GB2344102A

GB2344102A - Tamper evident closure device

Info

Publication number: GB2344102A
Application number: GB9825717A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Owen Davies; John Adrian Llewellyn-Jones; Julian Davidson Taylor
Original assignee: LLEWELLYN JONES JOHN ADRIAN
Current assignee: LLEWELLYN JONES JOHN ADRIAN
Priority date: 1998-11-25
Filing date: 1998-11-25
Publication date: 2000-05-31
Also published as: GB9825717D0

Abstract

A tamper evident closure device comprises a screw-threaded inner cap member 10 and outer cap member 14, which rotates freely in the unscrewing direction without engagement of the inner cap and has an aperture, covered by a tamper evident tear strip 27 which must be removed or destroyed to permit unscrewing of the closure as a whole unit. The inner and outer cap mutually engage, either by insertion of a tool into a slot in the upper surface of the inner cap or by depression of the outer cap, for unscrewing of the closure. The tear strip may be a self adhesive label which may comprise a projecting tab which can be removed to fully expose a portion of the inner cap member. The label may comprise a main portion and a removable portion over the aperture with lines of weakness between the two, may be free of adhesive, may be circular and adhered concentrically on the outer cap member, and may carry opening instructions and/or a hologram. The inner and outer cap members may be of different colours. Fingers 22 on an inside top surface of the outer cap and dogs 23 on the top of the inner cap engage to allow the cap to be screwed on, and slip in the opposite direction to prevent unscrewing. In a separate embodiment, a one piece moulded closure cap has a depending cylindrical skirt (12, fig.3) and a resilient flexible annular seal (30, fig.3) on the internal surface of the top of the cap.

Description

Tamper-evident closure Device This invention relates to a tamper-evident closure device for a bottle or other container having a screw-threaded neck.

Closure devices for bottles or other containers are known which are resistant to being opened by children, so that the bottles are suitable for holding medicine, pills, cleaning agents and other dangerous substances.

US patent No. 4,014,449 discloses one such closure comprising an inner member in the form of a screw-threaded cap for engaging the neck of the bottle, and an outer member in the form of a cap into which the inner member fits. The outer member is operably engagable with the inner member for turning the latter in a closing direction, but is normally able to freely turn in the opening direction, so that the closure cannot readily be removed by children.

In order to remove the closure, a coin or key etc. must be inserted through an opening in the top of the closure to lock the inner member relative to the outer member, thereby allowing the closure to be removed by turning the outer member in the opening direction, or by turning the coin or key etc. in the opening direction.

A disadvantage of such so-called CRCs is that it is relatively easy for an adult to remove the cap and tamper with the contents of bottles containing pills etc. prior to sale.

European patent No. 0,434,308 discloses a solution to this problem in the form of a one-piece outer member having a main portion and a cover portion extending over the opening in the main portion, the cover portion being attached to the main portion by frangible webs.

The cover portion blocks the opening and thus prevents a coin or key etc. from being inserted through the opening to engage the inner member for turning the latter in the opening direction.

In order to remove the closure, the cover portion of the outer member has to be removed by tearing it off by hand, whereupon the frangible webs connecting it to the main portion are broken.

A disadvantage of this known type of tamper-evident CRCs is that it is difficult to mould the outer member with sufficient accuracy, such that the webs connecting the main and cover portion are not too strong or too weak.

Another major disadvantage of the above-mentioned tamper-evident CRCs is that the cover portion needs to project above the top of the main portion of the outer member, so that it can easily be grasped. Thus, there is a risk that the cover portion can break away from the main portion of the closure during transportation or storage, if heavy loads are applied to the closure, say when boxes or packs of the bottled products are stacked on top of each other.

This problem is further exacerbated by the fact that the closure can also be removed by depressing the outer member axially relative to the inner member, so as to engage the inner member for turning the latter in an opening direction, by turning the outer member. When the outer member is depressed, a portion of the inner member projects through the opening in the outer member, thereby breaking the cover portion away, so as to indicate that the closure has been opened.

Any heavy loads applied to the closure of a bottled product during transportation and storage can cause the outer member of the closure to move axially relative to the inner member, with the result that the cover portion again breaks away from the main portion of the closure.

We have now devised a tamper evident CRC which alleviates the above-mentioned problems, In accordance with this invention, as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a closure device for a container having a screw-threaded neck, the closure device comprising an inner member in the form of a screw-threaded cap, an outer member in the form of a cap into which the inner member fits, the outer member normally being free to turn in the direction in which the inner member disengages from said neck, the outer member having an opening in its top, which exposes a portion of the inner member, the closure further comprising a label adhered to the top of the outer member, over said opening, to at least partially cover the exposed portion of the inner member.

In one embodiment, the inner member comprises a formation which can be exposed through said opening and which can be engaged from outside of the closure, for example by means of a coin or key etc., to enable the inner member to be turned to disengage it from the neck of the container.

It will be appreciated that before the container can be opened, the label on the closure has to be removed or broken, so that the formation on the exposed portion of the inner member can be engaged with the coin or key etc. Accordingly, if the label is removed or broken, it will be readily apparent to the potential purchaser of a product fitted with such a closure, that the product has been tampered with.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer member can be depressed axially relative to the inner member so as to engage the inner member for turning the latter is an unscrewing direction, by turning said outer member, said exposed portion of the inner member projecting through said opening in the outer member when the latter is depressed.

It will be appreciated that when the outer member is depressed to remove the closure, the exposed portion of the inner member projects through the opening in the outer member, thereby breaking or detaching the label. Again, if the label is removed or broken, it will be readily apparent to a potential purchaser of a product fitted with such a closure that the product has been tampered with.

Preferably the label is a self-adhesive label, adhered to the top of the outer member.

Preferably the label comprises a projecting tab, which can be grasped and pulled to fully expose said portion of the inner member.

Preferably the label comprises a main portion and a removable portion, the removable portion extending over said opening to at least partially cover said portion of the inner member.

Preferably the removable portion is free of adhesive, in order to make it easier to detach from the top of the outer member of the closure.

Preferably the label is scored or weakened at the boundary between its main and removable portions, so that the removable portion can easily separate from the main portion.

Preferably the tab extends from said removable portion of the label.

Preferably said opening is disposed centrally of a flat circular top of the outer member, the label comprising a circular label adhered concentrically with the circular top of the outer member.

Preferably said removable portion comprises a strip, which extends diametrically across said top of the outer member, over the opening therein.

Preferably the tab extends from one end of the strip.

The outer member be normally freely rotatable relative to the inner in both the screwing up and unscrewing directions.

However, preferably said outer member comprises means for engaging the inner member in said screwing up direction, so that the closure can be fitted to the container without too much difficulty.

Preferably the label carries instructions for opening the container. Alternatively, the label may carry an image, such as a hologram, to help make the product in the container difficult to counterfeit.

Preferably the formation on the inner member is only engagable in selected rotary positions of the outer member.

Thus, the outer member must be aligned with the inner member before it can be engaged with a coin or key etc: this makes the closure even more difficult for a child to remove.

Preferably the formation comprises a slot on the inner member.

Preferably the opening in the outer member is X-shaped, said formation being engagable in four rotary positions of the outer member.

Preferably the inner and outer members are formed of different coloured plastics materials.

Closures for containers holding liquids generally comprise a seal, which prevents liquid escaping from the container. One such seal comprises a wad of card or other resilient material fitted inside the closure. Closures having such wads are difficult and more costly to manufacture.

It has been proposed to overcome this problem by moulding an integral annular lip on the closure, which is forced inside the neck of the container as the closure is tightened. Such sealing lips do not generally provide an effective seal, since the internal diameter of the necks of containers often vary greatly.

Thus, in accordance with this invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a closure for a container, the closure comprising a one-piece cap member of moulded plastics material having a top, a depending cylindrical skirt and a resiliently flexible annular seal formed concentrically on the internal surface of the top.

In use, the resiliently flexible annular seal seals against the neck of the container. The resiliently flexible seal is able to deform into a shape which corresponds with the shape and size of the neck. Accordingly, a good seal is always provided. The seal is formed as a one-piece with the cap and thus the closure is inexpensive and simple to produce.

Preferably the seal comprises a radially-inclined lip, which extends axially of the cap member.

Preferably the seal is disposed at or adjacent the boundary between the top wall and the depending skirt.

Preferably the lip tapers in thickness towards its axially outer end.

Preferably the lip is inclined radially inwardly towards its axially outer end.

In this embodiment, the outer end of the lip preferably extends over an annular ring formed concentrically on the internal surface of the top.

When the closure is fitted to a container, the upper edge of the neck of the bottle abuts the inclined lip and compresses it inwardly against the internal surface of the top of the cap. The annular sealing ring is arranged such that it is of a smaller external diameter than the internal diameter of most containers, thus the annular sealing ring forces the compressed lip into the neck of the container to provide a good seal.

Embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a sectional view through an embodiment of tamper-evident child resistant closure in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the child resistant closure of Figure 1; and FIGURE 3 is a sectional view through the inner member of an alternative embodiment of child resistant closure in accordance with this invention.

Referring Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a two-piece closure device of moulded plastics material for fitting to the screw-threaded neck of a bottle containing pills, medicine, a cleaning agent or other hazardous substance.

The closure device comprises an inner member 10 in the form of a cap having a top 11 and a depending cylindrical skirt 12 formed with an internal screw-threaded 13.

The closure device further comprises an outer member 14 in the form of a cap having a flat top 15 and a depending cylindrical skirt 16. The top of the outer member is formed with an X-shaped aperture 16 in its centre.

The inner member 10 is received within the outer member 20 and held captive by snap-engagement of its enlarged outer rim 18 past a radially projecting ridge 17 on the inside of the skirt 16 of the outer member 14.

An upstanding cylindrical peripheral wall 19 extends around the top wall 11 of the inner member 10, co-axially with the skirt 12 thereof. The upper edge of the peripheral wall 19 abuts the internal surface of the top 15 of the outer member 14. The top 11 of the inner member 10 is formed at its centre with a cylindrical projection 20, having a socket 21 of rectangular section formed in its top.

A plurality of flexible fingers 22 project in a peripheral direction from the inside of the top 15 of the outer member 14. When the outer member 14 is turned in the clockwise or screwing up direction, these fingers 22 abut upstanding dogs 23 on the top 11 of the inner member 10, to corresponding turn the inner member 10 for tightening it onto the neck of the bottle.

When the outer member 14 is turned in the counter clockwise or unscrewing direction, the fingers 22 ride over the inclined tops of the dogs, thereby preventing loosening of the inner member 10.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a circular label 24 is adhered to the top 15 of the outer member 14, concentrically therewith. The label 24 comprises two diametrically opposed peripheral C-shaped portions 26, which are provided with a layer of adhesive on their underside and a central removable strip 25, which is free of adhesive and which is enlarged at its centre to cover the X-shaped aperture 16 in the outer member 14. The boundaries between the removable and C-shaped portions 26 of the label 24 are weakened so that the portions can easily separate. A tab 27 extends from one end of the strip 25 outwardly of the outer member 14.

In use, the closure device cannot normally be removed, since the outer member 14 is free to rotate relative to the inner member 10 in the unscrewing direction. However, the closure device can be removed by aligning the rectangularsection socket 21 on the inner member 10 with the X-shaped aperture 16 in the outer member 14 and inserting a conventional house or car key (not shown) through the aperture 16 to directly engage the inner member 10. The closure device can then be removed either by turning the key in the unscrewing direction or by turning the outer member 14 in the unscrewing direction, once the key has been inserted.

Prior to opening the bottle for the first time, it will be appreciated that the label 24 covers the X-shaped aperture 16 in the outer member 14 and thus the closure device cannot be removed without breaking or removing the label 24.

Accordingly, purchasers of products fitted with a closure device of the present invention will be warned that the product has been tampered with if the label 24 is broken or removed.

Following purchase, the aperture 16 can be exposed by grasping the tab 27 and tearing the removable portion 25 of the label 24 away from the C-shaped portions 26, thereby allowing the key to be inserted through the aperture 16.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a one-piece inner member 10 of an alternative embodiment of closure device and like parts are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, an annular lip 30 depends from the periphery of the internal surface of the top 11 of the inner member 10. The lip 30 is inclined radially inwardly towards its axially outer end. An annular ring 31 is moulded on the internal surface of the top 11 of the inner member 10, axially above the radially-inclined lip 30.

In use, when the closure device is screwed onto the neck of a bottle having an internal diameter, which is greater than the external diameter of the annular ring 31, the radially-inclined lip 30 is resiliently compressed against the top 15 of the inner member 10 and the ring 31 enters the neck of the bottle, thereby forcing the outer end of lip 30 into the neck of the bottle.

In this manner, an effective seal is provided between the closure device and the neck of the bottle. The lip 30 recovers its shape when the closure device is removed, so that a good seal is provided each time the closure device is fitted to the bottle.

Claims

Claims 1) A closure device for a container having a screwthreaded neck, the closure device comprising an inner member in the form of a screw-threaded cap, an outer member in the form of a cap into which the inner member fits, the outer member normally being free to turn in the direction in which the inner member disengages from said neck, the outer member having an opening in its top, which exposes a portion of the inner member, the closure further comprising a label adhered to the top of the outer member, over said opening, to at least partially cover the exposed portion of the inner member.

2) A closure device as claimed in claim 1, in which the inner member comprises a formation which can be exposed through said opening and which can be engaged from outside of the closure, to enable the inner member to be turned to disengage it from the neck of the container.
2) A closure device as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer member can be depressed axially relative to the inner member so as to engage the inner member for turning the latter in an unscrewing direction, by turning said outer member, said exposed portion of the inner member projecting through said opening in the outer member when the latter is depressed.
3) A closure device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which the label is a self-adhesive label, adhered to the top of the outer member.
4) A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the label comprises a projecting tab, which can be grasped and pulled to fully expose said portion of the inner member.
5) A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the label comprises a main portion and a removable portion, the removable portion extending over said opening to at least partially cover said portion of the inner member.
6) A closure device as claimed in claim 5, in which the removable portion is free of adhesive, in order to make it easier to detach from the top of the outer member of the closure.
7) A closure device as claimed in claims 5 or 6, in which the label is scored or weakened at the boundary between its main and removable portions, so that the removable portion can easily separate from the main portion.
8) A closure device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, in which said removable portion comprises a strip, which extends diametrically across said top of the outer member, over the openina therein.
9) A closure device as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 appended to claim 4, in which the tab extends from said removable portion of the label.
10) A closure device as claimed in claim 8 appende to claim 4, in which the tab extends from one end of the strip.
11) A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said opening is disposed centrally of a flat circular top of the outer member, the label comprising a circular label adhered concentrically with the circular top of the outer member.
12) A closure device as claimed in any precedina claim, in which the outer member is normally freely rotatable relative to the inner in both the screwing up and unscrewing directions.
13) A closure device as claimed in claim 12, in which said outer member comprises means for engaging the inner member in said screwing up direction.
14) A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the label carries instructions for opening the container.
15) A closure device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, in which the label carries an image, such as a hologram, to help make the product in the container difficult to counterfeit.
16) A closure device as claimed in claim 2, in which the formation on the inner member is only engagable in selected rotary positions of the outer member.
17) A closure device as claimed in claim 16, in which the formation comprises a slot on the inner member.
18) A closure device as claimed in claim 17, in which the opening in the outer member is X-shaped, said formation being engagable in four rotary positions of the outer member.
19) A closure device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner and outer members are formed of different coloured plastics materials.
20) A closure device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21) A closure for a container, the closure comprising a one-piece cap member of moulded plastics material having a top, a depending cylindrical skirt and a resiliently flexible annular seal formed concentrically on the internal surface of the top.
22) A closure as claimed in claim 21, in which the seal comprises a radially-inclined lip, which extends axially of the cap member.
23) A closure as claimed in claims 21 or 22, in which the lip is inclined radially inwardly towards its axially outer end.
24) A closure as claimed in claim 23, in which the outer end of the lip extends over an annular ring formed concentrically on the internal surface of the top.
25) A closure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 24, in which the seal is disposed at or adjacent the boundary between the top wall and the depending skirt.
26) A closure as claimed in any of claims 21 to 25, in which the lip tapers in thickness towards its axially outer end.
27) A closure substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.