shaft, said second part having a second thread cooperating with said threaded bore; and

first entrainment means arranged between said first and second parts in such a way that:

upon rotation of said bolt shaft and said first part in a tightening direction, said second part is entrained in said tightening direction, and

upon rotation of said bolt shaft and said first part in a loosening direction, opposite to said tightening direction, said second part remains stationary.

2. Sealing bolt according to claim 1 , wherein said first and second parts have two mating surfaces facing each other and said first entrainment means comprises:

a groove in one of said mating surfaces, said groove having a first end and a second end and being arranged on an annular path, wherein the depth of said groove gradually decreases in direction of said first end and abruptly decreases at said second end; and

a sliding pin arranged in a bore of the other one of said mating surfaces, said sliding pin engaging said groove.

3. Sealing bolt according to claim 2 , wherein said sliding pin is pushed into said groove by gravitational and/or spring force.

4. Sealing bolt according to claim 1 , further comprising second entrainment means between said second shaft end of said bolt shaft and said second part.

5. Sealing bolt according to claim 4 , wherein said second entrainment means is formed by an axial cavity in said bolt shaft for receiving an axial extension of said second part, wherein:

said second shaft end comprises a first radial protrusion facing said axial extension of said second part;

said axial extension of said second part comprises a second radial protrusion facing said second shaft end; and

said first and second radial protrusions are arranged so as to engage each other after a predetermined rotation of said second shaft end with respect to said second part in said loosening direction.

6. Sealing bolt according to claim 5 , further comprising at least one ultrasonic identity element.

7. Sealing bolt according to claim 6 , wherein said ultrasonic identity element comprises a stack of disks with randomly arranged notches.

8. Sealing bolt according to claim 1 , wherein said breakable integrity element comprises an ultrasonic identity element.

9. Sealing bolt according to claim 8 , wherein said ultrasonic identity element comprises a stack of disks with randomly arranged notches.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 29, 2011
From: THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, REPRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
To: THE EUROPEAN UNION, REPRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Reel/Frame 027297/0822 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2008
From: LITTMANN, FRANCOIS; TEBALDI, PIERCARLO; SIRONI, MARCO
To: THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, REPRESENTED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Reel/Frame 021097/0299 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 05112071 · Dec 13, 2005 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080289376A1 · Nov 27, 2008