U.S. patent application number 10/837766 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for tamper-evident package.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alcoa Closure Systems International. Invention is credited to Babcock, David.
Application Number | 20050252878 10/837766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35308417 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252878 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Babcock, David |
November 17, 2005 |
Tamper-evident package
Abstract
An improved tamper-evident package includes a plastic closure
having a top wall portion, a depending annular skirt portion, and a
tamper band at least partially detachably connected to the skirt
portion. The package includes a container having a neck portion
configured for tamper-indicating cooperation with the projections
on the tamper band. The container includes a plurality of
circumferentially spaced ratchet-like locking teeth, each of which
presents a locking surface for interfering engagement with the
respective one of the projections on the closure tamper band.
Notably, disposition of the flexible projections of the pilfer band
in pre-determined relationship to an internal thread formation of
the closure permits the flexible projections to be positioned so
that each of the locking teeth on the container is engaged by a
respective one of the flexible projections attendant to very little
relative rotation of the closure relative to the container during
removal.
Inventors: |
Babcock, David;
(Crawfordsville, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, PHILLIPS, KATZ, CLARK & MORTIMER
500 W. MADISON STREET
SUITE 3800
CHICAGO
IL
60661
US
|
Assignee: |
Alcoa Closure Systems
International
|
Family ID: |
35308417 |
Appl. No.: |
10/837766 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/3404 20130101;
B65D 41/3428 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/252 |
International
Class: |
B65D 041/34 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tamper-evident package, comprising: a container having a neck
portion defining an opening, said container having an external
thread formation on said neck portion, said thread formation
including at least one helical thread element, said container
further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking
teeth positioned on said neck portion beneath said thread
formation, and a closure configured for fitment to the neck portion
of said container for closing said opening, said closure including
a top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion having an
internal thread formation for mating engagement with the external
thread formation on said neck portion of said container, said
closure including a tamper band depending from and at least
partially detachably connected to said skirt portion by a frangible
connection, said tamper band including an annular band portion, and
a plurality of inwardly extending flexible projections each movable
about a respective horizontal hinge portion joined to said annular
band portion, at least one of said projections being engageable
with at least one of said locking teeth on said container during
removal of said closure from said container for fracturing said
frangible connection to provide visual evidence of opening of said
package, said locking teeth being unevenly circumferentially spaced
about the neck portion of said container, with said flexible
projections being spaced apart by a distance at least as great as
the circumferential dimension of each of said locking teeth.
2. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said flexible projections of said tamper band are positioned in
predetermined circumferential relationship with respect to said
internal thread formation.
3. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said locking teeth include first and second groups of said locking
teeth positioned in diametrically opposed relationship.
4. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 3, wherein:
the locking teeth of each of said first and second groups are
evenly circumferentially spaced apart.
5. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said container includes annular shoulder positioned adjacent to and
above said locking teeth and beneath said external thread
formation.
6. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said flexible projections are inwardly tapering.
7. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
each of said locking teeth includes a generally radially oriented
locking surface for engagement by one of said projections of said
closure, and a generally outwardly tapering guide surface opposite
said locking surface extending from said neck portion to said
locking surface.
8. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
the spacing between said locking teeth corresponds to the spacing
between said projections, or multiples thereof.
9. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said hinge portion of each of said projections of said closure is
relatively thin.
10. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1, wherein:
said external thread formation includes a plurality of helical
thread elements.
11. A tamper-evident package, comprising: a container having a neck
portion defining an opening, said container having an external
thread formation on said neck portion, said thread formation
including at least one helical thread element, said container
further including a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking
teeth positioned on said neck portion beneath said thread
formation, and a closure configured for fitment to the neck portion
of said container for closing said opening, said closure including
a top wall portion and a depending annular skirt portion having an
internal thread formation for mating engagement with the external
thread formation on said neck portion of said container, said
closure including a tamper band depending from and at least
partially detachably connected to said skirt portion by a frangible
connection, said tamper band including an annular band portion, and
a plurality of inwardly extending flexible projections each movable
about a respective horizontal hinge portion joined to said annular
band portion, at least one of said projections being engageable
with at least one of said locking teeth on said container during
removal of said closure from said container for fracturing said
frangible connection to provide visual evidence of opening of said
package, said locking teeth being unevenly circumferentially spaced
about the neck portion, including first and second groups of
locking teeth positioned in diametrically opposed relationship,
with the locking teeth of each of said first and second groups
being evenly circumferentially spaced apart, said flexible
projections of said tamper band being positioned in predetermined
circumferential relationship with respect to said internal thread
formation, so that when said closure is applied to said container,
one of said projections is positioned between each adjacent pair of
said locking teeth of said first group and between each adjacent
pair of said locking teeth of said second group.
12. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 11, wherein:
when said closure is applied to said container, each of said
locking teeth is engageable by a respective one of said
projections.
13. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 1 1, wherein:
said frangible connection of said closure is broken during removal
of said closure from said container before said closure unseals
said opening of said container.
14. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 13, wherein:
said frangible connection is broken before no more than about 5
degrees of rotation of said closure relative to said container
during removal of said closure.
15. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 11, wherein:
said flexible projections are spaced apart by a distance at least
as great as the circumferential dimension of each of said locking
teeth.
16. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 11, wherein:
said container includes an annular shoulder positioned adjacent to
and above said locking teeth and beneath said external thread
formation.
17. A tamper-evident package in accordance with claim 11, wherein:
said flexible projections are inwardly tapering.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to tamper-evident
packaging for products, and more particularly to a tamper-evident
package comprising a container and cooperating closure which are
configured for efficient manufacture, and which functions to
provide readily visually discernable evidence of opening attendant
to very limited opening movement of the closure of the package.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tamper-evident packaging is in very widespread use by virtue
of the assurance it provides consumers that the contents of the
package are fresh and unadulterated. While it is known to provide
packages with tamper-evident overwraps, heat-shrinkable films, and
the like, such arrangements can complicate high-speed processing,
and undesirably add to the cost of packaging.
[0003] In view of this, packaging arrangements have been developed,
particularly closures for containers, which include a
tamper-evident feature as part of the closure structure. By way of
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,828, No. 4,497,765, and No. 5,205,426,
all hereby incorporated by reference, illustrate tamper-evident
plastic closure constructions which have met with widespread
acceptance in the marketplace by virtue of their reliable function
and economical manufacture.
[0004] For some packaging applications, it is desirable to provide
a container closure having a so-called "multi-start" thread
formation, which includes plural helical thread elements which
cooperate with like elements on the container to effect closure
retention and sealing. Such arrangements permit closure application
and removal with relatively little rotation of the closure with
respect to the associated container.
[0005] For such applications, it is necessary that any
tamper-indicating arrangement function attendant to very little
relative rotation of a closure with respect to the associated
container, since complete closure removal is effected by little
relative rotation. To this end, U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,714, hereby
incorporated by reference, discloses a tamper-evident package
including a container and closure having cooperating multi-start
thread formations, with the tamper-evident arrangement of the
package functioning to provide tamper-indication, typically
attendant to no more than about 15.degree. of rotation of the
closure during removal.
[0006] In this previous construction, tamper-indication for the
package is achieved by the provision of a plurality of ratchet-like
locking teeth on the package container, with the associated closure
including a tamper band having a plurality of flexible projections
configured for cooperative engagement with the container locking
teeth. In order to assure rapid tamper-indication during closure
removal, the flexible projections of the closure tamper band are
closely spaced together. In the event that one or more of the
flexible projections is not positioned for locking engagement with
a respective container locking tooth after closure application,
very limited relative rotation is required during closure removal
to present a successive one of the flexible projections for locking
engagement with the container locking tooth.
[0007] The present invention is directed to an improved form of the
tamper-evident package of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No.
6,557,714, wherein tamper-indication is provided attendant to very
little relative rotation of the package closure, preferably prior
to unsealing of the container by the closure during removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A tamper-indicating package embodying the principles of the
present invention includes a cooperating plastic closure and
container, wherein the container has been particularly configured
to provide tamper-indicating cooperation with the closure. The
closure includes a tamper band having a plurality of
circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending flexible projections
which cooperate with a plurality of circumferentially spaced,
ratchet-like locking teeth on the container to provide
tamper-indication during opening of the package.
[0009] Notably, the flexible projections of the closure are
positioned in a pre-determined relationship to the associated
closure thread formation, with the flexible projections
sufficiently spaced apart to permit at least one of the container
locking teeth to be positioned between adjacent ones of the
flexible projections when the closure is fully applied to the
container. By this arrangement, preferably each one of the
container locking teeth is engaged by a respective one of the
flexible projections during closure removal, attendant to as little
as 5.degree. of relative rotation, or less, thereby desirably
providing very rapid tamper-indication during closure removal. Such
rapid tamper-indication can desirably be provided prior to
unsealing of the container during closure removal, even when the
package includes multi-start thread formations which permit
complete closure removal with very little relative rotation.
[0010] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the container
of the present tamper-evident package has a neck portion defining
an opening, with the container having an external thread formation
on the neck portion. The thread formation includes at least one
helical thread element, with the presently preferred configuration
comprising a plurality of thread elements, sometimes referred to as
"multi-start" threads, to permit the package to be opened by very
little relative rotation of the associated closure. It is within
the purview of the present invention that other closure retention
arrangements can be employed, such as cooperating single-thread
formations, or cooperating lug-type thread elements on the
container and associated closure.
[0011] In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the container
of the package includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced
locking teeth positioned on the neck portion of the container
beneath the thread formation. Each of the locking teeth has a
generally ratchet tooth-like configuration, and includes a locking
surface, and a generally outwardly tapering guide surface, opposite
the locking surface, extending from the neck portion generally
toward the locking surface. In the preferred embodiment, the
locking surface of each locking tooth is generally radially and
vertically oriented.
[0012] Notably, the locking teeth are unevenly spaced about the
neck portion of the container, with the spacing corresponding to
the spacing between the flexible projections on the closure pilfer
band, or multiples thereof. In accordance with the illustrated
embodiment, the locking teeth are provided in first and second
groups positioned in diametrically opposed relationship on the neck
portion of the container, with the locking teeth of each of the
groups evenly circumferentially spaced apart. To facilitate locking
cooperation with the flexible projections of the associated
closure, the container includes an annular shoulder positioned
adjacent to and above the locking teeth, and beneath the external
thread formation on the container. The locking teeth are at least
partially positioned beneath the annular shoulder, and preferably
are positioned substantially completely beneath the annular
shoulder.
[0013] The closure of the present tamper-evident package is
configured for fitment to the neck portion of the container for
closing the opening therein. The closure include a top wall
portion, and a depending annular skirt portion having an internal
thread formation for mating engagement with the external thread
formation on the neck portion of the container. Again, the closure
preferably includes a multi-start thread formation, including
plural helical thread elements, to promote convenient and efficient
application and removal of the closure.
[0014] The closure of the present package is configured for
tamper-indicating cooperation with the container by the provision
of a tamper band depending from and at least partially detachably
connected to the skirt portion of the closure by a frangible
connection. As desired, the pilfer band may be configured for
complete detachment from the skirt portion of the closure, or
partial detachment, whereby the tamper band remains joined to the
skirt portion attendant to closure removal.
[0015] The tamper band of the closure includes an annular band
portion, and a plurality of inwardly extending flexible
projections, each movable about a respective hinge portion joined
to the annular band portion. In the preferred form, the hinge
portion of each projection is relatively thin, thus promoting
high-speed application of the closure to the container with minimal
resistance from the tamper band, while still permitting the
flexible projections to be configured to exhibit the desired
rigidity for lockingly engaging the container locking teeth, and
fracturing the frangible connection between the pilfer band and the
closure skirt.
[0016] At least one of the projections of the tamper band is
engageable with at least one of the locking teeth on the container,
during removal of the closure from the container, for fracturing
the frangible connection to provide visual evidence of opening of
the package. Notably, the flexible projections of the tamper band
are positioned in predetermined circumferential relationship with
respect to the internal thread formation of the closure. By such an
arrangement, the position of the flexible projections, relative to
the container locking teeth when the closure is fully applied, can
be very effectively predetermined. As a consequence, the present
package permits each one of the container locking teeth to be
engaged by a respective one of the flexible projections during
closure removal, thus permitting very rapid tamper-indication
during closure removal. To effect such one-to-one locking
engagement, the flexible projections are spaced apart by a distance
at least as great as the circumferential dimension of each of the
locking teeth, that is, the flexible projections are
circumferentially spaced sufficiently so as to receive one of the
container locking teeth between adjacent ones of the flexible
projections when the closure is fully applied to the container.
[0017] In order to promote closely fitting relationship between the
container locking teeth and the flexible projections of the closure
for rapid tamper-indication during removal, the flexible
projections of the closure are preferably inwardly tapering.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become readily apparent from the following detailed description,
the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is an exploded, respective view of a tamper-evident
package embodying the principles of the present invention,
including a cooperating plastic closure and associated
container:
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of the
present package illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a neck
portion of the container of the present package illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the interior of the closure of the
present package illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the neck portion of the
container of the present package, taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;
and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the present
package, and the cooperative fitment of the closure and container
of the package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter
be described, a presently preferred embodiment, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.
[0026] With reference to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a
tamper-evident package 10 embodying the principles of the present
invention. As will be further described, package 10 includes a
cooperating closure 12 and container 14 (partially illustrated in
phantom line) which can be configured for economical use for
beverages or like contents. It can be particularly desirable to
configure the package 12 for convenient opening and removal of
closure 12, with relatively little rotation of the closure relative
to the container 14 when it is desired to provide a tamper-evident
function prior to unsealing of the associated container. Thus, as
will be further described, the tamper-evident feature of the
present package is particularly configured to promote
tamper-indication attendant to very little rotation of the closure
relative to the container.
[0027] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, therein is
illustrated closure 12 of the present tamper-evident package.
Closure 12 is preferably molded from suitable polymeric material
(typically polypropylene), and may be efficiently injection-molded,
or compression-molded, such as in accordance with the teachings of
U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,765, hereby incorporated by reference.
[0028] As illustrated, closure 12 includes a circular top wall
portion 16, and a depending annular skirt portion 18. Skirt portion
18 includes an internal thread formation which, in the preferred
form, comprises a plurality of generally helical thread elements
20, with the thread formation thus configured as a so-called
multi-start thread. This arrangement facilitates application and
removal of the closure to and from the associated container with a
relatively small degree of rotation of the closure relative to the
container.
[0029] To provide the desired sealing cooperation between the
closure 12 and container 14, the closure includes a generally
disc-shaped sealing liner 22 positioned on the inside surface of
the top wall portion 16. The sealing liner 22 cooperates with the
associated container 14 to form a so-called "top/inside" seal
(sometimes referred to as a top/corner seal), that is, the sealing
liner 22 engages the generally upwardly and inwardly facing
surfaces of the finish of the container 14 (see FIG. 6). Notably,
the type of sealing arrangement may be configured to have a
so-called "seal length" which maintains the seal between the
closure 12 and the container 14 until the tamper-evident feature of
the package, as will be described below, fractures. Thus, the
sealed condition of the container is maintained until and after
tamper-evidence is provided, further acting to preclude undetected
tampering.
[0030] In a current embodiment, sealing liner 22 has been
configured to provide 0.020 inches of sealing compression, with the
tamper-indicating arrangement of the present package configured to
provide tamper-indication, by virtue of the corresponding thread
pitch, of the multi-start thread formation, attendant to less than
about 5.degree. of relative rotation of the closure 12 and the
container 14.
[0031] To provide the desired tamper-indication for the package 10,
closure 12 includes a tamper band 26 at least partially detachably
connected to the skirt portion 18 of the closure. The tamper band
26 includes an annular band portion 28, and a plurality of
circumferentially spaced, inwardly extending tab-like flexible
projections 30. Each projection 30 is joined to band portion 28 by
a respective, relatively thin hinge portion (see FIG. 6) which
promotes ease of application of the closure to the associated
container, while still affording the desired surface-to-surface
contact for locking, interfering engagement between the projections
and the locking teeth (as will be described) on the container
12.
[0032] The desired detachable connection of the pilfer band 26 to
the closure skirt 18 is provided by way of a frangible connection
therebetween, illustrated in phantom line at 32. Frangible
connection 32 can be formed during molding of the closure, or can
alternatively be formed by continuous or discontinuous scoring of
the closure, as is known in the art. In a current embodiment, it is
contemplated that the tamper band 26 completely separate from the
skirt portion 18 during closure removal, with the tamper band
remaining in place on the associated container 12. However, it is
within the purview of the present invention that the tamper band
may be configured for partial detachment from the skirt portion 18,
such as by the provision of a relatively strong connector portion
between the tamper band 26 and the skirt portion 18.
[0033] With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, therein is
illustrated the container 14 of the present tamper-evident package.
The container 14 includes a neck portion defining an opening, with
the closure 12 being configured for fitment to the neck portion for
closing the opening defined thereby. In order to permit rapid
application and removal of the closure, the neck portion of the
container 14 includes an external thread formation thereon, with
the thread formation on the container configured for mating
engagement with the internal thread formation of the closure 12. To
this end, the thread formation of the container includes a
plurality of helical thread elements 40 for respective cooperative
engagement with the thread element 20 of the closure 12. In the
illustrated embodiment, two of the cooperating thread elements are
provided on the closure of the container. However, the present
package may be configured with a single helical thread element. The
present package may alternatively be provided with cooperating
lug-type thread elements on the container 12 and closure 14.
[0034] In accordance with the present invention, the container 14
includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced locking teeth 42
provided on the neck portion of the container. The locking teeth 42
are configured to cooperate with the projections 30 on the closure
12 during closure removal by interferingly engaging the
projections. By this cooperative engagement, the frangible
connection 32 between the tamper-band 26 and the skirt portion 18
of the closure 12 is fractured, thus providing clear visual
evidence that the package has been opened.
[0035] As illustrated, the neck portion of the container 14
includes an annular shoulder 44 positioned generally above the
locking teeth, and below the external thread elements on the
container. Locking teeth 42 are at least partially positioned
beneath shoulder 44, but it is desired that the ratchet teeth 42 be
of sufficient size to provide the desired locking engagement with
flexible projections 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking
teeth 42 define a circle having a diameter substantially equal to
the diameter of shoulder 44, but the teeth may be enlarged to
provide enhanced engagement with projections 30.
[0036] The shoulder 44 desirably acts to confine the projections 30
of the closure tamper band in a position for the desired
interfering engagement with the locking teeth 42. Additionally, the
outwardly tapering configuration of the upper annular shoulder 44
desirably acts to guide and upwardly flex the projections 30 during
closure application. During closure application, the projections 30
are in a generally horizontal disposition, as illustrated in
phantom line in FIG. 6. After closure application, the projections
30 extend generally upwardly and inwardly for engagement with the
locking teeth 44, as further illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0037] Handling of the container of the preset package by automated
packaging equipment is facilitated by the provision of support ring
44 positioned on the neck portion of the container generally
beneath the locking teeth 42.
[0038] In accordance with the preferred form, each of the locking
teeth 42 includes a generally radially and vertically oriented
locking surface positioned for engagement with a respective one of
the projections 30 of the closure 12. Each of the locking teeth
further includes a ramp-like outwardly tapering guide surface which
extends generally outwardly from the neck portion of the container,
generally opposite the locking surface 48. The guide surface is
oriented such that during rotational application of the closure to
the container (by right-hand rotation in accordance with the
illustrated embodiment), the projections 30 of the closure tamper
band are guided by the guide surfaces and urged generally outwardly
over the locking teeth. As each of the projections passes one or
more of the locking teeth, the resilience of the projections acts
to return the projections to a generally inwardly, upwardly
extending orientation.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 5, it will be observed that the
locking teeth 42 are unevenly circumferentially spaced about the
neck portion of the container 14, with the spacing between the
teeth corresponding to the spacing between projections 30, or
multiples thereof. This assures substantially simultaneous
engagement of a plurality of the projections 30 with a like
plurality of the locking teeth during closure removal. FIG. 5
illustrates a mold parting line defined by the neck portion of the
container 14, which corresponds to the line or plane along which
the mold for the neck portion opens. As illustrated, the closure 14
includes a pair of locking teeth 42 having their respective locking
surfaces aligned with the parting line.
[0040] As will be observed, the locking teeth 42 are arranged in
first and second diametrically opposed groups on the neck portion
of the container, with the locking teeth 42 of each group being
evenly circumferentially spaced.
[0041] In a current embodiment, the locking teeth 42 of each of the
first and second groups are circumferentially spaced apart at
30.degree. intervals, as illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0042] As noted above, the tamper-evident package of the present
invention has been particularly configured to promote very rapid
tamper-indication attendant to removal of closure 12 from container
14. To this end, the flexible projections 30 of the pilfer band 26
of closure 12 are positioned in predetermined circumferential
relationship with respect to the internal thread formation,
including thread elements 20, of the closure. This is achieved
during closure molding by fixing the relative position of the mold
which forms the projections 30 (sometimes referred to as the tab
sleeve) relative to the portion of the mold which forms the thread
elements 20 (sometimes referred to as the core pin).
[0043] By virtue of this predetermined relationship, the position
of the flexible projections 30 relative to locking teeth 42, after
the closure is fully applied to the container, can be very
precisely predetermined. In view of this, the present invention
contemplates that the circumferential spacing "c" between adjacent
ones of the flexible projections 30 (FIG. 4), is at least as great
as the circumferential dimension of each of the locking teeth 42,
that is, the spacing between adjacent ones of the flexible
projections 30 is sufficiently great as to permit one of the
locking teeth 42 to be received between adjacent ones of the
projections 30. On balance, the spacing between the projections 30
is preferably selected to closely correspond to the spacing between
the ratchet teeth 42 of each of the first and second groups of
ratchet teeth to thereby position a plurality of the projections 30
for locking engagement with a respective plurality of the ratchet
teeth 42 to provide a high level of resistance to relative rotation
to thereby assure tamper band fracture.
[0044] By this arrangement, the flexible projections 30 and the
locking teeth 42 can be fitted in very closely spaced cooperating
engagement when the closure 12 is fully applied to the container
14. To further facilitate such closely spaced fitting, while still
maximizing the dimension of the projections 30 for the desired
degree of rigidity, each of the flexible projections 30 is
preferably inwardly tapering. As shown in FIG. 4, in a current
embodiment, each of the projections 30 at its relatively thin hinge
portion has a dimension "b", which is greater than a dimension "a"
at an inner edge portion of each projection 30. In a current
embodiment, dimension "a" is 0.180 inches, while dimension "b" is
0.200 inches.
[0045] By virtue of the closely-spaced relationship of the flexible
projections 30 and locking teeth 42 after the closure is fully
applied to the container, the frangible connection of the closure
is broken before no more than about 5.degree., or less, of rotation
of the closure relative to the container during removal fo the
closure. By virtue of this desirably fast-acting tamper-indication
function, fracture of the closure is very desirably effected prior
to unsealing of the container by disengagement of sealing liner 22
from the container finish. Highly effective resistance to tampering
is thus provided.
[0046] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous
modifications and variations can be effected without departing from
the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present
invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect
to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should
be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended
claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the
claims.
* * * * *