EP2114788B1

EP2114788B1 - Tamper evident closure

Info

Publication number: EP2114788B1
Application number: EP07858810.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Philippe Bardet; Claude Benoit-Gonin
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Current assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH
Priority date: 2007-01-04
Filing date: 2007-12-31
Publication date: 2014-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-31
Also published as: GB0700090D0; WO2008081171A1; EP2114788A1; PT2114788E; ES2458500T3

Description

This invention is generally concerned with closures having means of providing tamper evidence and is more particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with flip-top closures for use with domestic products.
There are many different types of closures available on the market some of which include tamper evidence means. Some closures function by being unscrewed from a container opening and some closures have a base and a lid wherein the base has means for attaching the closure to a container and a dispensing orifice therein, and the lid moves between a position in which it occludes the dispensing orifice and a position in which the dispensing orifice is unobstructed. Such closures may be used with, amongst others, consumable products drinks such as drinks and sauces, and domestic products such as cosmetics. The associated containers may be bottles or tubes etc.
The tamper evidence means provides visual evidence that a closure has been initially opened. This provides a level of certainty to the consumer that the product within the associated container has not been tampered with. There are various ways of providing tamper evidence for closures. One type of closure has a base and lid hinged together. A portion of a tamper evident band is frangibly connected to the base. A projection on the lid engages underneath the band when the closure is initially closed. This initial closing event typically occurs after the closure has been moulded in the open position and before being fitted to an associated container. When the lid is initially opened, the projection imparts a force on the band so as to lift it away from the base thus breaking the frangible connection therebetween. Typically, the band remains partially connected to the base. However, since at least one of the frangible connections between it and the base has been broken, a visual indication is provided to the consumer. This visual indication is often enhanced by the band appearing loose and in an obviously incorrect position.
With this type of closure, the partial band lies on the radially outer surface of the lid and/or base and is thus prone to accidental damage during handling.
A closure according to the pre-characterising portion of Claim 1 is known from US6405885 .
The present invention seeks to provide a closure with improved tamper evidence features.
The invention provides a closure for a container according to claim 1. The closure comprises a base for engagement with a mouth of a container, the base including a dispensing orifice; and a lid movable between a closed position in which the dispensing orifice is occluded and an open position in which the dispensing orifice is unobstructed, wherein the base includes a tamper evident member, and the lid includes engagement means for engaging with the tamper evident member, such that, in use, the tamper evident member is at least partially removed from the base when the lid is initially moved to the open position, the lid includes an opening and the tamper evident member projects through the opening with the lid in the initially closed position; the engagement means for engaging with the tamper evident member comprises a projection present within the lid opening radially inside the tamper evident member and a projection within the lid opening radially outside the tamper evident member and the projections engage with a radial opening in the tamper evident member, such that it is not possible to open the lid without the projections forcing the member away from the base, thus providing visual evidence that the closure has been opened.
The orifice may be provided in a nozzle or spout or may be provided in a flat upper planar surface of the base. A spigot may be provided on the underside of the lid for engagement within the orifice. Alternatively, or additionally, the lid may include an annular member which surrounds the nozzle or spout for sealing purposes.
The base may include threads so that it may be screwed on to a container. Alternatively, or additionally, the base may include snap beads or other means for retaining it on a container.
The lid may have a relatively planar upper outer surface so that in the closed position the closure may rest on this surface in a stable position. If the closure were used with an appropriate container, such as a tube, then the tube and closure combination could be stood on the lid so that the tube is above the closure.
Of course, the lid may have a different shape, and for instance could be domed.
The opening in the lid may be an axial opening, and the tamper evident member may project axially through the axial opening with the lid in the initially closed position.
The tamper evident member may be positioned inboard of the periphery of the base.
The closure base may have a top deck. The tamper-evident member may be provided on the deck.
The base may include a depression which provides access to the underside of the lid so as to facilitate lifting of the lid.
The closure may be formed in the open position and the tamper evident member may be arranged to engage the lid engagement means automatically upon first closing. The tamper evident feature is therefore automatically primed as the closure is initially closed before use.
The opening may be completely surrounded radially by the lid. In other words, the opening may be provided completely within the circumference of the lid, for example in the form of a slot. However, it is also possible that the opening is only partially radially surrounded by the lid. In this way, the opening may extend radially to the circumference of the lid in at least one place on the circumference.
The tamper evident member may initially be connected to the base by at least one frangible bridge.
The tamper evident member may take the form of a substantially planar tab extending axially away from the upper surface of the base.
The frangible bridges may take the form of substantially cylindrical, or semicylindrical elements extending from the upper surface of the base to the lower side of the tab. There may be any number of frangible bridges, however, between two and four is preferred.
In use, the at least one frangible bridge may be broken when the lid is initially moved to the open position. This occurs due to the projections engaging with the tamper evident member so that when the lid is moved to the open position, the projections force the tab away from the base of the closure thus breaking the bridges.
The tamper evident member may be thicker towards the end adjacent the base of the closure with a sloping surface on one side and a sharp undercut beneath. This sloping surface may encourage the projection on the lid to slide past the tab without unduly stretching or causing damage to the frangible bridges when the lid is initially closed. Further, the undercut may help locate the projections underneath the tab so that when the closure is initially opened the projections lift the tab away from the base thus breaking the frangible bridges.
In one embodiment, the lid and base are connectable together by a hinge. The lid, base and hinge may be moulded as one piece. However, the lid and base may be moulded as separate pieces connected together by the hinge. The hinge may be a snap hinge. The closure may be described as a "flip-top closure".
The tamper evident member may be positioned on the base substantially opposite the hinge.
The lid and base may be bi-injection moulded as one piece. Further, the lid may be moulded from material having one colour and the base may be moulded from material having a different colour. In this way, the tab having one colour would project through the lid having a different colour when the lid is in the closed position after the initial closing event. In this way, the tab, or tamper evident means may be more visually discernable.
The lid and base may be moulded from plastics materials.
The present invention and its advantages will be better understood by referring, by way of example, to the following detailed description and the attached Figures, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the closure in the as-moulded open position;
Figure 2 is an elevational side view of the closure of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the closure of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a plan view of the closure of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the closure of Figure 1 in the initially closed position;
Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the closure of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is an elevational side view of the closure of Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the closure of Figure 5; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the closure after it has been initially opened.

In this specification the relative terms upper, lower etc. are used with reference to the closures as shown in the Figures and should not be considered to be limiting on the use, or otherwise, of the closures.
In Figure 1, the closure 10 comprises a generally cylindrical lid 20 and a generally cylindrical base 30 connected together by a hinge 40. On the underside of the lid spigot 50 is provided. When the lid is in the closed position the spigot 50 seals against the inside of an orifice 60 provided on the upper surface of the base 30.
An axial opening 70 is provided in the lid 20. This axial opening in plan view has a shape approximate to a circular segment being bounded on the side closest to the spigot by the body of the lid and on the circular, outer radial side, by an arc of material 75 integral with the lid 20. Within the opening 70, a projection 80 is provided on the inside of the opening nearest the spigot 50. Further, a projection 90 is provided on the inside of the opening 70 on the arc 75.
The base 30 comprises a cylindrical skirt 31 closed at one end by a disc-like top deck 32 in which the orifice 60 is provided. A tamper evident member in the form of a tab 100 is provided and upstands from the deck 32. The tab 100 is connected to the deck 32 by means of frangible bridges 110.
A radial opening 105 is provided between the tab 100 and the upper surface of the base 30. Further, a sloping surface 130 is provided on the radially outer surface of the tab 100 towards the lower end which is connected to the base 30. This sloped surface 130 slopes radially outwards and extends over the opening 105. A relatively sharp undercut is provided between the underside of the tab 100 and the opening 105, as will be explained in more detail below. Finally, a gripping recess 120 is provided on the base 30 substantially radially opposite the hinge 40.
This sloping surface 130 is better seen in Figure 2. This side view of the closure 10 also demonstrates how the opening 70 in the lid 20 is provided substantially opposite the hinge 40 and is surrounded by an arc 75. However, this arc 75 does not have the full axial height equal of the lid, but rather only extends axially approximately 25% of the height of the lid 20, measured axially from the underside of the lid towards the top of the lid when the closure is in the closed position.
The frangible bridges 110 are more clearly shown in Figure 3 together with the opening 105 provided at the base of the tab 100 and beneath the sloping surface 130.
In the plan view of the closure in the open position in Figure 4, the opening 70 in the lid 20 is bounded on the radially outer side by the arc 75. The projection 80 is provided on the radially inner side of the opening 70, whereas the projection 90 is provided on the radially inner surface of the arc 75. Both projections 80,90 are provided substantially radially opposite the hinge 40. On the lid 30, the top of the tab 100 and the sloping part 130 are provided substantially radially opposite the hinge 40. The gripping recess 120 is provided in the portion of the base 30 immediately beneath the tab 100.
When the closure is initially closed, as shown in Figure 5, the tab 100 protrudes through the opening 70 and is surrounded by the arc 75. As the tab 100 passes through the opening 70, the projection 80 will urge it slightly radially away from the centre of the lid 20. This is possible due to the flexibility of the frangible connections 110. As the lid 20 closes against the base 30, the projection 90 urges the tab 100 radially inwards so that the projection 80 engages with the opening 105 at the base of the tab 100 and underneath the undercut formed therein. In this way, it is not possible to open the lid 20 without the projection 80 forcing the tab 100 axially away from the base 30.
Figure 6 shows a different view of the closure 10 of Figure 5. The gripping recess 120 is shown provided immediately adjacent the tab 100, axially below it. This recess 120 allows a user to lever the arc 75, and thus the lid 20, away from the base 20 on opening. Further, the upper surface 25 of the lid 20 has a relatively flat, planar, surface which allows the closure to be stood on the lid end.
In Figure 7, the recess 120 is more clearly shown together with the arc 75 and the tab 100 projecting through the opening 70 provided in the lid 20.
A cross-sectional side view of the closure 10 is shown in Figure 8, the projection 90, however, not being shown in this drawing. The closure 10 is shown connected to an associated container 200. This is achieved by a thread 205 provided on the neck of the container 200 which engages with a corresponding thread 35 provided on the radially inner surface of the base 30.
An inner bore seal 65 is also provided within the base 30. This inner bore seal 65 squeezes against the inner surface of the neck of the container 200 to provide a seal there against.
An orifice 60 is provided at the upper end of the base 30 within a spout, and with the lid in the closed position 20 it is seen how the spigot 50 fits inside the orifice 60 to seal there against.
The projection 80, provided radially opposite the hinge 40 and within the opening 70, projects both radially away from the lid 20 and axially away from the base 30 so that it lies approximately diagonal to both the axis "A" and the radial plane (not referenced) which lies parallel to the contact surface between the lid 20 and the base 30. The orientation of the projection 80 allows it to pass behind the tab 100 when the lid is initially being closed and then to engage within the opening 105 underneath the tab 100 and below the sharp undercut 72. Although the projection 90 is not shown in this drawing, it will be understood that it lies in the same radial plane as the projection 80 and on the radially inner surface of the arc 75 adjacent the opening 105 so as to urge the tab 100 away from the arc 75. In this way the projection 80 may be engaged correctly underneath the tab 100 and the opening 105.
The closure 10 is moulded in the open position. Thereafter the closure is initially closed. To open the closure 10 a user may lever the lid 30 away from the base by exerting upward pressure against the arc 75 with a finger or thumb resting in the recess 120. When the closure is initially opened in this way the projection 80 lifts the tab 100 away from the base 30 thus breaking the frangible connections 110.
A perspective view of a closure 10 and part of a container 200 combination with the lid having been thus opened is shown in Figure 9. The tab 100 is missing and all that remains of the frangible bridges 110 are stubs 112 located on the upper surface of the base 30.
Following this initial opening, the lid 20 may be opened and closed relative to the base sealing and unsealing the orifice 60 as required.

Claims

A closure (10) for a container, comprising:
a base (30) for engagement with a mouth of a container, the base including a dispensing orifice (60); and a lid (20) movable between a closed position in which the dispensing orifice is occluded and an open position in which the dispensing orifice is unobstructed, wherein the base includes a tamper evident member (100), and the lid includes engagement means for engaging with the tamper evident member, the lid including an opening (70) and the tamper evident member projecting through the opening with the lid in the initially closed position, wherein the engagement means for engaging with the tamper evident member comprises a projection (80) present within the lid opening (70) radially inside the tamper evident member and a projection (90) within the lid opening (70) radially outside the tamper evident member, such that, in use, it is not possible to open the lid without the projections forcing the member away from the base, the tamper evident member being at least partially removed from the base when the lid is initially moved to the open position, thus providing visual evidence that the closure has been opened, characterised in that the projections (80, 90) engage with a radial opening (105) in the tamper evident member.
A closure according to Claim 1, wherein the opening (70) in the lid (20) is an axial opening, and the tamper evident member (100) projects axially through the axial opening with the lid in the initially closed position.
A closure according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the tamper evident member (100) is positioned inboard of the periphery of the base (30).
A closure according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the base (30) has a top deck and the tamper-evident member (100) is provided thereon.
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the base (30) includes a depression which provides access to the underside of the lid (20).
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure (10) is formed in the open position and wherein the tamper evident member (100) is arranged to engage the lid engagement means automatically upon first closing.
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid opening (70) is partially radially surrounded by the lid (20).
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid opening (70) comprises a slot.
The closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the radially inside projection (80) present on the lid opening (70) engages underneath the tamper evident member (100).
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the tamper evident member (100) is initially connected to the base (30) by at least one frangible bridge (110).
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid (20) and base (30) are connected together by a hinge (40).
A closure according to Claim 11, wherein the tamper evident member (100) is positioned on the base (30) substantially opposite the hinge (40).
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid (20) and base (30) are moulded as one piece.
A closure according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid (20) and base (30) are bi-injection moulded as one piece.
A closure according to Claim 14, wherein the lid (20) is moulded from material having one colour and the base (30) is moulded from material having a different colour.