AU2021200685B2 - Tamper-resistant secure container cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A secure container cover for a container and manufacturing method therefore are provided. The secure container cover includes an integrally molded body with an annular structure and a side wall. The annular structure includes a central void defined by an 5 intermediate perimeter, and a graspable loop integrally formed with the annular structure is configured to reside within the central void. A tear initiation point is formed where the graspable loop joins the annular structure. A thin section extends from the tear initiation point to a bottom edge of the side wall. The graspable loop is detachably connected to the annular structure at a bridging section. The bridging section is configured to break when 10 an upward biasing force is applied to the graspable loop, and the side wall is configured to separate along the thin section when the graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure container cover. P10507.AU Specification 4/7 100 300 32 FIG. 11 CON 42 34100 FIG. 13

Description

4/7 100

32

FIG. 11

300 CON

42 34100

FIG. 13

TAMPER-RESISTANT SECURE CONTAINER COVER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.

No. 62/975,145, filed February 11, 2020, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated

herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Container covers are used with containerized products sold in retail

environments to inhibit the opening of or tampering with a container prior to purchase,

and/or to secure a plurality of containers into a sales unit. However, container covers

generally serve as deterrents, as one typically need only unscrew the container cover, or

release the container from the container cover to gain access to a lever that is simply lifted

to open the container via a pre-scored section in the container top. In some situations,

particularly with containers having potentially hazardous or age-restricted contents, it may

be desirable to prohibit a container from being easily opened. A challenge exists in

engineering a container cover that prevents an unintended user from opening the container,

but still allows an intended user to easily access the contents of the container.

SUMMARY

[00031 To address the above issues, a secure container cover and manufacturing

method for a secure container cover are disclosed herein. According to a first aspect, a

secure container cover for restricting access to an opening of a container comprising: an

P10507.AU Specification integrally molded body including an annular structure and a side wall, wherein the annular structure includes a central void defined by an intermediate perimeter; a graspable loop integrally formed with the annular structure is configured to reside within the central void; a tear initiation point is formed at a first location where the graspable loop joins the annular structure; a thin section extends from the tear initiation point to a bottom edge of the side wall, the thin section being defined by a first channel formed in the body of the secure container cover; a second tear initiation point is formed at a second location different from the first location where the graspable loop joins the annular structure; a second thin section extends from the second tear initiation point to a tear termination point on the side wall, the second thin section being defined by a second channel formed in the body of the secure container cover; the graspable loop is detachably connected to the annular structure at a bridging section; the bridging section is configured to break when an upward biasing force is applied to the graspable loop; the side wall is configured to separate along the first thin section and the second thin section when the graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure container cover; the tear termination point is a protrusion formed on the side wall adjacent to the bottom edge of the side wall; and the protrusion is configured as a tear barrier that prevents further separation of the side wall along the second thin section. A potential benefit of this configuration is that access to potentially hazardous or age restricted contents of the container may be prevented.

[0004] Another potential benefit of this configuration is that an intended user can

release the container by pulling on the graspable loop.

P10507.AU Specification

[00051 Another potential benefit of this configuration is that the graspable loop does

not detach from the secure container cover after release of the container. As such, no small

bits of waste are created, and the secure container cover may be recycled as a single unit.

[00061 In this aspect, the first and second thin sections may form a tear section

therebetween, and the tear section may be arranged equidistantly between two side wall

voids. A potential benefit of this configuration is that the integrity of the secure container

may be maintained until an intended user releases the container from the secure container

cover.

[0007] In this aspect, the first and second thin sections may be arranged parallel to

one another. A potential benefit of this configuration is that the shearing force applied

when a user applied when a user pulls the graspable loop away from the body of the secure

container cover is maximized.

[00081 In this aspect, the side wall may be formed of side wall portions separated by

side wall voids, a respective flange may be positioned proximate a bottom end of each side

wall void, and the flanges may be collectively configured to engage with a lip of the

container to prevent an axial displacement of the secure container cover from a container.

A potential benefit of this configuration is that the container remains engaged with the

secure container cover until a user opens the secure container cover via separating the thin

sections.

[0009] In this aspect, the side wall portions may be connected by the annular structure.

A potential benefit of this configuration is that the secure container cover is strong and

durable.

P10507.AU Specification

[0010] In this aspect, a bottom surface of the graspable loop may be in a plane with a

top surface of the annular structure, and a top surface of the graspable loop protrudes above

a top surface of the annular structure. A potential benefit of this configuration is that when

a downward force is applied to one side of the loop, the other side of the loop raises up.

This configuration permits an intended user to grasp the loop and initiate removal of the

secure container cover.

[0011] In this aspect, a secure container carrier may comprise a plurality of secure

container covers, and each secure container cover of the plurality of secure container

covers may bejoined to an adjacent secure container cover via abridge. A potential benefit

of this configuration is that a plurality of containers individually engaged with respective

secure container covers may be marketed, distributed, and/or transported in groups.

[0012] In this aspect, a top surface of the annular structure may include a plurality of

arcuate ribs arranged around an outer perimeter of the top surface. A potential benefit of

this configuration is that a second container may be stacked on top of a first container

engaged with the secure container cover, and the ribs prevent horizontal displacement of

the second container from the first container. Additionally, the ribs may stabilize stacks of

empty secure container covers during the manufacturing process, thereby allowing them

to be efficiently indexed into a queue in an application machine for applying to respective

containers.

[00131 In this aspect, the side wall may be configured to extend down a side surface

of a container. Potential benefits of this configuration are that a lip of the container is

protected, and the container remains engaged with the secure container cover until a user

opens the secure container cover via separating the thin sections.

P10507.AU Specification

[00141 In this aspect, the body of the secure container cover may be formed of post

consumer recycled high density polyethylene. Potential advantages of this configuration

are that the secure container cover is lightweight yet durable, does not require the use of

specialized plastic during manufacturing, can be molded from post-consumer recycled

material, and may be recycled after use.

[0015] In another aspect, a manufacturing method for a secure container cover is

provided. The manufacturing method includes integrally molding a body including an

annular structure and a side wall; forming in the annular structure a central void defined

by an intermediate perimeter; forming a tear initiation point where the graspable loop joins

the annular structure at a first location; forming a first thin section to extend from the first

tear initiation point to a bottom edge of the side wall, the first thin section being defined

by a first channel formed in the body of the secure container cover; forming a second tear

initiation point where the graspable loop joins the annular structure at a second location

different from the first location; forming a second thin section to extend from the second

tear initiation point to a tear termination point on the side wall, the second thin section

being defined by a second channel formed in the body of the secure container cover;

forming the graspable loop to be detachably connected to the annular structure at abridging

section; forming the bridging section to break when an upward biasing force is applied to

the graspable loop; forming the side wall to separate along the first thin section and the

second thin section when the graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure

container cover; and forming the tear termination point is a protrusion formed on the side

wall adjacent to the bottom edge of the side wall, the protrusion being a tear barrier that

prevents further separation of the side wall along the second thin section. A potential

P10507.AU Specification benefit of this configuration is that access to potentially hazardous or age-restricted contents of the container may be prevented.

[00161 In another aspect, a secure container system restricting access to an opening of

a container is provided. The secure container system comprises a container and a secure

container cover. The secure container comprises an integrally molded body including an

annular structure and a side wall. The annular structure includes a central void defined by

an intermediate perimeter, and a graspable loop integrally formed with the annular

structure is configured to reside within the central void. A tear initiation point is formed

where the graspable loop joins the annular structure. A first thin section extends from the

tear initiation point to a bottom edge of the side wall, and a second thin section extends

from a second tear initiation point to a tear termination point on the side wall. The

graspable loop is detachably connected to the annular structure at a bridging section. The

bridging section is configured to break when an upward biasing force is applied to the

graspable loop, and the side wall is configured to separate along the thin section when the

graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure container cover. The tear

termination point prevents the graspable loop from detaching from the secure container

cover upon release of the container. Potential benefits of this configuration are that access

to potentially hazardous or age-restricted contents of the container may be prevented, and

the secure container cover remains in one piece after removal of the container. As such, no

additional waste is created, and the secure container cover may be recycled as a single unit.

[0017] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified

form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not

intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is

P10507.AU Specification it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00181 FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a secure container cover according to

one embodiment of the present description.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the secure container cover of FIG.

1.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a front view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1.

[00231 FIG. 6 shows a rear side view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a left side view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows a right side view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1.

[00261 FIG. 9 shows a section view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1 taken along

line F9-F9 of FIG. 3.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows a section view of the secure container cover of FIG. 1 taken

along line F10-F10 of FIG. 5.

[00281 FIG. 11 shows separation of a graspable loop from an annular surface of the

secure container cover of FIG. 1 engaged with a container.

[0029] FIG. 12 shows separation of a side wall of the secure container cover of FIG.

1 engaged with a container.

P10507.AU Specification

[00301 FIG. 13 shows full detachment of the secure container cover of FIG. 1 from a

container.

[00311 FIG. 14 shows a top perspective view of a secure container cover according to

a second embodiment of the present description.

[0032] FIG. 15 shows a top view of two secure container covers joined together to

form a secure container carrier.

[00331 FIG. 16 shows a top view of four secure container covers joined together to

form a secure container carrier.

[0034] FIG. 17 shows a top view of six secure container covers joined together to

form a secure container carrier.

[0035] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of a manufacturing method for a secure container

cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00361 Selected embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with

reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from

this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the disclosure are

provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined

by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0037] The prevention of accidental ingestion of a potentially dangerous liquid may

depend upon the security of the container cover. For example, beverages with high levels

of caffeine and/or beverages containing psychoactive components can be potentially

deadly for some people. Further, as cannabis beverages infused with THC, CBD, and other

cannabinoids gain popularity and become more widely distributed, the need to secure

containers from being opened by an unintended user, such as a child, has become a

P10507.AU Specification necessity. A secure container cover may also serve to prevent a user from unintentionally drinking an infused beverage, as the container may be mistaken for a typical beverage container.

First embodiment

[00381 Turning to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate top and bottom perspective

views, respectively, of one embodiment of a secure container cover 100 for restricting

access to an opening of a container. The secure container cover 100 may comprise an

integrally molded body 10 including an annular structure 12 and a side wall 14. The side

wall 14 may be formed of side wall portions 16 separated by side wall voids 18. The

annular structure 12 may include notched voids 20 continuous with respective side wall

voids 18, and the side wall portions 16 may be connected by the annular structure 12.

[00391 A respective flange 22 may be positioned proximate a bottom end 24 of each

side wall void 18. The flanges 22 may be collectively configured to engage with a bottom

of a lip of the container to prevent an axial displacement of the secure container cover 100

from the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the secure container cover 100 includes

four side wall voids 18, each with a respective flange 22, arranged equidistant from one

another around the body 10 of the secure container cover 100. However, it will be

appreciated that the secure container cover 100 may include more or fewer side wall voids

18 and respective flanges 22, and the side wall voids 18 and flanges 22 may be arranged

non-equidistantly.

[0040] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, a top view and a bottom view, respectively, of the

secure container cover 100 are shown. The annular structure 12 may include a central void

26 defined by an intermediate perimeter 28. The central void 26 may be round in shape,

P10507.AU Specification for example circular, as shown in FIG. 3. Other shapes for the central void 26 are possible.

A graspable loop 30 is integrally formed with the annular structure 12 and may be

configured to reside within the central void 26, and may be flush with or recessed relative

to a top surface 12A of the annular structure 12, and a gap is typically formed between an

outer perimeter of the graspable loop 30 and an inner perimeter of the central void 26. In

other configurations, the graspable loop 30 may stand slightly proud of the top of the

annular structure. The graspable loop is also round in shape, for example circular, although

other shapes are possible. The graspable loop has a void formed within itself and is

typically of constant cross section along its curving perimeter, except where attached to

the annular structure. The graspable loop 30 may be detachably connected to the annular

structure 12 at a bridging section 32. When attached to the annular structure 12 at the

bridging section 32, the graspable loop 30 remains in a horizontal configuration either

recessed or flush with the top of the annular structure 12, which minimizes the risk of

catching on something during transit, for example, that could lead to accidental removal

of the secure container cover 100. Further, the recessed or flush position of the graspable

loop 30 ensures that it does not interfere with stacking multiple containers engaged in

secure container covers 100. While one bridging section 32 is illustrated, it will be

appreciated that the graspable loop 30 may be detachably connected to the annular

structure 12 at two or more bridging sections 32.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 2, a tear initiation point TI is formed where the graspable

loop 30 joins the annular structure 12. The tear initiation point TI may be a branched

structure adjacent to a thin section 34. The thin section 34 is defined by at least one channel

formed in the body 10 of the secure container cover 100. A thickness of the thin section 34

P10507.AU Specification is thinner than a thickness of the annular structure 12 and thinner than a thickness of the side wall 14. As shown in FIG. 3 with reference to FIG. 1, the thin section 34 may extend from the tear initiation point TI to a bottom edge 38 of the side wall 14. The secure container cover 100 is configured to separate along the thin section 34 during a tearing operation when a user pulls the graspable loop 30 away from a container engaged with the secure container cover 100.

[0042] The thin section 34 may be a first thin section 34, and the tear initiation point

TI may be a first tear initiation point TI. A second thin section 36 may extend from a

second tear initiation point T12 to a tear termination point TT, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The

separation of the second thin section 36 from the body 10 of the secure container cover

100 is configured to stop at the tear termination point TT, thereby preventing the graspable

loop 30 from detaching from the body 10 of the secure container cover 100 during a tearing

operation by a user to release a container. With this configuration, the secure container

cover 100 remains in one piece that may be recycled or properly disposed. Remaining in

one piece is preferable for recycling because combination sorter equipment that sorts a

combined stream of various recyclables can more effectively sort larger pieces of plastic.

[00431 As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the tear termination point

TT may be configured as a protrusion 40 in a tear direction T. The protrusion 40 may be

formed on the side wall 14 adjacent to the bottom edge 38 of the side wall 14. The

protrusion 40 is configured as an area of increased material thickness that protrudes in an

radial direction from the body 10 of the secure container cover 100 with respect to a center

axis C. A width of the protrusion 40 may be in a range of 75% to 125% of a distance

between the first and second thin sections 34, 36, and is preferably substantially the same

P10507.AU Specification as the distance between the first and second thin sections 34, 36. A thickness of the protrusion 40 may be in a range of 75% to 125% of a thickness of the side wall 14 of the secure container cover 100, and in one embodiment is substantially the same as the thickness of the side wall 14 of the secure container cover 100, thereby doubling the overall thickness of the material in the location of the side wall 14 and protrusion 40 as compared to the thickness of the side wall 14 itself. As described below with reference to FIG. 7, a height Hp of the protrusion 40 may be in a range of 20% to 50% of a height Hw of the side wall 14. A shape of the protrusion 40 is preferably curved, with an apex of the curve centered at the tear termination point TT where the second thin section 36 ends. As such, the thickest part of the protrusion 40 is configured to withstand the tearing force thus far applied and thereby cause forced termination of the tearing operation. Put another way, the tearing force required to tear through the protrusion greatly exceeds the tearing force required to tear along the thin section, posing an effective barrier to the tear operation tearing the structure completely into two parts.

[0044] Alternatively, the tear termination point TT may be a discontinuation of the

second thin section 36 in the absence of a protrusion. While the tear termination point TT

is arranged on the side wall 14 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, it will be

appreciated that the tear termination point TT may be arranged at another location of the

body 10 of the secure container cover 100, such as on the annular structure 12 at a position

adjacent to the side wall 14.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the first and second thin sections 34, 36 are

substantially straight and parallel to one another and form a tear section 42 therebetween.

The parallel configuration of the tear section 42 maximizes the shearing force applied when

P10507.AU Specification the user pulls the graspable loop 30 away from the body 10 of the secure container cover

100 in the tearing operation. However, it will be appreciated that either or both of the first

and second thin sections 34, 36 may be alternatively arranged at an angle with respect to

the first and second tear initiation points TI, T12, respectively, of the graspable loop 30

and/or to one another. For example, the thin sections 34, 36 may be parallel for a distance

and then one thin section may bend away from the other thin section in a non-parallel

orientation to thereby inhibit tearing.

[00461 As shown in FIG. 4, a width WT of the tear section 42 may be in a range of

20% to 50% of a width WL of the graspable loop 30. In the embodiments described herein,

the tear section 42 is arranged equidistantly between two side wall voids 18 and their

respective flanges 22. With this configuration, the forces imparted by the user during the

tearing operation are equally borne by each of the flanges 22, which stabilizes the secure

container cover 100 as it is being removed from a container. Alternatively, the tear section

42 could be located closer to one of the side wall voids 18 and its respective flange 22.

Also, as described above, the secure container cover 100 could be configured to have more

or fewer flanges 22 than four.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 3 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first thin section 34

may include a first void 44, and the second thin section may include a second void 46. In

the illustrated embodiment, the voids 44, 46 are arranged in the thin sections 34, 36 where

the annular structure 12 meets the side wall 14. However, it will be appreciated that the

voids 44, 46 may be arranged in an alternate location in the thin sections 34, 36, such as in

the annular structure 12, the side wall, or a combination thereof. Further, there may be

P10507.AU Specification more than one void formed in each of the first and second thin sections 34, 36, or the voids may be absent from one or both of the thin sections 34, 36.

[00481 FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8 show front, rear, left side, and right side views of the secure

container cover 100, respectively. FIGS. 5 to 8 are substantially identical, with the

difference being that the first and second thin sections 34, 36 and the protrusion P are

visible at the bottom edge 38 of the side wall 14 in FIG. 5. The first thin section 34 and the

protrusion P are partially visible in the left side view of FIG. 7. Similarly, the second thin

section 36 and the protrusion P are partially visible in the right side view of FIG. 8. As

shown in FIG. 7, a height HP of the protrusion 40 may be in a range of 20% to 50% of a

height Hw of the side wall 14.

[0049] The thin section 34, 36 may form respective thin sections in the body 10 of the

secure container cover 100. As described above, the thin sections 34, 36 are defined by at

least one channel formed in the body 10 of the secure container cover 100 and have a

thickness that is thinner than a thickness of the annular structure 12 and thinner than a

thickness of the side wall 14.

[0050] FIG. 9 shows a section view of the annular structure 12, as indicated by line

F9-F9 of FIG. 3. As shown, the first thin section 34 may be defined by two channels 34A,

34B formed in the top and bottom surfaces 12A, 12B of the annular structure 12. Likewise,

the second thin section 36 may be defined by two channels 36A, 36B formed in the top

and bottom surfaces 12A, 12B of the annular structure 12. It will be appreciated that the

first and second thin sections 34, 36 continue from the annular structure 12 to the side wall

14, with respective voids 44, 46 formed in the thin sections 34, 36 where the annular

structure 12 meets the side wall 14.

P10507.AU Specification

[00511 FIG. 10 shows a section view of the side wall 14, as indicated by line F10-F10

of FIG. 5. As with the annular structure 12, the first thin section 34 may be defined by two

channels 34C, 34D formed in the outer and inner surfaces 14A, 14B of the side wall 14.

However, the second thin section 36 may be defined by one channel 36C formed in the

outer surface 14A of the side wall 14, without a channel formed in the inner surface 14B

of the side wall. With this configuration, the tearing operation is slowed at least on the

second thin section 36 in the side wall 14, which prevents a user from tearing through the

tear termination point TT and separating the graspable loop 30 from the body 10 of the

secure container cover 100.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the first and second thin sections 34, 36 may both

be defined by a respective single channel 34A, 36A on the top surface 12A of the annular

structure 12, a respective single channel 34B, 36B on the bottom surface 12B of the annular

structure 12, or one or the other of the first and thin sections 34, 36 may be defined by

channels formed on one or the other or both of the top and bottom surfaces 12A, 12B of

the annular structure 12, as well as on one or the other or both of the outer and inner

surfaces 14A, 14B of the side wall 14.

[00531 As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a thickness TC2 of the first and second thin section

34, 36 defined by two channels (dash dot line) may be in a range of 20% to 50% of a

thickness TA of the annular structure 12 or a thickness Tw of the side wall 14. Similarly, a

thickness Tci of the second thin section 36 on the side wall 14 that is defined by one

channel 36C (dash dot line to dashed line) may be in a range of 50% to 80% of a thickness

TA of the annular structure 12 or a thickness Tw of the side wall 14. While the thickness

TA of the annular structure 12 and the thickness Tw of the side wall 14 (dashed line) are

P10507.AU Specification illustrated as equal in FIGS. 9 and 10, it will be appreciated that the thickness TA of the annular structure 12 may be greater than or less than the thickness Tw of the side wall 14.

[0054] With reference to FIG. 2, a bottom surface 30B of the graspable loop 30 may

be in a plane with the top surface 12A of the annular structure 12. Accordingly, as shown

in FIG. 1 and FIGS. 5 to 8, a top surface 30A of the graspable loop 30 may protrude above

the top surface 12A of the annular structure 12. With this configuration, when a downward

force is applied to one side of the graspable loop 30, the other side of the graspable loop

30 raises up, thereby permitting an intended user to grasp the graspable loop 30 and initiate

removal of the secure container cover 100 from a container. Alternatively, in some

configurations, the top surface 30A of the graspable loop 30 may be in a plane with the top

surface 12A of the annular structure 12.

[0055] The bridging section 32 may be configured to break when an upward biasing

force is applied to the graspable loop 30, thereby separating the graspable loop 30 from the

annular structure 12. As the graspable loop 30 is pulled away from the body 10 of the

secure container cover 100 in a tearing operation, the tear section 42 may be configured to

separate from the annular structure 12 along the thin sections 34, 36. The separation of the

tear section 42 from the annular structure 12 may release the container from the secure

container cover 100 and permit access to an opening on the secure container cover 100. It

will be appreciated that the force and manual dexterity required to lift and separate the

graspable loop 30 from the annular structure 12 and to separate the side wall 14 along the

thin section 34 by pulling of the graspable loop 30 is designed to be limited to the strength

of an adult to thereby prevent a child from releasing the container from the secure container

cover 100. The removal of the secure container cover 100 from the container may also be

P10507.AU Specification indicative of tampering, as it shows that an unintended user may have had access to the container.

[00561 Turning to FIGS. 11 to 13, an example of removing the secure container cover

100 from a container CON is illustrated. When attached, the side wall 14 of the secure

container cover 100 may be configured to extend down a side of the container CON, as

shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. This aspect contributes to ensuring that the secure container

cover 100 remains engaged with the container CON, as the flanges 22 can be formed to be

thick and resistant to releasing the container CON from the secure container cover 100

without using the graspable loop 30 to separate the side wall 14.

[0057] FIG. 11 shows the secure container cover 100 after the upward biasing force

has been appliedto the graspable loop 30 to detach the bridging section 32 fromthe annular

structure 12, as described above. In FIG. 12, the graspable loop 30 has been pulled away

from the body 10 of the secure container cover 100, resulting in separation of the side wall

14 along the first thin section 34. As described above and shown in FIG. 12, the tearing

operation along the second thin section 36 is configured to stop to the tear termination

point TT on the annular structure 12 adjacent to the side wall 14. After the side wall 14 is

separated, the secure container cover 100 can be removed from the container CON, as

shown in FIG. 13, to permit the user to access the opening of the container CON.

Second embodiment

[00581 Looking now at FIG. 14, a second embodiment of a secure container cover 200

is illustrated. Since the secure container cover 200 according to the second embodiment is

generally similar to that of the secure container cover 100 according to the first

embodiment, the detailed description thereof is abbreviated for the sake of brevity. It is to

P10507.AU Specification be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0059] FIG. 14 illustrates a top perspective view of the second embodiment of the

secure container cover 200. As shown, the top surface 42 of the annular structure 12 may

include a plurality of arcuate ribs 48 arranged around an outer perimeter 50 (indicated by

the dot dash line) of the annular structure 12. The arcuate ribs 48 may stabilize the second

container stacked on top of the first container engaged with the secure container cover 200

by preventing horizontal displacement of the bottom of the second container from the

secure container cover 200. Additionally, the arcuate ribs 48 may stabilize empty secure

container covers 200 in a stacked formation, which facilitates indexing stacks of secure

container covers 200 into a queue in an application machine that applies the secure

container covers 200 to respective containers.

[00601 In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-14 the secure container cover 100,

200 is configured as a single secure container cover. However, it may be desirable to join

a plurality of securely covered containers together as a secure container carrier. This

configuration permits a manufacturer or distributor to offer products in a specific number

or a variety of numbers, depending on the context. For example, certain products may be

offered as a twin-pack, while other products are offered as a four-pack or a six-pack.

[00611 Accordingly, examples of secure container carriers 300, 400, 500 comprising

two, four, and six secure container covers 100 are shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, respectively.

In the illustrated examples, each secure container cover 100 is positioned adjacent to one

or more secure container covers 100 and joined via a bridge 52. The graspable loops 30

and first and second thin sections 34, 36 may be oriented to allow release of individual

P10507.AU Specification containers from their respective secure container covers 100, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 17.

A handle 54 may be integrally formed between bridges 52 of opposite pairs of secure

container covers 100 for ease of carrying the joined secure container covers 100.

[0062] While the examples in FIGS. 15 to 17 respectively show secure container

carriers comprised of two, four, or six secure container covers 100, it will be appreciated

thatthe secure container covers 100 may alternatively bejoined together ingroups ofthree,

eight, or nine, for example, or any other suitable number of secure container covers 100.

[00631 FIG. 18 shows of flow chart of a manufacturing method 1800 for a secure

container cover 100 for restricting access to an opening of a container. At step 1802, the

method 1800 may include integrally molding a body including an annular structure and a

side wall. At step 1804, the method 1800 may include forming in the annular structure a

central void defined by an intermediate perimeter. At step 1806, the method 1800 may

include forming a graspable loop integrally with the annular structure. The graspable loop

may be configured to reside within the central void. At step 1808, the method 1800 may

include forming a tear initiation point where the graspable loop joins the annular structure.

At step 1810, the method 1800 may include forming a thin section to extend from a tear

initiation point to a bottom edge of the side wall. As described above, the thin section may

be defined by at least one channel formed in the body of the secure container cover, and a

thickness of the thin section may be thinner than a thickness of the annular structure and

thinner than a thickness of the side wall. At step 1812, the method 1800 may include

forming the graspable loop to be detachably connected to the annular structure at abridging

section. At step 1814, the method 1800 may include configuring the bridging section to

break when an upward biasing force is applied to the graspable loop. As described above,

P10507.AU Specification the breaking of the bridging section separates the graspable loop from the annular structure.

At step 1816, the method 1800 may include configuring the side wall to separate along the

thin section when the graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure container

cover.

[0064] In any of the embodiments described herein, the body 10 of the secure

container cover 100, 200 may be preferentially formed of a flexible plastic. Being both

strong and lightweight, plastic is an advantageous material for use in secure container

covers. It is preferable that the plastic be flexible in nature to accommodate the releasable

engagement of the containers from the secure container cover. It will be appreciated that

elements of the secure container cover 100, 200 described herein are designed such that

the highly-engineered functionality can be accomplished without using a specialized

plastic. As such, the secure container covers 100, 200 may be manufactured using a

commodity resin, namely high density polyethylene (HDPE). Further the body 10 of the

secure container cover 100 may be formed of post-consumer recycled (PCR) HDPE,

preferably 100% PCR HDPE. It will be appreciated that secure container covers formed of

flexible plastic have the additional benefit of being recyclable.

[0065] In any of the embodiments described herein, the body of the secure container

cover is preferentially formed by injection molding; however, it will be appreciated that

another suitable molding technique may be employed to form the body of the secure

container cover.

[00661 It should be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not

restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than

by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the

P10507.AU Specification claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.

[00671 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context

requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group

of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers

or steps.

[00681 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information

derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an

acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or

information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge

in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

P10507.AU Specification

Claims (15)

CLAIMS:

1. A secure container cover for restricting access to an opening of a container

comprising:

an integrally molded body including an annular structure and a side wall, wherein

the annular structure includes a central void defined by an intermediate perimeter;

a graspable loop integrally formed with the annular structure is configured to reside

within the central void;

a tear initiation point is formed at a first location where the graspable loop joins the

annular structure;

a thin section extends from the tear initiation point to a bottom edge of the side

wall, the thin section being defined by a first channel formed in the body of the secure

container cover;

a second tear initiation point is formed at a second location different from the first

location where the graspable loop joins the annular structure;

a second thin section extends from the second tear initiation point to a tear

termination point on the side wall, the second thin section being defined by a second

channel formed in the body of the secure container cover;

the graspable loop is detachably connected to the annular structure at a bridging

section;

the bridging section is configured to break when an upward biasing force is applied

to the graspable loop;

P10507.AU Specification the side wall is configured to separate along the first thin section and the second thin section when the graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure container cover; the tear termination point is a protrusion formed on the side wall adjacent to the bottom edge of the side wall; and the protrusion is configured as a tear barrier that prevents further separation of the side wall along the second thin section.

2. The secure container cover of claim 1, wherein

the first and second thin sections form a tear section therebetween, and

the tear section is arranged equidistantly between two side wall voids.

3. The secure container cover of claim 1, wherein

the first and second thin sections are arranged parallel to one another.

4. The secure container cover of claim 1, wherein

the side wall is formed of side wall portions separated by side wall voids;

a respective flange is positioned proximate a bottom end of each side wall void;

the flanges are collectively configured to engage with a lip of the container to

prevent an axial displacement of the secure container cover from a container.

5. The secure container cover of claim 4, wherein

the side wall portions are connected by the annular structure.

P10507.AU Specification

6. The secure container cover of claim 1, wherein

a bottom surface of the graspable loop is in a plane with a top surface of the annular

structure, and

a top surface of the graspable loop protrudes above a top surface of the annular

structure.

7. A secure container carrier comprising:

a plurality of secure container covers according to claim 1, wherein

each secure container cover of the plurality of secure container covers is joined to

an adjacent secure container cover via a bridge.

8. The secure container cover of claim 1, wherein

a top surface of the annular structure includes a plurality of arcuate ribs arranged

around an outer perimeter of the top surface.

9. The secure container cover of claim 1, wherein

the body of the secure container cover is marked to indicate the secure container

cover is formed of post-consumer recycled high density polyethylene.

10. A manufacturing method for a secure container cover for restricting access to an

opening of a container, the method comprising:

integrally molding a body including an annular structure and a side wall;

P10507.AU Specification forming in the annular structure a central void defined by an intermediate perimeter; forming a graspable loop integrally with the annular structure, the graspable loop being configured to reside within the central void; forming a tear initiation point where the graspable loop joins the annular structure at a first location; forming a first thin section to extend from the first tear initiation point to a bottom edge of the side wall, the first thin section being defined by a first channel formed in the body of the secure container cover; forming a second tear initiation point where the graspable loop joins the annular structure at a second location different from the first location; forming a second thin section to extend from the second tear initiation point to a tear termination point on the side wall, the second thin section being defined by a second channel formed in the body of the secure container cover; forming the graspable loop to be detachably connected to the annular structure at a bridging section; forming the bridging section to break when an upward biasing force is applied to the graspable loop; forming the side wall to separate along the first thin section and the second thin section when the graspable loop is pulled away from the body of the secure container cover; and

P10507.AU Specification forming the tear termination point as a protrusion formed on the side wall adjacent to the bottom edge of the side wall, the protrusion being a tear barrier that prevents further separation of the side wall along the second thin section.

11. The method of claim 10, the method further comprising:

forming a tear section between the first and second thin sections, and

arranging the tear section equidistantly between two side wall voids.

12. The method of claim 10, the method further comprising:

arranging the first and second thin sections parallel to one another.

13. The method of claim 10, the method further comprising:

forming the side wall of side wall portions separated by side wall voids;

forming a respective flange positioned proximate a bottom end of each side wall

void;

configuring the flanges to collectively engage with a lip of the container to prevent

an axial displacement of the secure container cover from a container.

14. A method for manufacturing a secure container carrier, the method comprising:

joining together a plurality of secure container covers formed according to the

method of claim 10, wherein

each secure container cover of the plurality of secure container covers is joined to

an adjacent secure container cover via a bridge.

P10507.AU Specification

15. The method of claim 10, the method further comprising:

including on the body of the secure container cover a mark to indicate the secure

container cover is formed of post-consumer recycled high density polyethylene.

P10507.AU Specification