Technical Field

The invention relates to a tamper evident and child resistant closure for a container, and in particular to a squeeze-and-turn closure for a container, and a container having such a closure.

Background

Known containers for tablets or pills are typically of glass or plastic, and have a plastic cap or closure. The closure must first be removed by a user, for example by squeezing opposing parts of the closure to release internal lugs of the closure, and turning it relative to the container. Such a closure is known as a squeeze-and-tum closure. The container typically has a foil seal that is bonded over an opening of the container to seal the contents therein. The foil seal must be peeled away from the container by the user so that the tablets can be dispensed from the container. Once the foil has been removed from the container, it is discarded. The foil seal maintains the freshness of the contents of the container by acting as a moisture barrier, and also provides an indication of whether the container has been tampered with or not. A problem with the known container and closure is that the requirement for the foil seal adds to the waste, and reduces the overall recyclability of the container and closure. Furthermore, the requirement for the foil seal increases the complexity of the container and closure, and represents a significant additional cost to the mass production of the container and closure. It is also known in the beverage market to provide a bottle and a closure for a drink that does not have a foil seal. For example, it is known from EP2855298 (Aptar Freyung) to provide a dispensing closure for the bottle having a soft drink therein for children. The dispensing closure has a base and a cover that is attached to the base with a hinge. The base is attached to the bottle, and the cover has one push-button on an exterior thereof, which must be pressed inwards to operate a latch before the cover can be hinged to an open position so that the liquid can be dispensed. The button also provides a tamper evident indication of whether the cover has been opened or not because once pressed inwards it retains its deformed shape.

A problem with the arrangements of the known closure from EP2855298 is that it is only suitable for a liquid product within a bottle, and is not suitable for use with tablets or other healthcare or chemical product, at least in part because the cover is readily openable once the button has been pressed inwards. In particular, the known closure from EP2855298 is intended for use by a child or infant, and is not intended to be child resistant. In addition, once the push-button has been pressed inward it does not prevent or inhibit opening of the cover any more. It is also known from US2010320168A (Martin Bull) to provide a child resistant closure. This document relates to a child-resistant squeeze-and-tum closure for a container neck. The closure comprises a body having a side skirt and locking means (i.e. lugs) carried on or by the skirt for releasably locking the closure onto the container neck by means of abutment lugs that engage with the locking means (i.e. lugs). The closure has one or more regions of reduced stiffness in the vicinity of the lugs. A user presses these regions radially inwards, which causes the skirt to “ovalize” so that the lugs are clear of the abutment lugs of the container neck. Rotation of the closure relative to the container neck then unscrews the closure therefrom. Although the closure described in US2010320168A is child resistant, it does not provide means for a tamper evident indication of whether the closure has been opened or not. Therefore, the use of this closure would require a foil seal to provide an indication of whether the container has been tampered with or not.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages of the previously known closures.

Summary

What is required is a tamper evident and child resistant closure which may reduce or minimise at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a squeeze-and-turn closure for a container, the closure comprising a body with a skirt, the closure having one or more internal lugs for inhibiting removal of the closure from the container upon turning of the closure relative to the container, the skirt having one or more portions for pressing to elastically deform the closure to operate the one or more internal lugs for permitting removal of the closure from the container upon turning of the closure relative to the container, wherein the one or more portions also comprise at least one indicator element for providing an indication of tampering upon pressing of the one or more portions. Such a “squeeze-and-tum” closure provides the advantage that it is child resistant or child proof, in the sense that a child is unable to open it and access the container contents, because children naturally lack the skills required to apply a sufficient force in the precise area to disengage the container and closure lugs and at the same time apply a rotation movement to the closure. At the same time, such a closure also provides an indication of tampering or first-time opening in a simple, cost-efficient and environmentally friendly manner, without requiring a foil seal that would be costly to apply, is difficult to remove, and generates unnecessary waste. In particular the closure retains the child resistant feature even after the indicator element has been activated to indicate tampering. It will be understood that the indicator element provides the tamper evidence, and the lugs providing the child resistance such that turning (i.e. screwing onto or unscrewing from) of the closure may be performed repeatedly as required, for example to dispense pills from the container. Such a closure is both tamper-evident and child-resistant, which are particularly important features when medicines such as tablets, or pills or other healthcare/chemical products are within the container.

It will be appreciated that the lugs are for abutment with corresponding parts (i.e. shoulders) of the container or a neck adapter. Such a neck adapter may be used in certain embodiments whereby it fits between the closure and the container. It will be understood that the closure, or neck adapter if used, is open at one end, and upon pressing of the one or more portion the lugs disengage from the container or neck adapter (for example shoulders thereof) thereby allowing turning and removal of the closure. It will also be understood that the internal lugs inhibit removal (i.e. prevent removal) of the closure under the application of a normal force that may be applied by a child. According to a preferred embodiment, the closure is made of plastic. Preferably the plastic is a thermoplastic. Preferably the at least one indicator element retains a deformed shape and/or shows a stress indicator upon pressing of the one or more portions to operate the one or more internal lugs. Such an arrangement provides the advantage that each indicator element visibly permanently deforms upon application of the required force when an attempt is made to unscrew the closure.

It is envisaged that the force required to retain the deformed shape and/or shows a stress indicator may or may not be able to be applied by a child. In this regard two different forces are required, whereby one force is required for permanently deforming and/or shows a stress indicator, and another larger force is required for operating the one or more lugs upon pressing of the one or more portions.

Preferably the stress indicator comprises stress whitening. It will be appreciated that the material whitening may only be noticeable if the closure has a colour other than white. In a preferred embodiment each portion is operable (i.e. upon pressing) in a radially inward direction. Whereas the closure may not necessarily be circular, it will be understood that the radially inward direction is defined relative to the turning movement of the closure. The skirt may have a material thickness of between 0.6mm to 1.0mm, and preferably 0.8mm. Such dimensions may be particularly suited when using a thermoplastic material for the closure. Each indicator element may be defined by, or may comprise, at least one line of reduced material thickness of the closure compared to the adjacent material thickness of the closure. Such a line defines a weakened part of the closure and helps retaining of the deformed shape and/or show stress whitening. The line may be on the skirt of the closure, or on the neck adapter.

Preferably the at least one line is a perimetral line of reduced material thickness around each indicator element. A material thickness of the at least one line may be between 0.2mm to 0.4mm, and preferably 0.3mm. Such dimensions may be particularly suited when using a thermoplastic material for the closure.

In one embodiment the at least one line defining or comprising each indicator element has a star-like shape. Preferably the star-like shape has a central part surrounded by a plurality of petals that extend radially from the central part. The central part may be any suitable shape such as a circle, a square, or other polygon such as a pentagon, a hexagon or an octagon. Preferably the central part is circular. Preferably there are between two and ten petals. Preferably there are four or eight petals.

Such a shape and/or configuration for the indicator element provides the advantage of promoting the deformation and/or whitening of each indicator element (i.e. promotes collapse thereof), and also assists with retaining the deformed shape once pressed. It will be appreciated that the thickness of material defining the star-like shape is reduced compared to the rest of the skirt of the closure, and for example, the material between the central part and each petal is also reduced to operate as a living hinge and to assist with retaining of the deformed shape or whitening of each indicator element.

Preferably the closure has two diametrically opposed portions for pressing. Such an arrangement provides the advantage that the two portions can be gripped between a thumb and a finger and then pressed radially inward.

Preferably the closure comprises two diametrically opposed lugs. Preferably the two diametrically opposed lugs are on a first diameter of the closure, and the two diametrically opposed portions for pressing are on a second diameter of the closure, wherein the first and second diameters are perpendicular to each other. Preferably each portion has a respective indicator element. Such arrangements provides an advantageous configuration for the closure.

In a preferred embodiment the closure comprises a screw thread. Such a screw thread is for screwing or unscrewing the closure to a container or a neck adapter, and may be an alternative to, for example, a bayonet attachment.

Preferably the closure comprises an internal bore seal. Such a seal is for sealing the closure to an opening of a container or a neck adapter to maintain the freshness of the contents of the container. In a preferred embodiment the one or more lugs are provide on an internal wall of the skirt. In one embodiment the closure further includes a neck adapter for securing to a container such that the closure cooperates with the neck adapter, wherein the neck adaptor comprises one or more shoulders for abutment with the one or more lugs for inhibiting removal of the closure from the neck adapter upon turning of the closure relative to the neck adapter. Use of such a neck adapter provides the closure in two parts, whereby the closure lugs disengage from the neck shoulders upon pressing of the one or more portions thereby allowing unscrewing of the closure from the neck adapter. Use of such a neck adapter may also provide manufacturing advantages whereby is possible to separate the manufacture of the two parts, which may provide the advantage of using different materials for the two parts, and/or provide the one or more lugs and/or the one or more portions on the neck adapter.

In one embodiment the neck adapter comprises the skirt with the one or more portions. In one embodiment the neck adapter comprises the at least one indicator element. In such arrangements the neck adapter may be provided with the tamper evident feature with the deformable portion, and/or the at least one indicator element to provide the child resistant feature.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container including the closure according to the first aspect of the invention. In one embodiment, the container comprising one or more shoulders for abutment with the one or more lugs of the closure for inhibiting removal of the closure from the container upon turning of the closure relative thereto.

In another embodiment the container further includes a neck adapter secured to said container such that the closure cooperates with the neck adapter, the neck adapter comprising one or more shoulders for abutment with the one or more lugs of the closure for inhibiting removal of the closure from the neck adapter upon turning of the closure relative to the neck adapter. Use of such a neck adapter provides the closure in two parts, whereby the closure lugs disengage from the neck shoulders upon pressing of the one or more portions thereby allowing unscrewing of the closure from the neck adapter. Use of such a neck adapter may also provide manufacturing advantages whereby is possible to separate the manufacture of the two parts, which may provide the advantage of using different materials for the two parts, and/or provide the one or more lugs and/or the one or more portions on the neck adapter.

In one embodiment the neck adapter comprises the skirt with the one or more portions. In one embodiment the neck adapter comprises the at least one indicator element.

According to an alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a squeeze- and-turn closure for a container that is tamper-evident and child-resistant, the closure provided as one part or with a neck adapter, the closure having at least one press portion, and one or more internal lugs for preventing removal of the closure from a container or a neck adapter by abutment of said lugs against other lugs on a container or a neck adapter, the at least one press portion being such that a force is required to be applied to elastically deform the closure to disengage the one or more lugs to permit removal of the closure from a container or a neck adapter upon pressing of the at least one pressing portion to apply said force, wherein the closure is also configured to provide a visible indication of application of the force.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a squeeze-and-tum closure and a neck adapter for a container, the closure comprising a body with a skirt, the closure having one or more internal lugs for inhibiting removal of the closure from the neck adapter upon turning of the closure relative to the neck adapter, the skirt having one or more portions for pressing to elastically deform the closure to operate the one or more internal lugs for permitting removal of the closure from the neck adapter upon turning of the closure relative to the container, wherein the one or more portions also comprise at least one indicator element for providing an indication of tampering upon pressing of the one or more portions.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a squeeze-and-tum closure for a container that is tamper-evident and child-resistant, the closure having one or more internal lugs for inhibiting removal of the closure from the container upon turning of the closure relative to the container, the skirt having one or more portions for pressing by applying a first force to elastically deform the closure to operate the one or more internal lugs for permitting removal of the closure from the container upon turning of the closure relative to the container, wherein the one or more portions also retain a deformed shape and/or shows a stress indicator upon pressing thereof with a second force to provide an indication of tampering, wherein the second force is less than the first force.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a ‘squeeze and turn’ closure for closing a container, the closure comprising: an internal screw thread for screwing the closure to said container; internal lugs for preventing unscrewing of the closure from the container by abutment of said lugs against other lugs on a container outer wall; and an area upon which a force must be applied to elastically deform the closure such that the closure lugs disengage from the container lugs, thereby allowing unscrewing of the closure from the container; wherein said area is configured to visibly permanently deform upon application of a force on said area greater than a minimum force required to visibly permanently deform said area in an attempt at unscrewing the closure from the container; and wherein the minimum force required to visibly permanently deform said area is less than the minimum force required to elastically deform the closure such that the closure lugs disengage from the container lugs.

Any preferred or optional features of one aspect or characterisation of the invention may be a preferred or optional feature of other aspects or characterisations of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exterior of a container with a closure according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an exterior of a closure according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an exterior of a closure according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an interior of the closure of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows a perspective cross section showing an interior of the closure according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an interior of a closure of Figure 5 in a first condition;

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the closure of Figure 6 in a second condition; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a neck adapter and a closure according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an exterior of a container 10 with a closure 12 according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 14. The closure 12 has a button 16 that is required to be pushed radially inwards as well as squeezed radially inwards so that the closure 12 can be unscrewed from the container 10. The button 16 may alternatively be termed a portion, a region or an area. The button 16 retains a visibly deformed shape once pressed inwards (i.e. radially inwards) and provides evidence of tampering to the ‘squeeze and turn’ closure (i.e. such pressing inwards indicating that at least an attempt at opening of the closure has been made). As such the button 16 has an indicator element. The container 10 and the closure 12 are injection moulded from a thermoplastic (e.g. polypropylene or polypropylene), and are provided as two separable parts such that the closure 12 can be unscrewed and fully removed from the container 10.

The button 16 is part of the closure 12 and is formed with the closure 12 during manufacture so that it is connected thereto by a weakened or relatively thinner plastic line around the button 16. The thickness of the plastic around the button 16 is about 0.3mm (i.e. between 0.2mm to 0.4mm), and the thickness of the wall of the closure 12 is about 0.8mm (i.e. between 0.6mm to 1.0mm). The relatively thin wall of 0.3mm promotes stress whitening or deforming of the plastic around the button 16 when it is pressed inward because the plastic around the button 16 is stretched beyond its maximum tensile strength. The whitening and deformation of the plastic provides a further indication of tampering. As such the whitening also comprises the indicator element mentioned above. The button 16 in this embodiment is circular and about 1.5cm in diameter. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an exterior of a closure 12 according to another embodiment of the invention. In Figure 2 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. Figure 2 shows a region 18 around the button 16, which draws the user’s attention to the button 16. The region 18 has the same thickness as the wall of the closure 12 (i.e. about 0.8mm), and may be of a different colour to the button 16 and/or the wall of the closure to draw the user’s attention the button 16. The different colour may be provided by, for example, a sticker or a different coloured plastic.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an exterior of a closure 12 according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an interior of the closure 12 shown in Figure 3. In Figures 3 and 4 like features to the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2 are shown with like reference numerals. Figure 3 shows the region 18 on the exterior of the closure 12, which is also around the button 16 on an interior of the closure 12 as shown in Figure 4. In Figure 3 the button 16 is not visible on the exterior of the closure 12, and the region 18 draws the user’s attention to the button 16. In Figure 3 the surface of the exterior of the closure 12 is uniform (i.e. the areas of the closure inside and outside of the region 18 are flush with each other).

Figure 4 shows that the button 16 has a star-like configuration comprising a central circular part 19 which is surrounded by eight flaps or petals 20 that extend radially from the central circular part 19. The plastic between the central circular part 19 and the eight petals 20 has a thickness of about 0.3 mm as mentioned above, and operates as a membrane or “living hinge” to assist operation of the button 16. The star-like configuration of the button 16 promotes collapse thereof, and also assists with retaining the deformed shape once pressed. Whereas the button 16, the central circular part 19, and the flaps 20 are shown to have a generally circular shape, it will be appreciated that the deformable area of the button 16 may have various alternative configurations, for example, a square or circle with four flaps 20. The button 16 is recessed on an internal surface of the closure 12 such that the button 16 (e.g. the petals 20) may have a thickness of about 0.5mm to 0.6mm.

Also shown in Figure 4 is a ramped surface 24 and a stop 22 on an interior of the closure 12 that act on parts of the container 10, or a separate neck adapter (discussed below). The ramped surface 24 and the stop 22 are according to known arrangements, and provide the closure with a stop relative to the container so that the closure 12 cannot be overtightened. Typically there would be two of the items 22, 24 on diametrically opposing sides of the closure 12.

Figure 5 shows a perspective cross section of an interior of a closure 12 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 5 like features to the arrangements of Figures 1 to 4 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 5 the closure 12 is shown to have an internal bore seal 28 to seal the closure 12 to an opening of the container 10, or a neck adapter (discussed below), according to known arrangements. The closure has a screw thread 29 for screwing and unscrewing the closure 12 to an opening of the container 10, or a neck adapter (discussed below), according to known arrangements. It will be understood that the closure 12 is rotationally attached to the container 10, or neck adapter, in the closed position. The closure 12 may also have a taper angle of about 3° from vertical, which is an angle of a wall 23 thereof from a base thereof, so that it can be more easily removed from the mould during manufacture of the closure 12. The taper angle of about 3° may be different, or may not be present in which case the wall 23 would be substantially vertical. Also shown in Figure 5 is the ramped surface 24 and the stop 22. Whereas only one ramped surface 24 and stop 22 are shown in Figure 5 there would typically be two of each of the ramped surface 24 and the stop 22 on opposing sides along the diameter of the closure 12. Only one of the items 22, 24 is shown in Figure 5 because the cross section of Figure 5 is not exactly on the diameter of the closure 12.

Also shown in Figure 5 is a lug 30 of the closure 12, which engages (i.e. abuts) a corresponding part of the container, or neck adapter 40 (see Figures 8 and 9 discussed below). Whereas only one lug 30 is shown in Figure 5 there would typically be two lugs 30 on opposing sides along the diameter of the closure 12, each lug 30 engaging a corresponding shoulder. When the buttons 16 are squeezed radially inwards by the user, the lugs 30 move radially outwards and provide the closure 12 with the child resistant ‘squeeze and turn’ operability to permit removal of the closure 12 from the container 10, whilst also providing the tamper evident indication (i.e. due to the deformation of the buttons 16) of any prior attempt at opening the container. The lugs 30 are on a skirt of the closure 12, which is a lower part of the wall 23 of the closure 12. Referring back to Figure 4, one of the lugs 30 can also be seen on the skirt of the closure 12. It will be appreciated that the closure 12 comprises a body, which is open at one end thereof. The body has a top plate and the wall 23 is a side skirt of the closure 12 which depends from the top plate. The lugs 30 are on an internal part of the wall 23 and cooperate with corresponding parts of the container 10 or neck adapter 40 (discussed below). The corresponding parts of the container 10 or neck adapter 40 may be termed shoulders. Figure 6 shows a perspective view showing an interior of the closure 12 of Figure 5 in a first condition. In Figure 6 like features to the arrangements of Figure 5 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 6 the closure 12 is shown upside-down and the two lugs 30 can be seen on an interior sidewall of the closure 12. The lugs 30 are shown to comprise a wedge shape on the interior of the closure 12, but it will be appreciated that the lugs 30 may be any suitable shape with the proviso that they are sufficiently strong to withstand removal of the closure 12 without moving opposing parts of the skirt of the closure radially inwards. It will be seen from Figure 6 that the button 16 is shown in an inactivated first condition whereby the central circular part 19 and petals 20 are not yet deformed.

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the closure 12 of Figure 6 in a second condition. In Figure 7 like features to the arrangements of Figure 6 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 7 the buttons 16 are shown in an activated second condition whereby the central circular part 19 and petals 20 of each button have been deformed by pressing thereof.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a container 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 8 two recesses 32 are shown on diametrically opposed sides of a mouth of the container 10. Each recess 32 is for receiving a respective lug 30 of the closure 12. Whereas recesses 32 are shown in Figure 8 it will be appreciated that alternatively two shoulders may be used for abutment with the respective lugs 30. The recesses 32 or shoulders are the “corresponding part(s)” of the container 10 mentioned above with reference to Figure 5. Also shown in Figure 8 is a screw thread 34, a neck ramp 36, and a stop 38 to cooperate with parts of the closure 12 shown in Figures 4 to 7. It will be appreciated that the features of the container 10 shown in Figure 8 are blown together during moulding thereof. With such an arrangement the closure 12 screws directly onto the container 10 such that there are only two parts.

The above embodiments primarily discuss the use of the closure 12 which is screwed directly onto an opening of the container 10. It is also envisage that a neck adapter 40 may also be used between the closure 12 and the container 10 as shown with reference to Figure 9, which is a perspective view of the neck adapter 40 and a separate closure 12 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 9 the neck adapter 40 is secured to the container 10 and the closure 12 screws onto an opening of the neck adapter 40. When a neck adapter 40 is used the features of the above embodiments may be used as if the neck adapter 40 was the container 10. With such an arrangement there are three parts (i.e. the container 10, the neck adapter 40, and the container 10). Alternatively, the features of the above embodiments may be used such that they are on the neck adapter 40, for example, the buttons 16 and/or the lugs 30 may be provided on the neck adapter 40. With such an arrangement the recess 32 may be provided in the region 42 of the neck adapted 40 as shown in Figure 9, and a skirt of the neck adapter 40 is arranged to “ovalise” when the buttons 16 are squeezed so that the lugs 30 move clear of corresponding parts of the closure 12 to allow the closure 12 to be removed from the neck adapter 40. It will be understood that with such an arrangement the internal bore seal 28 is provided on the closure 12 to seal it to the neck adapter 40. Furthermore, the screw thread 29 is provided on the closure 12 for screwing and unscrewing the closure 12 to the neck adapter 40. In the above embodiments, whereas a star-like configuration of the button 16 is shown with the central circular part 19 surrounded by petals 20, it will be understood that the button or area 16 may comprise any suitable shape or configuration depending on, for example, the diameter and taper of the closure 12 and/or whether the closure 12 is to cooperate directly with the container 10 or to a secondary injection moulded bottle ‘neck adaptor’ of the container 10. The suitable shape or configuration of the closure 12 and the region 16 may be determined following Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA).

The above embodiments of the invention maintain freshness of the contents of the container 10 when the closure 12 is in situ, and avoid the requirement for a foil seal because of the bore seal 28, which reduces manufacturing costs and reduces waste. Furthermore, the button 16 provides an indication of whether the container has been tampered with or not, and the incorporation of this feature together with the child resistant ‘squeeze and turn’ features provides a significant advantage over the known closures. Such arrangements are particularly important when tablets or pills or other healthcare/chemical products (i.e. non-liquids) are within the container. It will be appreciated that with such squeeze-and-tum arrangement, the closure 12 is rotatable relative to the container, or neck adapter 40, and is also fully removable from the container, or neck adapter 40. Furthermore, the button 16 of the closure 12 is firstly permanently deformable inwards and then continued pressing of the button 16 operates the lugs 30 by elastically deforming the skirt (e.g. ovalising thereof) so that the closure 12 can be removed from the container, or neck adapter 40. In some of the above embodiments only one button 16 is shown. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the closure 12 may have two buttons 16 which are diametrically opposed on opposing external sides of the closure 12. Such an arrangement may assist with squeezing and turning of the closure 12 to remove it from the container 10. Such an arrangement may have two opposing lugs 30 that act on corresponding parts of the container 10, or neck adapter 40.

The closure 12 and the neck adapter 40 are made by injection moulding using a thermoplastic such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Such materials would typically be used for the entire closure 12 and/or neck, although other materials such as a high density polyethylene and/or a different thermoplastic elastomers may be used for certain parts of the closure 12 and/or the neck adapter 40.

The features of the above embodiments relate to a deformable region (i.e. one or more buttons 16) that can retain a deformed shape to indicate tampering, which is combined with a squeeze-and-tum operability of the closure 12, whereby the closure 12 may be fitted directly to the container 10 or may be used with the neck adapter 40. The neck adapter 40 may be alternatively termed a neck connecter. It will be appreciated that whereas the prior art shows a deformable skirt it does not have a permanently deformable portion as per the above embodiments of the invention and under normal use of the closure when a normal force applied to it (i.e. hand force). The deformable skirt of the prior art would of course be permanently deformable if a sufficiently large force was applied to it to break the prior art closure thereby showing that it had been tamper with. However, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments herein are distinct from such a situation because a much smaller applied force is required to show tampering (i.e. permanent deformation of the button 16) under typical normal use, and a slightly larger force is then required to elastically deform the skirt of the closure 12 so that it can be removed from the container 10. For example, according to the above embodiments, a first force is required to permanently deform the button 16 and a second force is required to elastically deform the closure 12 such that the first force is less than the second force. It will be appreciated that the first and second forces would typically be higher than a child would be able to apply. Furthermore, after the first force has been applied and the closure 12 or neck adapter 40 has been permanently deformed, the child resistance feature is still operable in that the second force would still be required in order to remove the closure 12 from the container 12 on repeated occasions. In other words, according to the above embodiments the visible permanent deformation of said area does not interfere with the squeeze-and-turn child resistant function of the closure 12, since the force required to elastically deform the closure 12 to disengage the lugs 30 from the shoulders of the container or neck adapter 40 remains the same before and after the visible permanent deformation. The visible permanent deformation of the button 16 is a controlled deformation which takes place along the weakened lines, or reduced thickness lines, produced during manufacturing of the closure 12. Therefore, the visible permanent deformation is predetermined before it happens, and is such that it does not prevent or inhibit the further use of the squeeze-and-tum child safety feature.

Providing a minimum force that is required to visibly permanently deform the button 16, which is less than the minimum force required to elastically deform the closure 12 such that the lugs 30 disengage from the shoulders of the container (i.e. upon attempting to unscrew the closure 12 from the container 10 by manually applying a gradually increasing force), the button 16 will visibly permanently deform prior to the closure 12 being unscrewed from the container 10, and not the other way around. This sequence of events ensures that the button 16 acts as an indication of tampering in a successful or unsuccessful attempt at unscrewing the closure 12 from the container 10.

The visible permanent deformation according to the above embodiments can take place in several ways, for example, it can lead to an elongation of the material in the weakened lines beyond its elastic limit and produce a whitening of the material due to stress, and/or it can produce misalignment of said area with the rest of the closure surface, such that the closure 12 does not have an intact appearance, and a user can tell if someone has previously, at least, significantly attempted to open the container 12 by looking at the closure 12.