EP2763910A1

EP2763910A1 - Tamper evident closure

Info

Publication number: EP2763910A1
Application number: EP12766699.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Colin PHIMISTER; Marco Giovannini; Maurizio MITTINO
Original assignee: Guala Closures Patents BV
Current assignee: Guala Closures International BV
Priority date: 2011-10-04
Filing date: 2012-10-02
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-02
Also published as: WO2013050390A1; EP2763910B1; KR20140091676A; EA201400343A1; UA112321C2; EA028516B1; CN103842264B; EA028516B9; ITMI20111799A1; KR102079172B1; CN103842264A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tamper evident closure (1) comprising a threaded outer cap (20), an inner element (30) longitudinally movable relative to the threaded outer cap (20) from a first lower position, corresponding to the position prior to first opening, to a second higher position, corresponding to the position after first opening, cam means (40) to cause longitudinal movement of the inner element (30) upon first opening, locking means (50) to lock the inner element (30) in the second position upon first opening. The threaded outer cap (20) is configured such that a lateral portion (31) of the inner element (30) is visible in the second position.

Description

TITLE: Tamper evident closure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tamper evident closure, i.e. a closure comprising devices that can provide evidence of first opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The discussion of documents, deeds, materials, devices, papers and the like is only incorporated in this specification to provide some context for the present invention. These materials shall not be deemed or intended to be wholly or partially part of the prior art, or to be of general knowledge in the field of the present invention, as existing before the priority date of any claim of this application.

It is known that, particularly in the spirits industry, there is a need to provide closures having visible tamper evident arrangements capable of providing an indication to a user that a bottle has been opened.

WO 03/095326 discloses a safety closure for bottles, provided with a tamper optical indicator. The closure comprises a disk member which is transversal with respect to a cap. The disk member exhibits on its upper surface at least one projection and coupling means on its lower surface. Breakable container means containing substances capable of changing the conditions of the visible zone through a transparent portion of the cap are provided between the projection of the upper surface of the disk member. In particular, the coupling means determines a relative movement between the disk member and the breakable container means when a user unscrews the cap for the first opening so as to cause the penetration between the projection and the container means thereby causing the discharge of the fluid contained in the container means and a chromatic change of the transparent portion. This closure has the drawback that construction becomes complicated due to use of chemical substances, such as suitable liquids having chromatic properties, and containers therefor which need to be arranged in the cap.

WO 2009/128095 discloses a threaded cap comprising a threaded undercap and an overcap coaxial and integral therewith and external thereto so as to define a pocket which houses, movable in the longitudinal direction, a element comprising an upper portion and a lower portion substantially aligned in the longitudinal direction and joined together by a weakened line, before first opening. During the first opening, the weakened line breaks so that the lower portion falls away from the closure and the upper portion falls down in abutment against a stop surface. This causes the lower portion to be visible or may expose a portion of the undercap. This closure has the drawback that the lower portion may get stuck upon first opening so that it does not fall.

WO 2005/049443 and GB 2 450 939 disclose a tamper-evident closure having a first portion with inner and outer parts and a second portion. The outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position, corresponding to the position before first opening, in which the outer par is immediately adjacent to the second portion, and a second position, corresponding to the position after first opening, in which there is an unobstructed gap therebetween. The inner and outer parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap. In order to open the closure the outer part is grasped and turned. The tightness of fit between the inner part and the neck portion of the container is designed to be greater than that between the inner part and the outer part. Therefore, when the outer part is initially turned it is the outer part which moves axially upwards relative to the inner part while the inner part remains stationary. This closure has the drawback that, if the inner part moves before the outer part has reached the second position, the outer part cannot be become locked with the inner part so that the tamper-evident mechanism may fail.

The above discussion of the prior art shows that there is still a need for a closure assembly that can combine both features of simple construction and effectiveness of the above described tamper evident systems.

In view of the above prior art, the object of the present invention is to at least partially fulfill the above need, while at least partially obviating prior art drawbacks.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a closure assembly having advantages in terms of simple fabrication, greater strength, more compact design and/or higher versatility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, this purpose is fulfilled by a tamper evident closure according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description of one practical embodiment, which is given as a non limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a tamper evident-closure according to a first embodiment of the present invention before first opening,

- figure 2 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident-closure of figure 1 after first opening,

- figures 3 and 4 show exploded perspective views of the tamper evident closure of figure 1,

- figure 5 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 1 fitted on the neck of a container, - figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 2 fitted on the neck of a container,

- figure 7 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 2 with the threaded outer cap removed from the pourer,

- figure 8 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 1,

- figure 9 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 2,

- figure 10 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 1, after first opening and with the threaded outer cap removed from the pourer,

- figure 11 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of a tamper evident- closure of figure 1,

- figure 12 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of a tamper evident- closure according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

- figure 12a shows a view of a portion of the tamper evident closure of figure

12,

- figure 12b shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the tamper evident closure of figure 12,

- figure 13 shows a perspective view of a tamper evident-closure according to a third embodiment of the present invention before first opening, applied directly to a container,

- figure 14 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident-closure of figure 13 after first opening,

- figure 15 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident-closure of figure 14 with the threaded outer cap removed from the container, - figure 16 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 13,

- figure 17 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 14,

- figure 18 shows a perspective view of a tamper evident-closure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention before first opening, applied directly to a container,

- figure 19 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident-closure of figure 18 after first opening,

- figure 20 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 18,

- figure 21 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 19,

- figure 22 shows a cross-sectional side view of a tamper evident closure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention before first opening,

- figure 23 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 22 after first opening,

- figure 24 shows a perspective view of the pourer used with the tamper evident closure of figure 22,

- figures 25 a and 25b show different perspective views of a detail of the tamper evident closure of figure 22,

- figures 26 and 27 show different perspective views of the inner element used in the tamper evident closure of figure 22,

- figure 28 shows a cross-sectional side view of a tamper evident closure according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention before first opening, - figure 29 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 28 after first opening,

- figure 30 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the inner element usable in the tamper evident closure of figure 28,

- figure 31 shows a perspective exploded view of the inner element of figure 30,

- figure 32 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inner element usable in the tamper evident closure of figure 28,

- figure 33 shows a perspective view of the inner element of figure 32 in an operative configuration,

- figure 34 shows a perspective view of a tamper evident closure according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention before first opening,

- figure 35 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 34 after first opening,

- figure 36 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 34 after first opening and after reclosure,

- figure 37 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 34,

- figure 38 shows a cross-sectional side view of the tamper evident closure of figure 36,

- figure 39 shows a perspective view of a tamper evident closure according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention before first opening,

- figure 40 shows a perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 40 after first opening,

- figure 41 shows an exploded perspective view of the tamper evident closure of figure 39, - figure 42 shows a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident closure of figure 39 before first opening,

- figure 43 shows a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident closure of figure 39 after first opening,

- figure 44 shows an exploded perspective view of a tamper evident closure according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention,

- figure 45 shows a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident closure of figure 44 before first opening,

- figure 46 shows a cross-sectional view of the tamper evident closure of figure 44 after first opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the description and claims of the present specification, the terms "comprises", and its variants, such as "comprising", are not intended to exclude any other additional elements, parts or components, and any other steps or stages.

Referring to the figures 1 to 11, there is shown a tamper evident closure 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The closure 1 is intended to close the mouth 11 of a container 10, e.g. a bottle, such as a glass bottle, e.g. for spirits.

The container 10 is a bottle and comprises a neck 12 that terminates in the mouth 11.

The closure 1 extends along a longitudinal direction X-X.

The closure 1 comprises a threaded outer cap 20 having threads 26a for engagement with threads 13 associated with the container 10. Opening of the closure 1 is performed by unscrewing action of the threaded outer cap 20.

The threaded outer cap 20 has an inner surface 20a and an outer surface 20b. The outer surface 20b corresponds to the part of the closure 1 that can be grasped by a user for opening and closing the closure 1.

The threaded outer cap 20 comprises an inner sleeve 26 and an outer sleeve 27 connected to the inner sleeve 26. The inner sleeve 26 has at its top end an upper wall 26b.

The inner sleeve 26 is provided with the threads 26a for engagement with the threads 13 associated with the container 10. In particular, the threads 26a are provided on the inner surface 20a of the inner sleeve 26.

The outer sleeve 27 comprises a first sleeve 27a and a second sleeve 27b connected to the first sleeve 27a through a flange 27c. The flange 27c comprises a plurality of connection elements 27d which are angularly spaced apart.

A pouring body 60 is fitted onto the neck 12 of the container 10 and fixed thereto. The pouring body 60 and the closure 1 form together a closure assembly.

The pouring body 60 comprises a threaded sleeve 61 on which the outer threads 13 are formed for engagement with the threads 26a of the threaded outer cap 20. The threaded sleeve 61 comprises a pouring spout 63 and may be fixed to the container 10 by fixing means 64. A skirt 69 is fitted to the threaded sleeve 61. The pouring body 60 may comprise anti-refill means and/or valve means. These elements are known in the art and therefore will not be further described.

An undercap 65 is coupled to the threaded outer cap 20 and engages the pouring spout 63. In the example, the under cap 65 is a washer having coupling members 67 coupled with coupling members 68 projecting from the inner sleeve 26 to couple the washer 65 with the inner sleeve 26. A pin 66 is provided on the lower surface 65b of the washer 65 and projects therefrom to enter into a top opening 63a of the pouring spout 63. While the closure 1 in itself may be oriented in any direction, for the purposes of the present direction the vertical axis will be defined as the longitudinal axis X-X of the closure 1 and conventionally the bottom side is the side of the closure 1 designed to face towards the container 10, and the top side is the one designed to face towards the consumer; this is actually the normal orientation of the closure when fitted onto a normally oriented bottle (as shown in the figures).

The closure 1 comprises an inner element 30 longitudinally movable relative to the threaded outer cap 20 and to the container 10 from a first position, corresponding to the position prior to first opening, to a second position, corresponding to the position after first opening.

The second position is longitudinally higher than the first position relative to the container 10.

The inner element 30 has an inner surface 30a and an outer surface 30b.

During first opening, the inner element 30 moves relative to the threaded outer cap 20 longitudinally along the longitudinal axis X-X. When the container 10 is taken as reference, during the first opening, the inner element 30 moves relative to the container 10 and the threaded outer cap 20 longitudinally along the longitudinal axis X-X.

Upon first opening, the threaded outer cap 20 acts on the inner element 30 such that unscrewing rotation of the threaded outer cap 20 brings about rotation of the inner element 30. In the example, the threaded outer cap 20 is provided with elements 29a acting on the inner element 30 when the inner element 30 is unscrewed during first opening such that unscrewing rotation of the threaded outer cap 20 brings about rotation of the inner element 30.

The closure 1 comprises cam means 40 to cause longitudinal movement of the inner element 30 relative to the threaded outer cap 20 and the container 10 upon first opening and locking means 50 to irreversibly lock longitudinally the inner element 30 relative to the threaded outer cap 20 in the second position upon first opening.

The cam means 40 are able to convert, upon first opening, the unscrewing rotation movement of the threaded outer cap 20 in a longitudinal movement of the inner element 30 from the first lower position to the second higher position.

The cam means 40 comprise at least one first cam member 41 provided on the inner element 30 and at least one second cam member 42 associated to the mouth 11 of the container 10. In the following, reference will be made to first cam members 41 and second cam members 42 only for the sake of brevity.

The threads 26a of the inner sleeve 26 are inwards, radially offset relative to the cam means 40, i.e. the first cam members 41 and the second cam members 42.

The first cam members 41 are intended to act on the second members 42 to move longitudinally the inner element 30 from the first position to the second position.

The inner element 30 comprises an annular member 33 extending longitudinally between an upper portion 32 and a lower portion 34. The first cam members 41 are provided on the lower portion 34. At the upper portion 32 a top wall 35 is provided.

The inner element 30 has a portion positioned between the inner sleeve 26 and the outer sleeve 27. In the example, the lower portion 34 and particularly the first cam members 41 of the inner element 30 are positioned between the inner sleeve 26 and the outer sleeve 27.

In particular, the inner sleeve 26 is connected to the outer sleeve 27, in particular to the first sleeve 27a, such that at least one longitudinal passing through opening 28 is defined between the inner sleeve 26 and the outer sleeve 27 for passage of the portions 34,41 of the inner element 30.

In the following, reference will be made to longitudinal passing through openings only for the sake of brevity.

The inner sleeve 26 is connected to the outer sleeve 27 by means of a flange 29. The flange 29 comprises a plurality of connection elements 29a which are angularly spaced apart to define the longitudinal passing through openings 28. The connection elements 29 extend transversely to the extension of the inner and outer sleeves 26,27.

As above anticipated, the connection elements 29a act on the inner element 30 when the inner element 30 is unscrewed during first opening such that unscrewing rotation of the threaded outer cap 20 brings about rotation of the inner element 30 during first opening.

The first cam members 41 protrude through the longitudinal passing through openings 28 to act, upon first opening, on the second cam members 42 to move longitudinally the inner element 30 from the first position to the second position.

Each cam member 42 comprise a plurality of ribs or ridges angularly spaced apart around the pouring body 60, particularly around the base of the threaded sleeve 61.

The lower portion 34 may connected to the upper portion 32 by means of a frangible portion 36 which breaks upon attempt to move the inner element 30 back to the first position. By this way, any attempt to restore the first position of the inner element 30 by pulling the lower portion 34 would result in a break of the frangible portions 36 with separation of the lower portion 34 from the upper portion 32. Alternatively, the frangible portion 36 may be omitted. The locking means 50 are able to irreversibly lock longitudinally the inner element 30 relative to the threaded outer cap 20 in the second position such that the inner element 30 cannot be moved back to the first position.

The locking means 50 comprise a first locking member 51 provided on the inner element 30 and a second locking member 52 provided on the threaded outer cap 20.

In particular, the first locking member 51 is provided on the outer surface 30b of the inner element 30 and the second locking member 52 is provided on the inner surface 20a of the threaded outer cap 20. More particularly, the second locking member 52 is provided on the inner surface of the outer sleeve 27.

Alternatively, the first locking member 51 may be provided on the inner surface 30a of the inner element 30 and the second locking member 52 may be provided on the outer surface of the inner sleeve 26.

The first locking member 51 is intended to cooperate with the second locking member 52 to lock the inner element 30 relative to the outer threaded cap 20 in the second position.

The first locking member 51 comprises a first engagement portion 53 and the second locking member 52 comprises a second engagement portion 54.

At least one of the first and second engagement portions 53,54 may be elastically loaded, in the example the second engagement portion 54 which is inwardly elastically loaded towards the first engagement portion 53.

In the first position, the first engagement portion 53 is positioned below the second engagement portion 54. During longitudinal movement of the inner element 30 from the first position to the second position, the first engagement portion 53 engages the second engagement portion 54 such that the second engagement portion 54, due to its elasticity, moves away from the first engagement portion 53 and the first engagement portion 53 passes over the second engagement portion 54 so that, in the second position, the first engagement portion 53 is positioned above the second engagement portion 54. In this configuration, the second engagement portion 54 abuts against a lower abutment part 53a of the first engagement portion 53 thereby preventing any downward movement of the first engagement portion 53 and, therefore, of the inner element 30.

According to an embodiment, the first engagement portion 53 is an annular rib extending circumferentially around the inner element 30 and the second engagement portion 54 comprises an inwardly elastically loaded lip.

The threaded outer cap 20 is configured such that a lateral portion 31 of the inner element 30 is visible in the second position. This gives evidence to a user that first opening of the tamper evident closure 1 has occurred.

In particular, the lateral portion 31 is visible only in the second position while, in the first position, the lateral portion 31 is hidden, in the example by the threaded outer cap 20.

The threaded outer cap 20 has an opening 70 positioned such that the lateral portion 31 of the inner element 30 protrudes from the opening 70 in the second position thereby being visible in the second position. In particular, the opening 70 has axis coaxial to the axis X-X of the closure 1.

It should be noted that, in the first position, a further lateral portion of the inner element 30 could be visible, provided that this further lateral portion is distinct from the lateral portion 31 becoming visible in the second position.

In particular, the inner element 30 has an upper circumferential portion 32 which protrudes from the opening 70 in the second position thereby being visible in the second position.

As stated above, the upper circumferential portion 32 may be visible also in the first position and not only in the second position. In this case, the upper circumferential portion 32 has a first part and a second part longitudinally offset from the first part such that, due to the longitudinal movement of the inner element 30, in the first position the first part is visible and the second part is hidden while in the second position the second part protrudes from the opening 70 so that both the first and the second parts are visible. Also this gives evidence to a user that first opening of the tamper evident closure 1 has occurred.

The threaded outer cap 20 has an at least partially transparent portion 21 configured such that the lateral portion 31 of the inner element 30 is visible in the second position through the at least partially transparent portion 21.

The threaded outer cap 20 comprises a lower part 22 and an upper part 23 fixed rotationally and longitudinally to the lower part 22.

The opening 70 is defined as the top opening of the lower part 22.

In the figures, the upper part 23 is provided with the at least partially transparent portion 21. However, the at least partially transparent portion 21 may be provided on the lower part 22 as well.

The upper part 23 is a cover comprising a top wall 24 and an annular sleeve 25 extending from the top wall 24 to a lower edge 25 a. In this case, at least a portion of the annular sleeve 25 is transparent so that the lateral portion 31 of the inner element 30 is visible in the second position.

The top wall 24 is advantageously transparent. Alternatively, the top wall 24 may be opaque or partially opaque. The annular sleeve 25 is transparent.

The threaded outer cap 20 comprises locking means 80 to lock rotationally and longitudinally the lower part 22 to the upper part 23. The locking means 80 comprise first locking members 81 provided on the upper part 23 and second locking members 82 provided on the lower part 22 and cooperating with the first locking members 81. The first locking members 81 comprise hook members 81a and finger members 81b connected, advantageously by a frangible portion 83, to the annular sleeve 25. The second locking members 82 comprise the plurality of connection elements 27d of the flange 27c connecting the two sleeves 27a,27b. The hook members 81a and the finger members 81b cooperate with respective connection elements 27d to lock rotationally and longitudinally the lower part 23 and the upper part 22 of the threaded outer cap 20.

A portion of the inner element 30 is positioned between the inner sleeve 26 and the outer sleeve 27 such that longitudinal passing through openings 28 are defined between the inner sleeve 26 and the outer sleeve 27 for passage of the portions 34,41 of the inner element 30.

Referring to figures 12, 12a and 12b, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 100. In this embodiment, the lower portion 134, in particular the first cam members 141 are provided with teeth 141a co- acting, upon first opening, with teeth 142a associated to the mouth 11 of the container 10 thereby giving audible feedback to the user when the closure is opened for the first time. In the example, the teeth 142a are positioned adjacent to a respective rib 142 and the teeth 141a are provided in the inner surface 130a of the inner element 130, particularly in the inner surface 130a of the first cam members 141.

Referring to figures 13 to 17, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 200. In this embodiment, the container 210 is threaded in itself and has the threads 213 provided on the neck 212 for engagement with the threads 226a of the threaded outer cap 220. The second cam members 242 are obtained on the neck 212 of the container 10. The upper part 223 and the lower part 222 of the threaded outer cap 220 are welded together respectively at the lower end edge 223a of the upper part 223 and the upper end edge 222a of the lower part 222. Alternatively, the upper part 223 and the lower part 222 may be glued together.

Referring to figures 18 to 21, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 301 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 300. In this embodiment, the opening 370 is a top opening provided at the upper end of the threaded outer cap 320 and the lateral portion 31 of the inner element 30 protrudes from the top opening 370 thereby being visible in the second position. In this case, the opening 370 and the protruded lateral portion 31 of the inner element 31 are accessible. Therefore, in order to prevent a forger to tamper the closure to restore the configuration of closure 301 before first opening, the locking means 50 are adapted to break upon attempt to move the inner element 30 from the second position back to the first position.

Referring to figures 22 to 27, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 401 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 400. In this embodiment, the washer 465 has a grooved pin 466, provided on the lower surface 465b of the washer 465 and coupled to the top opening 463a of the pouring spout 463 so that upon unscrewing the threaded outer cap 420 rotation of the washer 465 is prevented. The first cam members 441 are provided on the upper surface 465a of the washer 465. The second cam members 442 are provided on the upper portion 432 of the inner element 430, in particular on the lower surface 435a of the top wall 435. The inner element 430 comprises also bar- shaped elements 437 projecting from the top wall 435 to be guided in an annular groove 438a provided in the sleeve 438 which identifies the threaded outer cap 420.

Referring to figures 28 to 33, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 501 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 500. In this embodiment, the inner element 530 comprises the element 532 which is in the form of a disc 535 and is provided with the first locking members 51. The first cam members 541 are provided on the element 534 which is in the form of an annular sleeve with an upper portion 534a and a lower portion 534b. The lower portion 534b is provided with the first cam members 541 while the upper portion 534a engages the disc 535 when the disc 535 is in the first position before first opening. When the closure 1 is opened for the first time, the element 534 and the disc 535 move longitudinally until the disc 535 is locked in the second position. In this configuration, a further rotation of the threaded outer cap 20 causes disengagement of the first cam members 541 from the second cam members 42 so that the element 534 may move back to the position before first opening. In the alternative embodiment of figures 32 and 33, the disc 535 and the element 534 are moulded as one-piece and the disc 535 is attached to the element 534 by means of frangible portions 536 which are broken when the disc 535 with the element 534 are placed in position during assembly of the closure 501. By pushing the disc 535, the frangible portions 536 break so that the disc 535 separate from the element 534 and may operate as above described.

Referring to figures 34 to 38, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 601 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 600. In this embodiment, the lower portion 622 has a transparent portion 621 while the remaining part is opaque. The transparent portion 621 may be a window or a passing through aperture. In this case, the lateral portion 631 of the inner element 630 which is visible in the second position bears a sign or inscription such as "OPEN" or "OPENED" which gives evidence to a user that first opening of the tamper evident closure 601 has occurred.

Referring to figures 39 to 43, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 701 according to a eighth embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 700. In this embodiment, the threaded outer cap 720 is in the form of a sleeve having the threads 726a provided on the inner surface 720a of the sleeve 720. The inner element 730 has first locking members 751 and first cam members 741, the container 710 has the second cam members 742, which are formed integral on the mouth 711a and which are positioned above the threads 713 also formed integral on the mouth 711. The threaded outer cap 720 has the second locking members 752 intended to cooperate with the first locking members 751 to lock the inner element 730 in the second position.

Advantageously, the inner element 730 comprises an upper portion 732 and a lower portion 734 connected by frangible elements 736.

Referring to figures 44 to 46, there is shown a tamper evident closure, generally designated as 801 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The elements of this embodiment corresponding to the ones of the first embodiment are referred to with the same numerals increased of 800. In this embodiment, the first second cam members 842 are provided on an annular element 845 fitted on to the mouth 811 of the neck 812 of a container 810. The annular element 845 is provided with threads 813 for engagement with threads 826a of the threaded outer cap 820.

The annular element 845 comprises fixing means 846 engaged with fixing means 814 provided on the mouth 811 to fix rotationally and axially the annular element 845 to the mouth 811. In the example, the fixing means 846 comprise ribs 846a and an annular lug 846b and the fixing means 814 comprise ridges 814a and an annular seat 814b, the ribs 846a engaging the ridges 814a and the annular lug 846b engaging the annular seat 814b.

The inner element 830 is provided in the threaded outer cap 820.

The way in which the invention has been described shall not be intended to limit its operation and implementation in any manner.

It will be appreciated that the closure of the present invention fulfills the intended purposes. Also, the present closure combines the advantages of simple and low-cost fabrication with strength and simplicity of use and handling.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants may be made to the arrangements as described hereinbefore to meet incidental and specific needs.

For example, unless otherwise imposed by evident technical limitations, any feature described in a preferred embodiment may be clearly used in another embodiment, with appropriate adaptations.

Likewise, the continuity of the closure components may be broken in any manner, provided that no functional alteration to the relevant component is caused thereby.

Also, slight tapers may be imparted to the portions described above as having an annular, cylindrical shape, in response to technological requirements. All the changes will fall within the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A tamper evident closure (1) for closing the mouth (11) of a container

(10) having a mouth (11), said tamper evident closure (1) extending along a longitudinal direction (X-X) and comprising:

- a threaded outer cap (20) having threads (26a) for engagement with threads (13) associated with the container (10),

- an inner element (30) longitudinally movable relative to said threaded outer cap (20) and the container (10) from a first position, corresponding to the position prior to first opening, to a second position longitudinally higher than said first position relative to the container (10), said second position corresponding to the position after first opening,

- cam means (40) to cause longitudinal movement of said inner element (30) relative to said threaded outer cap (20) and the container (10) upon first opening,

- locking means (50) to lock irreversibly, longitudinally said inner element (30) relative to said threaded outer cap (20) in said second position upon first opening such that said inner element (30) cannot be moved back to the first position,

wherein

- said threaded outer cap (20) is configured such that a lateral portion (31) of said inner element (30) is visible in said second position.

2. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 1, wherein said threaded outer cap (20) has an opening (70), said lateral portion (31) of the inner element (30) protruding from said opening (70) in said second position thereby being visible in said second position.

3. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said inner element (30) comprises an upper circumferential portion (32), said upper circumferential portion (32) protruding from said opening in said second position thereby being visible in said second position.

4. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said threaded outer cap (20) has an at least partially transparent portion (21) configured such that said lateral portion (31) of the inner element (30) is visible in said second position through said at least partially transparent portion (21).

5. A tamper evident (1) closure according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said threaded outer cap (20) comprises a lower part (22) and an upper part (23), said upper part (23) being fixed rotationally and longitudinally to said lower part (22), said upper part (23) being provided with said at least partially transparent portion (21).

6. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 5, wherein said upper part (23) comprises a top wall (24) and an annular sleeve (25) extending from said top wall (24), at least a portion of said annular sleeve (25) being transparent.

7. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 6, wherein said top wall (24) and said annular sleeve (25) are transparent.

8. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said locking means (50) are adapted to break upon attempt to move the inner element (30) from the second position back to the first position.

9. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 8, wherein said locking means (50) comprise a first locking member (51) provided on said inner element (30) and a second locking member (52) provided on said threaded outer cap (20).

10. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 9, wherein said first locking member (51) is provided on the outer surface of said inner element (30) and said second locking member (52) is provided on the inner surface of said outer threaded cap (20), said first locking member (51) being intended to cooperate with said second locking member (52) to lock said inner element (30) relative to said threaded outer cap (20) in said second position.

11. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said first locking member (51) comprises a first engagement portion (53) and said second locking member (52) comprises a second engagement portion (54), at least one of the first and second engagement portions (53,54) being elastically loaded towards the other engagement portion.

12. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein, upon first opening, said threaded outer cap (20) acts on said inner element (30) such that unscrewing rotation of said threaded outer cap (20) brings about rotation of said inner element (30).

13. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein said cam means (40) are able to convert, upon first opening, a unscrewing rotation movement of said threaded outer cap (20) in a longitudinal movement of said inner element (30) from said first lower position to said second higher position.

14. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein said cam means (40) comprise at least one first cam member (41) provided on said inner element (30) and at least one second cam member (42) associated to the mouth (11) of the container (10).

15. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 14, wherein said at least one first cam member (41) is intended to act on said at least one second member (42) to move longitudinally said inner element (30) from said first position to said second position.

16. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said inner element (30) comprises an annular member (33) extending longitudinally between an upper portion (32) and a lower portion (34), said at least one first cam member (41) being provided on said lower portion (34).

17. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 16, wherein said lower portion (34) having said at least one first cam member (41) is connected to said upper portion (32) by means of a frangible portion (36) which breaks upon attempt to move the inner element (30) back to the first position.

18. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 1 to 16, wherein:

- said threaded outer cap (20) comprises an inner sleeve (26) and an outer sleeve (27),

- said outer sleeve (27) is connected to said inner sleeve (26),

- said inner sleeve (26) has threads (26a) for engagement with the threads (13) associated to the mouth (11) of the container (10),

- a portion of said inner element (30) is positioned between said inner sleeve (26) and said outer sleeve (27).

19. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 18, wherein said inner sleeve (26) is connected to said outer sleeve (27) such that at least one longitudinal passing through opening (28) is defined between said inner sleeve (26) and said outer sleeve (27) for passage of portions (34,41) of said inner element (30).

20. A tamper evident closure (1) according to claim 19, wherein said inner sleeve (26) is connected to said outer sleeve (27) by means of a flange (29), said flange (29) comprising a plurality of connection elements (29a) which are angularly spaced apart to define said at least one longitudinal passing through opening (28).

21. A tamper evident (1) closure according to claim 20, wherein said inner element (30) comprises an annular member (33) extending longitudinally from an upper portion (32) to a lower portion (34), said cam means (40) comprising first cam members (41) provided on said lower portion (34) and second cam members (42) associated to the mouth (11) of the container (10), said first cam members (41) protruding through said longitudinal passing through openings (28) to act, upon first opening, on said second cam members (42) to move longitudinally said inner element (30) from said first position to said second position.

22. A tamper evident closure (1) according to any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the threads (26a) of said inner sleeve (26) are inwards, radially offset relative to said cam means (40).