GB2087368A

GB2087368A - Tamperproof overcap

Info

Publication number: GB2087368A
Application number: GB8036319A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Container Corp of America; Container Corp
Current assignee: Container Corp; Smurfit Kappa Packaging Corp
Priority date: 1980-11-12
Filing date: 1980-11-12
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: GB2087368B

Abstract

A tamperproof overcap for a closure for a container has a hollow cylindrical body closed at one end and comprising two end capped semi-cylindrical sections hinged together and fitted with locking members which can be readily attached to each other but not detached without being destroyed. The end cap of the hollow body can be detached by removal around an annular tear line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Tamperproof overcap This invention relates to closure devices and more particularly to an overcap closure device for a necked container having a plug type primary closure.

The present invention provides an overcap closure which is tamperproof in that portions have to be permanently destroyed in order to open the container, so that there is visible evidence of opening once the closure has been opened. The closure is a one-piece, molded plastic overcap which can be readily snapped and locked onto the neck of a container.

According to the present invention the overcap closure comprises a hollow body with a pair of semi-cylindrical body sections which are joined together at their corresponding ends by an integral hinge. The body sections include a detachable top wall and a locking ring which is adapted to engage a flange on the neck of the container. The locking ring includes integral locking members for interconnecting the free end of the ring; these locking members can be readily attached to each other so as to hold the closure on the neck of the container over the plug closure in the neck but they cannot be detached from each other without being destroyed.

Further features of the invention are described below with reference to a preferred overcap closure shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the closure; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the structure of Fig. 1, shown in a closed position; Figure 3 is a plan view of the structure of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1.

For purposes of clarity certain elements may have been intentionally omitted from certain views where they are illustrated to better advantage in other views.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, the novel overcap indicated generally at O is applied to a container C having a conventional plug closure P. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 4, container C has a body 10 from which projects an integral neck 1 2 with an outwardly extending annular flange 1 4.

Neck 1 2 is provided with internal threads 1 6 adapted to engage threads 22 on a body 20, of a plug closure P, which may include a small outwardly projecting flange 24 adapted to seat on the upper surface of container neck 12.

Overcap 0 has a generally cylindrical body 30 which is split to provide a pair of generally similar semi-cylindrical body sections 30a and 30b, which have corresponding end portions joined together by an integral hinge 31, as shown in Fig. 1.

The overcap body includes an annular locking ring 32 and a generally flat, circular top wall 34 which are interconnected by an intergral, annular, outwardly and downwardly sloping side wall 36.

As shown in Fig. 5, side wall 36 is provided at its upper end with an internal, Vshaped groove 37 which is in effect a weakened line of tear to permit the top wall 34 to be removed from the side wall 36, in a manner described below, to afford access to the plug closure P. The groove is preferably on the inside of the closure, advantageously on the inside of the side wall. Also at the edges of the side wall 36 of each body section there may be provided notches 39 which assist in tearing the top wall 34 off the overcap 30.

Locked ring 32, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, comprises a vertical, outer, main wall 40 having a pair of upper and lower horizontal walls 42 and 44, respectively, extending inwardly from the main wall to define an annular groove or channel 45 for receiving the neck flange 14 of container C, as shown in Fig. 4. Locking ring 32 may also include an integral annular skirt 46 depending from the inner periphery of lower horizontal wall 44.

As shown in Fig. 1, overcap 0 is adapted to be placed over the container C and the plug closure P, with the hingedly interconnected body sections 30a and 30b brought together and secured in place by means of a latch type locking device which includes a male member 50 and a female member 60 formed integrally with body 30 on body sections 30b and 30a respectively. Male member 50 includes an arrow shaped head 52 having a plurality of shoulders 54, 56 and 58 spaced from each other rearwardly of head 52.

Female member 60 is in the form of a rectangular loop which defines an opening or eye 61 for receiving the head 52 of male member 50, with one of the shoulders engaging the far side of the female member adjacent eye 61 to prevent its removal from the female member. The base of the head 52 and the shoulders are wider than the opening 61, so that once the head has been forced through the opening, it cannot be removed.

The purpose of providing a plurality of tapered shoulders is to assure a firm seating of one of the shoulders against the female member 60. In the event of imperfections in the molding of the piece, if the male member cannot be inserted far enough into eye 61 to engage shoulder 58, then it can engage shoulder 56 or shoulder 54.

Thus, after the overcap has been placed in position over the sealed container with plug closure P in place, the body sections 30a and 30b are locked together. Thereafter, in order to have access to plug closure P to open the container it is necessary to insert an object under the edges of top wall 34, at the parting line between the body sections and then tear off the top wall at groove 37 located at the juncture of the side and top walls. Alternatively, if male member 50 is withdrawn from female member 60, the engaging shoulder (54, 56 or 58) destroys the integrity, i.e. the undamaged appearance, of female member 60. Thus, when the cap is opened initially, portions of the closure are destroyed so that it becomes obvious that the closure has been tampered with or opened.

Claims

1. A closure for a container having a neck with an outwardly projection annular flange and a plug type closure adapted to be received within the neck, the closure comprising a unitary tamperproof overcap of plastic comprising: (a) a hollow body including a pair of gener ally similar, semi-cylindrical body sections having corresponding ends joined by an integral hinge: (b) the body sections including a detachable removable top wall and a locking ring adapted to engage the neck flange of the container; (c) the locking ring including integral lock ing members for interconnecting the free ends of the ring. the locking members be ing readily attachable to each other but which cannot be detached from each other without being destroyed.

2. A closure according to Claim 1 which includes an annular weakened line of tear facilitating the detachment of the top wall from the remainder of the overcap.

3. A closure according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the top wall and locking ring are joined by means of a side wall having an annular groove for facilitating detachment of the top wall.

4. A closure according to Claim 3 in which the groove is on the inside of the closure.

5. A closure according to Claim 3 or 4 in which the groove is on the inside of the side wall.

6. A closure arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 5 in which the locking ring includes an outer vertical wall and a pair of upper and lower horizontal walls extending inwardly from the vertical wall and defining therewith an annular channel for receiving the neck flange of the container.

7. A c!osure according to Claim 6 in which the locking ring includes an integral skirt depending from the inner end of the lower horizontal wall.

8. A closure according to any of Claims 1 to 7 in which the locking members are of the latch type and include an arrow shaped male member and a female member having an opening for receiving the male member.

9. A closure according to Claim 8 in which the male member includes a tapered head having a width slightly larger than the opening of the female member so that it has to be forced through the opening and cannot thereafter be withdrawn from it.

10. A closure according to Claim 8 or 9 in which the male member includes a plurality of shoulders spaced from each other rearward of the head of the male member, each shoulder being of a width which is slightly larger than the opening of the female member.