Description

The invention relates to a container assembly comprising a container, a cap and a tamper evident seal. The invention also relates to a cap for closing a container and a method for sealing a container. In many applications it is of great importance to maintain and ensure the proper sealing of a container assembly. These applications include packaging of plant protective agents, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food and beverages. If the seal is broken, atmospheric humidity and other forms of contaminants can be introduced into the container and can have a detrimental effect on the product stored in the container. If the pharmaceutical product or a plant protective agent is stored in the container, the efficacy of the product cannot be guaranteed any longer. Further, a broken seal might pose a health risk if the product is intended for human consumption. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to detect a broken seal if the container is not inspected carefully. It is therefore desirable to provide a container assembly which aids consumers or individuals handling the container to easily detect a broken seal.

WO 2007/148993 discloses a tamper evident screw closure involving a reverse thread tamper band. The closure system comprises a cap having a its bottom a tamper band region and a container, each having two thread formations, one below the other, and each of different handedness. The tamper band region of the cap is connected to the rest of the cap by rapturable bridg- es. When rotating the screw cap relative to the container, the tamper band region moves downward while the rest of the cap moves upward, thus, breaking the bridges. The tamper band is then separated from the rest of the cap allowing for easy detection of the broken seal.

US 2008/0164235 A1 discloses a tamper evident closure and container combination, wherein a compromised seal is identified when a severable ring has been detached from a closure upon a first opening of the container. The detachable ring is attached to the annular side wall of the cap by frangible bridge portions. Tabs of the detachable ring engage a surface of the container neck, thus preventing upward movement of the detachable ring. When unscrewing the cap from the container, the connecting bridges break and the ring is detached from the rest the cap.

The tamper evident closure assemblies known in the art provide a tamper evident ring which is separated from the rest of the cap when first opening the container. Unfortunately, a gap between the separated tamper evident ring and the cap can be too small to be easily detected by the consumer or an individual handling the container assembly. Thus, there is a need for a tam- per evident seal, wherein a broken seal can be detected at the first glance.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container assembly, wherein the condition of a tamper evident seal can be detected at a first glance. Accordingly, a container assembly is provided comprising: a container comprising at its open end a first neck portion having a screw thread for re- ceiving a cap and below the first neck portion, a second neck portion, wherein a plurality of tabs or protrusions are arranged on the outer surface of the second neck portion, the tabs or protrusions extending outwards to engage tabs or protrusions of a tamper evident seal; - a cap comprising a threaded part to engage the thread of the container; and a tamper evident seal comprising a seal ring having a plurality of tabs or protrusions arranged on the inner surface of the seal ring to engage the tabs or protrusions of the second neck portion of the container, and a seal strap constructed such that in an assem- bled state the seal strap extends from a first point on the seal ring over the cap to a second point on the seal ring, wherein the seal strap is received by the cap in a form fit connection.

The tabs or protrusions of the second neck portion of the container interact with the tabs of pro- trusions of the seal ring of the tamper evident seal such that in an assembled state the tamper evident seal prevents unscrewing of the cap unless the seal strap is removed from the cap. It is preferred that if the second neck portion of the container is provided with protrusions that the seal ring of the tamper evident seal is provided with tabs and vice versa. The tabs and the protrusions can be constructed such that a screwing operation of the cap is not hindered by the interaction of the tabs and protrusions while unscrewing of the cap is prevented.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tamper evident seal further comprises at least one hook to engage tabs or protrusions of the cap in a snap-fit connection, wherein the at least one hook is detachably connected to the seal ring and the cap further comprises a plurality of tabs or pro- trusion arranged on an inner curved surface of the cap to engage the hooks of the tamper evident seal.

This allows manufacturing the cap, the tamper evident seal and the container as three separate parts. Each part can be made out of a different material and/or can be manufactured using a different method.

Suitable materials for the parts of the container assembly include polyethylene (PE), particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrylbutadienstyrene (ABS), and other thermoplastic polymers. A suitable manufacturing method is for example blowmoulding.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one hook of the tamper evident seal is constructed such that at least one hook breaks when the cap is unscrewed from the container. This breaking of the hook is usually accompanied by an audible clicking noise, indicating that the container is opened for the first time.

In one embodiment of the present invention, one end of the seal strap of the tamper evident seal is detachably connected to the first point on the seal ring and the other end of the seal strap is provided with at least one hook which is constructed to engage a corresponding opening at the second point on the seal ring in a snap-fit connection.

In this embodiment, seal strap and cap are produced as separate parts. The seal strap of the tamper evident seal is connected to the first point on the seal ring by, for example, breakable bridges, while the other end of the seal strap is open. In order to connect the tamper evident seal to the cap, the seal strap is bent aside and the cap is placed onto the tamper evident seal, wherein the hooks of the tamper evident seal engage the protrusions of the cap in a snap-fit connection. After the connecting of the seal ring to the cap the seal strap can be moved over the top of the cap and the at least one hook on the open end of the seal strap can be inserted into the corresponding opening wherein the at least one hook of the seal strap is received in a snap-fit connection.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a part of the seal ring of the tamper evident seal is constructed as a detachable tab and can be detached from the rest of the seal ring and the second point on the seal ring is arranged on the detachable tab.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the detachable tab of the seal ring comprises a strap which can be operated manually to detach the detachable tab from the seal ring.

With the tamper evident seal in place, the cap will resist opening of the container assembly. If the cap is forcefully unscrewed from the container the seal strap will break, indicating that the container assembly has been opened. As the cap of the container assembly cannot be easily unscrewed unless the seal strap is removed from the tab, it is desirable to provide means for a consumer to easily operate the seal strap. This is achieved by providing the detachable tab with the manually operatable strap. The consumer can pull the strap and, thus, easily detach the detachable tab from the rest of the seal ring. As one end of the seal strap is connected to said detachable tab, the seal strap can now be removed from the cap. In one embodiment of the present invention, the detachable tab is connected to the rest of the seal ring by breakable bridges.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the material and/or the color of the tamper evident seal is different from the material and/or the color of the cap.

By choosing a different color for the tamper evident seal than for the cap, the consumer or the person handling the container assembly can detect the presence or non-presence of the seal strap at a first glance. Additionally, it is conceivable to use a different material to manufacture the cap than for manufacturing the tamper evident seal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cap comprises a groove extending from one side of the curved surface over the top surface area to the opposite side of the curved surface to receive the seal strap of the tamper evident seal in a form fit connection.

Said groove receives the seal strap and provides a further connection between the cap and the tamper evident seal in addition to the at least one hook of the tamper evident seal engaging tabs or protrusions of the cap.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the container assembly additionally comprises an induction sealable disk arranged inside the threaded part of the cap. The induction sealable disk is constructed and arranged such that after the container assembly has been closed, the induction sealable disk can be heated by placing the container assembly under an induction coil. By heating the induction sealable disk, the induction sealable disk bonds to a surface of the container, thus, hermetically sealing the product contained in the container.

In another embodiment of the present invention the container assembly further comprises a measuring cup which can be placed onto the cap of the container. By the use of the measuring cap the user can easily prepare an arbitrary amount of the product in liquid or powder form. The measuring cup is conveniently designed to fit over the cap of the container assembly for easy storage.

In a further aspect of the present invention a closure assembly for closing a container is provided, comprising - a cap comprising a threaded part and

a tamper evident seal comprising a seal ring having a plurality of tabs or protrusions arranged on the inner surface of the seal ring and a seal strap which extends from a first point on the seal ring over a top surface of the cap to a second point on the seal ring, wherein the seal strap is received by a groove.

The closure assembly is designed for closing a container as described above. In a further aspect of the invention, a method for sealing a container is provided comprising the steps of: a) providing a container, a tamper evident seal and a cap, wherein the tamper evident seal comprises a seal strap, the first end of which is connected to the seal ring at a first point and the second end of which is open,

b) connecting the cap to a seal ring of the tamper evident seal,

c) closing the seal strap by connecting the open second end to a second point on a seal ring of the tamper evident seal,

d) filling the container with a product, and

e) closing the container by screwing the cap onto the container.

The method is suitable for packaging any liquid or solid product. Further, it is conceivable that method steps a) to c) are performed in the factory where the container assembly is produced and that steps d) and e) are performed at the product packager's site.

In one embodiment of the method the cap is received by the seal ring in a snap-fit connection when connecting the cap to the seal ring according to step b).

In a further embodiment of the method, the open end of the seal strap is received by the tamper evident seal in a snap-fit connection when closing the seals strap according to step c).

In a further embodiment of the method, step a) further comprises providing an induction seal- able disk and the induction sealable disk is placed inside the threaded part of the cap and the induction seal is applied to the container after the container has been closed according to step e).

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-section view of the container assembly in an assembled state, Figure 2a and b show a side-view of the container, Figure 3 shows the cap in a perspective view, Figure 4 shows the cap in top view, Figure 5 shows the cap in a another perspective view,

Figure 6 shows the tamper evident seal in a perspective view,

Figure 7 shows a side-view of the tamper evident seal, Figure 8 shows a cross-section view of the tamper evident seal, Figure 9 shows a cross-section in bottom view of the tamper evident seal, and Figure 10 shows a measuring cup.

In Figure 1 , the container assembly is shown in an assembled state.

Figure 1 shows the container assembly 1 comprising a container 2, a tamper evident seal 6 and a cap 4. As can be seen in the cross section of figure 1 , the container 2 has a first neck portion 10 and a second neck portion 14 arranged below the first neck portion 10. The diameter of the second neck portion 14 is larger than the diameter of the first neck portion 10. A screw thread 12 for receiving the cap 4 is arranged on the first neck portion 10 of the container 2. The cap 4 of the container assembly 1 comprises a threaded part 20 to engage the thread 12 of the container 2. An induction sealable disk 8 is placed inside the threaded part 20 of the cap 4.

The tamper evident seal 6 comprises a seal ring 32 which is arranged below the cap 4. In Figures 2a and b, the container 2 is shown in a side-view.

Figures 2a and b show a container 2, comprising a first neck portion 10 having a screw thread 12 for receiving a cap and below the first neck portion 10 a second neck portion 14, wherein the diameter of the second neck portion 14 is larger than the diameter of the first neck portion 10 and wherein a plurality of protrusions 16 are arranged on the outer surface 18 of the second neck portion 14. The protrusions 16 extend outwards and are constructed to engage tabs of a tamper evident seal ring. The protrusions16 are wedge shaped so that the tabs of a tamper evident seal ring are permitted to slide over the protrusions in one direction and are engaged by the protrusions when moving in the opposite direction. The protrusions and the tabs therefore work like a ratchet, allowing motion in one direction while preventing motion in the opposite direction. In the embodiment shown in figure 2a, the size of the protrusions 16 is varied, while in the embodiment of figure 2b all protrusion are of the same size.

In another embodiment of the container assembly it is conceivable to arrange tabs instead of the protrusions 16 on the outer surface 18 of the second neck portion 14 of the container 2 and correspondingly to arrange protrusions on an inner surface of the seal ring.

In Figure 3, the cap is shown in perspective view. Figure 3 shows the cap 4 having a top surface 26 and a curved side surface 28. A groove 22 for receiving a seal strap is arranged on the cap extending from one side of the curved side surface 28 over the top surface 26 to the opposite side of the curved side surface 28. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, four projections 60 are arranged on the curved side surface 28. By means of the projections 60, the cap 4 can be easily gripped by a person operating the container assembly. In Figure 4, a cap is shown in top view.

Figure 4 shows the cap 4 having a top surface 26 and a curved side surface 28. A groove 22 is arranged on the cap 4 extending from one side of the curved side surface 28 over the top surface 26 to the opposite side of the side surface 28.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, four projections 60 are arranged on the curved side surface 28 of the cap 4.

In Figure 5, a cap is shown in a different perspective view.

In the view of Figure 5, a threaded part 20 which is arranged inside the cap 4 can be seen. The threaded part 20 is constructed such that it engages the thread 12 arranged on the first neck portion 10 of the container 2. A plurality of tabs 24 is arranged on an inner surface 30 of the cap 4. The tabs 24 are constructed to engage at least one hook on a seal ring of the tamper evident seal.

In the perspective shown in Figure 5, a part of the groove 22 to receive a seal strap can be seen on the curved side surface 28 of the cap 4. Further, projections 60 are arranged on the curved side surface 28.

In Figure 6, the tamper evident seal is shown in perspective view.

Figure 6 shows the tamper evident seal 6 having a seal ring 32 and a seal strap 34.

The first end 41 of the seal strap 34 is connected to the seal ring 32 at a first point 40 by an integral joint 59. As an alternative to the integral joint 59 bridges 58 can be used. These bridges 58 form a hinge-joint and allow for a rotational movement of the seal strap as long as the second end 43 of the seal strap 34 is open.

At least one hook 46 is arranged on the seal strap 34 at the second end 43. The at least one hook 46 is constructed to engage corresponding openings 48 arranged on a second point 42. The second point 42 and, thus, the openings 48 are arranged on a detachable tab 50 of the seal ring 32. The detachable tab 50 is connected to the rest of the seal ring 32 by breakable bridges 54. The detachable tab 50 further comprises a strap 52 which can be operated manually. By pulling on the strap 52, a person handling the container assembly can easily detach the detachable tab 50 from the rest of the seal ring 32. The seal ring 32 further comprises at least one hook 44, which is constructed to engage the tabs 24 arranged on the inner surface 30 of the cap 4. The at least one hook 44 is connected to the seal ring 32 by means of breakable bridges 56. On an inner surface 38 of the seal ring 32, a plurality of tabs 36 is arranged. The tabs 36 are constructed to slide over the protrusion 16 arranged on the outer surface of the second neck portion 14 of the container 2 while screwing the cap 4 onto the container 2 and to engage the protrusion 16 when unscrewing the cap 4 from the container 2. In Figure 7, the tamper evident seal 6 is shown in a side view. In the shown embodiment the seal strap 34 of the tamper evident seal 6 is connected to the seal ring 32 at a first point 40 by bridges 58. The at least one hook 44 is connected to the seal ring 32 by means of breakable bridges 56. The at least one hook 44 is constructed to engage corresponding tabs 24 arranged on the inner surface 30 of the cap 4.

In Figure 8, a cross section through the tamper evident seal is shown.

Figure 8 shows the tamper evident seal 6 comprising a seal ring 32 and a seal strap 34. The first end 41 of the seals strap 34 is connected to the seal ring 32 by means of bridges 58 at a first point 40. The bridges 58 form a hinge-joint, which allows for rotational movement of the seal strap 34 as long as the second end 43 of the seal strap 34 is open.

At least one hook 46 is arranged in the second end 43 of the seal strap 34 and is constructed and arranged to engage corresponding openings 48 placed at the second point 42 of the seal ring 32. The hooks 46 of the seals strap 34 engage the openings 48 in a snap-fit connection. The openings 48 and the second point 42 are arranged on a detachable tab 50 of the seal strap 34. A plurality of tabs 36 is arranged on the inner surface 48 of the seal ring 32. The tabs 36 are constructed and arranged to engage corresponding protrusions 16 of the container 2. In Figure 9, the tamper evident seal is shown in top-view.

In the view shown in Figure 9 the tabs 36 of the tamper evident seal 6 can be seen in greater detail. The tabs 36 are arranged on the inside of the seal ring 32. Further it can be seen that the seal strap 34 extends from the first point 40 on the seal ring 32 to the second point 42.

In Figure 10, a measuring cup is shown.

Figure 10 shows a measuring cup 62 with projection 60 which is designed to fit over the cap 4 of the container assembly 1. The measuring cup is preferably made out of a transparent materi- al and comprises markings 64 which allow the user to easily measure a defined amount of a product in liquid or powder form.

In the following the operation of the container assembly is described. In order to close the container assembly of the present invention, a container, a tamper evident seal and a cap are provided. In a first step, the seal strap 34 is opened by rotating the seal strap around the hinge-joint formed by the bridges 58. Next, the cap 4 is connected to the tamper evident seal 6 by placing the cap 4 onto the seal ring 32 so that the hooks 44 of the seal ring 32 engage the tabs 24 of the cap 4. In a third step, the seal strap 34 is closed by inserting the at least one hook 46 into the corresponding openings 48 of the seal ring 32.

In a forth step, the container 2 is filled with a product. The product can be in liquid or in solid form. Next, the container assembly is closed by screwing the cap 4 with the tamper evident seal 6 onto the container 2. Optionally, an induction sealable disk 8 can be placed into the threaded part 20 of the cap 4 before screwing the cap 4 onto the container 2 and the induction seals can be applied after closing the container assembly.

If the container assembly 1 is to be opened, unscrewing of the cap 4 is prevented by the tamper evident seal 6. The seal ring 32 of the tamper evident seal 6 cannot rotate in unscrewing direction due to the interaction of the tabs 36 of the seal ring 32 and the protrusions 16 of the second neck portion 14 of the container 2.

To open the container assembly, the seal strap 34 of the tamper evident seal 6 has to be re- moved first. This can be performed by pulling on the strap 52 of the detachable tab 50. By doing so, the breakable bridges 54 which connect the detachable tab 52 of seal ring 32 break, thus, allowing a rotational movement of the seal strap 34 around the hinge-joint by the bridges 58. Now, the cap 4 can be rotated in unscrewing direction. When the cap 4 is unscrewed, the distance between the cap 4 and the seal ring 32 increases such that the breakable bridges 56, which connect the hooks 44 to the seal ring 32, break with an audible click-noise. The cap 4 is now free of the tamper evident seal 6 and can be completely removed from the container assembly. If the cap 4 is replaced onto the container 2, the broken seal can be recognized by a person handling the container at the first glance because the seal strap 34 is no longer received by the cap 4 in a form fit connection.

List of reference numerals

1 container assembly

2 container

4 cap

6 tamper evident seal

8 induction sealable disc

10 first neck portion

1 1 open end

12 thread

14 second neck portion

16 tabs / protrusions

18 outer surface second neck portion

20 thread

22 groove

24 tabs

26 top surface

28 side surface

30 inner curved surface

32 seal ring

34 seal strap

36 tabs / protrusions

38 inner surface

40 first point

41 first end

42 second point

43 second end

44 hooks

46 hooks (strap)

48 openings

50 detachable segment

52 strap

54 breakable bridges (detachable part)

56 breakable bridges (hooks)

58 bridges (seal strap)

59 integral joint

60 projections

62 measuring cup

64 markings