The present invention relates generally to a closure and particularly to a tamper- evident closure.

The present invention seeks to provide a higher tamper proof level than existing closures.

In one aspect the present invention provides a tamper-evident container closure, comprising a body and a tamper-evident member frangibly connected to the body for indicating if the closure has been removed from a container, the closure further comprising a locking member for protecting the tamper-evident member.

In some embodiments the present invention functions by protecting the secure ring (for example a tamper-evident drop band, frangibly connected to a closure shell) area of the closure. This is achieved by adding a locking member such as a lock-ring or lock-sleeve, to avoid ease of manipulation of the system.

Some embodiments function by protecting the secure ring area of the closure by adding a lock-ring or lock-sleeve, to avoid ease of manipulation of the system.

In some embodiments the aim is to protect a generic tamper band on the closure by adding an over ring, preventing people from ease of manipulating the closure without evidence.

I The locking member may engage the tamper-evident member and/or the body.

The body comprises a top wall and a sidewall, for example a generally circular top plate with a generally cylindrical skirt depending from the periphery thereof.

The tamper-evident member nay be frangibly connected to the end of the sidewall opposite the top wall. The tamper-evident member may be a tamper-evident band, such as a generally annular drop band.

The locking member may be positioned concentrically around the tamper-evident member. In some embodiments the locking member extends completely (axially) over the tamper-evident member.

The locking member may have one or more windows through which the frangible connection between the body and the tamper-evident member is visible. In some embodiments, for example, the locking member is castellated to provide windows.

The locking member may be non-opaque, for example being translucent or transparent. The tamper-evident member may be connected to the body by a plurality of frangible bridges, which would normally break when the closure is removed from the container for the first time. The locking member may be a separate part which is attached or attachable to the tamper-evident member and/or the body.

In some embodiments the lock-ring or lock-sleeve is an additional part which is formed separately from and assembled onto a closure. In other embodiments the ring/sleeve is formed as an integral part of the closure, for example by sequential moulding or additive manufacturing.

In some embodiments the closure is formed as a carbonated beverage closure. A further aspect provides a tamper-evident closure comprising a shell having a discshape top plate and a cylindrical sidewall depending from the periphery thereof, the closure further comprising a tamper-evident band which is frangibly connected to the free end of the sidewall, the closure further comprising an over ring attached concentrically around the tamper-evident band for preventing manipulation of the band.

The present invention also provides a closure as described herein in combination with a container. The present invention also provides a tamper-proofing locking member for a tamper- evident closure.

Also provided is a locking member, such as a sleeve or ring, for a tamper-evident closure.

Also provided is a closure formed in accordance with the present invention in combination with a container. The present invention provides a closure as shown and described herein.

Optional features of aspects and embodiments of the present invention include:

The lock-ring may be assembled over the tamper band and potentially on part of the closure shell as well.

Assembly or pre-assembly of the lock-ring could be made prior to capping or thanks to a post-capping device. . The lock-ring may be made of a resin that allows some visibility, for example: transparent, translucent or trans-lucid polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

The lock ring may have some windows thanks to which visibility is given and allows to show when bridges of the secure ring have been tampered. The lock ring can significantly increase rigidly of the system and therefore make it more difficult to be manipulated. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

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

Example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Referring first to Figure I there is shown a closure generally indicated 5 fitted onto a container neck 10.

The closure 5 has a disc-shape top plate 1 5 and a generally cylindrical sidewall 20 depending from the periphery of the plate 1 5.

The interior of the sidewall 20 has a screw thread formation 25 for cooperatively engaging a corresponding external screw thread formation 30 on the neck 10. An annular inner seal 35 depends from the top plate 1 5 and seals against the inside face of the neck 10.

At the free end of the sidewall an annular notch 2 1 is provided, the purpose of which is explained below. At the free end of the sidewall (opposite the top plate) an annular tamper-evident drop band 40 is provided. The band 40 is connected to the sidewall 20 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced frangible bridges 45. The band 40 includes an undercut 41 which, when the closure is applied to the neck, engages under a bead I I . When the closure is unscrewed off the neck for the first time the undercut 41 prevents upward axial movement of the band; hence the bridges 45 break and the band is released from the sidewall. The band 40 also includes an annular recess 42 defined by upper 43 and lower 44 annular beads.

Referring now also to Figure 2, a locking ring 50 is provided.

The ring 50 is generally annular, with a castellated upper section 55 providing windows 60. On the interior face of the ring 50, below the section 55 is an annular locking bead 65.

The ring is assembled onto the closure so that the section 55 fits into the sidewall notch 2 1 and the ring bead 65 enters the band recess 42 to secure the ring in position. It will be noted that the frangible bridges 45 are visible through the ring windows 55. When the closure 5 is applied onto the neck 10 the notch prevents upwards axial movement of the ring and the neck transfer bead 1 2 prevents the ring being slid down; in addition the ring is held in place by engagement of the bead 65 in the recess 42.

The ring 50 prevents access to the band 40 and therefore reduces the possibility of accidental or deliberate breakage/manipulation of the bridges/band. When the closure is removed from the neck the band 50 will drop onto the bead 12. In this embodiment the ring is transparent, so the broken away band is clearly visible.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.