U.S. patent application number 12/008862 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for tamper evident band with hook.
This patent application is currently assigned to Silgan Holdings Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen Kras, Darren Neputy.
Application Number | 20080173611 12/008862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39640217 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080173611 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Neputy; Darren ; et
al. |
July 24, 2008 |
Tamper evident band with hook
Abstract
A tamper indicating closure includes a cap having a top and
skirt portion. A frangible connection connects an anti-tamper band
with the skirt. The anti-tamper band includes a main body and a
foldable portion hingably connected thereto. The foldable portion
is foldable so that it is disposed within the volume defined by the
main body. The foldable portion further comprises an edge for
engaging the shoulder of a container at a recess below the shoulder
and a plurality of tabs for engaging the shoulder to prevent
"tiring off" of the anti-tamper band.
Inventors: |
Neputy; Darren; (Palos
Hills, IL) ; Kras; Stephen; (Chicago, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
321 NORTH CLARK STREET, SUITE 2800
CHICAGO
IL
60610-4764
US
|
Assignee: |
Silgan Holdings Inc.
|
Family ID: |
39640217 |
Appl. No.: |
12/008862 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60881019 |
Jan 18, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/256 ;
215/324; 215/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/3423
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/256 ; 215/43;
215/324 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/38 20060101
B65D041/38; B65D 39/00 20060101 B65D039/00; B65D 41/00 20060101
B65D041/00 |
Claims
1. A tamper indicating closure, comprising; a cap having a top
portion connected to a skirt; an anti-tamper band connected to the
skirt via a frangible connection, the anti-tamper band including a
main body and a folded band connected to the main body opposite the
cap via a hinge, the band continuous along the entire perimeter of
the main body; and a plurality of flexible tabs extending from the
folded band.
2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the flexible tabs are partially
embedded within the folded band.
3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the folded band comprises a
plurality of shoulder engaging edges separated by each separated by
indentations.
4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the tabs extend from the
indentations.
5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the anti-tamper band and cap are
molded as a single component.
6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the folded band is positioned
substantially at an edge of the main body opposite the frangible
connection.
7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the tabs extend from the folded
band proximate a side of the folded band closest to the main
body.
8. The closure of claim 1, wherein the foldable band has an
unfolded state, where the foldable band extends substantially
linear from the main body, and a folded state, wherein the foldable
is pivoted about the hinge from the unfolded state and is disposed
with a volume defined by the main body.
9. A system for tamper indicating, comprising: an article having an
opening surrounded by a neck, the neck having a shoulder abutting
there from thereon, forming a recess under the shoulder; a closure
including: a cap having a top portion connected to a skirt; an
anti-tamper band frangibly connected to the skirt, the anti-tamper
band including a main body and a folded band connected to the main
band body opposite the cap, the band continuous along the entire
circumference of the main body; the folded band having a shoulder
engaging end, the shoulder engaging end having a plurality of
flexible tabs extending therefrom; and the shoulder engaging end
and flexible tabs engagable with the shoulder of the article.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the flexible tabs are integral
with the foldable band.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the flexible tabs comprise an
elastic material.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the folded band comprises a
plurality of shoulder engaging edges separated by each separated
indentations
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tabs extend from the
indentations.
14. The system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of
drainage windows positioned in the foldable band, allowing drainage
of liquid captured in the fold between the foldable band and the
main body.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the folded band is positioned
substantially at an edge of the main body opposite the frangible
connection.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the tabs extend from the folded
band proximate a side of the folded band closest to the main
body.
17. The system of claim 9, wherein the shoulder engaging end
comprises a bulbous projection.
18. The system of claim 9, wherein the shoulder engaging end
comprises a leading edge.
19. A tamper indicating closure and article for closure,
comprising: an article having a circular opening surrounded by a
cylindrical neck, the cylindrical neck having a shoulder
circumscribed thereon, the shoulder having a protruding edge and a
recessed edge; a closure including: a cap having a top portion
connected to a cylindrical skirt; a cylindrical anti-tamper band
connected to the cylindrical skirt via a frangible connection, the
anti-tamper band including a main body and a folded band connected
to the main band body opposite the cap, the band continuous along
the entire circumference of the main body; the folded band having a
shoulder engaging end, the shoulder engaging end having a plurality
of flexible tabs extending therefrom; and the shoulder engaging end
engagable with the recessed edge of the shoulder as the flexible
tabs engage with the protruding edge of the shoulder.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the flexible tabs comprise an
elastic material.
21. The system of claim 19, wherein the flexible tabs are integral
with the foldable band and pivotable in relation hereto.
22. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of
drainage windows positioned in the foldable band allowance drainage
of liquid captured in the fold between the foldable band and the
main body.
23. The system of claim 19, wherein the folded band is positioned
substantially at an edge of the main body opposite the frangible
connection.
24. The system of claim 19, wherein the tabs extend from the folded
band proximate a side of the folded band closest to the main
body.
25. The system of claim 19, wherein the shoulder engaging end
comprises a bulbous projection.
26. The system of claim 19, wherein the shoulder engaging end
comprises a leading edge.
27. The system of claim 19, wherein the folded band comprises a
plurality of shoulder engaging edges separated by each separated
indentations and the tabs extend from the indentations.
28. The system of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of
drainage windows positioned in the foldable band, allowing drainage
of liquid captured in the fold between the foldable band and the
main body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application 60/881,019 filed Jan. 18, 2007 which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, the present invention relates to the field of
container closures. More particularly, the present invention
relates to closures having a tamper-indicating band.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Consumers rely on container closures to protect many
everyday goods ranging from food to medicine. While numerous types
of tamper-indicating closures exist, a particularly common type of
closure comprises a closure connected to a tamper-indicating band
via a frangible connection, with the closure being applied to the
threaded finish of the container. This type of closure often relies
on a portion of the container to restrain the tamper-indicating
band when the cap is removed, causing the frangible connection to
break and leaving the tamper-indicating band on the container in a
retained engagement with the container finish. Thus, even if the
closure is replaced back on the container, a user is able to
determine that the container has been opened because the frangible
connection of the closure with the tamper band has been broken.
[0004] This type of tamper-indicating system relies on the
frangible connection being broken and on the tamper-indicating band
remaining on the container. However, conventional closures suffer
from "tiring off," where the tamper-indicating band is essentially
peeled or slipped off the container. This is similar to the manner
in which a tire is removed from a rim. This defect defeats or at
least detracts from or reduces the tamper-indicating ability of the
closure band. Thus, there is a need for an improved closure
providing a frangible connection between a tamper-indicating band
and a cap that is resistant to tiring off and other
tamper-indication defeating mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Various embodiments of the invention relate to a closure
providing a frangible connection between a tamper-indicating band
and the lower end of a closure sidewall skirt, with the closure
being resistant to tiring off and other tamper-indication defeating
mechanisms.
[0006] The closure comprises a top portion that is connected to a
skirt. An anti-tamper band is frangibly connected to the skirt. The
anti-tamper band comprises a main body and a foldable band
connected to the main body opposite the cap, such that the band is
continuous along the entire perimeter of the main body. The
foldable band is connected to the main body via a hinge. The
foldable band has an unfolded state, where it extends substantially
linearly from the main body, and a folded state. In the folded
state, the band is bent about the hinge, forming an acute angle
with the main body and being substantially within the volume
defined by the main body. The foldable band further comprises a
plurality of flexible tabs extending from within the foldable band.
The foldable band includes an end opposite the hinge for engaging a
portion of the container. The tabs further engage the container to
secure the anti-tamper band to the container when the cap is
removed.
[0007] These and other advantages and features of the invention,
together with the organization and manner of operation thereof,
will become apparent from the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like
elements have like numerals throughout the several drawings
described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a cap with an attached anti-tamper
band in an unfolded position;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a closure applied to a
container;
[0010] FIG. 3 is perspective view of an upside-down cap with an
anti-tamper band having a bulbous edge for engaging the shoulder of
the container;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a close-up cut-away perspective view of the
foldable band and tabs of the closure of FIG. 3;
[0012] FIGS. 5(a)-5(f) depict the application and removal of the
closure depicted in FIG. 3 from a container;
[0013] FIG. 6 is perspective view of an upside-down cap with an
anti-tamper band having a leading edge for engaging the shoulder of
a container;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a close-up, cut-away perspective view of the
foldable band and tabs of the closure of FIG. 6; and
[0015] FIGS. 8(a)-8(f) depict the application and removal of the
closure depicted in FIG. 6 from a container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The present invention comprises a closure 100 for sealing an
article and providing tamper evidence. As shown in FIG. 1, one
embodiment of a cap 101 for the closure 100 generally includes a
top portion 110, a skirt 112, and an anti-tamper band 114. The top
portion 110 and the skirt 112 are connected to each other and may
be formed integral to each other. The skirt 112 extends
substantially perpendicular from the top portion 110, forming the
cap 101. As best shown in FIG. 2, the cap 101 engages the article
or container 103 and sealing an opening 105 therein. The cap 101 is
engagable with the article 103 as is known in the art. For example,
an inner portion 113 of the skirt 112 may be threaded with a
corresponding external thread 107 on the article 103. In an
exemplary embodiment, the skirt 112 is cylindrical.
[0017] As referenced above, the closure 100 further includes an
anti-tamper band 114. The anti-tamper band 114 is removably
connected to the skirt 112. For example, the anti-tamper band 114
may be connected to the skirt via a frangible connection 116. In an
exemplary embodiment, the anti-tamper band 114 is connected to the
skirt 112 at an end opposite the top portion 110.
[0018] The anti-tamper band 114 includes a main body 118 and a
foldable or "J" band 120. The main body 118 is attached via the
frangible connection 116 to the skirt 112. A foldable band 120 is
attached via a hinge 121 to the main body opposite the skirt 112.
The hinge 121 may exert a bias on the foldable band 120. The
foldable band 120 is pivotable about this hinge 121. The foldable
band 120 has an unfolded state and a folded state. The closure 100
may be such that the foldable band 120 extends from the main body
118 in line with the main body 118 in an unfolded state. FIG. 1
depicts the unfolded state, wherein the foldable band 120 extends
substantially linearly from the main body 118. In contrast, in the
folded state (shown in FIGS. 5 and 8), the foldable band 120 is
positioned along the interior surface 124 of the main body 118. In
one embodiment, the hinge 121 provides a mechanism to bias the
foldable band 120 to the folded state if the folded band 120 is
within a degree range in relation to the main body 118, for example
a range centered about 180 degrees. As more clearly shown in FIG.
3, the foldable band 120 may include drainage windows 123 providing
a means for liquid from the article 103 which gathers in the fold
(i.e., at the hinge 121) between the foldable band 120 and the main
body 118 to drain.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the foldable band 120 further
includes a shoulder engaging end 126. The shoulder engaging end 126
is adapted to engage a shoulder or "A" bead 128 on the finish of
the article 103. The shoulder engaging end 126 may have a shape
selected to engage the shoulder 128 in a particular manner. For
example, as shown in FIG. 6-8, the shoulder engaging edge 126 may
comprise a rounded edge or bulbous projection 122 for engaging the
shoulder or "A" bead 131 of the finish in FIG. 5(a) and 8(a).
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the shoulder engaging end may
provide a leading edge 136 for engaging the shoulder 128.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the shoulder 128 is designed with
a sloped upper edge 130, a protruding edge or "A" bead 131, and a
recessed lower edge 132 (FIGS. 5(a) and 8(a)) such that when the
closure 100 is applied to the article 103 (best illustrated in FIG.
2), the foldable band 120 pivots about the hinge 121 towards the
main body 118 as it contacts the sloped upper edge 130, allowing it
to the foldable band 120 to pass the shoulder 128 on the article
103. Once the foldable band 120 passes the shoulder 128, the
foldable band 120 is biased back towards the shoulder 128
positioning the shoulder engaging end 126 below the lower recessed
edge 132 (FIGS. 5(c) and 8(c)) of the shoulder 128. The foldable
band rests 120 under the shoulder 128 such that when the cap 101 is
removed, the foldable band 120 contacts the shoulder 128,
preventing the anti-tamper band 114 from being removed from the
article 103 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5(d)-(e) and 8(d)-(e)). The
force caused by the removal of the cap 101 and the resistance of
the anti-tamper band 114 results in the separation of the
anti-tamper band 114 from the skirt 112 along the frangible
connection 116 (as is best seen in FIG. 5(e) and 8(e)).
[0021] The foldable band 120 further includes one or more tabs 122.
In an exemplary embodiment, the tabs 122 are embedded into the
structure of the foldable band 120. The tabs 122 may be integral
with the foldable band 120 such that band 120, tabs 122, and main
body 118 comprise a single molded component (the anti-tamper band
114). The tabs 122 extend from the foldable band 120, forming an
extension there from. The tabs 122 are positioned substantially
proximate the edge of the foldable band 120 which is farthest from
the article 103 when the closure 100 is applied and the foldable
band 120 is positioned in its folded state. In one embodiment, the
tabs 122 flex about a pivot 127, such as a thinned portion just
above the foldable band 120. The tabs 122 engage the protruding
edge 131 of the shoulder 128 (FIGS. 5(a) and 8(a)). This
positioning of the tabs 122 assists in the prevention of undesired
movement of the anti-tamper band 114, such as "tiring off" or other
such actions of the anti-tamper band 114 that result in a loss of
tamper evidence. In one embodiment, the shoulder engaging edge 126
is not continuous along the foldable band 120. Instead, a series of
indentations 125 interrupt the shoulder engaging edge 126. In an
exemplary embodiment, the tabs 122 extend from the indentations
125. FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment having deep indentations
125, while FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment having shallow
indentations 125.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the tabs 122 are flexible such
that they may bend relative to the foldable band 120. As can be
seen in FIGS. 5(c) and 8(c), the tabs 122, when aligned with the
foldable band 120, prevent the shoulder engaging edge 126 of the
foldable band 120 from fully engaging the recessed edge or surface
132 of the shoulder 128. The flexing of the tabs 122 allows the
foldable band 120 to more fully contact the recessed edge 132 or
surface below the "A" bead 131 of the shoulder 128. In one
embodiment, this contact provides additional resistance to tiring
off than if the tab 122 is rigid because substantially the full
surface of the engaging end 126 is in direct bearing contact with
the edge or surface 132 below the "A" bead 131.
[0023] FIGS. 5(a)-(f) and 8(a)-(f) illustrate the closure of the
cap 101 to the article 103 and the removal of the cap 103 from the
article. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate an embodiment having a shoulder
engaging end 126 that has a bulbous projection 138. FIGS. 6-8
illustrate a shoulder engaging end 126 which includes a leading
edge 136. In FIGS. 5(c) and 8(c), the closure 100 is applied to the
article 103. Cap threads 106 engage article threads 107 to draw the
closure 100 (including cap 101 and anti-tamper band 114) downward
onto the article 103 to secure the opening 105. As illustrated in
FIGS. 5(a)-(c) and 8(a)-(c), the foldable band 120 passes by the
shoulder 128 by pivoting about the hinge 121. Once the foldable
band 120 passes the shoulder 128, the foldable band 120 is biased
back inwardly toward the article 103, positioned adjacent the
shoulder 128.
[0024] When the cap 101 is removed, as illustrated in FIGS. 5(d)
and 8(d), the cap 101 raises the foldable band 120 such that the
shoulder engaging end 126 engages the shoulder 128 at the recessed
edge 132. At substantially the same time, the tab 122 engages the
"A" bead 131 of the shoulder 128, (such as a protruding edge of the
shoulder 128). In combination the shoulder engaging end or surface
126 and tab 122 are serving to secure the anti-tamper band 114
against the shoulder 128. As can be seen in the FIGS. 5(d)-(e) and
8(d)-(e), the tab 122 is able to flex in relation to the foldable
band 120. The tab 122 flexes exposing the full surface of the
engaging end 126, allowing the shoulder engaging end 126 to fully
engage the recessed edge 132 of the shoulder 128. While
simultaneously the tabs 122 function to restrict rotation of the
foldable band 120 about the hinge 121 and further under the "A"
bead 131 of shoulder 128 preventing roll-out of the foldable band
120 which leads to tamper band tire-off. This functional structure
provides for a more secure bracing of the anti-tamper band 114
against the shoulder 128 resisting deformation of the band 120 to
the upward force produced by the cap 101 as it is removed as shown
in FIG. 5d and 8d. This force on the foldable band 120 results in
the frangible connection 116 breaking as depicted in FIGS. 5(e) and
8(e). The breaking of the frangible connection 116 allows the cap
101 to be removed while the anti-tamper band 114 remains on the
article 103. This is shown in FIGS. 5(f) and 8(f). Thus, the
presence of the anti-tamper band 114 being separated from the cap
101 provides an indication that the article 103 has been
opened.
[0025] The foregoing description of embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications
and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may
be acquired from practice of the present invention. The embodiments
were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the
present invention and its practical application to enable one
skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various
embodiments, and with various modifications, as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
* * * * *