Enhance Security with Pull-Tight Seals

By all counts, we are a preemptive species –some will even dare say paranoid. But in reality, preemption is an almost involuntary response to foresight, planning and ingenuity – qualities that we have been abundantly blessed with. In 1922, British archeologist Howard Carter stumbled onto what turned
out to be the entrance to the tomb of King Tutankhamen. It was a monumental find, no doubt but Dr. Carter had a feeling that this was really special.

For right across the entrance was a rope seal – a complicated maze of knots held together by a block of clay – which had remained intact for over 3000 years! This wasn’t his first find, many tombs had been discovered in the Valley of Kings, but they had all been desecrated. The thing is, the seal on King Tutankhamen’s tomb was intact, clear proof that whatever lay beyond that seal was pristine.

Evidently, employing security seals to prevent tampering is an ancient practice. We have always taken preemptive steps to ensure security and integrity. It is ironic then, that a security seal employed by the living against the forces of the underworld was in the end broken the living themselves. Such is the folly man’s ingenuity sometimes. Like the King Tut seal, pull tight security seals are tamper-evident devices deployed to provide an additional layer of security which once breached, must leave behind clear evidence.

In today’s world, pull security seals are applied on road freight, maritime transportation, cash & valuables in transit, utility metering, healthcare and pharma, transportation, cash & valuables in transit, utility metering, healthcare and pharma, airline catering and baggage, fire equipment – and the list goes on. But in each case, the tip of the seal is threaded through an eyelet and pulled tight to create secure closure, hence the name. Once deployed, the seal cannot be breached without destroying it, leaving clear & indelible evidence of unauthorized access.

Material and Features

The seal on King Tutankhamun’s tomb was fashioned out of rope and locked with clay. Pull security seals today are predominantly made of polypropylene, a high-density plastic and/or metal – usually steel. Polypropylene is affordable and malleable i.e. can be molded into various shapes to suit various applications. It can also be died into various colors, making them easy to align with a brand identity. Steel on the other hand boasts superior tensile strength and the flexibility needed to secure valuables. Pull-tight security seals are very easy to apply. An ancient Egyptian rope seal would have taken a few hours to apply securely. security seals by contrast are really touch and go.

In the busy world of global logistics, time is of the essence, and simplicity not to mention ease of application a clear advantage. A complicated seal, however secure, is always a drawback. Removal, on the other hand is just as important. Pull-tight security seals typically have a high tensile strength and are not easy to pull apart. For this reason, most security seals often have a tear-off feature for easy removal by hand. Some pull-tight seals, however, metallic ones in particular; willn require a cutting tool for removal. Easy customization is, in addition, a big plus for pull-tight seals. With their wide flags, company or client-specific info like naming or initials, logo, serial numbering, barcodes, and QR codes can all be printed for easy identification and validation.

FAQ:

Q1: What are pull-tight security seals used for?

A1: Pull tight security seals are used in various industries such as road freight, maritime transportation, cash and valuables in transit, utility metering, healthcare and pharma, airline catering and baggage, and fire equipment. They provide an additional layer of security by creating a secure closure that cannot be breached without leaving clear evidence of unauthorized access.

Q2: What are pull-tight security seals made of?

A2: Pull tight security seals are predominantly made of polypropylene, a high-density plastic, or metal, usually steel. Polypropylene is affordable, malleable, and can be molded into various shapes. Steel, on the other hand, offers superior tensile strength and flexibility to secure valuables effectively.

Q3: How are pull-tight security seals applied?

A3: Pull security seals are applied by threading the tip of the seal through an eyelet and pulling it tight to create a secure closure. They are designed to be easy to apply, which is particularly advantageous in time-sensitive industries like global logistics.

Q4: Can pull tight security seals be removed easily?

A4: Most pull tight security seals have a high tensile strength and are not easy to pull apart. However, many seals feature a tear-off feature for easy removal by hand. Some metallic seals may require a cutting tool for removal.

Q5: Are pull-tight security seals customizable?

A5: Yes, pull security seals offer easy customization options. They can be printed with company or client-specific information such as naming or initials, logos, serial numbers, barcodes, and QR codes. This allows for easy identification and validation in different applications.

Conclusion

In summary, pull-tight security seals, metallic or plastic – are a key piece of the global logistics jigsaw puzzle. From cargo doors to aviation to cash bags to fire safety, pull-tight security seals are widely applicable yet their versatility never comes at the expense of security. They are easy to deploy, which saves time, easy to remove – making them hassle-free but impossible to compromise without leaving traces, which makes them reliable and efficient partners.