AU710761B2 - Tamper evident cap and container - Google Patents

Tamper evident cap and container Download PDF

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Publication number
AU710761B2
AU710761B2 AU56349/98A AU5634998A AU710761B2 AU 710761 B2 AU710761 B2 AU 710761B2 AU 56349/98 A AU56349/98 A AU 56349/98A AU 5634998 A AU5634998 A AU 5634998A AU 710761 B2 AU710761 B2 AU 710761B2
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AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
container
cap
band
bead
neck portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
AU56349/98A
Other versions
AU5634998A (en
Inventor
John Paul May
Robert Zolnowski
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Specialised Packaging Concepts Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Specialised Packaging Concepts Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/886,075 external-priority patent/US5456375A/en
Application filed by Specialised Packaging Concepts Pty Ltd filed Critical Specialised Packaging Concepts Pty Ltd
Publication of AU5634998A publication Critical patent/AU5634998A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of AU710761B2 publication Critical patent/AU710761B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D41/00Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
    • B65D41/32Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
    • B65D41/34Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
    • B65D41/3404Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with ratchet-and-pawl mechanism between the container and the closure skirt or the tamper element
    • B65D41/3409Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with ratchet-and-pawl mechanism between the container and the closure skirt or the tamper element the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)

Description

IA-
TAMPER EVIDENT CAP AND CONTAINER This is a divisional application divided out of Australian patent application no.
43854/93 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
Cap-container configurations which are tamper proof are increasingly important for modern society. This is particularly the case where the container is to contain 0io medical samples or medical products.
This invention relates to a tamper evident cap and container, particularly for sample and specimen collections for medical purposes.
1 Different kinds of cap-container combinations are known. Unfortunately most of these do not provide easy use to the medical laboratory technicians or patients.
Moreso, they are also generally relatively complex to manufacture.
There is a need to provide a tamper evident cap-container which minimizes drawbacks in such known configurations and which has improved performance and ease of operation.
SUMMARY
00. 25 According to one aspect the present invention provides a container having a o neck portion defining a mouth, an engaging element in the form of an external threaded surface on the neck portion adjacent the mouth, and a circumferentially extending bead below the external threaded surface, the container being adapted for combination with a cap having a top face portion for covering the mouth of the container and a skirt portion depending from the top face portion, the cap being receivable on the container in a closure position with the skirt portion over the container neck portion, the skirt MMJ C:\\INWORDWIARJORIFSPECISPG\CAP-CL
DOC
-2portion including an internal threaded surface below the top face portion and the cap further including a circumferential band about a free end of the skirt portion; wherein the container bead includes a plurality of separate segments, each of the segments projecting radially from the container neck portion and wherein, in the closure position, the internal and external threaded surfaces are in engagement with each other and the circumferential band is in engagement with the bead.
According to another aspect the present invention provides a cap and container combination including: a container having a neck portion defining a container mouth, an engaging element in the form of an external threaded surface on the neck portion adjacent the container mouth, and a circumferentially extending bead below the external threaded surface; and a cap having a top face portion for covering the mouth of the container and a 5 skirt portion depending from the top face portion, the cap being receivable on the container in a closure position with the skirt portion over the container neck portion, the skirt portion including an internal threaded surface below the top face portion and the cap further including a circumferential band about a free end of the skirt portion; wherein the bead includes a plurality of separate segments, each of the segments projecting radially from the neck portion of the container, and wherein, in the closure position, the internal and external threaded surfaces are in engagement with each other and the circumferential band is in engagement with the bead.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention each bead segment has a ramped outer edge which extends circumferentially from a position substantially adjacent an outer surface of the container neck portion to a position radially projected from the outer surface of the neck portion. Preferably, the ramped outer edge of each bead segment terminates at a face section which projects substantially radially relative to the container neck portion. Furthermore, the container may optionally include a circumferentially extending ring spaced below the bead and defining therewith a groove or slot for MMJ C \WINWORD\MARJORIE\SPECISPG\CAP-CL.DOC 2A receiving the circumferential band when the cap and container are in the closure position.
In a particularly preferred form of the invention the cap is receivable on the container in at least two different closure positions with the skirt over the neck. The cap has a first band and a second band, the bands being circumferentially arranged around the skirt. Above the second band there is the internal threaded formation which engages the externally threaded formation about the neck of the container.
Engagement is affected when the cap is mounted on the container. In a first closure position the first band is located in the slot and the internal threads of the cap engage the rim about the neck of the container to affect a sealing relationship. In the second closure position, the second band is located in the slot below the external threaded formation around the container. The first band is removable from the cap. The second band can then engage the slot. A line of weakness located between the first band and the second band permits for the easy removal of the first band from the skirt. The second band is also removable from the skirt of the cap. This is achieved by unthreading the cap from the top of the container and leaving the second band located in position in the slot. This breaks connecting columns between the skirt and the second band.
The circumferential band(s) on the cap is/are typically adapted to function as .means for indicating tampering with the container or its contents in the closure position.
The present invention is thus able to provide an improved cap-container tamper evident configuration.
The above and further features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
MMJ C.\WINWORD\MARIORIE\SPECISPG\CAP-CLDOC
DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of a container having a non-segmented circumferentially extending bead.
Figure 2 is a top view of the container of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the cap.
Figure 4 is a under view of the cap.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the container with the cap in a first closure position.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of a cap in a second closure position.
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the container with the second band in position o: around the slot of the container.
2 0 Figure 8 is a enlarged view of a portion of the cap showing the interface between the band and the skirt containing the internal threaded section.
Figure 9a is constituted by a pair of views: a partial side view A-A showing the interaction during engagement of the second band with the segmented bead, and secondly a •25 cross-sectional top plan view a-a along lines a-a of the side view illustrating the circumferential bead about the container. In Figure 9a, the second band is in a first position of engagement being urged onto the container.
Figure 9b is constituted by a pair of views: a partial side view b-b showing the interaction during engagement of the second band with the segmented bead, and secondly a crosssectional top plan view B-B along lines B-B of the side view illustrating the circumferential bead about the container. In Figure 9b, the MMJ C.\WINWORD\MARJORIE\SPECISPG\CAP-CLDOC second band is in a second position of engagement being urged onto the container.
Figure 9c is constituted by a pair of views: a partial side view c-c showing the interaction during engagement of the second band with the segmented bead, and secondly a cross-sectional top plan view C-C along lines C-C of the side view illustrating the circumferential bead about the container. In Figure 9b, the second band is in a third position of engagement being urged onto the container.
Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating the neck of the container and showing the segmented bead.
~Figure 11 is a perspective view of the neck of the container showing a partial view of the cap with the second band in location below the segmented bead.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the neck of the container showing a partial view of the cap with the second band separated from the skirt of the cap after which the cap is removed from the container.
25 Figures 13a to 13d illustrate a different embodiment of a band with holes in place of an inset.
Figure 13c is an expanded view of the band 30. A detail of the hole is shown in the partial view of Figure 13d.
Figure 13b is a partial cross-sectional side view and Figure 13a is a side view of the cap.
DESCRIPTION
In Figure 1 there is shown a container 10 which is a cylindrical shaped construction which has a cylindrical side wall 11 and a bottom wall 12. There is a mouth 15 at the top of the container 10 adjacent to a neck area 13. The rim 14 for the container 10 is located between mouth 15 and the neck area 13.
A secondary engaging element 16 is constituted by a threaded portion which is provided about the neck area 13 of the container 10, below the mouth of 15 and adjacent with the rim 14. Below the threaded portion 16 of the neck 13 there is a flat wall area 17 followed by a primary engaging element 18. This primary engaging element 18 is constituted by a circumferentially extending bead 19 and a circumferentially extending ring 20. Between the bead 19 and the ring 20 there is a slot 21 circumferentially extending around the wall 11.
The bead 19 includes a bevelled edge 22 which slopes towards the mouth 15 of the container 10. The wall 23 opposite to the bevelled edge 22 is substantially o rectangularly directed relative to the surface of the wall 11. A bevelled edge 24 on ring 20 also tapers towards the slot 21. A right-angular wall 25 of ring is located on the opposite side of the ring 20 and is directed to wall 11.
A cap 26 is constituted by a top face 27 and a skirt 28 depends from the top face 27. Below the skirt 28 there is a first means, being a first band 29, and a second means, being a second band 30. Internally, inside the skirt 28, there is a third means, being an internal threaded portion 31. The first band 29 includes a pull tab 32. Band 29 tapers circumferentially inwardl-y so that at the leading end 33 the diameter of band 29 is narrower than at the end 34. The band 30 is substantially straight circumferentially so that the ends 35 and 36 of the band 20 are circumferentially substantially the same. A line of weakness 37 exists between the band 29 and the band Between the band 30 and the skirt 28 there are circumferentially arranged dogs 38a and 38b. Dog 38a depends downwardly from end 41 of the skirt 28 and dog 38b depends upwardly from the end 39 of the band 30. The dogs 38a and 38b are assembly drive dogs which prevent tearing of tear columns 40 located between the end 39 and the end 41 of the skirt 28. At least one additional support column 42 is provided to depend from the end and this extends partly towards the end 39 of the second band The band 29 includes a circumferentially inwardly directed inset 43 which tapers inwardly and upwardly to a narrower diameter 44. Thus the band 29 is narrower at a position closer to the face 27 of the cap 26 than at the leading end 33 of cap 26. The outside end of the band 29 is dimensioned to meet with the end 46 of the ring 20 so that when located as indicated in Figure 5 the relationship between end 45 and end 46 is flush. A lip 47 is also provided midway along the inner .i tapered inset 43 of the band 29. The lip 47 engages the straight portion of wall 23 of the slot 21 at position *48.
The band 30 includes an inwardly directed inset 49 which is also directed to be located at least partly in the slot 21 when the band 30 is in the position between the walls 19 and 20 of slot 21. The outside surface 50 of band 30 protrudes beyond the edge 46 of wall 20 of slot 21.
The bead 19 is segmented into four portions 100, 101, 102 and 103 which extend from the wall 11 radially outwardly. Segmentation allows the bands 29 and to distort from their circular form across the high points of the bead 19, namely at the interface of edge 22 and wall 23, as they are forced over the bead 19. Each segment has a radially increasing ramp-type outer face 104 which ends in sharp cut-off face 105.
By having the bead 19 formed in this manner, then the amount of undercut, namely depth of wall 23 relative to insets 43 and 49, is significantly increased.
As such, an increased force is required in assembling the cap, namely locating bands 29 and 30, respectively, in position over bead 19. This also increases the
V.
effectiveness to determine the evidence of tampering.
The increased distance of the relative distance undercut or overlap 23 and insets 43 and 49, reduces the force *'0*required during assembly.
The bead 19 is formed with segmented portions, namely with areas of full radius and depth, and with areas of lesser or no radius or depth.. As illustrated in Figures 9a, 9b, 9c, 10, 11 and 12, the four segments 100, 25 101, 102 and 103 have leading edges 104 of each of the beef segments 100 to 103. Such edges 104 are radiused to *.**.allow for ease of cap assembly between the mating edges of bead 19 and bands 29 and 30. In each of the two engagement steps, respectively, the bands 29 and 30 are under tension as the undercut or inset 43 of band 29 and inset 49 of band 30 is forced over the band 19. The distorted position of band 30 is illustrated progressively in Figures 9a to 9c during assembly or engagement of the band 30 over bead 19 as the cap 26 is turned into the container 10 in the direction of arrow 108.
In Figure 9a, the band 30 is essentially a regular circle as band 30 commences engagement of the outer rounded edge 123 between the edge 22 and wall 23.
Edge 123 forms a line of contact which commences at a contact point 223 at the leading edge of segments 100, 101, 102 and 103. This acts as the beginning of a wedging action to commence prizing the band 30 to a wider diameter as the cap is urged further into engagement with the container.
In Figure 9b, the increased outward distortion is illustrated. As shown in Figure 9b with view b-b, the point of contact 223 has moved further along the ramp leading edge 104 of each segment 100 to 103. Further, in Figure 9c, the contact point 223 has moved further radially outwardly as seen in view c-c.
~The contact point 223 is in point to point contact with the inner radial point edge 333. As the cap is screwed down further, the band 30 will slip under wall 2 23 as it contracts radially. The position will be as shown in Figure 6. The same assembly characteristics are effective with band 29 when it engages band 19.
During cap removal, the sharp drop-off at edge 105 further assists in breaking away the band 30. This is illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The sharp dropoff face 105 assists in breaking the band 30 when the cap 26 is unscrewed as indicated by arrow 109. The band is pulled upwardly during this action and the top face 433 of band 30 engages the sharp edge drop-off created by the edge 105 which is right angularly directed relative to the outside surface of the wall of container 10. As such, the edge is substantially radially directed relative to the central axis 200 through the container The upward moving band 30 comes in contact with the right angle face 105 at the radially outer edge area 106 and this bites into the top face 433 of band 30. The band 30 becomes stationary and the cap 10 continues to move upward thus breaking the band 30 at tear columns 41 into components 41a on skirt 28 and 41b on band 30. In most cases, the band 30 rides along the bead 19 until there is enough upward pressure and circumferential interference about the circumference of the band 30 for breaking the tear columns 40 to band 30. The biting creates radial nicks or lines 107 at about the four spaced locations where face 105 digs into the top 433 of band In other forms of the invention, there could be more or less segments 100 to 103, and the shape and 20 cross-section of the segments 100 to 103 could vary as S.necessary. The elimination of material from the bead by providing segments permits for a relatively rigid plastic, such as polypropylene, preferably of the randon copolymer-type material constituting the cap and 5 container to stretch or distort more easily for assembly.
The segments 100 to 103 have a cord length which is a circumferentially directed portion, and also a ramped circumferential portion. By varying the cord length and ramp length in different constructions, different degrees ."30 of force would be applicable for different embodiments to o. apply and remove the cap from the container.
Moreover, in other forms of the invention as illustrated in Figures 13a to Figures 13d, there is shown an embodiment where the band 30 is constructed with circumferentially spaced holes 500. Such holes 500 would interact with a segmented bead 19. Such a construction would avoid an inset 49. The shape of the holes 500 is rectangular to mate with the segments 100 to 103, and has a step 501 in the body 502 of band The top of the wall 11 constituting the neck 13 is thickened section 51 which is directed inwardly into body portion 54 of the container. The outside surface 52 is substantially straight and parallel with the side wall 11 of the container 10. The cap 26 includes an interface wall 152 and a wedging ridge 53 which forms a circumferential seal with the interface wall 152. When cap 26 is located as indicated on the container 10 as indicated in Figure 6, the thickened section 51 of the neck 13 is forced between the ridge 53 and inside face 152 of the skirt 28 of the cap 26. This affects a sealing of the cap 26 with the container 0 In operation of the container-cap configuration is illustrated in Figure 5 to 7 with the cap 26 located on the container .In the first closure position illustrated in 25 Figure 5, the cap 26 is force pushed onto the mouth 15 of the container 10. The band 29 fits in slot 21. The flush location between the points 45 and 46 prevents tampering of the cap-container configuration in this manner. Any tampering could be seen by a deformation of the ring 20 or band 29 at the interface at points ee" and 46. At this position the internal threads 31 of cap 26 engage with the outside 52 of the thickened portion 51 about the mouth 15 above the neck 13. This provides a seal between the cap 26 to the interior 54 of the container 10. Moving into the first closure position, 11 the tapered inside edge 43 of band 29 can ride easily over the bevelled edge 22 of the wall 19.
In the second closure position, the cap 26 is moved downwardly and the threads 31 engage with the threads 16 on the outside of neck 13. The cap 26 is turned as it moves downwardly. Before the cap 26 is urged into the second closure position, the pull tab 32 of band 29 is pulled and the band 29 is removed. The cap 26 is then turned and is pushed into the second closure position. The pulling of the pull tab 32 causes the first band 29 to be removed from the second band 30 along the line of weakness 37. This facilitates the manner by which the cap 26 can be urged downwardly onto the container The second closure position can be adopted after the cap 26 has been removed from the first closure position and the contents of the container 10 filled with a sample. Once it is desired to add a sample to the S.container 10, the cap 26 is removed from the container by separating the band 29 under the action of the pull tab 32. The cap 26 is removed, the sample is placed into the body area 54 of the container 10. The cap 26 is then 25 replaced so that the band 30 fits into slot 21. Any attempt to unscrew the cap 26 would cause the band 30 to separate from the skirt 28.
o• After that time, and the removal of the band -30 29, the cap 26 is urged into the second closure position o:oe with the band 30 in engagement in the slot 21. The bevelled insert 49 can slide over the bevelled edge 22 of wall 19. The container-cap can then be shipped to any desirable place.
In the second position, illustrated in Figure 6, the band 30 is in location in and adjacent to slot 21.
In this position the sealing is affected between the wedging neck 13 and wall 52 together with the thickened section 51 and interface wall 152.
The band 30 protrudes circumferentially from the edge 46 of the wall 20. An internal shoulder 55 on the inside of band 30 engages the inside wall 20 of the slot 21.
Any tampering with the container 10 results in a physical deformation of band 30 or wall 20 which should be a visibly noticed. Also any tool which is used in an attempt to pry open a space between the free end of the circumferential band 30 adjacent to the shoulder 55 and the edge of wall 20 should result in a jamming effect of the wall against the shoulder 55. Thus, prying open of the band 30 cannot easily be affected with this construction.
The pull tab 32 occupies essentially the entire distance between bead 19 and ring 20. This facilitates effective removal of the band 29 from band 30 along tear line 37. Essentially the band 29 when located in slot 21 occupies the entire distance between the inside 23 of wall 20 and inside 24 of the wall 25. Similarly the band 30 would fully occupy this distance. This facilitates sealing of the cap 26 on the container 10 and also prevents or hinders unauthorized tampering.
co.
When the cap 26 is in a location as indicated in Figure 5 the interface of edges 45 and 46 prevents further collapsing action between the cap 26 and container 10 if the cap 26 was to be pushed further onto the mouth 15 of the container. The ring 20 effectively prevents this further downward movement. Any illegal tampering with the container-cap at this stage to get access to the internal body area 54 of the container would require the partial or complete separation of the bands 29 and/or 30 from the skirt 28. Such tampering should be visually evident.
At a different time, the cap 26 can be removed by unscrewing the skirt portion 28 from the band This would leave the band 30 located in the slot 21 as indicated in Figure 7.
The support columns 42 prevent the collapse of the cap 26 during assembly into the first closure relationship shown in Figure 5. When the cap 26 is pushed onto the mouth 15 of the container 10 the skirt 28 does not compress and jam against the band 30 in a manner making the cap 26 inoperative. The alternately located dogs 38a and 38b are assembly drive dogs. The dogs :..-prevent the tear columns 40, which are spaced circumferentially between the portions 28 and 30, from breaking when the cap 26 is screwed into position during the stage between that illustrated in Figure 5 and that in Figure 6.
The tear columns 40 would be damaged when there is an attempt to unscrew the skirt 28 from the threaded engagement prior to the time that the cap 26 and the container 10 configuration is put into the stage indicated in Figure 7. Thus any damage to these tear columns would be evidence of tampering indicates access to the container which, depending on the stage of use of the container, would indicate possible illegitimate access to the container.
Many other forms of invention exist each differing from the other in matters of detail only.
The cap 26 is indicated to be a push fit with the rim 14 about the mouth 15 of the container 10. In a variation the threads 16 on the outside surface of the container 10 engage with the internal threads 31 on the cap 26 during the first closure position. This can be achieved by making the threads 16 and/or threads 31 extend over a greater longitudinal distance relative to the container In some other embodiments of the invention it is unnecessary to have the external threads 16 on the container or internal threads 31 on the cap 26. The tamper proof features are effectively achieved by the bands 29 and 30 engaging with the slot 21 in the different operational closure positions. Thus in a first closure position, the first means and the primary engaging element is operable. In a second closure position, the second means and the primary engaging element is operable. In the position where the cap 26 is removed, the second means is separated from the cap. The threaded configuration 16 and 31 is not essential to effect the tamper proof characteristics. Threads 16 and 31, preferably do provide for positive engagement in at least the second closure position.
Different cross-sections can be used for the :.30 bands 29 and 30 as required. For instance, instead of *oee walls which are substantially regular on the outside surfaces, it may be desirable to have the wall thickness be directed radially inwardly, thereby being of a substantially constant thickness. The outside and inside walls of the bands 29 and 30 would thereby be substantially parallel at least over discrete portions of the height.
In other cases, at least one of the bands 29 or 30 may be partly circumferential about the cap. Thus, one or other of the bands could have segments having a ramp-type profile. This could be in place of the ramptype segment profiles of bead 19, or in addition to such segments 100 to 103 of bead 19.
Other applications of the invention are in a area not related to security for the container cap configuration. Such applications would be where evidence of tampering is not needed. These would be, for instance, the beverage industry or many other industries where improved cap and container configurations and interactions are required.
**e S S
S
16- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A cap and container combination including: a container having a neck portion defining a container mouth, an engaging element in the form of an external threaded surface on the neck portion adjacent the container mouth, and a circumferentially extending bead below the external threaded surface; and a cap having a top face portion for covering the mouth of the container and a skirt portion depending from the top face portion, the cap being receivable on the container in a closure position with the skirt portion over the container neck portion, the skirt portion including an internal threaded surface below the top face portion and the cap further including a circumferential band about a free end of the skirt portion; wherein the bead includes a plurality of separate segments, each of the segments projecting radially from the neck portion of the container, and wherein, in the closure position, the internal and external threaded surfaces are in engagement with each other and the circumferential band is in engagement with the bead.
2. A cap and container combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein each bead o :2 segment has a ramped outer edge which extends circumferentially from a position 2 substantially adjacent an outer surface of the container neck portion to a position radially projected from the outer surface of the neck portion.
3. A cap and container combination as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the S circumferential band includes an inset or shoulder for engagement with an underside of the circumferential bead in the closure position.
till 4. A cap and container combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the circumferential band includes circumferentially extending holes or slots for receiving at least a portion of the ramped outer edge of the bead segments.
MMJ C:\WINWORD\MARJORI\SPECISPO\CAP-CLDOC

Claims (1)

17- A cap and container combination as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the ramped outer edge of each bead segment terminates at a face section which projects substantially radially relative to the container neck portion. 6. A cap and container combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cap includes a circumferential line of weakness between the circumferential band and the skirt portion of the cap such that separation can be effected along the line of weakness to remove the band from the cap. 7. A cap and container combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein the circumferential band is adapted to function as a means for indicating tampering with the container in the closure position. 8. A cap and container combination as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the container includes a circumferentially extending ring spaced below the bead and defines therewith a groove or slot for receiving the circumferential band when .the cap and container are in the closure position. *0e* :oo° 9. A container having a neck portion defining a mouth, an engaging element in the 20o form of an external threaded surface on the neck portion adjacent the mouth, and a circumferentially extending bead below the external threaded surface, the container 9 being adapted for combination with a cap having a top face portion for covering the mouth of the container and a skirt portion depending from the top face portion, the cap being receivable on the container in a closure position with the skirt portion over the container neck portion, the skirt portion including an internal threaded surface below the top face portion and the cap further including a circumferential band about a free end of 0 the skirt portion; wherein the container bead includes a plurality of separate segments, each of the segments projecting radially from the container neck portion and wherein, in the closure position, the internal and external threaded surfaces are in engagement with each other and the circumferential band is in engagement with the bead. MMJ C\WINWORD\MARIORIE\SPECISPG\CAP-CLDOC 18 A container as claimed in claim 9 wherein each bead segment has a ramped outer edge which extends circumferentially from a position substantially adjacent an outer surface of the container neck portion to a position radially projected from the outer surface of the neck portion. 11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein the ramped outer edge of each bead segment terminates at a face section which projects substantially radially relative to the container neck portion. 12. A container as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 further including a circumferentially extending ring spaced below the bead and defining therewith a groove or slot for receiving the circumferential band when the cap and container are in the closure position. DATED: 25 February, 1998 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: 20 SPECIALISED PACKAGING CONCEPTS PTY LTD 5.9 *g S 9*° MMJ C:\WINWORD\MARORIESPECISPGCA-CLDOC ABSTRACT The present invention provides a cap and container combination. The combination includes a container (10) having a neck portion (13) defining a container mouth an engaging element (16) in the form of an external threaded surface on the neck portion adjacent the container mouth, and a circumferentially extending bead (19) below the external threaded surface. The combination also includes a cap (26) having a top face portion (27) for covering the mouth (15) of the container and a skirt portion (28) depending from the top face portion, the cap being receivable on the io container (10) in a closure position with the skirt portion (28) over the container neck portion The skirt portion includes an internal threaded surface (31) below the top face portion, and the cap further includes a circumferential band (29, 30) about a free end of the skirt portion (28). The container bead includes a plurality of separate segments (100, 101, 102, 15 103), each of the segments projecting radially outwards from the neck portion (13) of the container. In the closure position, the internal and external threaded surfaces (16, 31) are in engagement with each other and the circumferential band (29, 30) is in engagement with the bead Preferably, each bead segment (100, 101, 102, 103) has a ramped outer edge (104) which extends circumferentially from a position substantially adjacent an outer surface of the neck portion (13) to a face section (105) which projects radially out from the outer surface of the neck portion. *9* MMJ C:\WINWORD\MARJORIE\SPECISPG\CAP-CL.DOC
AU56349/98A 1992-05-20 1998-02-26 Tamper evident cap and container Ceased AU710761B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/886,075 US5456375A (en) 1992-05-20 1992-05-20 Tamper evident cap and container
US886075 1992-05-20
AU43854/93A AU686562B2 (en) 1992-05-20 1993-05-20 Tamper evident cap and container

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU43854/93A Division AU686562B2 (en) 1992-05-20 1993-05-20 Tamper evident cap and container

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AU5634998A AU5634998A (en) 1998-05-07
AU710761B2 true AU710761B2 (en) 1999-09-30

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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4909404A (en) * 1984-12-10 1990-03-20 Oleg Rozenberg Tamper-evident closures
AU5896990A (en) * 1989-07-13 1991-01-17 Mcg Closures Limited Closures for containers
US5078290A (en) * 1989-09-01 1992-01-07 Anchor Hocking Packaging Company Container closure with internal channels for washing an interthread space

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4909404A (en) * 1984-12-10 1990-03-20 Oleg Rozenberg Tamper-evident closures
AU5896990A (en) * 1989-07-13 1991-01-17 Mcg Closures Limited Closures for containers
US5078290A (en) * 1989-09-01 1992-01-07 Anchor Hocking Packaging Company Container closure with internal channels for washing an interthread space

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