Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a closure for a container and particularly to a closure with means for indicating that the closure has been opened at least once.

Background of the Invention

There is an increasing demand for tamper-indicating systems which ensure that a container is not re-filled with non-original contents. Whilst it is relatively easy to produce some form of tamper-evidence, it is much more difficult to provide tamper-evidence which cannot be either overcome without causing the tamper-evidence system to activate, or activated and then returned to a visually identical state so as to appear non-activated.

International Publication No. WO 2015/ 1 1 385 1 A I , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a closure for a container, the closure comprising a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, and a tamper-evident overcap. The tamper-evident overcap comprises a cap which is fixed to the exterior of the first shell part and a tamper-evident member which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably located around the exterior of at least part of the second shell part so that the cap cannot be removed before the tamper-evident member is released, in which the first and second shell parts cannot be separated before the tamper-evident member is released, and after the tamper-evident member has been released the cap is removable together with the first shell part. The tamper-evident overcap may be retrofittable to pre-existing shells.

This document discloses a tamper-evident closure having a tamper-evident band which can be teared off in order to allow the first shell part underneath the overcap to be twisted and removed in order to get access to the contents of the container. The container may be a spirits bottle. The tamper-evident closure can exhibit a further tamper-evident means that indicates that the container has been opened at least once. In particular, the tamper- evident closure can be a 'gap-generating' closure, wherein during first opening of the tamper-evident closure an irreversible gap between first and second portions of the

I tamper-evident closure is generated to provide evidence that the tamper-evident closure has been opened.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement over prior art tamper-evident closures.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an innovative design for a tamper-evident band that causes the tamper-evident band to break or otherwise be damaged if an attempt is made to open the tamper-evident closure without tearing the tamper-evident band off first.

The innovative design seeks to ensure the tamper-evident band cannot be released and subsequently returned to the original condition without leaving visual evidence that an attempt has been made to avoid tearing the tamper-evident band off when opening the tamper-evident closure.

The present invention provides an innovative design for a tamper-evident tear band of a tamper-evident closure that is opened by an unscrewing action that prevents the tamper- evident tear band from turning before the tamper-evident tear band is released.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an innovative design for a tamper-evident band that prevents a non-original tear-band being used in an attempt to visually reconstruct the tamper-evident closure after first opening.

The present invention provides an innovative design for a tamper-evident tear band of a tamper-evident closure having a gap-generating mechanism that utilises the gap generated on first opening in the prevention of attempted reconstruction of the tamper-evident closure after first opening.

The tamper-evident closure may be a spirits bottle closure.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect there is provided a tamper-evident closure for a container neck, the tamper-evident closure comprising: a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, and a tamper-evident overcap comprising a cap part and a tamper-evident tear band; the cap part fixed to the exterior of the first shell part, and the tamper-evident tear band releasably connected to the cap part and releasably located around the exterior of the second shell part such that a removable cap portion of the tamper-evident closure, the removable cap portion comprising the cap part and the first shell part, is removable after the tamper-evident tear band is released; wherein the tamper-evident closure further comprises a multi-section tamper-evident element incorporating an indelible visual indicium; the cap part comprises a first section of the multi-section tamper-evident element, the tamper-evident tear band comprises a second section of the multi-section tamper- evident element, and the second shell portion comprises a third section of the multi-section tamper-evident element; and releasing the tamper-evident tear band releases the second section of the multi-section tamper-evident element from the tamper-evident closure.

The indelible visual indicium may be incorporated in the multi-section tamper-evident element by a moulding process, an etching process, or an engraving process. The indelible visual indicium may be incorporated in the multi-section tamper-evident element by laser marking.

The indelible visual indicium may include one or more items, each of which may be a shape item, a pattern item, an alpha-numerical item, or a graphics item. The indelible visual indicium, or one or more items thereof, may include a plurality of constituent portions.

The first section of the multi-section tamper-evident element may comprise a first constituent portion of the indelible visual indicium, the second section of the multi-section tamper-evident element may comprise a second constituent portion of the indelible visual indicium, and the third section of the multi-section tamper-evident element may comprise a third constituent portion of the indelible visual indicium. The indelible visual indicium may comprise a unique identifier item, and at least the second section and the third section of the multi-section tamper-evident element may comprise a presentation of the unique identifier item.

According to a second aspect there is provided a tamper-evident closure for a container neck, the tamper-evident closure comprising: a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, and a tamper-evident overcap comprising a cap part and a tamper-evident tear band; the cap part fixed to the exterior of the first shell part, and the tamper-evident tear band releasably connected to the cap part and releasably located around the exterior of the second shell part such that a removable cap portion of the tamper-evident closure, the removable cap portion comprising the cap part and the first shell part, is removable after the tamper-evident tear band is released; wherein the tamper-evident closure further comprises a tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement in which, a window comprising at least one opening is defined in the tamper-evident tear band, a protrusion extends radially outwardly from the second shell part, and the tamper-evident tear band is engaged with the protrusion by a snap-fit engagement in which the protrusion extends into the opening.

According to a third aspect there is provided a tamper-evident closure for a container neck, the tamper-evident closure comprising: a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, and a tamper-evident overcap comprising a cap part and a tamper-evident tear band; the cap part fixed to the exterior of the first shell part, and the tamper-evident tear band releasably connected to the cap part and releasably located around the exterior of the second shell part such that a removable cap portion of the tamper-evident closure, the removable cap portion comprising the cap part and the first shell part, is removable after the tamper-evident tear band is released; wherein the tamper-evident closure further comprises a tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement in which, a first circumferential ramp and a block, spaced in a peripheral direction of the tamper-evident closure, extend radially inwardly from the tamper-evident tear band, a second circumferential ramp and a swing clip, spaced in the peripheral direction of the tamper- evident closure, extend radially outwardly from the second shell part, and rotation of the tamper-evident tear band in a first direction of rotation forces the block to abut against the swing clip and forces the first circumferential ramp to travel along the second circumferential ramp to cause an arc of the tamper-evident tear band to bend radially outwardly.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a tamper-evident closure comprising two or more of a multi-section tamper-evident member as featured in the first aspect, a tamper- evident tear band engagement arrangement as featured in the second aspect and a tamper- evident tear band engagement arrangement as featured in the third aspect.

A tamper-evident closure according to the first aspect, second aspect, third aspect or fourth aspect may include a gap-generating mechanism.

The tamper-evident closure may therefore further comprise: a first portion including an inner part and an outer part, a second portion, and a locking mechanism; the first portion removably engaged with the second portion; the outer part movable relative to the inner part upon first opening of the tamper-evident closure from a first position in which the first shell part is adjacent the second shell part in an axial direction of the tamper-evident closure to a second position in which the first shell part is spaced from the second shell part in the axial direction of the tamper-evident closure, to generate a gap between the first shell part and the second shell part, the locking mechanism configured to lock the outer part in the second position to maintain the gap between the first shell part and the second shell part.

The locking mechanism may comprise a ratchet mechanism.

The gap may be an unobstructed gap.

The first portion may be removably engaged with the second portion by a screw-thread arrangement. Alternatively, the first portion may be removably engaged with the second portion by a push-fit arrangement.

The shell may be formed from a metal or a plastics material. According to a fifth aspect there is a provided a container having a neck provided with a tamper-evident closure according to the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

The container may be a bottle. The bottle may be a glass bottle. The glass bottle may be a spirits bottle.

Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures I A to I E show a first prior art tamper-evident closure;

Figures 2A to 2E show a second prior art tamper-evident closure;

Figure 3 shows a tamper-evident closure according to a first arrangement;

Figures 4 to 6 show different examples of a multi-section tamper-evident element; Figures 7 & 8 show a tamper-evident closure according to a second arrangement; Figures 9 & 10 show a tamper-evident closure according to a third arrangement; and

Figures I I to 20 show features of a gap-generating mechanism that may be incorporated into a tamper-evident closure according to the first arrangement of Figures 3 to 6, the second arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 or the third arrangement of Figures 9 & 10.

Description

Illustrative embodiments and examples are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus, systems and/or processes described herein. It is to be understood that embodiments and examples can be provided in many alternate forms and the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and examples set forth herein but by the scope of the appended claims. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. In addition, features referred to herein in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of the stated feature or features and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Figures I A to I E show a first prior art tamper-evident closure 101 , fitted to a container neck 102. The tamper-evident closure 101 comprises a shell 103 having a first shell part I 03A and a second shell part I 03B. The shell 103 may be formed from a metal or a plastics material. A tamper-evident overcap 104 is fitted over the first shell part I 03A. The tamper-evident overcap 104 includes a cap part I 04A and a tamper-evident tear band I 04B. The overcap 104 may be formed from any suitable material. The overcap 104 may be formed from a plastics material. The cap part I 04A is secured to the first shell part I 03A (by friction and an adhesive) and has a free end that is frangibly connected to the tamper-evident tear band I 04B.

The tamper-evident tear band I 04B includes a generally disc-shaped section I 04C that is formed to appear like a seal. A frangible line I 04D extends around one side of the generally disc-shaped section I 04C, and extends between upper and lower edges of the tamper- evident tear band I 04B, as illustrated in Figure I A.

The tamper-evident tear band I 04B is removably secured around the second shell part I 03B so that the cap part I 04A (carried on the first shell part I 03A) cannot be removed before the tamper-evident tear band I 04B is released.

The cap part I 04A and the first shell part I 03A together form a removable cap. In order to remove the removable cap, the tamper-evident tear band I 04B must first be released. This is achieved by lifting the generally disc-shaped section I 04C to cause the frangible line I 04D to break, as illustrated in Figure I B. The generally disc-shaped section I 04C can then be pulled to tear the tamper-evident tear band I 04B away from the free end of the cap part I 04A, as illustrated in Figure I C.

Thereafter, a user may grasp the cap part I 04A to unscrew the removable cap; the cap part I 04A is secured to the first shell part I 03A so that they co-rotate off the container neck 102. (in an alternative example the removable cap can be pulled off).

The removable cap (cap part I 04A and first shell part I 03A) is shown removed in Figure I D, and is shown subsequently replaced in Figure I E. The first and second shell parts I 03A and I 03B cannot be separated before the tamper- evident tear band 104B is released. As shown in Figure I B, an outer surface of the second shell part I 03B is provided with axial ribs 105 that are arranged to engage corresponding axial ribs (not visible) on an inner surface of the tamper-evident band I 04B to prevent the tamper-evident band I 04B from rotating prior to being released.

An example of first prior art tamper-evident closure 101 is described in International Publication No. WO 2015/ 1 1 385 1 A I .

Figures 2A to 2E show a second prior art tamper-evident closure 201 , fitted to a container neck 202. The tamper-evident closure 202 comprises a shell 203 having a first shell part 203A and a second shell part 203B, and a tamper-evident overcap 204 fitted over the first shell part 203A, the tamper-evident overcap 204 including a cap part 204A and a tamper-evident tear band 204B. The cap part 204A is secured to the first shell part 203A, and has a free end that is frangibly connected to the tamper-evident tear band 204B. As illustrated in Figure 2A, the tamper-evident tear band 204B includes a generally discshaped section 204C that is formed to appear like a seal, and a frangible line 204D that extends around one side of the generally disc-shaped section 204C and extends between upper and lower edges of the tamper-evident tear band 204B,

The cap part 204A and the first shell part 203A together form a removable cap.

The tamper-evident tear band 204B is removably secured around the second shell part 203 B so that the removable cap cannot be removed before the tamper-evident tear band 204B is released.

To remove the removable cap, the tamper-evident tear band 204B must therefore first be released. The generally disc-shaped section 204C must be lifted to break the frangible line 204D, as illustrated in Figure 2B. The generally disc-shaped section 204C can then be pulled to separate the tamper-evident tear band 204B from the cap part 204A, as illustrated in Figure 2C.

Thereafter, a user may then unscrew the removable cap (or alternatively pull the removable cap off), the cap part I 04A and the first shell part 203A to which the cap part 204A is secured moving together off the container neck 102.

The removable cap (cap part I 04A and first shell part I 03A) is shown removed in Figure 2D, and is shown subsequently replaced in Figure 2E. The second prior art tamper-evident closure 201 of Figures 2A to 2E differs from the first prior art tamper-evident closure 101 of Figures I A to I E in that the second prior art tamper-evident closure 201 incorporates a gap-generating mechanism (not shown) that is arranged such that during first opening of the second prior art tamper-evident closure 201 , an irreversible G is generated between the first and second shell parts 203A and 203B. When the removable cap is replaced the gap G is evident, as can be seen in Figure 2E (no such gap can be seen in Figure I E). The irreversible gap G thus provides an indication that the tamper-evident closure has been opened at least once. An example of second prior art tamper-evident closure 201 is described in International Publication No. WO 2015/ 1 1 385 1 A I . The gap-generating mechanism of the second prior art tamper-evident closure 201 may be a gap-generating mechanism as described in International Publication No. WO 2006/ 1 17505 A l . The irreversible gap may be an unobstructed gap.

A tamper-evident closure for a container neck, according to a first arrangement, is shown in Figure 3.

Tamper-evident closure 301 comprises a shell 302 comprising a first shell part 302A and a second shell part 302B, and a tamper-evident overcap 303 comprising a cap part 303A and a tamper-evident tear-band 303B.

The shell 302 may be formed from any suitable material, which may be a metal or a plastics material. In an embodiment, the shell 302 is formed from a metal material.

The tamper-evident overcap 303 may be formed from any suitable material, which may be a metal or a plastics material. In an embodiment, the tamper-evident overcap 303 is formed from a plastics material.

The tamper-evident overcap 303 is fitted over the shell 302, as shown. The cap part 303A is secured to the first shell part 302A in any suitable manner, which may utilise friction and/or an adhesive. The cap part 303A has a free end that is frangibly connected to the tamper-evident tear-band 303B. The tamper-evident tear band 303B is releasably located around the exterior of the second shell part 303B such that a removable cap portion of the tamper-evident closure 301 , which comprises the cap part 303A and the first shell part 302A, is removable after the tamper-evident tear band 303B is released. The second shell part 303 B remains on the container neck. The tamper-evident tear band 303 B includes a pull section 303C, which may have any suitable shape, such as a generally disc-like shape, to facilitate manual release of the tamper- evident tear band 303B. A frangible line 303D extends around a side of the pull section 303C and extends between upper and lower edges of the tamper-evident tear band 303B.

To open the tamper-evident closure 301 , the tamper-evident tear band 303B must first be released. The tamper-evident tear band 303B and second shell part 302B are provided with co-operating axial ribs (ribs 304 of the second shell part 302B only are shown) to prevent the tamper-evident band 303B from rotating prior to being released.

To release the tamper-evident tear band 303B, the pull section 303C is lifted and pulled to break the frangible line 303D and tear the tamper-evident tear band 303B from the cap part 303A. The removable cap (cap part 303A and first shell part 302A) may then be removed).

Thus, the tamper-evident closure 301 is similar to the first and second prior art tamper- evident closures described with reference to Figures I A to I E and Figures 2A to 2E.

However, differences will now be described.

Tamper-evident closure 301 comprises a multi-section tamper-evident element 304 incorporating an indelible visual indicium 305.

The term "indelible" is used herein to mean permanent and durable, and difficult to remove. Preferably the indelible visual indicium is resistant to the application of at least abrasion, heat and acids.

As shown, the cap part 30AB comprises a first section 304A of the multi-section tamper- evident element 304, the tamper-evident tear-band 303B comprises a second section 304B of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304, and the second shell portion 302B comprises a third section 304C of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304.

I I In the shown arrangement, the second section 304B of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304 is disposed, in an axial direction of the tamper-evident closure 301 , between the first section 304A and the third section 304C.

Releasing the tamper-evident tear-band 303B releases the second section 304B of the multisection tamper-evident element 304 from the tamper-evident closure 301.

This will remove an intermediate section of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304, and provide an indication of first opening.

The tamper-evident closure 301 may a gap-generating mechanism, which causes an irreversible gap to be generated during first opening, such that when the removable cap (cap part 303A and first shell part 302A) is replaced, the distance between the upper edge of the third section 304C and the first section 304A of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304 is greater than before first opening, and therefore any attempt to glue the tamper-evident tear-band 303B back into place will not restore the original appearance of the tamper-evident closure 301 (due to the increase in separation in the axial direction).

As shown in Figure 3, when the overcap 303 is initially assembled over the shell 302, the first, second and third sections 304A, 304B and 304C of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304 are in an aligned condition.

The indelible visual indicium 305 may include one or more items of any suitable type, each of which may be a shape item, a pattern item, an alpha-numerical item, or a graphics item, and, as appropriate, an item may include a plurality of constituent portions.

An item may be presented in any suitable. An item may be presented in all raised, all recessed, or a combination of raised or recessed regions.

A shape item may, for example, be presented using a raised region to present a substantially solid shape or outlines the boundary or edge of a shape. The shape may be, for example a shield shape, such as is shown in Figure 3, or any other regular or irregular shape. The shape may, for example, be a square, a triangle, an oval. A pattern item may present any suitable pattern. An alpha-numerical item may be a code, a graphics item may be a logo.

A pattern item may be any suitable pattern, which may be example be or include a cross- hatching pattern or a regular or irregular display or dots or shapes.

An alpha-numeric item may be a name or a code.

A graphic item may be picture, which may be a logo.

The indelible visual indicium 305 may be incorporated in the multi-section tamper-evident element 304 by any suitable process, such as a moulding process, an etching process, or an engraving process. The indelible visual indicium 305 may be incorporated in the multisection tamper-evident element 304 by laser marking. It is to be appreciated that the indelible visual indicium 305 may be incorporated in the multi-section tamper-evident element 304 as the tamper-evident closure 301 is being formed, or may be included as a post-initial production stage.

Although the arrangement of Figure 3 shows the multi-section tamper-evident element 304 located diametrically opposite the pull section 303C, it is to be appreciated that any suitable relative radial and/or axial positioning may be utilised.

Different example arrangements of a multi-section tamper-evident element 304 will now be described, with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

Illustrated in Figure 4 is an example in which the indelible visual indicium 305 comprises an item 401 distributed across the first, second and third sections 304A, 304B and 304C of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304, such that the first section 304A comprises a first constituent portion 401 A of the item 401 , the second section 304B comprises a second constituent portion 401 B of the item 401 , and the third section 304C comprises a third constituent portion 401 C of the item 401. When the tamper-evident tear-band 303B is released, the second constituent portion 305B is removed, resulting in a visual interruption of the indelible visual indicium 305.

When the tamper-evident tear-band 303B has been disposed of, any attempt to replace the original tamper-evident tear-band 303B with a non-original tamper-evident tear band is now made more difficult as it must visually match the first constituent portion 305A of the cap part 304A and the third constituent portion 305C of the second shell part 304C, which remains on the container neck.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the indelible visual indicium 305 may comprise a unique identifier item 501 , with at least the second section 304B and the third section 304C of the multisection tamper-evident element 304 comprising a presentation of the unique identifier item 501 (in this illustration the first section 304A also comprises a presentation of the unique identifier item 501 ).

The use of a unique identifier item 501 advantageously increases the complexity of an attempt to replace the original tamper-evident tear-band 303B with a non-original tamper- evident tear band (and in this illustration to replace the original cap part 303A with a non- original cap part) as there is a requirement for the unique identifier item 501 remaining on the container neck, by virtue of the presentation of the unique identifier item 501 on the third section 304C of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304) to be present also on the other parts being substituted.

A third example is illustrated in Figure 6 in which the indelible visual indicium 305 includes a first item 601 and a second different item 602 distributed across the first, second and third sections 304A, 304B, 304C of the multi-section tamper-evident element 304, such that the first section 304A comprises a first constituent portion 601 A of the first item 306E, the second section 304B comprises a second constituent portion 60 I B of the first item 306E and a first constituent portion 602A of the second item 306F, and the third section 304C comprises a second constituent portion 602B of the second item 306F. When the tamper-evident tear-band 303B is released, the second constituent portion 305B is removed, resulting in a visual interruption of the indelible visual indicium 305.

Each section of the multi-section tamper-evident member may have any suitable dimensions. Each section may have the same, or a different depth dimension, in the axial direction of the tamper-evident closure, as one or more other sections of the multi-section tamper-evident member. In addition, a multi-section tamper-evident member may have more than three sections.

A tamper-evident closure may be provided with more than one multi-section tamper- evident member as described herein. Each multi-section tamper-evident member of a plurality of multi-section tamper-evident members may be the same as, or different from, one or more others of the plurality of multi-section tamper-evident members.

A tamper-evident closure for a container neck, according to a second arrangement, is shown in Figures 7 & 8.

Tamper-evident closure 701 comprises a shell 702 comprising a first shell part 702A and a second shell part 702B, and a tamper-evident overcap 703 comprising a cap part 703A and a tamper-evident tear-band 703B.

The shell 702 may be formed from any suitable material, which may be a metal or a plastics material. In an embodiment, the shell 702 is formed from a metal material.

The tamper-evident overcap 703 may be formed from any suitable material, which may be a metal or a plastics material. In an embodiment, the tamper-evident overcap 703 is formed from a plastics material.

The tamper-evident overcap 703 is fitted over the shell 702, as shown. The cap part 703A is secured to the first shell part 702A in any suitable manner, which may utilise friction and/or an adhesive. The cap part 703A has a free end that is frangibly connected to the tamper-evident tear-band 703B. The tamper-evident tear band 703B is releasably located around the exterior of the second shell part 703B such that a removable cap portion of the tamper-evident closure 701 , which comprises the cap part 703A and the first shell part 702A, is removable after the tamper-evident tear band 703B is released. The second shell part 703 B remains on the container neck.

The tamper-evident tear band 703 B includes a pull section 703C, which may have any suitable shape, such as a generally disc-like shape, to facilitate manual release of the tamper- evident tear band 703B. A frangible line (not visible) extends around a side of the pull section 703C and extends between upper and lower edges of the tamper-evident tear band 703 B.

To open the tamper-evident closure 701 , the tamper-evident tear band 703B must first be released. The tamper-evident tear band 703B and second shell part are provided with cooperating axial ribs to prevent the tamper-evident band 703B from rotating prior to being released.

To release the tamper-evident tear band 703B, the pull section 703C is lifted and pulled to break the frangible line and tear the tamper-evident tear band 703B from the cap part 703A. The removable cap (cap part 703A and first shell part 702A) may then be removed.

Thus, the tamper-evident closure 701 is similar to the first and second prior art tamper- evident closures described with reference to Figures I A to I E and Figures 2A to 2E.

However, differences will now be described.

As shown in Figures 7 & 8, the tamper-evident closure 701 comprises a tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement, in which a window 704 comprising a periphery 705 and at least one opening 706, within the area bounded by the periphery 705, is defined in the tamper-evident tear band 703B and a protrusion 707 extends radially outwardly from the second shell part 702B. As illustrated in Figure 8, when the tamper-evident tear overcap 703 is assembled with the shell 702, the tamper-evident tear band 703B is snap- fitted over the protrusion 707, as the tamper-evident tear overcap 701 is applied downwardly around the first shell part 702A, such that the protrusion 707 extends into the opening 706.

When the tamper-evident overcap 703 is in snap-fit engagement with the second shell part 702B, the window 704 and protrusion 707 co-operate to provide an anti-tamper feature. The co-operating window 704 and protrusion 707 increase the difficulty of rotating the tamper-evident tear band 703B before it is removed. In addition, any attempt to unhook the window 704 of the tamper-evident tear band 703B from the protrusion 707 will result in irreversible deformation or distortion in, or damage to, the tamper-evident tear band 703B, if this does not cause the tamper-evident tear band 703B to break The deformation, distortion or other damage provides evidence that an attempt has been made to open the tamper-evident closure 701 without detaching the tamper-evident tear band 703B from the cap part 703A. The tamper-evident closure 701 may include a gap-generating mechanism, which causes an irreversible gap to be generated during first opening, such that when the removable top part (cap part 703A and first shell part 702A) is replaced, there is an axial separation between the first shell part 702A and the second shell part 702B that was not present before the first opening event, which has the effect that any attempt to glue the tamper- evident tear-band 703B back into place will not restore the original appearance of the tamper-evident closure 701 and also the window 704 cannot be snapped back over the protrusion 707 thus enhancing the visual discrepancy.

Each of the window 704, periphery 705, and at least one opening 706, and the protrusion 707, may have any suitable shape and dimensions. The protrusion 707 may have any suitable profile, and may present more than one projection elements at a terminal end thereof for engaging an opening of the window 704.

The protrusion 707 may comprise or constitute at least one indelible visual indicium, which may comprise one or more item such as a shape item, a pattern item, an alphanumeric item or a graphic item as described above. An attempt to open the tamper-evident closure 701 without first releasing the tamper-evident tear band 703B may also result in damage to an indelible visual indicium of the protrusion, which again will provide visual evidence of tampering.

Although the arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 shows the co-operating window 704 of the tamper-evident tear band 703B and the protrusion 707 of the second shell part 703B located diametrically opposite the pull section 703C that any suitable relative radial and/or axial positioning may be utilised.

In addition, although the arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 shows the protrusion for engaging the tamper-evident tear band extending from a second shell part, it is to be appreciated that the protrusion could alternatively extend from a closure body portion, that comprises or otherwise effectively provides a shell part, and achieve the same effect.

Further, although the arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 shows the opening extending all the way thought the tamper-evident tear band, so that it is open to the internal side and the external side thereof, it is to be appreciated that the opening could alternatively extend partially through the tamper-evident tear band, so that it is open only to the internal side thereof. A tamper-evident closure may be provided with more than one co-operating window and protrusion as described herein. Each co-operating window and protrusion of a plurality of co-operating windows and protrusions may be the same as, or different from, one or more others of the plurality of co-operating windows and protrusions. A tamper-evident closure for a container neck, according to a second arrangement, is shown in Figures 9 & 10.

The tamper-evident closure comprises a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part 902B, and a tamper-evident overcap comprising a cap part and a tamper-evident tear-band 903 B. The shell may be formed from any suitable material, which may be a metal or a plastics material. In an embodiment, the shell is formed from a metal material.

The tamper-evident overcap may be formed from any suitable material, which may be a metal or a plastics material. In an embodiment, the tamper-evident overcap is formed from a plastics material.

The tamper-evident overcap is fitted over the shell. The cap part is secured to the first shell part in any suitable manner, which may utilise friction and/or an adhesive. The cap part has a free end that is frangibly connected to the tamper-evident tear-band 903B. The tamper-evident tear band 903B is releasably located around the exterior of the second shell part 902B such that a removable cap portion of the tamper-evident closure, which comprises the cap part and the first shell part, is removable after the tamper-evident tear band 903B has been released. The second shell part 923B remains on the container neck.

The tamper-evident tear band 903B includes a pull section, which may have any suitable shape, such as a generally disc-like shape, to facilitate manual release of the tamper-evident tear band 903B. A frangible line extends around a side of the pull section and extends between upper and lower edges of the tamper-evident tear band 903B.

To open the tamper-evident closure, the tamper-evident tear band 903B must first be released. The tamper-evident tear band 903B and second shell part may be provided with co-operating axial ribs to prevent the tamper-evident band 903 B from rotating prior to being released.

To release the tamper-evident tear band 903B, the pull section is lifted and pulled to break the frangible line and tear the tamper-evident tear band 903B from the cap part. The removable cap (cap part and first shell part) may then be removed). Thus, the tamper-evident closure is similar to the first and second prior art tamper-evident closures described with reference to Figures I A to I E and Figures 2A to 2E. However, differences will now be described.

As shown in Figure 9, the tamper-evident closure further comprises a tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement in which, a first circumferential ramp 904 and a block 905, spaced in a peripheral direction of the tamper-evident closure, extend radially inwardly from the tamper-evident tear band 903B, a second circumferential ramp 906 and a swing clip 907, spaced in the peripheral direction of the tamper-evident closure, extend radially outwardly from the second shell part 902B and, as illustrated in Figure 10, rotation of the tamper-evident tear band 903B in a first direction of rotation R forces the block 905 to abut against the swing clip 907 and forces the first circumferential ramp 904 to travel along the second circumferential ramp 906 to cause an arc of the tamper-evident tear band 903B to bend radially outwardly.

The co-operating ramps 904, 906 and cop-operating block 905 and swing clip 907 increase the difficulty of rotating the tamper-evident tear band 903B before it is removed. In addition, rotation of the tamper-evident tear band 903 B will result in irreversible deformation or distortion in, or damage to, the tamper-evident tear band 903B, if this does not cause the tamper-evident tear band 903B to break. The deformation, distortion or other damage provides evidence that an attempt has been made to open the tamper-evident closure without first tearing the tamper-evident tear band 903B from the cap part.

As shown in Figures 9 & 10, the tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement may comprise a swing clip stopper 908, and the swing clip 907 may comprise an acute corner 909 with a sharp edge 910, and a slot 91 I may be located adjacent the block 905, into which the acute corner 909 of the swing clip 907 extends.

As shown in Figure 10, in response to rotation of the tamper-evident tear band 903B before removal from the overcap, the block 905 catches the acute corner 909 and causes the swing clip 907 to swing against the swing clip stopper 908, with the acute corner 909 acting on the tamper-evident tear band 903B to force the tamper-evident tear band 903B outwards. The swing clip stopper 908 prevents overbending of the swing clip 907. In addition, the sharp edge 910 of the swing clip 907 is forced into the tamper-evident tear band 903B. At the same time, the first ramp 904 rides along the second ramp 906, and the second ramp 906 acting on the tamper-evident tear band 903B to force the tamper-evident tear band 903 B outwards. The regions of contact between the swing clip 907 and the tamper-evident tear band 903B and between the second ramp 906 and the first ramp 905 result in concentrated stress in the tamper-evident tear band 903 B. The interaction between the first ramp 904 and the block 905 of the tamper-evident tear band 703B and the second ramp 906 and swing clip 907 of the second shell part 902B imparts tension into an arc, indicated generally at 912, of the tamper-evident tear band 903B that irreversibly stretches the tamper-evident tear band 903B to a larger diameter.

The tamper-evident closure may include a gap-generating mechanism, which causes an irreversible gap to be generated during initial opening, such that when the removable cap (cap part and first shell part) is replaced, there is an axial separation between the first shell part and the second shell part that did not exist prior to the initial opening,

The tamper-evident closure may include more than one block and swing clip, and more than one first ramp and second ramp.

An example gap-generating mechanism that may be incorporated into a tamper-evident closure according to the first arrangement of Figures 3 to 6, the second arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 or the third arrangement of Figures 9 & 10 will now be described with reference to Figures I I to 20.

The example gap-generating mechanism is shown in Figures I I to 20 incorporated in an example closure, for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the construction and operation of the example gap-generating mechanism.

Referring to Figure I I , there is shown a closure generally indicated 10 secured onto a container neck 15. The closure 10 comprises a main body 20, an inner part 25 and an outer part 30. A shell 35, in this example a metal shell, forms an outer casing to the closure 10 and is divided into a cylindrical lower shell part 36 and a cup-shape second shell part 37. Together the main body 20 and the cylindrical lower shell part 36 comprise a second portion and the inner part 25, outer part 30 and the cup-shape second shell part 37 comprise a cap-like first portion.

The cylindrical lower shell part 36 and cup-shape second shell part 37 are separated at a split line 40 formed by a cutting process once the shell 35 has been applied to the first and second portions of the closure 10.

The main body 20 is fixed onto the container neck 15 by clips 45, which project inwardly and engage under a shoulder 50 of the container neck 15.

In this example, the closure 10 comprises a valve arrangement. A valve housing 55 is clipped into the main body 20, and includes a sealing lip 57 which seals against the top surface 1 6 of the container neck 1 5. A float valve 65 is housed in the valve housing 55, and can seal against a valve seat 60 to prevent re-filling of the container. A valve control ball 70 is located on top of the float valve 65.

In use, to open the closure 10, the cup-shape second shell part 37 of the shell 35 is rotated. This unscrews the outer part 30 from the inner part 25. The outer part 30 unscrews until a locking mechanism described in more detail below locks it to the inner part 25. With the outer 30 and inner part 25 locked together, the inner part 25 can then be unscrewed from the main body 20.

When the cap-like first portion (inner part 25, outer part 30 and the cup-shape second shell part 37) is screwed back onto the main body 20, a gap G is formed between the cup- shape second shell part 37 and the cylindrical lower shell part 36, as shown in Figure 1 . This is because the outer part 30 cannot be screwed completely back down onto the inner part 25 by virtue of the locking mechanism. In addition, in this example, the bottom of the inner part 25 protrudes below the bottom of the outer part 30 so as to be visible in the gap G, as can be seen in Figure 1 3.

The gap G formed between the cup-shape second shell part 37 and the cylindrical lower shell part 36 is unobstructed in the sense that there is no obstruction member trapped between the cup-shape second shell part 37 and the cylindrical lower shell part 36.

Referring now to Figures 1 & 1 5, the main body 20 is shown in more detail. The main body 20 comprises a lower engagement portion 21 and an upper flow regulation portion 22 defining an aperture.

The lower engagement portion 21 comprises a generally cylindrical body having two diametrically opposed windows 21 a, each of which has at a lower edge a ledge 45 for engagement under the shoulder 50 of the container neck 15 as shown in Figures I I & 1 2. In addition, the interior surface of the lower portion 21 a has a plurality of mutually spaced axial ribs 21 b which, in use, lock onto the outer surface of the container neck 15 to prevent relative rotation between the main body 20 and the container neck 15. The upper flow regulation portion 22 of the main body 20 is generally frusto-conical in shape and has external screw threads 22a. At the base of the portion upper flow regulation portion 22 where it joins the lower engagement portion 21 , two sets of ratchet teeth 23 are positioned. The ratchet teeth 23 engage corresponding ratchet teeth 25c on the inner part 25 to prevent the inner part 25 from rotating whilst the outer part 30 is being rotated for the first time, to open the closure 10 for the first time. Only after the outer part 30 has locked against the inner part 25 can the inner part 25 be rotated relative to the main body 20. At the opposite end of the upper flow regulation portion 22 a dome-shape flow regulator 22b is positioned in the aperture. The aperture itself is defined by a circumferential pouring lip 22c.

Referring now to Figures 16 to 18, the inner part 25 is shown in more detail. The inner part 25 is generally cup-shape with a cylindrical side wall 25a closed at one end by a top plate 25b.

The interior surface of the open end of the cylindrical side wall 25a includes a continuous series of ratchet teeth 25c which engage the ratchet teeth 23 on the main body portion 22.

The exterior of the cylindrical side wall 25a includes two inclined side ramps 26. At the start of each inclined side ramp 26 is a locking step 26a, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.

The cylindrical side wall 25a also comprises a pair of ratchet members 27a, 27b adjacent the top plate 25b.

The exterior surface of the cylindrical side wall 25a also comprises a circumferential bead 25d, the purpose of which will be described in more detail below.

The top plate 25b comprises a pair of opposing arcuate ramps 28a, 28b each of which terminates with a locking recess 29a, 29b. Referring now to Figures 19 & 20, the outer part 30 is shown in more detail.

The outer part 30 is generally cup-shape and comprises a cylindrical side wall 30a and a top plate 30b. The exterior of the outer part 30 comprises a plurality of knurls 30c which help to lock the cup-shape second shell part 37 and to prevent relative rotation.

The interior of the cylindrical side wall 30a comprises a circumferential bead 3 1 for preventing the outer part 30 being lifted off the inner part by engagement with the corresponding bead 25d. The interior of the cylindrical side wall 30a also comprises a pair of drive dogs 32 which engage in the inclined side ramps 26 of the inner part 25 and ride up them as the outer part 30 is rotated relative to the inner part 25. The interior of the cylindrical side wall 30a also comprises a pair of diametrically opposed ratchet arrangements 33a, 33b designed and positioned to run over and lock onto the corresponding ratchet arrangements 27a, 27b on the inner part 25 to prevent counter rotation. The underside of the top plate 30b includes a pair of drive dogs 34a, 34b each of which comprises a main body 38a, 38b and a locking tooth 39a, 39b.

The operation of the gap-generating closure 10 will now be described in more detail. Initially the main body 20 is locked onto the container neck 15 by the ribs 21 b to prevent axial and rotational movement. The inner part 25 cannot rotate relative to the main body 20 by virtue of the ratchets 23, 25c. The cup-shape second shell part 37 cannot rotate relative to the outer part 30 by virtue of the knurls 30c. The outer part 30 cannot be lifted off the inner part 25 by virtue of the locking beads 25d, 3 I and by virtue of the drive dogs 32 engaging under the steps 26a.

The cup-shape second shell part 37 is grasped by a user and turned. This causes the outer part 30 to rotate relative to the inner part 25. The drive dogs 32 in the outer part rise up the inclined side ramps 26 in the inner part 25 and the drive dogs 34a rise up the ramps 28a, 29a. The ratchets 33a, 33b pass over the ratchets 27a, 27b.

The outer part 30 is caused to rise, in this example by 2mm. At this point continued rotation causes the locking teeth 39a, 39b to drop into the locking recesses 29a, 29b. In addition, the ratchets 33a, 33b have rotated beyond the ratchets 27a, 27b. The inner part 25 drops back down, in this example by 0.5mm. Continued rotation of the outer part 30 relative to the inner part 25 is not possible because the drive dogs 32 abut against the end of the inclined side ramps 26 and the drive dogs 34a, 34b abut against the end of the ramps 28a, 28b. In this second position the open end of the outer part 30 has moved axially away from the open end of the inner part 25 to expose the free end of the cylindrical side wall 25a.

Continued rotation of the cap-like first portion (inner part 25, outer part 30 and the cup- shape second shell part 37) overcomes the torque required to allow the ratchets 25c to pass over the ratchets 23 which causes the inner part 25 to rotate relative to the main body 20. The internal screw threads 25e on the inner part 25 rise up the external screw threads 22a of the main body 20.

The cap-like first portion (inner part 25, outer part 30 and the cup-shape second shell part 37) can now be lifted off the main body 20 to allow the contents of the container to be dispensed.

The contents are dispensed through the valve housing 55. The valve 65 lifts off the seat 60 as the container is upturned and contents flow out. The valve 65 re-seals against the seat 60 under the weight of the ball 70 when the container is returned to an upright position. This prevents re-filling of the container.

When the cap-like first portion (inner part 25, outer part 30 and the cup-shape second shell part 37) is returned the inner part 25 is screwed back onto the body 20. The inner part 25 screws back down to its original position, but the outer part 30 cannot because it is locked in position both by the axial locking means provided by the drive dogs 34a, 34b and the lateral locking means provided by the ratchets 33a, 33b and 27a, 27b. This means that the gap G is formed between the first and second shell parts 36, 37 with the bottom of the inner part 25 visible through it. This irreversible opening event provides visual evidence that the closure 10 has been opened at least once. The gap G cannot be closed without destroying the closure 10. Because the gap G between the first and second shell parts 36, 37 is not generated by placing an obstruction directly between them, it is not possible to close the gap G by a simple cutting operation. By providing the dual axial and lateral ratchet arrangements, re-setting the closure 10 back to its original position to close the gap G is prevented. In an alternative example (not shown) a similar closure 10 is provided with just an axial ratchet arrangement. A similar closure 10 may also have an alternative valve or pourer arrangement. A tamper-evident closure according to the first arrangement of Figures 3 to 6, the second arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 or the third arrangement of Figures 9 & 10 may therefore include a first portion including an inner part and an outer part, a second portion, and a locking mechanism, the first portion removably engaged with the second portion; and the outer part movable relative to the inner part upon first opening of the tamper-evident closure from a first position in which the first shell part is adjacent the second shell part in an axial direction of the tamper-evident closure to a second position in which the first shell part is spaced from the second shell part in the axial direction of the tamper-evident closure, to generate a gap between the first shell part and the second shell part, the locking mechanism configured to lock the outer part in the second position to maintain the gap between the first shell part and the second shell part.

The gap may be an unobstructed gap.

The first portion may be removably engaged with the second portion by a screw-thread arrangement.

The first and second shell parts may be initially joined by a plurality of frangible bridges which will break if either: i) the second shell part is rotated before initial opening; or ii) an attempt is made to pull the removable cap-portion off without unscrewing. These frangible bridges therefore serve as an additional tamper-evident feature. It is to be appreciated that a tamper-evident closure may comprise a combination of a multisection tamper-evident member as described herein (Figures 3 to 6) and a tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement as described herein (Figures 7 & 8; Figures 9 & 1 0). The tamper-evident closure may include a gap-generating mechanism, and may include further tamper-evident features not specifically described herein.

According to an arrangement of a tamper-evident closure, the tamper-evident closure comprises at least one multi-section tamper-evident member as described herein (with reference to Figures 3 to 6) and at least one co-operating opening and protrusion as described herein (with reference to Figures 7 & 8). The tamper-evident closure may be a gap-generating or a non-gap-generating closure.

A container having a neck provided with a tamper-evident closure according to the first arrangement of Figures 3 to 6, the second arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 or the third arrangement of Figures 9 & 1 0 is also provided by the present invention.

A container having a neck provided with a tamper-evident closure comprising two or more of the multi-section tamper-evident member of the first arrangement of Figures 3 to 6, the tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement the second arrangement of Figures 7 & 8 and the tamper-evident tear band engagement arrangement of the third arrangement of Figures 9 & 1 0 is also provided by the present invention.

The container may be a bottle. The bottle may be a glass bottle. The glass bottle may be a spirits bottle.

Although illustrative embodiments and example of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment and examples shown and/or described and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.