GB2492586A

GB2492586A - Double Tamper Evident Seal

Info

Publication number: GB2492586A
Application number: GB1111649.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Christie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-07
Filing date: 2011-07-07
Publication date: 2013-01-09
Also published as: GB201111649D0

Abstract

A double tamper evident seal for e.g. a sample container, comprises a container 1 having a neck with two threaded regions (2a, 2b, Figure 1). Two closure devices 3, 5 each comprise a tamper evident band 6, 7 designed to rupture on removal of the closure and are configured to engage respective threaded regions of the container neck. The first closure device 3 is provided with an aseptic ring 4 comprising an outward projection around the outer circumference of the closure device and which prevents a userâ s hands contacting the lower edge of the cap and thus contaminating the container. In use the sterile container is provided with cap 3 engaged with the neck, cap 5 being provided separately. Seal 6 is intact thus indicating that the container is sterile and has not been tampered with. Cap 3 is removed, breaking seal 6, a sample is placed in the container and cap 3 is replaced. Cap 5 is then engaged over cap 3, either engaging ring 4 or covering the cap, unbroken seal 7 thus providing evidence that the sample has not been tampered with.

Description

An Improved Double Tamper-Evident Seal System The present invention relates generally to a tamper-evident closure for a container and more specifically to a tamper-evident closure that reduces the risk of cross-contamination and retains a second means of tamper-evident closure after a first means of tamper-evident closure has been opened at least once.

Tamper-evident seal systems are frequently used on a variety of containers, including containers for medication and sample containers. Sample containers, used in sample analysis, are typically supplied in a sterile or super-clean state and may also be dosed with chemicals to assist with the analysis of the sample.

When the sample containers are received by the sampler, an intact tamper-evident seal confirms that the sample container is still sterile or super-clean and that if chemicals are present, they have not been contaminated or altered in any way. The sampler then breaks the tamper-evident seal to open the lid of the container so that the sample can be added. The lid is then re-applied and the sample sent for analysis.

As the tamper-evident seal has been broken, it is impossible to verify that the sample integrity has not been compromised during transit to the laboratory. It is possible to supply the sample containers without the tamper-evident seal in place in order that the sampler can apply the tamper-evident seal to the container after depositing the sample within the container. This method however, still potentially compromises sample integrity, as it is impossible to verify that the container has not been opened and thus contaminated or altered, prior to the sampler receiving it.

Double tamper-evident seal systems are known and attempt to overcome the aforementioned problems. These systems have two tamper-evident seals and typically, the sampler breaks a first seal to allow a sample to be added to the container and then engages a second tamper-evident seal which remains intact until opened by the laboratory conducting the sample analysis.

Whilst the known double-tamper evident seal systems assist in maintaining and indicating sample integrity, they are frequently complicated seal systems that are expensive to produce.

A further problem with sample containers in general, including those with a tamper-evident arrangement, is the risk of cross-contamination during sampling and analysis.

During the sampling or analysis process, the sampler's or analyst's hands may accidently touch either the lower part of the cap which will come into contact with the container top and also the container top itself, when removing or applying the cap. This increases the risk of contaminants from the sampler's or analyst's skin being transferred to the bottle top where they could potentially contaminate the sample either during transit or during analysis.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved double tamper-evident seal system that reduces the risk of cross-contamination during sample collection and analysis.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved double tamper-evident seal system that reduces the risk of cross-contamination in other applications where it is desirable to reduce contamination risks, including but not limited to foodstuff containers, such as for example, baby feeding containers.

Thus and in accordance with the present invention there is provided a tamper-evident seal system comprising a container and container closure system, said closure system comprising at least one closure device, having an outwardly projecting member disposed around its outer surface and a visual indication of tampering and wherein in use, said closure devices engage with each other and a container neck to provide a tamper-evident closure system.

The double tamper-evident seal system is preferably capable of being used to receive and retain a variety of sample types, such as for example solids, liquids or gases.

The double tamper-evident seal system is also preferably capable of being used in a variety of applications other than sampling and analysis, such as for example foodstuff containers.

Preferably, the double tamper-evident seal system is capable of being applied to a variety of containers, including but not limited to bottles and vials.

The container may comprise plastics or any other such suitable material and may be of any suitable shape or size.

The double tamper-evident seal system preferably comprises at least one closure means, which may be a cap or lid, which is preferably capable of engaging with a container neck or other such suitable aperture mounting.

Said closure means may comprise plastics or any other suitable materials.

Most preferably, the closure means may incorporate a means of preventing cross contamination during the sampling process. Such means may include, but not be limited to a ring-like structure, or any such suitable device.

The double tamper-evident seal system preferably comprises a further closure means, which may be an integral or separate component to the first closure means. Said further closure means is also preferably capable of engaging with a container neck or other such suitable aperture mounting and also with the first closure means, such that in combination, form a double tamper-evident seal system.

Each closure means most preferably comprises a tamper-evident feature which may be of any suitable form, including but not limited to a dependent tamper-evident strip on the side wall of said closure means.

The closure means may comprise plastics or any other such suitable materials.

It is to be appreciated that whilst the description herein relates to a double tamper-evident seal system, other embodiments may also be described including but not limited to a system employing more than two tamper-evident mechanisms or a system that employs one or more components of the invention, such as for example, the aseptic ring cap, without departingfrom the scope of invention as described herein.

It is to be further appreciated that one or more components of the invention, such as for example, the aseptic ring, may be further employed in similar or alternative systems that may or may not include tamper evident arrangements, providing that said components are still able to perform their function.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the container component of the improved double tamper-evident seal system, illustrating the adaptation of the container neck designed to engage with the tamper-evident caps and; Figure 2 shows one embodiment of the container component with the first closure means incorporating the aseptic ring, said closure means being located in a closed position on the container neck and; Figure 3a shows the first closure means comprising a cap, incorporating the aseptic ring as an integral part of the cap system and Figure 3b shows a cross-sectional view of Figure 3a and; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the improved double tamper-evident seal system, comprising one embodiment of the container component with the smaller diameter neck disposed within the diameter of the larger neck and wherein the first closure means and further closure means are located in a closed position on the container neck and; Figure 5 shows a profile view of the improved double tamper-evident seal system with the first closure means (incorporating the aseptic ring) in the closed position over the container neck and the second closure means partially engaged over the first closure means and container neck.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown an embodiment of the container component 1 of the improved double tamper-evident seal system 8.

The container neck 2 is adapted to receive the two tamper-evident closure means 3 & 4 (not shown) of the present invention. The lower portion 2b of the neck 2, located in adjacent communication with the main body of the container 1, is of a larger diameter than the upper portion 2a of the neck 2 of the container 1.

Whilst the presently illustrated embodiment shows the container neck arrangement as described, it is to be appreciated that alternative arrangements may also be described, including but not limited to an arrangement in which a smaller diameter neck is located wholly or partially within a larger diameter neck, such as illustrated in Figure 4, without departing from the scope of invention as described herein.

The upper portion 2a of the neck 2 comprises an annular side wall on the exterior of which is located a screw thread adapted to engage with a closure means (not shown). In the present example, said closure means (not shown) comprises a removable cap 3 and is described in further detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

The lower portion 2b of the neck 2 also comprises an annular side wall, on the exterior of which is located a screw thread adapted to engage with a further closure means 5 (not shown). In the present example, said further closure means comprises a ringseal 5 and is described further with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown an embodiment of the container component 1 with the removable cap 3 incorporating the aseptic ring 4, said removable cap 3 being located in a closed position on the upper portion 2a of the container neck 2.

The removable cap 3 comprises an annular side wall, on the interior of which is located a screw thread adapted to engage with a complementary screw thread located on the upper portion 2a of the container neck 2 as previously described with respect to Figure 1.

The removable cap 3 further comprises a ring structure 4, hereinafter referred to as an aseptic ring 4, disposed around the perimeter of the cap 3. The aseptic ring 4 on the present embodiment is located towards the base of the removable cap 3 and prevents the sampler's fingers from coming into contact with the edges of the cap 3 during the sampling process, thus significantly reducing the risk of sample contamination.

The aseptic ring 4 has a further functional purpose as it forms part of the double tamper-evident seal system 8 in conjunction with the ringseal 5. This further functionality is described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

The cap 3 comprises an aseptic ring, below which there is a tamper-evident strip 6 that is dependent from the edge of the cap 3 and is intact when the removable cap 3 is first fitted to the container. When the cap 3 is removed to deposit a sample into the container 1, the tamper-evident strip 6 is ruptured. The now-redundant tamper-evident strip 6 drops away from the lower portion of the cap 3 and is retained around the neck 2 of the container 1, to indicate that the tamper-evident seal has been permanently ruptured.

Referring now to Figures 3a and 3b, the arrangement of the removable cap 3 is shown, with the tamper-evident strip 6 intact. The removable cap 3, comprising plastics material in the present embodiment, further comprises an annular side wall having a screw thread disposed on its interior surface. The side wall is closed off on the top surface by a top wall, whilst remaining open on the bottom surface to allow engagement with the container neck 2.

Approximately half way up the removable cap 3 is located the aseptic ring 4. Said aseptic ring 4, comprising plastics in the present embodiment, provides a physical barrier between the main body of the cap 3 and the edge of the cap 3 that comes into contact with the neck 2 of the container 1.

The arrangement of the aseptic ring 4 and main body of the cap 3 prevents the sampler's or analyst's fingers from contacting the edges of the cap 3, thus minimising the likelihood of contaminants from the sampler's or analyst's skin being transferred into the sample container 1, thus reducing the risk of sample contamination.

-10 -Furthermore, the aseptic ring 4 is used to secure the removable cap 3 when the ringseal is engaged in the closed position within the tamper-evident system 8. This is described in further detail with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Further still, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of the aseptic ring 4 not only reduces biological cross-contamination risks during sampling and analysis processes, but further reduces the likelihood of other contaminants, such as for example chemical contaminants, from being introduced into the container and sample held within, thus reducing the risk of cross-contamination in all manner of relevant applications.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a cross-sectional view and a profile view respectively, of the complete double tamper-evident seal system 8 with the removable cap 3 engaged in a closed position on the neck 2 of the container 1 and the ringseal 5 partially engaged in a closed position over the cap 3 and neck 2 of the container 1.

In use, when the sample container 1 has been sterilised and! or otherwise prepared for despatch to the sampler, the removable cap 3 is fitted to the neck 2 of the container by engaging the complementary screw threads located on the interior surface of the annular wall of the removable cap 3 and the exterior surface of the annular wall of the neck 2 of the container 1, respectively.

-11 -The tamper evident strip 6 (not shown) of the first closure means comprising the removable cap 3 and aseptic ring 4, is at this point intact and serves as an indication that the sample container 1 has not been contaminated or altered during transit to the sampler. At this point, the ringseal 5 has not been applied to the tamper-evident system 8 and rather, is supplied separately.

The ringseal 5 comprises in the present embodiment, plastics material and further comprises an annular side wall on the interior of which is located screw threads, adapted to engage with a container neck. The top face and underside respectively of the ringseal are both open, so as to allow the ringseal 5 to engage over the first closure means, comprising a removable cap 3 and aseptic ring 4 and to further engage with screw threads located on the exterior aspect of annular wall of the container neck 2.

When a sample is being taken, a sampler unscrews the removable cap 3, thus rupturing the tamper-evident strip 6 (not shown) that comprises the base of the cap 3. The redundant tamper-evident strip 6 (not shown) then drops away from the removable cap 3 and is retained around the neck of the container 1. The sample is deposited into the container 1 and the removable cap 3, comprising the aseptic ring 4, is re-applied to the neck 2 of the container 1.

As the tamper-evident strip 6 (not shown) has already been broken, the ringseal 5 is then applied over the top of the removable cap 3 and aseptic ring 4 and secured by engaging the screw threads located on the interior surface of the annular side wall of the ringseal -12 -with the corresponding screw threads located on the exterior surface of the annular side wall of the container neck 2, respectively.

The ringseal 5 engages over the aseptic ring 4, thus occluding it and securing the removable cap 3 into place over the neck 2 of the container t The ringseal 5 at this point has a tamper-evident strip 7 that is dependent from the base of the ringseal 5. The ringseal 5 is secured into a closed position on the neck 2 of the container 1.

The tamper-evident strip 7 then engages into a secure position around the neck 2 of the container 1 and remains intact until the ringseal 5 is unscrewed, thus confirming the integrity of the sample contained within the sample container 1 until the tamper-evident strip 7 is ruptured.

When the ringseal 5 is subsequently unscrewed so that the contents of the sample container 1 may be accessed, the tamper-evident strip 7 ruptures. This provides a visual indication that the seal has been broken. Should this tamper-evident strip 7 be ruptured when the sample arrives for analysis, the visual indication provides an alert that the sample integrity may have been compromised.

Once broken, the redundant tamper evident strip 7 drops away from the ringseal 5 and is retained at the base of the lower portion 2b of the neck 2 of the container 1.

-13 -It is to be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the smaller diameter cap 3 may be completely enclosed by the larger ringseal cap 5 when said caps are respectively engaged with a container neck, so as to form a double tamper-evident system and wherein said caps may or may not comprise an aseptic ring feature.

Whilst the above description relates to an embodiment of the present invention in use as a sample container, such as those used for laboratory purposes, it is to be appreciated that the container and seal system as described can also be used for other purposes, including but not limited to the storage of foodstuffs, without departing from the scope of invention as described herein.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the embodiments described above which are described by way of example only.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A tamper evidence seal system comprising a container and container closure system, said closure system comprising at least one closure device having an outwardly projecting member around its outer circumference and a visual indication of tampering wherein use of said closure devices engage with each other and contain a neck to provide a tamper evident system.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A double tamper evidence system according to claim 1 which is able to receive and retain a variety of sample types, such as for example solids, liquids or gases.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A double tamper evidence system according to claim 1 which is capable of being applied to a variety of containers, included but not limited to 0 bottles and other suitable containers.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A double tamper evidence system according to any preceding claim in which is suitably shaped and sized for ease of movement.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A double tamper evidence seal system according to any preceding claim comprising at least one closure means which may be in the form of a cap and is capable of engaging of a container neck or mounting.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A double tamper evidence system according to any preceding claim in which closure means may comprise plastic or any other suitable materials and which contains means for preventing cross contamination.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A double tamper evidence seal system as claimed in claim 2 comprising a closure means which incorporates a means of preventing cross contamination during sampling when used on a sample container.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A double tamper evidence seal system comprising a closure means which incorporates a means of preventing cross contamination during use when used in the laboratory or on food and drink containers.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A double tamper evidence seal system according to claim 3 comprising further closure means which may be integral or separately formed in relation to the first pair of rings.10. A double tamper evidence seal system according to claim 8 said system incorporating a closure means which is capable of containing and material storage in which said further closure means is capable of engaging with the container or other such suitable aperture 11. A double tamper evidence seal system in which a first closure means is C'J provided in order that, in combination a double tamper evidence seal is provided.0 12. A double tamper evidence seal system according to any of the preceding claims and in which the system comprises a tamper evidence closure.</claim-text>