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Title:
A TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2009/141581
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A tamper-evident closure (110) for alpha container (120) is provided. The closure comprising a body part (175) attachable to a container and a cap part (135) having inner (165) and outer (160) parts, the outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position to a second position in which a gap (G) is formed in the closure and in which the inner and outer cap parts become irreversibly locked so that the gap cannot be closed, in which the inner part includes locking means (174) for preventing movement relative to the body, and in which the outer part holds the locking means in a locked position when in the first position and until it reaches the second position and thereafter the locking means are released so that the inner part can move relative to the body part.

Inventors:
SKELTON STEVEN ANDREW (GB)
MCPHERSON ALEXANDER DONALD MEICKLEM (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2009/001213
Publication Date:
November 26, 2009
Filing Date:
May 15, 2009
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
OBRIST CLOSURES SWITZERLAND (CH)
SKELTON STEVEN ANDREW (GB)
MCPHERSON ALEXANDER DONALD MEICKLEM (GB)
International Classes:
B65D49/06; B65D55/02
Domestic Patent References:
WO2005049443A12005-06-02
WO2006117505A12006-11-09
Foreign References:
GB2302867A1997-02-05
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GREENWOOD, Matthew (Shelley John Amor, Greenwood LLP,7 Gay Street, Bath BA1 2PH, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A tαmper-evident closure for α container, the closure comprising a body part attachable to a container and a cap part having inner and outer parts, the outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position to a second position in which a gap is formed in the closure and in which the inner and outer cap parts become irreversibly locked so that the gap cannot be closed, in which the inner part includes locking means for preventing movement relative to the body, and in which the outer part holds the locking means in a locked position when in the first position and until it reaches the second position and thereafter the locking means are released so that the inner part can move relative to the body part.

2. A closure as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the gap is unobstructed.

3. A closure as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which in the second position a portion of the inner part is visible through the gap.

4. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the locking means comprise one or more clips.

5. A closure as claimed in Claim 4, in which the body comprises one or more slots for releasably receiving one or more respective clips.

6. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure further comprises a shell.

7. A closure as claimed in Claim 6, in which the gap is formed in the shell.

8. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the body part is formed from polycarbonate.

9. A closure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the closure further comprises a non-return valve.

10. In combination a closure according to any preceding claim and a container.

Description:

A TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURE

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.

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.

A particularly useful method of providing tamper-evidence is to use a system in which a closure is initially located info a first position, but once removed can only be returned to a second position which is visually distinct from the first position. For example, US 5, 738, 231 describes a closure with a part which is moved during the opening process so that following opening it cannot pass back over a projection on the container finish. The result is that the closure can only return to a position in which it is axially displaced with respect to its original position. Document WO 02/096771 describes a closure with a first portion with inner and outer parts, and a second portion. Initially a section of the inner part of the first portion protrudes below the level if the second portion which is formed so as to have a reduced circumference. When the first portion is removed the section of the inner part is pulled from under the area of reduced circumference on the second portion. After removal the inner part of the first portion and the area of reduced circumference on the second portion retain their original dimensions,- so that if the first portion is reapplied the inner part can no longer pass under the area of reduced circumference.

The present invention provides a tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising a body part attachable to a container and a cap part having inner and outer parts, the outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position to a second position in which a gap is formed in the closure and in which the inner and outer cap parts become irreversibly locked so that the gap cannot be closed, in which the inner part includes locking means for preventing movement relative to the body, and in which the outer part holds the locking means in a locked position when in the first position and until it reaches the second position and thereafter the locking means are released so that the inner part can move relative to the body part.

If the inner part can move relative to the body before the outer part has reached its second position (to generate the gap) there is a risk that the closure could be returned to a closed position without the gap having been generated. The present invention seeks to prevent this.

The gap may be unobstructed. The closure thereby does not rely on an obstructing member becoming trapped to form the gap. By forming an unobstructed gap it is not possible to defeat the tamper-evidence by a simple cutting operation.

In the second position a portion of the inner cap part may visible through the gap. The inner part may include a portion which extends beyond the outer part towards the body part in the second position. The portion may or may not be an obstruction member, and may or may not be required for formation of the unobstructed gap. The portion could be, for example, a brightly coloured band to accentuate the presence of the gap.

The locking means may comprise one or more clips. The body may comprise one or more slots for releasably receiving one or more respective clips.

The closure may further comprise a shell. A metal shell, cowl or the like may be provided to house the working components. Conveniently, the gap may be formed in the shell. A frangible line may be provided in the shell, the gap being formed between adjacent peripheries of two shell parts along which the line extends.

The body part may be formed from polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is extremely robust and resistant to breakage.

The closure may further comprise a non-return valve. Certain industries, in particular the spirits industry, demand additional measures to prevent tampering. In-bore fitments such as non-return fitments are often fitted to containers to prevent re-filling regardless of other tamper-evidence measures.

The cap part may include a ratchet arrangement for locking the inner and outer parts in the second position. A ratchet arrangement is a simple and efficient method of irreversibly locking the inner and outer parts together. Advdnfageously the locking means which initially hold the inner part on the body may subsequently prevent, or help prevent, the outer part returning to the first position.

The body part may include formations, such as screw threads, for engagement on the container or in-bore fitment as appropriate. In - such cases the cap ratchet arrangement or other locking .mechanism may be located above the formations so as to increase the difficulty in accessing and tampering with the locking arrangement.

The present invention also provides in combination a closure as described herein and a container.

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a closure formed according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a section of the closure of Figure 1 applied to a bottle neck finish and shown in an unopened position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an inner closure component forming part of the closure of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a body part covered by a lower shell component and shown with a cap inner part attached;

Figure 5 is an underplan perspective view of the cap inner part of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the closure components of Figure 4 shown with the inner part removed;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a body part; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an outer cap part;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a float valve forming part off a non-return valve arrangement;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a basket part forming part of a non-return valve arrangement; Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a container neck finish onto which a closure according to the present invention can be applied; and Figure 12 is a section of the closure of Figure 2 shown following an initial opening operation.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3 there is shown a closure generally indicated 1 10. The closure 1 10 comprises an outer shell component 155 and an inner working component

The inner working component 130 comprises α cap part 135 with inner 160 and outer

165 parts and a non-return fitment 100 having a body part 135 with a ball 200, a float valve 186 and a basket part 190.

In this embodiment the closure 1 10 forms part of a tamper-evident arrangement for a container 120 having a neck 121 with an associated snap-on non-return fitment.

The components of the tamper-evident arrangement will now be described in more detail.

The closure shell 155 is a metal closure of the well-known "roll-on pilfer-proof" type. The shell 155 comprises a disk shape top plate 156 with a side wall 157 depending from its periphery. The shell 155 includes upper 155a and lower 155b sections. The shape of the side wall 157 is determined at least in part after the shell is applied because a series of rollers and cutters are used to form a frangible line 159 and first 158a and second 158b rolled-in regions, as is described in more detail below.

The inner cap part 165 is shown in Figures 2 to 5 and comprises a disk-shape top plate

166 with a cylindrical skirt 167 depending from its periphery. The upper part 167a of the surface of the skirt 167 includes screw threads 168 for engaging the threads 161 of the outer part: The inner surface of the skirt 167 includes screw threads 169 for engaging corresponding threads on the body part 175. Below the thread start of the external screw thread 168 is a pair of diametrically opposed clips 174 formed in windows 174a. The clips 174can hinge within the windows 174a between a locked position shown in Figure 2 to an unlocked position shown in Figure 12.

The fop plate 166 is surrounded by an annular upturned flap 170. The skirt 167 includes an annular extension portion 171 below an annular flange 172 at the lower end of the skirt 167.

As shown best in Figure 2, an annular plug band 173 depends from the inner surface of the top plate 166 and is adapted to engage in the body part 175.

The outer cap part 160 is shown in Figure 8 and comprises a tubular body part. The inner surface of the part 160 includes screw threads 161 , The inner surface also includes a ratchet step 163 formed by a band of thicker material at one end. The outer surface includes an annular groove 164 which is used to hold the part 160 in the shell 155 by virtue of a first crimped-in region 158 of the shell 155 (see Figures 1 and 2).

The body part 175 Is shown in Figures 6 and 7 and comprises a generally frusto-conica! hollow body with an upper thread-bearing portion ] 76 having external screw threads 177 for engaging the internal screw threads 169 on the inner part 165. Within the thread bearing portion 176 is positioned a dome-shape flow regulator 178. The regulator 178 is attached by three axial spokes 179 to the inner wall of the portion 176 to provide a flow path around the regulator 178.

A ball chamber 180 depends from the portion 176 and is sized to accommodate the ball 200 in such a way that it can move freely. The outer surface of the ball chamber 180 includes the ratchet tooth 180a for engaging the ratchet tooth 174a of the liner part 165.

A basket-retaining part 181 depends from the ball chamber 180. The infernal bore of the basket-retaining part 181 is increased by a step 182. at the bottom of the ball chamber 180. The increased bore is sized to accommodate the basket 190 as described below.

A neck-engaging part 183 depends from the basket retaining part 181. The neck- engaging part 183 begins with an external annular groove 184a which is used to help hold the fitment 175 on the container neck 121 by virtue of the second rolled-in region 158b of the shell.

Below the groove 184a, the internal surface of the part 183 includes a plurality of axial ribs 185 for engaging ribs 125 on the container neck 121 , as described below. The ribs

185 are visible in Figure 7 through a window 186 in the basket-retaining part. An identical window is present diametrically opposite (not shown). The windows 186 are present so that a sharp retention edge 184c can be formed in a moulding production process. The edge 184c provides a very strong connection under the lip 123 of the container neck 121 . Opposite the external groove 184a is an internal step 184b.

Below the threads 177 are two diametrically opposed slots ' 177a positioned to receive the clips 174 so as to lock the inner part to the body part.

The basket part 190 is shown in Figure 10 and includes an annular upper part 191 sized so that it has an interference sealing fit within the basket-retaining part 181 of the pouring part 175. The seal is improved with the presence of a bead 192 approximately half way along the outer surface of the part 191. The internal diameter of the part 190

decreases at the lower end of the upper part 191 with a curved step 193 and continues to form an annular plug part 194 sized to fit sealingly into the infernal bore of the container neck 121. Approximately half way along the external surface of the plug part 194 is a bead 195 for improving the seal against the container neck 121.

At the intersection of the step 193 and the plug part 192 a valve seat comprising a circular groove 194 extends radially inwardly and connects to a non-return valve comprising an upstanding hoop 195 with the three internal spokes 196 forming three generally triangular orifices 197. At the bottom of the annular upper part 191 an inwardly curved sealing member 198 depends. The sealing member 198 can flex upwardly towards the underside of the step 193 and is positioned to seal against the upper surface 122 of the container neck.

Also at the bottom of the annular upper part 191 a circumferential flange 199 extends radially outwards.

The float valve 186 is shown in Figure 9 and comprises a disk-shape top plate 187 with a cylindrical skirt 188 depending from its periphery. The skirt 188 is sized so that its open end fits into the groove 194 of the basket part 190.

The neck finish 121 is shown in Figure 1 1 and comprises an upper lip 123 below which is a lower portion 124 of reduced diameter. The lower portion has a plurality of spaced axial ribs 125 around its periphery. A shoulder emerges from the lower end of the lower portion 124.

The closure 1 10 is assembled as follows.

The ball 200 is placed in the ball chamber 182. The float 186 is placed on the basket 190 and sits in the groove 194. - The upper part 191 of the basket is pushed into the basket-retaining part 181 of the pouring part 175; the insertion extent is limited by the step 182. The inner part 165 is screwed onto the body part 175 using the corresponding screw threads 169, 177. The plug part 173 enters the inner bore of the thread bearing portion 176. The outer part 160 is connected to the inner part by opening the tubular body part at the split line 160a. The part 160 is then fitted around the upper part 167a of the inner part before allowing the part 160 to close with the threads 161 , 168 now engaged and with its lower edge resting on the liner flange 172.

The outer part 160, inner part 165, body part 175, ball 200, float valve 186 and basket part 190 are then added to the container neck 121 by pressing the neck-engaging part 183 of the body part 175 over the lip 123. The plug part 192 of the basket 190 enters the inner bore of the container neck 121 until the sealing member 198 contacts the upper surface 122 of the container neck 121 and the step 184b clips under the lip 123. At this point the ribs 125, 185 on the neck 121 and pouring part 175 engage to prevent relative rotation.

The shell 155 is now added. The shell side wall 157b is initially straight. Following placement over the rest of the tamper-evident arrangement the side wall is crimped into the groove 164 of the outer part and the groove 184 of the pouring part at points 158a and 158b respectively. The ribs 155c are formed on the shell and lock into the ribs 160b on the outer part 160.

A frangible line 159 is created approximately half way. down the side wall 157 by slitting to leave thin bridges (not shown).

The operation of the closure is as follows.

Initially the upper section 155a of the shell 155 is grasped above the frangible line 159 and twisted. The upper section 155a cannot turn relative to the outer part by virtue of the ribs 160b, 155c. The body part 175 cannot turn by virtue of the ribs 125, 185 on the container neck 121 and the neck-engaging part 183. The lower section 155b of the section of shell below the frangible line is firmly connected to the body part by crimped-in region 158b, and also cannot turn. The inner part 165 is prevented from turning relative to the pouring part 175 at this stage because of the interaction of the clips in the slots. Not only do the clips prevent rotation of the inner part in the "unscrewing" direction (anti-clockwise) but they also prevent "over-torquing" i.e. deliberately or accidentally turning the upper part of the closure the wrong way. Over- torque could otherwise cause the screw threads on the inner part to "jump" over the threads on the outer part and allow the inner part to be removed without activating the outer part to cause generation of the gap.

The upper section 155a of the shell turns and the frangible line 159 breaks. The turning of the upper section 155a turns the outer part 160 by virtue of the firm connection provided by the region 158a in the groove 164 and the corresponding ribs.

The outer part 160 continues to rise with the upper shell section 155a until the step 163 passes over the flap 170. The flap 170 prevents the upper-shell section 155a from moving back down by its engagement with the step 163 and the ratchet member 162 prevents relative rotation between the ratchet part 160 and the liner part 165. Because the step 163 and flap 170 are located above the respective screw threads, access to this part of the closure is made difficult. Re-setting of the ratchet arrangement is thereby made more difficult.

The tamper-evident arrangement is now shown in the position shown in Figure 12. A gap (Gl ) is formed in the shell 155 between the upper 155a and lower 155b shell sections. The gap (Gl ) is unobstructed; there is no obstacle at the point of dislocation to prevent closing of the gap (Gl ).

The ' outer part 160 has now passed above the top of the clips, which spring out of the slots. Continued turning of the upper shell section 155a now turns the inner part 165 with respect to the body part 175; again the pouring part 175 remains stationary.

The upper shell section 155a, the outer part 160 and the inner part 165 are then removed to expose the body part 175.

When the upper shell section 155a is replaced and the liner part 165 is screwed back on the pouring part 175, the gap (Gl ) cannot be re-closed because the outer part 160 prevents the upper shell section 155a moving down further than is shown in Figure 12. The flap 174 helps to prevent movement but it will also be noted that the clips, now in their released position, abut the opposite end of the outer part as an additional means of preventing a re-set. It will be noted that the annular extension portion 171 of the inner part 165 is visible through the gap (Gl ) in the position shown in Figure 12.

The non-return fitment 100, of which the pouring part 175 forms part, will be well known to those skilled in the art and its operation will not be described in detail.