GB2378941A

GB2378941A - Closure for preventing the opening of a bottle after an expiry date

Info

Publication number: GB2378941A
Application number: GB0120622A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander John Williams; Adrian Paul Wise
Original assignee: TACIT TECHNOLOGY Ltd; University of Salford
Current assignee: TACIT TECHNOLOGY Ltd; University of Salford
Priority date: 2001-08-24
Filing date: 2001-08-24
Publication date: 2003-02-26
Also published as: GB0120622D0

Abstract

A closure for a medicine or food container or the like, comprises a threaded sleeve located on the neck of the container; the sleeve 6 is restrained by lugs 7, made from a biodegradable plastic; the lugs 7 bear against features 9 provided on the neck, and are exposed below a cap 1 which mates with the sleeve 6; when the lugs are sufficiently degraded, the lugs 7 shear so that the cap 1 and sleeve 6 revolve freely around the neck and prevent the cap 1 from being removed. The threaded sleeve may snap-fit within a recess 5 provided by a flange 4 on the neck. The biodegradable plastic may be provided by a disintegrating plastic, in which a biodegradable additives are added to a base plastic, the lugs 7 may be integrally moulded within the threaded sleeve 6, and a removable skin 10 may be attached to the lower edge 8 of the cap 1 preventing exposure of the biodegradable material to air prior to opening. The cap 1 and neck of the bottle may also be shrink wrapped in a film, preventing exposure of the biodegradable material prior to opening.

Description

Description Background to the Invention The durability of a perishable food can be indicated by a'best before'date, as may any special storage conditions which may be necessary. This does not however prevent its use, & any ill effects which may result Similarly, when drugs expire, their stability & efficacy is questionable, especially In the case of antibiotics & medications such as digitalis & dilantin No patent resolving this dilemma currently exists Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention relates to an expiry date proof closure for bottles containing medicine, food stuffs or the like..

The closure consists of a conventional cap (1) with an internal thread (2), which mates with external threads (3) about the neck of a bottle. The top of the bottle consists of a chamfered flange (4), below which the neck is recessed (5). A threaded sleeve (6) is located as a snap-fit within the recess, such that the cap engages with the sleeve as it is progressively screwed down. Alternate slots (11) & joints (12) are integrally moulded within the sleeve to enable it to elastically expand over the neck on assembly.

The sleeve is prevented from rotating by lugs (7), which are exposed below the lower edge of the cap (8), & locate in indents (9) on the neck, such that the torque required to close or remove the cap is transferred to the lug as a reactive force. Further, the sleeve is moulded in a blo-degradable plastic. Once the plastic has degraded sufficiently, the force required to remove the cap causes the lugs (7) to shear & the sleeve (6) to rotate with the cap about the neck, thus preventing its removal A number of patents relating to biodegradable plastics have been published in which the proportion of various additives may be adjusted to vary its susceptibility to oxidation. This determines its rate of deterioration, such that the material may be configured to match the expiry date of a given medicine or foodstuff. In an alternative, & preferred approach, biodegradable additives are available as a'masterbatch', which may be added to a base PE or PP typically in the proportion of 3%.

In an alternative version, in which expiry date is determined from the point at which the bottle is first opened, the outer cap (1) may have a removable skirt (10) about its lower edge, which provides an air-tight seal preventing exposure of the sleeve (6) or lugs (7) until removed.

Under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, dangerous drugs & other materials must be packaged in containers provided with closures which are significantly difficult for child to open. Given that the principle is embodied on the bottle, the proposed concept enables the use of existing'child-proof & 'tamper-proof mechanisms which involve adaptations of the cap.

Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates the front elevation of a sectioned cap on an assembled container.

Figure 2 presents an exploded view of a sectioned cap, & full sleeve & container; the sleeve is also shown in side elevation to Indicate the possible positioning of slots & expanding joints.

Figure 3 illustrates a three quarter view of a sleeve.

Claims

Claims What is claimed.

1 A closure for a medicine bottle, food container or the like, In which the cap mates with a threaded sleeve located on but revolvable about the neck of the container The sleeve IS restrained by a lug or lugs, made from a bio- degradable plastic, which bear against features on the neck & are exposed below the cap The closure operates such that the cap may be removed until such a time as the matenal has sufficiently degraded, whereon the lugs will shear, & the cap & sleeve will revolve freely about the neck.

2 A closure according to claim 1 In which the requirement for a biodegradable plastic IS replaced by a disintegrating plastic, in which biodegradable additives are added to a base plastic

3. A closure according to claim 1 In which the lug (s) are integrally moulded within the threaded sleeve.

4. A closure according to claims 1 & 3 in which a removable skirt IS attached to the lower edge of the cap, preventing exposure of the biodegradable material to air prior to opening 5 A closure according to claims 1 & 3 In which the cap & neck of the bottle are shrink-wrapped in a film, preventing exposure of the biodegradable material to air pnor to opening