EP0109593A2 - Récipient avec fermeture comprenant des moyens pour indiquer l'ouverture non-autorisée - Google Patents

Récipient avec fermeture comprenant des moyens pour indiquer l'ouverture non-autorisée Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0109593A2
EP0109593A2 EP83111026A EP83111026A EP0109593A2 EP 0109593 A2 EP0109593 A2 EP 0109593A2 EP 83111026 A EP83111026 A EP 83111026A EP 83111026 A EP83111026 A EP 83111026A EP 0109593 A2 EP0109593 A2 EP 0109593A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
closure
tamper
indicating element
layer
cap
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP83111026A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
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EP0109593A3 (en
EP0109593B1 (fr
Inventor
Edward J. Towns
Edward M. Brown
William M. Lester
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.)
TBL Development Corp
Original Assignee
TBL Development Corp
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 US06/443,608 external-priority patent/US4793122A/en
Priority claimed from US06/450,531 external-priority patent/US4793503A/en
Priority claimed from US06/462,085 external-priority patent/US4793505A/en
Priority claimed from US06/531,007 external-priority patent/US4793504A/en
Priority claimed from US06/542,191 external-priority patent/US4558794A/en
Application filed by TBL Development Corp filed Critical TBL Development Corp
Priority to AT83111026T priority Critical patent/ATE32865T1/de
Publication of EP0109593A2 publication Critical patent/EP0109593A2/fr
Publication of EP0109593A3 publication Critical patent/EP0109593A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0109593B1 publication Critical patent/EP0109593B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS 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
    • B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
    • B65D55/06—Deformable or tearable wires, strings, or strips; Use of seals, e.g. destructible locking pins
    • B65D55/066—Foil covers combined with outer closures and comprising interacting or interposed tamper indicating means visible through the outer closure, e.g. releasable coloured dyes, changeable patterns, pierceable membranes, visible through a transparent closure or through a window

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to containers and closures of tamper-indicating type and pertains more particularly to closures providing containers with tamper indication.
  • teltale indication i.e., a readily discernible characteristic indicative of tampering, such as a signal that some person has previously attempted to gain access to the container contents.
  • this approach can be generalized as placing a tamper-indicating member in the path of access to a container to indicate tampering by discernible change.
  • teltale types one finds in the prior art approaches elements which evidence color change, which mechanically present literal messages, and which are ruptured or torn upon the occurrence of tampering.
  • the color change devices may be considered less than desirable as requiring ambient-sensitive constituents and measures for sealing same from ambient environment.
  • the mechanical devices providing literal indication i.e., the words "closed” or "open" are less than desirable as they are inherently complex and customized.
  • the rupturing and tearing practice offers the best potential for desired simplicity in solution.
  • teltales may also be categorized in respect of the relative location of the teltale to the container access port.
  • teltales are located directly at the access port and wherein the teltales are otherwise located in the path of access to the container.
  • teltales directly span the access opening, e.g., are secured across the mouths of jars.
  • the teltales are located in container wrappers, within plastic heat shrunk about the capped jar, etc.
  • the effective location for a teltale is directly at the access port, since wrappers, heat shrunk plastic sleeves and like teltale items outside the container may be removed and the remaining capped container remain without tamper indication.
  • prior art teltale indication may be categorized as of type wherein the teltale directly at the access opening is closure member activated or not.
  • closure member activated In the former category, reverse sense (opening) movement of the closure member brings some element into tearing relation with the teltale. In the latter case, the teltale is unaffected by closure member removal.
  • closure member activated case affords greater security.
  • U.S. Waring Patents Nos. 2,131,774 and 2,131,775 are considered to disclose tamper-indicating containers incorporating the desired of the foregoing categories of tamper indication.
  • the tamper-indicating element is simple rupturable sheet material. The element is located directly at the container mouth opening and is cap-activated. In accomodating this operative selection of features, however, Waring has vulnerability, recognized expressly in the patents, to direct tampering with the teltale element.
  • the Waring '774 practice is to provide a cap in the form of a hollow cylinder having a skirt depending from the cap top and interiorly threaded to receive the jar neck.
  • the cap top is centrally open and prongs are formed in the plane of the cap extending into the central opening.
  • the teltale element is nested in the cap interior and suitably secured therein. The cap with its nested teltale is then rotated into secured relation with the jar. Now the prongs are bent out of the plane of the cap top and into puncturing relation with the teltale element, remaining accessible through the open cap top.
  • Waring states that if one tampers with the prongs, i.e., by bending same. out of such ruptured relation with the teltale element, the consumer can detect such tampering by observing the state of the prongs said to be deformed on reinsertion and by observing the state of the teltale element said to be thus marred.
  • Such ultimate reliance on demanding observations by the consumer renders the Waring approach less than desirable, despite its inclusion of the most effective of the outlined practices. Its shortcoming indicates still another essential to effective tamper indication, namely, that the rupturing elements and teltale must be maintained inaccessible.
  • the teltale is secured to the cap for movement therewith, the cap again having its top centrally open.
  • a liner is stapled, stitched or glued to the teltale.
  • a frictional undersurface of the liner is compressed onto the jar neck by friction therebetween.
  • the cap and teltale rotate initially relative to the liner and staple, whereby the staple ruptures the teltale.
  • the limitation of the '774 practice is again present, i.e., the staple is accessible at all times through the open cap center.
  • the referenced '774 and '775 patents accomodate what may be termed "the alternative user preference", which requires both (1) that the teltale and sealing layer be removable with and be fully contained, including teltale fragments, by the cap upon its removal from the container and (2) that there be an adhesive or bonded seal between the cap liner and container access port up to the point of initial opening.
  • the Waring patents expressly disavow any form of adhesive or bonded securement of the cap to the container, requiring that no adhesive bond exist between the cap and container. Accordingly, requirement (2) of the alternative use preference is not met.
  • cap liners with the cap during cap shipment and cap application to containers is a present industry practice, as is shown, for example, in Dukess U.S. Patents No. 3,819,460 and No. 3,917,100.
  • a circumferential groove is formed in the cap immediately beneath the cap top panel above the cap threads.
  • the liner is forced into the cap and nests in the retention groove.
  • the liner-includes a compressible layer which is said to be displaced tadially outwardly of the liner into sealing relation with the groove wall as the cap is threaded upon a container.
  • tamper indication is not involved and there is no anchoring of the liners to the container mouth, as by adhesive or other bond.
  • This invention has as its primary object the provision of improved tamper indication for containers of the capped type and methods for effecting same.
  • the invention has as a further object the accomodation of the above-noted practice selections and existing practices in the related industries.
  • the present invention has as another object the provision of tamper indication systems wherein the alternative user preference is accomodated in both of its requirements.
  • a container having a jar with a mouth for access to its contents, a teltale element, which may be in the form of a simple paper seal closing the mouth, and a see-through cap releasably securable to the jar and circumscribing its mouth and the teltale element when secured to the jar.
  • the cap includes one or more puncturing elements interiorly of the cap for travel with the cap.
  • the teltale element is arranged in captive relation to the puncturing element prior to assembly of the cap with the jar. As the cap is rotated into securement with the jar, the teltale element becomes secured to the jar mouth as it engages same, for example, through contact activation of a sealant on the jar mouth. Reverse sense opening movement of the cap is accompanied by visible rupturing and tearing of the teltale.
  • the puncturing element may take the form of one or more knife-like tines depending from the cap upper interior surface and non-deflectable relative thereto.
  • the cap is desirably made of transparent material such that the condition of the teltale element may be viewed constantly after the initial assembly juncture and to the point of consumer sale.
  • the cap tines have a teltale wafer applied thereto and the tines are then blunted upon the teltale wafer undersurface.
  • a second wafer is now adhesively secured to the teltale wafer and, since the second wafer is unaffected by the tines when the teltale wafer is ruptured, the second wafer can maintain the jar sealed and its contents unaffected by teltale wafer ruptured parts.
  • a further teltale of the invention has a compressible layer, such as foam, in which the tines are captive.
  • the preferred teltale is a laminate inclusive of such compressible layer and an underlayer which is both effective to blunt the tines in fully captured relation in the compressible layer and to serve as a jar sealing layer.
  • a foil overlayer may also be included.
  • the cap may include means for distributing force applied to the teltale to its periphery, thereby lessening the likelihood of tine rupture of the teltale in movement of the cap into initial securement with a jar.
  • the force distributing means may also serve as a cap reseal for a jar upon removal of the teltale after initial jar opening.
  • the invention further encompasses an overcap for the closure cap to defeat malicious activations of the teltale.
  • a further embodiment of the invention includes, in addition ; to the tines, means within the cap for engaging the teltale assembly selectively subsequent to its activation on cap opening movement, both to forcibly break the sealing bond between the teltale laminate and container and to retain the teltale laminate with the cap.
  • the teltale laminate is secured to the container mouth, as by induction heating, and the teltale laminate is so structured as to maintain its integrity as it is forcibly separated from such securement in the course of cap opening movement.
  • the invention provides a vessel comprising the customary neck terminating in a vessel mouth and defining surface extent circumscribing the mouth and inclusive of vessel sealing surface and the neck. has the typical threads for closure member securing thereon.
  • the vessel surface extent is adapted for engaging the teltale and is configured to effect first and second different engagements therewith respectively in the course of the first and second sense movements.
  • the vessel permits the teltale to be moved into closure relation with the sealing surface in first sense closure movement and to be selectively positively restrained from movement relative to the mouth in the initial phase of the second sense closure member movement without need for an adhesive layer or other bonding agent between the vessel neck and the teltale.
  • closure or cap 10 includes a closure member 12 having depending skirt 12a and interior threading 14 with lower opening 16.
  • the cap defines closing expanse comprising skirt 12a and the undersurface 12b of cap 10, for registry with the neck and mouth of a jar or like container having an access opening for obtaining its contents.
  • cap 10 Interiorly of such closing expanse, cap 10 includes one or more tines, three being shown as 18a, 18b and 18c, comprising puncturing and tearing or rupturing elements spaced at equal angles.
  • Each tine may be formed integrally with cap 10, e.g., is molded therewith, and is rigid, such that it is not readily deflectable relative to cap undersurface 12b.
  • the tines may be parts of an insert to cap 10, which is secured therein for movement therewith. Based upon its secured relation to cap 10, each tine travels with the cap in the course of its first sense (clockwise) movement into releasably secured relation with the jar neck and also in the course of second opposite sense (counterclockwise) cap movement relative to the jar for release from such secured relation therewith.
  • Cap 10 is desirably formed of optically clear plastics of butyrate, acetate, nylon, lucite and plexiglass and the like.
  • the jar for use with cap 10 is preferably made of glasser thermoplastics such as will provide a barrier to covert penetration, such as by use of a hypodermic needle. High impact styrene is suitable.
  • tine 18c shown in Figs. 3 and 4
  • same includes a vertically extending radially outward wall 20, terminating in inverse V-shaped groove or rupturing channel 22, bounded by surfaces 24a and 24b, each forming angle A (forty-five degrees) with the central vertical axis 26 thereof.
  • the channel extends radially inwardly and upwardly to interior wall 28 at angle B (thirty degrees).
  • cap 30 has skirt 32, interior threading 34, interior cap undersurface 30a and supports tines 36a, 36b and 36c, extending in the direction of lower opening 38.
  • each of tines 18a-c and 36a-c is radially offset from the center of the rotative movements of caps 10 and 30 and that each extends generally parallel to the axis of the hollow cylindrical cap.
  • Each tine is also disposed radially of the rotation center, thus having extent generally radial to provide a frontal expanse for rupturing or tearing of a member penetrated thereby.
  • tines 36a-c will be seen to involve an asymmetry about axis 40.
  • V -shaped configuration is defined by tapered sidewalls 42 and 44, the former starting its taper at location 42a, higher than that 44a for the latter. Both taper at angle C (thirty degrees) and incline radially inwardly upwardly from outward wall 45 to interior wall 46 at angle D (thirty degrees).
  • the asymmetry gives rise to a preferential directional deformation of tines as indicated for tine 36c in Fig. 10 upon assembly as now discussed.
  • tamper indication means 48 is a generally flat disk which may be comprised of a layer of foam alone, e.g., styrene based plastic foam.
  • Assembly tool 50 (Fig. 7) includes a backing member 52, being rigid in practice under present discussion, e.g., a metal cylinder, for receiving layer means 48 on its upper surface 52a and is movable in direction E for inserting layer means 50 into opening 38 of cap 30.
  • Fig. 10 shows the assembly resulting from such insertion practice with a rigid backing member.
  • the entirety of tine 36c is situate in layer means 48, with end portion 36c-l of the tine positioned in spaced relation to layer means undersurface 48a and with the tine defining a generally hooked shaped at its end portion 36c-l, such hook being in retentive relation to layer means 48 and extending in direction F, i.e., the direction of opening movement (counterclockwise rotation) of cap 30.
  • the tine is disposed to enhance tearing of layer means 48 in the course of opening movement of cap 30 and accordingly is adapted to heighten tamper indication.
  • tine 36c is. so deformed that reuse of the cap by a would-be tamperer is negated.
  • Layer means 48 may carry on its undersurface a marginal ring 53 of contact-activated adhesive, or same may be applied to the jar mouth, whereby the Fig. 10 assembly has jar securement. With tine 36c spaced from such undersurface, ruptured fragments of layer means 50 may be removed upon container opening without entering the container.
  • Backing member 52 may, if desired, be a compressible member, e.g., rubber, to reach the assembly shown in Fig. ll.
  • a major extent of tine 36c is situate in layer means 48 (more than half of its vertical extent), thus enhancing teletale rupture. Retention is effected by the remnant of tine 36c exteriorly situated with respect to layer means 48.
  • teltale or tamper indication means has been discussed as constituted by foam for layer means 48, the invention contemplates various other teltales, some of which are seen in Figs. 12, 14 and 16.
  • the teltale comprises foam layer 54 in assembly with overlayer 56 of metal foil, defining laminate 58.
  • Practice of the Fig. 10 method i.e., rigid backing member, gives rise to the assembly of Fig. 13, wherein tine 36c penetrates and is thus situate in both layers of the laminate.
  • the laminate 60 comprises foam layer 62 and underlayer 64 constituting a container access port seal, e.g., glassine or like sealing layer.
  • a container access port seal e.g., glassine or like sealing layer.
  • the laminate 66 comprises foam layer 68 together with metal foil layer 70 intervening layer 68 and cap undersurface 30a and secured to one surface of layer 68, and with underlying glassine layer 72 secured to the side of layer 68 opposite such one surface thereof.
  • tine 36c penetrates the metal foil layer 70 and foam layer 68 and is spacedly disposed relative to the glassine underlayer 72, which is securable to the jar mouth as above discussed.
  • Tines may take the further configuration shown in Figs. 18 and 19.
  • tine 74 is symmetrical about axis 76 and defines piercing apex 78 inclined radially inwardly upwardly between end walls 80 and 82.
  • the upper surfaces of container access port sealing layers of glassine or like dense paper are provided with coloration, e.g. ; bright red, and the foam layers are of offset color, e.g., white, whereby a vivid teltale indication is provided as the closure member is rotated in the opening direction.
  • coloration e.g. ; bright red
  • foam layers are of offset color, e.g., white, whereby a vivid teltale indication is provided as the closure member is rotated in the opening direction.
  • surety of tamper indication is effected.
  • the securement aspect whereby an interior glassine wafer is captured in a closure member through its adhesion to the captured foam gives the described methods utility in non-tamper indication applications, i.e., where it is desired to avoid customary release of container access port sealing layers from caps in shipment and handling.
  • closure 110 includes cap 112, preferably having vertical groupings of ribs 114 mutually spaced about the exterior ot the depending skirt of the cap.
  • Cap l12 has interior threads 116 for securement to a container and includes tines 118 extending downwardly from the cap upper interior surface within the cap container closing expanse.
  • a teltale 120 which may be paper sheet material, is secured to tines 118, which pierce through the teltale as it is forced thereover into the cap interior.
  • Tines 118 are movable with cap 112, preferably being formed integrally therewith, and teltale 120 is movable by the tines with the cap as the cap is secured to a container.
  • the cap is of see-through character, being of suitable translucent plastic or the like, such that the state of teltale 120 is visible through the cap.
  • closure 122 includes the foregoing structure in common with closure 110, and further has an access port sealing layer 124 secured at its periphery to teltale 120 after tines 118 are rolled over as indicated.
  • the tine rollover or staking step has benefit in enhancing the tearing thereof. Further, the step places the preassembly attained thereby in such posture that it may now receive an underlayer, as part of the cap as manufactured, having its integrity unaffected by activation of the teltale. Thus, with the tine ends now blunted and not having their prior puncturing and tearing capability below the teltale, jar mouth or container access port sealing layer 124 is isolated from the tines. Referring to Fig.
  • an adhesive 126 may be appied either to the mouth of container 128 or to the undersurface of layer 124, such that, upon securement of closure 122 to the jar by engagement of cap threads 116 with container neck threads 130, layer 124 becomes secured to the container and hence teltale 120 is rendered fixed relative to the container. Gripping of closure 122 and counterclockwise rotation thereof effects a tearing of teltale 120 and indicates initial opening of the container.
  • tamper sentry 132 is in the form of an overcap 134, having a central opening 136 through its upper surface, depending skirt 138, generally horizontal endless ribs 140 and 142 and latch 144 adjacent opening 146.
  • the overcap is so dimensioned as to be assembled with cap l12 as shown in Figs. 24 and 25, i.e., to vertically non-frictionally nest cap 112 therein and to latchingly retain same through latch 144, which extends radially interiorly of the periphery of cap 112.
  • Ribs 140 and 142 engage only rib groupings 114 of cap 112, in the illustrated embodiment, as shown in the enlarged showing of Fig.
  • overcap 134 substantially thwarting sufficient frictional interface between overcap 134 and tamper-indicating cap 122 for a human to rotate cap 122, absent prying off the overcap.
  • the overcap is in secured circumscribing relation to the cap and is supported thereby for rotation. If the overcap is gripped by a would-be tamperer, there results a spinning thereof without movement of the cap and hence without activation of the teltale.
  • opening 136 in the overcap also serves the purpose of enabling visualization of the state of the tamper-indicating teltale 120.
  • teltale used in practicing the invention is in the configuration of a laminate or multilayer indicating-element, as in Figs. 12 and 16, i.e., including an upper foil member of highly tearable nature, or in the form of delicate sheet material, again quite readily tearable, practice as above discussed can present difficulty in assembly, particularly as the assembly of closure and teltale is rotated into securement with a container.
  • the tines are alone in force-imposing relation to the teltale and alone carry it into desired position in the final assembly.
  • cap closing sense movement a point is reached at which the teltale is compressed between the cap and container, and at that juncture, resistance to further rotation is met.
  • increased force is applied to the cap and transmitted through the tines to the delicate teltale, heightening the tendency for movement of the cap and tines relative to the teltale and at times tearing the teltale and rendering it ineffective for use.
  • cap 512 has formed integrally therein radially extending ribs 528, disposed outboard of tines 516 and at the interior periphery of cap 512.
  • the ribs have generally vertical rises 528a at their cap clockwise sides, the rises extending downwardly from cap undersurface 512a, as is seen in Fig. 45 for the single such rib illustratively shown.
  • the ribs have trailing ramps 528b at their cap counterclockwise sides.
  • the cap closing sense rotative movement is accompanied by forceful engagement of rib rises 528a with teltale element 520 at its upper surface along with the tines, effectively distributing the force applied to the teltale element and permitting use of delicate tamper-indicating elements as teltales, e.g., foils, thin paper and the like.
  • teltales e.g., foils, thin paper and the like.
  • ramps 528b ride over the teltale surface, and tearing is effected by the tines.
  • closure 230 includes cap or closure member 232 and a force-imparting member 234 is secured in the cap interior, adjacent cap undersurface 232a, and is preferably in the form of a ring in circumscribing non-interfering relation to tines 216.
  • Member 234 is selected to be of plastic composition which is more compressible than the plastic material constituting cap 232 and is also selected, relative to teltale 220, to impart frictional force to the teltale upper surface upon compression of member 234 between cap 232 and teltale 220.
  • the teltale is inserted in the cap to provide the assembly of Fig. 27 and the tines are staked as above discussed to provide the closure of Fig.
  • teltale upon initial opening of the Fig. 28 container, one may remove the torn teltale from the closure and remove layer 226 from the container to gain access to the contents of the container, but may reseal the container by virtue of the remaining presence of member 234 in the closure and its characteristic compressibility adapted also for direct sealing engagement of undersurface 234a with the container adjacent its access port.
  • closure 310 includes cap or closure member 312, having skirt 312a and interior threads 314 for securement to a container and including tines 316 extending downwardly from cap upper interior surface 312b of cap top panel 312c and disposed within the cap container closing expanse, comprised of such skirt and top panel.
  • Tines 316a-c which may be one or more in number, are shown arranged as three puncturing elements spaced at equal angles.
  • Teltale 320 may be in configuration of a laminate or multilayer tamper-indicating element, including an upper foil member 322 of highly tearable nature, an intermediate layer 324 of foam or like compressible material and a lower layer 326 of dense paper, such as glassine.
  • Teltale 320 is assembled with cap 312 by inverting cap 312 from its Fig. 30 disposition, positioning teltale 320 in registry with cap open end 312d, applying a rigid tool, e.g., a metal cylinder, to layer 326 and forcing teltale 320 against cap top panel 312c.
  • a rigid tool e.g., a metal cylinder
  • tines 316 are distorted within foam layer 324, as shown in sectional view of Fig. 34, i.e., tine 316b is flattened against glassine layer into boot-like configuration 316b-1 in foam layer 324 and is in penetrating relation to both foil layer 322 and foam layer 324.
  • Layer 326 may include a teltale indicium 326a e.g., a red coloration, on its surface juxtaposed with foam layer 324.
  • the means of Figs. 29 and 30 for such teltale protecting purpose effects displacement of the teltale into frictional engagement with the interior of the closure member skirt, which desirably has its surface confronting the displaced teltale formed in such manner as to heighten such frictional engagement.
  • the same structure can both fulfull a reseal function as heretofore known, and, in further heretofore unknown and unexpected function, realize a teltale displacement and protection function, as is now discussed.
  • force imparting means in the form of a flexible cone 328 is integral with, or is otherwise fixed within, cap 312.
  • Cone 328 commences at one end portion 330 coterminus with top panel 312c, at a location radially outward of the location of tines 316a-c, and extends in cantilevered manner to opposite end portion 332, which defines a flat horizontal surface 334, generally parallel to top panel 312c.
  • teltale 320 In the course of tool assembly of teltale 320 with cap 312, and with cap 312 equipped with means 328 as in Fig. means 328 engages teltale 320 and is deflected thereby, as is shown in Fig. 33, compressing foam layer 324.
  • the foam layer expands from its compressed condition outboard of means 328 and thereby extends outwardly into engagement with the interior of skirt 312a juxtaposed with means 328.
  • Skirt 312a is desirably provided with enhanced frictional surface in its portion juxtaposed with means 328, such as inwardly extending ribs or projection 336, which are arranged in spaced uniform fashion (Fig. 29) about the periphery of the cap. It is found that teltale 320 is forced to curl periphery upwardly and downwardly (Fig. 35) into engagement with projections 336.
  • the foregoing structure has use generally in container closing aspect as an anti-backoff closure.
  • backoff is meant the undesirable self-loosening of a closure from securement with a container, such as happens with vibration in the course of shipment, with temperature change, etc.
  • anti-backoff structure as is provided above, i.e., wherein (1) the closure member has a locked relation to the teltale, particularly by the tines and such described displacement of the teltale into engagement peripherally with projections 336 by means 328 compression of foam layer 234, and (2) a second interlock exists as between the teltale and the container through adhesive 340.
  • teltale 320 e.g., a compressible and outwardly displaceable member of non-tamper-indicating character.
  • teltale 320 may be secured to tines 316 by a-container, as is now discussed.
  • deflection of means 328 may occur in the course of securement of cap 312 with container 318.
  • surface 338 of container 318 bounding its access port has adhesive 340 thereon and registers vertically with end portion 332 of means 328.
  • means 328 is deflected toward top panel 312c.
  • End portion 324 bites into foil layer 322 and compresses foam layer 324 which expands rightwardly of its compressed area, thereby displacing teltale 320 outwardly into engagement with prejections 336.
  • teltale 320 Upon initial opening of the Fig. 35 capped container, teltale 320 is torn by tines 316, since teltale 320 is secured by adhesive 340 to container 318. The teltale is now removed from cap 312, i.e., by peeling same from tines 316.
  • the teltale-less cap is seen in Fig. 36, which also shows the reseal capability of teltale protection means 328.
  • flat surface 334 of end portion 332 is in sealed relation with surface 338 of container 318, desirably in flat horizontal disposition, generally parallel to top panel 312c, as indicated in Fig. 36..
  • container 410 includes cap or closure member 412 of see-through plastic material having skirt 414 with interior threads 416.
  • a circumferential bead 418 projects inwardly from skirt 414 with threads 416, but is fully horizontally disposed, and defines with undersurface 412a of the cap top 412b a recess or groove 420.
  • Tines 422a, 422b and 422c (Fig. 5) are movable with cap 412 in its rotative movement.
  • Each tine tapers to piercing apex as shown at 422a-1 and 422b-1 in Fig. 37 and is preferably of length below undersurface 418a less than the vertical run of recess 420.
  • teltale assembly 424 is a laminate, as is seen in the enlarged view of Fig. 40.
  • the laminate includes an uppermost compressible layer 426 of material, e.g., open cell styrofoam, which is rupturable and tearable by tines 422a-422c. This layer is desirably from thirty to thirty-five mils in thickness.
  • a printed pattern is applied to top surface 426a of layer 426.
  • a strip pattern adhesive 427 is applied to stiffening layer 428 for securement thereof to the undersurface of layer 4 26.
  • This layer is comprised of a pressure-sensitive hot melt, available from Finley Adhesives, and may be about one mil in thickness.
  • Assembly 424 is cylindrical or disk-shaped and the'individual strips, one identified at 427a, of the pattern adhesive layer are spaced from other strips and extend chordally of the cylinder.
  • Stiffening layer 428 is comprised of a clear K-resin, available from Phillips 66 and is preferably from four to ten mils.
  • Bottom layer -432 is a one mill aluminum foil which is coated with general purpose polyethylene or Surlyn etc. Color and pattern features are significant, both from a security and control viewpoint and tamper indication viewpoint.
  • the printed pattern on surface 426a is desirably a thin line green imprinting to impart an anti-counterfeit character to teltale assembly 424.
  • Layer 426 is preferably white foam and the coloration of teltale paper layer 430 is desirably red on its surface facing clear stiffening layer 428.
  • jar 434 is partially shown and has neck 436 with exterior threads 438.
  • a layer 440 of controlled release type adhesive may be applied to the mouth of neck 436.
  • cap 412 and teltale assembly 424 In assembly of cap 412 and teltale assembly 424, cap 412 is inverted from its Fig. 1 orientation and teltale assembly 424 is forced against surface 412a of top panel 412 by a rigid, e.g., metal, backing member applied to layer 432 of assembly 424. Layer 4 26 is punctured by the tines and the tines are deformed in the foam, effecting retention of assembly 424 by the tines. The results of this operation are seen in Fig. 38, wherein teltale assembly 424 is nested in recess 420 and is held by the tines in preselected spaced vertical relation to bead 418, for purposes below discussed. '
  • cap 412 is fully threaded in container closing sense (full clockwise movement as in Fig. 41).
  • Layer 432 (Fig. 40) of teltale assembly 424 is secured to the mouth of neck 436 by adhesive layer 440 and the teltale assembly is thus anchored to both cap 412 and jar 434.
  • layer 432 is polythylene-coated aluminum, or other compatible coating as above discussed, the latter anchoring is done preferably by induction heating of the aluminum foil, which directly bonds the coating to the container neck, without need for a separate adhesive.
  • a measure of counterclockwise (opening sense) rotation of cap 412 can occur prior to any confrontational engagement of bead 418 with layer 432 and hence prior to any discontinuance of the anchoring of asembly 424 to the mouth of neck 436.
  • tines 422a, 422b and 422c tear through foam layer 426, giving rise to a revealing of teltale layer 430 in areas 442, 444 and 446 as shown in Fig. 42, and the presentation of the vivid red layer 430 through the white foam against the green line background atop foam layer 426.
  • teltale assembly though bonded to the container to the point of cap opening, is retained with the cap after its activation on initial opening.
  • fragmentation or tearing of the foam layer 426 is spatially controlled, i.e., takes place only through angle Z of Fig. 41 or other angle as may be established by selection of the vertical spacing between teltale assembly layer 432 and rib 418.
  • reduced fragmentation is achieved and nigher probability of fragment containment within cap 412 is realized in the presence of effective tamper indication.
  • reseal capability is present, since layer 432 is unaffected in these activities.
  • teltale assembly design consideration which assists in the realization of the features discussed immmediately above, is the character of layer 428 of teltale assembly 424.
  • This layer is effective to withstand the camming force applied to the teltale assembly by bead 418 in the course of its release from jar 434, while at the same time retaining the cylindrical geometric configuration of assembly 424.
  • assembly 424 will thus be seen to have an anti-counterfeit imprint atop a tine securement layer (layer 426), a layer for maintenance of structural integrity (layer 428), a teltale layer (layer 430) and sealing and reseal layer (layer 432).
  • cap 412 will be seen to have plural and successively operative means for retention of teltale assembly 424.
  • Tines 422a-422c represent first means for teltale assembly retention, being imbedded in . layer 426 upon cap and teltale assembly.
  • Bead 418 is inactive until such time as tines 422a-422c have ruptured layer 426 and lost retentive relation therewith, but follows teltale assembly 424 to retentively and continuingly engage the same following teltale activation.
  • the teltale can be in the multilayer form shown as element 320 and in other teltale configuration, for example, running from a single paper layer disrupted by the tines to other multilayer structures, e.g., wherein a foam layer is in immediate juxtaposition to the cap top panel and is supported by an encapsulated aluminum layer, the latter being in present commercial usage. Where the foam layer is opaque, the aluminum layer, or other underlying teltale is seen in its portions in registry with the translucent tines, when inactivated, and is highly visible upon activation.
  • teltale structure could see an upper paper layer, a foam layer, a lower paper layer and a lowermost layer comprising Surlan-coated aluminum foil. While engagement of the tines and teltale structure has been shown as involving penetration of the teltale by the tines, the invention contemplates also a surface joinder of the tines and teltale, e.g., the tines having surface engaging the teltale upper surface and such surfaces being heat bonded together. Further, while the depicted embodiments employ rotative closures having internal threads, the invention requires only that the closures be rotative for teltale activation.
  • teltale assembly 424 would be to form the teltale indication atop the stiffening layer, as by coloration on the upper surface thereof.
  • the stiffening layer may now be constituted of opaque material, such as hardboard, since the teltale indication is not required to be seen therethrough as in the first discussed embodiment, wherein the stiffening layer of K-resin has see-through character.!
  • FIG. 46 through 48 another embodiment of the invention involves a tamper-indicative container having a vessel with facility for non-adhesive engagement with the container closure member.
  • Vessel 610 includes a neck 612 bearing suitable cap securement threads 614 on its exterior surface and providing an access channel between the vessel mouth and vessel interior compartment 616.
  • the vessel defines surface extent circumscribing the mouth, inclusive of peripheral teeth 618, a flat expanse 620 and vessel sealing surface 622.
  • sealing surface 622 directly borders the mouth and is a flat annulus (Fig. 46).
  • Flat expanse 620 is also an annulus, contiguous with sealing surface 622 and vertically recessed therebelow by dimension B. Expanse 620 extends to the root, i.e., the lower end of inclined surface 618b, of teeth 618.
  • Each of teeth 618 also has an outer vertical side 618a, leading to a tooth peak, an interior side 618c which is substantially vertically disposed and another interior side 618d, which is inclined to the horizontal. In clockwise sense in Fig.
  • side 618c is clockwise leading, i.e., is spatially ahead in the sense that one o'clock is spatially ahead of twelve o'clock, and side 618d is clockwise lagging, sides 618c and 618d of each tooth intersecting at such tooth peak and otherwise throughout the length of inclined surface 618b.
  • Teeth 618 will be seen to rise vertically above sealing surface 622 by a dimension equal to the difference between A and B and accordingly the teeth can penetrate a layer applied to surface extent 618-620-622 to the depth therein equal to such difference dimension. when the layer is in sealed relation with sealing surface extent 622.
  • the full radial dimension of surface extent 618-620-622 is noted as F, equal subdimensions C, D and E applying to the radial dimension of sealing surface 622, recessed expanse 620 and teeth 618.
  • a preferred teltale for use in practice includes a compressible inner layer of open cell foam, an upper layer of metal foil and a lower layer of closed cell foam, suitable for sealing the vessel to which it is applied.
  • the teltale is nested in cap 624 as above discussed in connection with Figs. 5-7.
  • cap 624 With assembled teltale, is threaded onto vessel 610 at the point of initial closing of the container after content filling thereof, layer 640 rides relatively freely over ramp-like surfaces 618d of vessel 610 and ultimately, closure between cap 624 and vessel 610 is such that layer 640 abuts sealing surface 622 to effect sealing of the vessel.
  • the teeth take up residence in layer 640 in such manner that the teltale will be positively restrained from movement relative to vessel 610 in the initial course of opening movement (counterclockwise) of cap 624. There results consequently the required relative movement of the cap tines with respect to the teltale and visible rupturing thereof.
  • the foam is torn through, exposing any desired tamper indicia placed on the upper surface of the closed cell layer of the teltale.
  • the peaks of teeth 618 could be radially outward of the roots thereof and at the same vertical elevation as the roots to effect like different engagement between the vessel and the teltale in respective different sense movements of the closure member.
EP83111026A 1982-11-12 1983-11-04 Récipient avec fermeture comprenant des moyens pour indiquer l'ouverture non-autorisée Expired EP0109593B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT83111026T ATE32865T1 (de) 1982-11-12 1983-11-04 Behaelter und verschluss mit mittel zum anzeigen unerwuenschten oeffnens.

Applications Claiming Priority (20)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US44110982A 1982-11-12 1982-11-12
US441109 1982-11-12
US443608 1982-11-22
US06/443,608 US4793122A (en) 1982-11-12 1982-11-22 Tamper-indicating closure for a container, container and method for making same
US06/450,531 US4793503A (en) 1982-12-17 1982-12-17 Container closure with rupturable tamper disk
US450531 1982-12-17
US45788683A 1983-01-14 1983-01-14
US45788583A 1983-01-14 1983-01-14
US457886 1983-01-14
US457885 1983-01-14
US462085 1983-01-28
US06/462,085 US4793505A (en) 1982-11-22 1983-01-28 Tamper-indicating container closure with rupturable disk
US46608883A 1983-02-14 1983-02-14
US466088 1983-02-14
US46723083A 1983-02-17 1983-02-17
US06/531,007 US4793504A (en) 1983-09-12 1983-09-12 Closure with containment of telltale means
US531007 1983-09-12
US542191 1983-10-19
US06/542,191 US4558794A (en) 1983-10-19 1983-10-19 Container with vessel for retention of telltales
US467230 2009-05-15

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0109593A2 true EP0109593A2 (fr) 1984-05-30
EP0109593A3 EP0109593A3 (en) 1985-08-14
EP0109593B1 EP0109593B1 (fr) 1988-03-09

Family

ID=27581263

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83111026A Expired EP0109593B1 (fr) 1982-11-12 1983-11-04 Récipient avec fermeture comprenant des moyens pour indiquer l'ouverture non-autorisée

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0109593B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU568515B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE3375899D1 (fr)
FI (1) FI834142A (fr)
IL (1) IL70135A0 (fr)
NO (1) NO834100L (fr)
NZ (1) NZ206139A (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0111900A2 (fr) * 1982-12-21 1984-06-27 Milton Schonberger Indicateur pour convercle de récipient, rendant visible l'ouverture non-autorisée
FR2612495A1 (fr) * 1987-03-16 1988-09-23 Sunbeam Plastics Corp Emballage verseur de securite
US4934544A (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-06-19 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Z-tab innerseal for a container and method of application
US5004111A (en) * 1989-02-27 1991-04-02 Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company Internally delaminating tabbed innerseal for a container and method of applying
US5433992A (en) * 1987-09-09 1995-07-18 Stanpac Inc. Sealing member for a container

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5514442A (en) 1987-09-09 1996-05-07 Stanpac, Inc. Sealing member for a container

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB111269A (en) * 1917-08-20 1917-11-22 Charles Colin Glenn Hoyle Improvements in or relating to Closures for Receptacles such as Canisters, Drums, Casks and the like.
US2939597A (en) * 1959-04-01 1960-06-07 Greene Edgeworth Closures for sealing containers
FR1493311A (fr) * 1966-09-20 1967-08-25 Continental Can Co Bague de récipient et capsule de bouchage
FR2502589A1 (fr) * 1981-03-30 1982-10-01 Bouchon Rapid Sa Bouchon incorporant une cape de rebouchage et un opercule thermoscellable
EP0109592A2 (fr) * 1982-11-12 1984-05-30 Tbl Development Corporation Récipient avec capuchon comprenant des moyens pour indiquer l'ouverture non-autorisée

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB111269A (en) * 1917-08-20 1917-11-22 Charles Colin Glenn Hoyle Improvements in or relating to Closures for Receptacles such as Canisters, Drums, Casks and the like.
US2939597A (en) * 1959-04-01 1960-06-07 Greene Edgeworth Closures for sealing containers
FR1493311A (fr) * 1966-09-20 1967-08-25 Continental Can Co Bague de récipient et capsule de bouchage
FR2502589A1 (fr) * 1981-03-30 1982-10-01 Bouchon Rapid Sa Bouchon incorporant une cape de rebouchage et un opercule thermoscellable
EP0109592A2 (fr) * 1982-11-12 1984-05-30 Tbl Development Corporation Récipient avec capuchon comprenant des moyens pour indiquer l'ouverture non-autorisée

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0111900A2 (fr) * 1982-12-21 1984-06-27 Milton Schonberger Indicateur pour convercle de récipient, rendant visible l'ouverture non-autorisée
EP0111900A3 (fr) * 1982-12-21 1985-07-31 Milton Schonberger Indicateur pour convercle de récipient, rendant visible l'ouverture non-autorisée
FR2612495A1 (fr) * 1987-03-16 1988-09-23 Sunbeam Plastics Corp Emballage verseur de securite
US5433992A (en) * 1987-09-09 1995-07-18 Stanpac Inc. Sealing member for a container
US4934544A (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-06-19 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Z-tab innerseal for a container and method of application
US5004111A (en) * 1989-02-27 1991-04-02 Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company Internally delaminating tabbed innerseal for a container and method of applying

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO834100L (no) 1984-05-14
FI834142A0 (fi) 1983-11-11
DE3375899D1 (en) 1988-04-14
AU2106083A (en) 1984-05-17
NZ206139A (en) 1986-12-05
AU568515B2 (en) 1988-01-07
EP0109593A3 (en) 1985-08-14
FI834142A (fi) 1984-05-13
EP0109593B1 (fr) 1988-03-09
IL70135A0 (en) 1984-02-29

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