GB2129784A

GB2129784A - Tamper-indicating closures

Info

Publication number: GB2129784A
Application number: GB08232002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eugene Edward Davis
Original assignee: Johnsen and Jorgensen Ltd
Current assignee: Johnsen and Jorgensen Ltd
Priority date: 1982-11-09
Filing date: 1982-11-09
Publication date: 1984-05-23
Also published as: GB2129784B

Abstract

This invention provides a container closure 5 comprising a cap part with an internal screw thread 6 for engagement with an external screw thread on a container, a tear away tamper indicating band 7 connected to the cap part by first frangible means 10 and to a captive band 8 by second frangible means 11 characterised by the provision of at least one bridge member such as at A, Figure 9, visibly connecting the captive band to the tear band and/or to the cap part and so bridging over at least one of the frangible means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tamper proof screw caps This invention relates to tamper proof screw caps for containers and to containers proivided with tamper proof screw caps.

It is well known that it is desirable to provide containers, when used for products such as medicaments and food, with means whereby a purchaser or user can readily see that the container has not been tampered with. For this purpose, tear bands have been used particularly with push-on and pull-off caps, the presence of the tear band giving a clear indication that the cap has not been removed after its original application to the container. Although there are special problems with screw caps we have been able to provide a tear band for use with a screw cap see e.g. our European Patent Application No.

82300267 which was published on July 28th 1982.

However, even with the provision of a tear band it is possible for an unscrupulous person to cut carefully around a tear band, remove the cap part, tamper with contents of the container and then replace the cap part in such a way that it looks, on cursory inspection, that the tear band is still properly in position.

This whole question of tamper proofing containers has become ever more important following upon the recent disastrous poisoning of tablets that took place in U.S.A. We have therefore given careful consideration to the provision of extra tamper proof safeguards for use with screw caps.

In our British Patent No. 1404084 we disclosed the use of bridge members as an extra safeguard in a push-on, pull-off cap provided with a tear band i.e.

with what we call our JAYCAP and in accordance with this invention we propose to adapt bridge members for use with a screw cap.

Therefore according to the present invention we provide a container closure comprising a cap part with an internal screw thread for engagement with an external screw thread on a container, a tear away tamper evident band connected to the cap part, and a captive band connected to the tear away band, means being provided on fhe tear away band for engagement with the container and means preferably being provided on the captive band to ensure that the captive band seats firmly on the container when the tear away band has been removed, characterised by the provision of at least one bridge member to visibly connect the captive band to the cap part.

The captive band assists the tear away band in preventing unauthorised removal of the closure from the container and when the tear away band has been removed the captive band remains in position on the container and improves the aesthetic appearance of the assembly. Preferably a discontinuous thread is provided on the closure and on the container similar to that described in our British Patents Nos. 1430302 and 1483403 in which there is described a container and closure assembly in which the closure comprises a retaining band combined with a screw cap characterized by the provision of a discontinuous screw thread on the cap with inclined lower surfaces when viewed in axial section for engagement with a discontinuous screw thread, around the mouth of the container, with inclined upper surfaces when viewed in axial section the contour of the screw-threads being such that if an attempt be made to unscrew the closure without first tearing away the retaining band, the inclined surfaces of the screw threads abut against one another, the resistance of the retaining band being sufficient to cause the inclined surfaces on the cap to slip off the inclined surfaces on the container so that the closure goes round and round but does not come off the container.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is now directed to the accom panying drawings given by way of example in which Figures 1 and 2 are elevation views of the container and closure assembly.

Figures 3 and 4 are top and bottom plan views.

Figure 5 is an enlarged section of A - A Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the container with the closure removed.

Figure 7 is a partly sectional view of a modified form of closure according to the invention and Figures 8 and 9 are detail views.

Referring to the drawings a container 1 has a multi-start discontinuous external screw thread indicated generally at 2, a tear-away band-seating 3 and a captive band-seating 4. A closure 5 has an internal multi-start (in this example four start) discontinuous screw thread 6, a tear away band 7 with tear tab 25 for finger grip and a captive band 8. Weakened lines 10 and 11 in the skirt 9 of the closure facilitate tearing away of the band 7. The container 1 is shaped to provide an external annular bead 12 that is nose shaped in section with an inclined upper surface 13 and a substantially horizontal lower surface 14. The closure 5 is shaped so that it can easily be pushed downwardly over the bead 12 but when in position on the container 1 as shown e.g. in Figure 5, it is almost impossible to remove the closure simply by an upward movement.The downward movement of the closure 5 relatively to the container 1 is preferably effected by pushing straight down into position but alternatively the closure 5 can be applied by a screwing down movement.

The line 10 of weakness substantially coincides with the outer end of the bead 12 so that when the tear tab (finger grip) 25 is grasped and the band 7 is torn away the top or cap part of the closure can easily be removed by unscrewing a part turn and can be replaced as required. The band 7 sits corrifortably on the seating 3 as shown and the container is shaped to provide a lower bead 15 with which the captive band 8 engages. The engagement of the band 8 with the bead 15 provides an extra tamper proof feature because this engagement makes it even more difficult to remove the closure without first tearing away the band 7.When the closure 5 is in operative position on the container 1 as shown for example in Figure 5 the captive band 8 will be substantially in the position shdwn in Figure 5 and will be effective in its tamper proof function. When the band 7 is torn away by tearing along the lines 10 and 11 the band 7 will fall away and the captive band 8 will be left in position. The band 8 will then adjust itself to the outer contour of the seating 4 and will probably move downwardly to rest on a ledge 16 on the container 1.

When in this position the captive band 8 serves no function other than to partially fill the gap between the bead 12 and the ledge 16 in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the assembly after initial opening. The screw thread illustrated in the drawings is similar to the thread described in our British Patent No. 1430302 and 1483403. When the closure is complete and is seated in operative position on the container there is a very considerable constraint imposed upon the closure preventing upward movement due to the presence of both the bands 7 and 8 which engage with the container. Any attempt to unscrew the closure with the band 7 in position simply causes the discontinuous threads on the closure 5 to repeatedly jump off the discontinuous threads on the container due to the positive downward pull of the bands 7 and 8.To unscrew the upper part of the closure successfully it is first necessary to remove the band 7 whereupon the restraint is also removed. However removal of the band 7 or breaking of bridges A and B is very obvious and if the band 7 be removed or cut by an unauthorised person it is at once clear that the assembly has been tampered with.

The body part of the container may be of any desired and convenient shape and the parts of the assembly are preferably moulded from plastics material. The invention includes the improved closure with a complete circular captive band and also an assembly of the closure and a container.

An important feature of the invention is the provision of a suitable sealing means to protect the contents of the container from contamination. Sealing may be effected by engagement of the outer top surface of the container with the inner top surface of the closure. Reference e.g. to Figure 6 will show that the container 1 may be shaped at 20 to produce a top annular outer portion 21 with a smooth unbroken surface which can be of reduced diameter but the shaping at 20 is purely optional and the portion of reduced diameter need not be provided. The portion 21 engages with an inner annular portion 22 of the closure see e.g. FigureS. The top edge of the container may also be arranged to engage with a resilient washer or similar pad disposed within the closure.

In the embodiment described by way of example in Figures 1 to 6 the screw thread has four starts but it will be understood that a thread having more or less starts may be used depending upon the circumstances and in particular the diameter.

Referring now to Figure 7 it will be noted that the multi-start thread 6 in this example has six starts for co-operation with a container (not shown) also having six starts. In Figure 7 the same references are used for the same parts as in Figures 1 to 6; it will be noted however, that in Figure 7 an annular sealing bead 22 is provided on the underside 23 of the top of the closure 5. This bead 22 is of importance because in operation when the closure 5 is in position on the container 1 the bead 22 forms a plug which enters the mouth or top bore of the container. In addition an annular sealing bead 24 is provided to seal against the outer surface of the container.

In the Figure 7 embodiment therefore we have made provision for a sealing plug within the top bore of the container and a sealing bead outside the top rim of the container due to the manner in which we have developed the mould design. This was difficult to achieve in an economic manner with our earlier design shown in Figure 5 and is a feature not previously employed in our Patents 1430302 and 1483403.

In order to provide the additional safety factor referred to above it will be noted that a bridge member A is provided to connect the cap part to the captive band 8 whilst bridging tear band 7 and a bridge member B is provided to connect the tear tab 25 of the tear band to captive band 8. Alternatively as an additional safety factor it will be appreciated that bridge member A could have a secondary connection to tear band 7, whilst bridge member B could have a secondary connection to cap 5. Naturally, if desired, several bridge members A can be provided.

The presence of the bridge members A and B means that it is not possible to- remove and replace a tear band without rupturing the bridge members so that if the bridge members are intact a purchaser or user can be sure that the contents of the container have not been tampered with.

It will be understood that the closure can be applied to the container by downward pressure but cannot be removed by upward pressure. Any attempt to remove the closure by unscrewing will be frustrated by the presence of the tear band and even if the tear band is removed or tampered with, the closure cannot be removed without breaking the bridge members and if the bridge members are broken it is clear that the contents of the container may have been tampered with.

CLAIMS (Filed on 7-11-83) 1. A container closure comprising a cap part with an internal screw thread for engagement with an external screwthread on a container, a tear away tamper indicating band connected to the cap part and a captive band connected to the tear away band, means being provided on the tear away band for engagement with the container characterised by the provision of at least one bridge member visibly connecting one part of the closure to another part of the closure in such a way that the bridge member must be broken before the cap part can be removed.

2. A closure according to claim 1 wherein a first type of bridge member visibly connects the captive band to the cap part bridging over the tear away band.

3. A closure according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the tear away band is provided with a tear tab and wherein a second type of bridge member is provided to connect the tear tab to the captive band.

4. A closure according to claim 2 wherein the first type of bridge member has a secondary connec

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. the band 7 is torn away by tearing along the lines 10 and 11 the band 7 will fall away and the captive band 8 will be left in position. The band 8 will then adjust itself to the outer contour of the seating 4 and will probably move downwardly to rest on a ledge 16 on the container 1. When in this position the captive band 8 serves no function other than to partially fill the gap between the bead 12 and the ledge 16 in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the assembly after initial opening. The screw thread illustrated in the drawings is similar to the thread described in our British Patent No. 1430302 and 1483403. When the closure is complete and is seated in operative position on the container there is a very considerable constraint imposed upon the closure preventing upward movement due to the presence of both the bands 7 and 8 which engage with the container. Any attempt to unscrew the closure with the band 7 in position simply causes the discontinuous threads on the closure 5 to repeatedly jump off the discontinuous threads on the container due to the positive downward pull of the bands 7 and 8.To unscrew the upper part of the closure successfully it is first necessary to remove the band 7 whereupon the restraint is also removed. However removal of the band 7 or breaking of bridges A and B is very obvious and if the band 7 be removed or cut by an unauthorised person it is at once clear that the assembly has been tampered with. The body part of the container may be of any desired and convenient shape and the parts of the assembly are preferably moulded from plastics material. The invention includes the improved closure with a complete circular captive band and also an assembly of the closure and a container. An important feature of the invention is the provision of a suitable sealing means to protect the contents of the container from contamination. Sealing may be effected by engagement of the outer top surface of the container with the inner top surface of the closure. Reference e.g. to Figure 6 will show that the container 1 may be shaped at 20 to produce a top annular outer portion 21 with a smooth unbroken surface which can be of reduced diameter but the shaping at 20 is purely optional and the portion of reduced diameter need not be provided. The portion 21 engages with an inner annular portion 22 of the closure see e.g. FigureS. The top edge of the container may also be arranged to engage with a resilient washer or similar pad disposed within the closure. In the embodiment described by way of example in Figures 1 to 6 the screw thread has four starts but it will be understood that a thread having more or less starts may be used depending upon the circumstances and in particular the diameter. Referring now to Figure 7 it will be noted that the multi-start thread 6 in this example has six starts for co-operation with a container (not shown) also having six starts. In Figure 7 the same references are used for the same parts as in Figures 1 to 6; it will be noted however, that in Figure 7 an annular sealing bead 22 is provided on the underside 23 of the top of the closure 5. This bead 22 is of importance because in operation when the closure 5 is in position on the container 1 the bead 22 forms a plug which enters the mouth or top bore of the container. In addition an annular sealing bead 24 is provided to seal against the outer surface of the container. In the Figure 7 embodiment therefore we have made provision for a sealing plug within the top bore of the container and a sealing bead outside the top rim of the container due to the manner in which we have developed the mould design. This was difficult to achieve in an economic manner with our earlier design shown in Figure 5 and is a feature not previously employed in our Patents 1430302 and 1483403. In order to provide the additional safety factor referred to above it will be noted that a bridge member A is provided to connect the cap part to the captive band 8 whilst bridging tear band 7 and a bridge member B is provided to connect the tear tab 25 of the tear band to captive band 8. Alternatively as an additional safety factor it will be appreciated that bridge member A could have a secondary connection to tear band 7, whilst bridge member B could have a secondary connection to cap 5. Naturally, if desired, several bridge members A can be provided. The presence of the bridge members A and B means that it is not possible to- remove and replace a tear band without rupturing the bridge members so that if the bridge members are intact a purchaser or user can be sure that the contents of the container have not been tampered with. It will be understood that the closure can be applied to the container by downward pressure but cannot be removed by upward pressure. Any attempt to remove the closure by unscrewing will be frustrated by the presence of the tear band and even if the tear band is removed or tampered with, the closure cannot be removed without breaking the bridge members and if the bridge members are broken it is clear that the contents of the container may have been tampered with. CLAIMS (Filed on 7-11-83)

1. A container closure comprising a cap part with an internal screw thread for engagement with an external screwthread on a container, a tear away tamper indicating band connected to the cap part and a captive band connected to the tear away band, means being provided on the tear away band for engagement with the container characterised by the provision of at least one bridge member visibly connecting one part of the closure to another part of the closure in such a way that the bridge member must be broken before the cap part can be removed.

tion to the tear band.

5. A closure according to claim 3 wherein the second type of bridge member has a secondary connection to the cap part.

6. A closure according to claims 2 to 5 wherein a plurality of the first type of bridge member is provided.

7. A container closure comprising a cap part with an internal screw thread for engagement with an external screw thread on a container, a tear away tamper indicating band connected to the cap part by first frangible means and to a captive band by second frangible means characterised by the provision of at least one bridge member visibly connecting the captive band to the tear band and/or to the cap part and so bridging over at least one of the frangible means.

8. A container closure according to claim 7 wherein several of the bridge members are provided.

9. A container closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.