MXPA01006837A - Tamper-evident closure having improved drainage - Google Patents

Abstract

A closure (2) having a tamper-evident band (4) secured to a container neck by a retaining band. The tamper-evident band (4) is attached to the retaining band (10) by a hinge (12) so that the retaining band (10) rotates upward about the hinge when the closure is applied tothe neck of a container, causing the inner wall (26) of the retaining band and the inner wall (15) of the tamper-evident band to form a cavity therebetween. A number of rectangular openings (28) are spaced around the circumference of the retaining band. The upper edge of each opening extends beyond the hinge and into the tamper-evident band. A recess (24) in the inner wall of the tamper-evident band is located above each opening so that the lower edge of the recess intersects with the rear wall of the opening. The openings and recesses cooperate to ensure that any liquid that spills or splashes from the container neck into the cavity during capping will drain out.

Description

CLOSURE EVIDENCE HANDLING HAVE BETTER DRAINAGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to closure plugs of the type that are used to hermetically seal containers and that have releasable tamper evident tapes. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a plug that has better drainage capacity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Conventionally, tamper evident closures for containers include a threaded cap from which an annular skirt hangs. A first tape is soldably joined to the skirt by means of tear strips. A second belt, sometimes called a "hook", is attached to the first belt by means of a flexible joint. When the closure is lowered onto the neck of the container during the initial installation by the bottler, the second tape rotates upward so that its edge lies below, and looks at an annular bead formed in the neck of the package. This displacement of the second tape causes a V-shaped cavity to form between the first and second tapes. Such a closure is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,657,153 (Hayes), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. When the closure is rotated upon removal, the complete assembly initially advances upwardly under the action of the threads until the edge of the second tape engages the annular bead of the container. As a result of this engagement, the first tape is prevented from rising further. Then, the continued rotation of the closure causes the tear strips to break, separating the plug from the first belt, thereby providing a positive indication that the integrity of the closure has been compromised. During the placement of the stopper, liquid is sometimes spilled or splashed onto the lip of the container neck and drips into the V-shaped cavity formed between the first and second tapes. Over time, such a liquid makes a medium that can withstand the growth of undesirable bacteria and fungi. Although closures having holes in the second belt have been used in the past, such holes are inadequate to allow complete drainage of the V-shaped cavity. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a tamper evident closure with better drainage capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tamper evident closure with improved drainage capacity. This and other objects are achieved in a tamper indicating closure to seal a container having a neck portion. The closure includes (i) a plug portion adapted to engage the neck of the container and forming an annular skirt extending downwardly, (ii) a first tape extending downwardly that forms an approximately circular inner wall, (iii) tear strips for releasably attaching the first tape to the annular skirt, (iv) a second tape having an inner wall and upper and lower edges, and (v) a joint connecting the upper edge of the second tape to the First tape and which allows the second tape to rotate upward toward the inner wall of the first tape when the closure is applied to the container neck to form a cavity between the inner walls of the first and second tapes. A plurality of holes are formed in the second tape and are spaced around. A plurality of recesses are formed in the inner wall of the first tape and are spaced around. The recesses in the inner wall of the first belt and the holes in the second belt cooperate to ensure that fluid is drained from the cavity. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holes in the second belt extend through the hinge and into the inner wall of the first belt. In addition, at least one of the recesses is vertically aligned with each of the needles so that each of the needles is in flow communication with one of the recesses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a portion of a longitudinal cross section through a closure according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the closure shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the closure shown in Figure 1 taken through the line III-III shown in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3 except that it is taken along the line IV-IV shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 is an isometric view of a cross-section through the portion of tamper evident tape of the present invention. Figure 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the lower portion of the closure shown in Figure 1 after being introduced onto the neck of a container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A tamper evident closure 1 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1-5. Preferably, the closure 1 is molded from a plastic. As is conventional, the closure 1 comprises a plug 2, a tamper evident belt 4, and a retaining strap 10. The plug 2 includes threads 14 which engage threads 17 formed in the neck of the package 40, as shown in FIG. 6. The lower portion of the plug 2 forms an annular skirt extending downwardly 3. The tamper evident belt 4 is connected to the skirt 3 by several tearing strips 6 which bridge a slit 8 which otherwise extends circumferentially around the closure 1. The upper portion of the tamper evident belt 4 forms an inner wall 15 which is preferably oriented approximately vertically. The lower portion of the tamper evident belt 4 forms an inner wall 16 which is preferably inclined at an angle A to the vertical direction, as best shown in Figure 3, so that the base of the tamper evident tape is more thicker than its top. The retaining tape 10 is connected to the tamper evident belt 4 by a hinge 12, formed by a thinned section of material at the interface between the tapes. The retaining tape 10 forms inner and outer walls 26 and 27, respectively. In the molded state, the inner wall 26 is preferably inclined at an angle B, represented in FIG. 3, of approximately 50 ° with respect to the horizontal. The outer wall 27 is preferably inclined at a steeper angle so that the retaining tape 10 is thicker at its lower edge 20 than at its upper edge 19. According to an important aspect of the present invention, a series of holes 28, well represented in Figures 4 and 5, are spaced around the circumference of the retaining band 10. Preferably, approximately six to twelve holes 28 are used and are spaced equally apart around the circumference of the retaining band 10. The holes 28, which are preferably rectangular, preferably have a length L, measured in the horizontal direction when the retaining tape 10 is in its molded state as shown in Figure 4, of at least about 1.016 mm (0.04 mm). inch) and a width W, shown in Figure 2, of at least about 2.032 mm (0.08 inch). In the preferred embodiment, the holes 28 extend beyond the retaining tape 10, via the hinge area 12, and the recesses 14 formed in the tamper evident belt 4. Preferably, the holes 28 extend beyond the holes. rear walls 25 of the recesses 24 so as to extend more deeply to the tamper evident belt 4. Most preferably, the holes 28 extend a distance E, shown in Figure 4, beyond the base of the inner wall of tamper evidence tape 16 measuring at least about 0508 mm (0.02 inch). The vertical height H of the portion of each hole 28 that enters the tamper evident belt 4 is preferably at least about 0.508 mm (0.02 inch). The top wall 31 of each hole 28 is formed within the tamper evident belt 4 and is disposed at an angle to the vertical direction. The bottom wall 29 of each hole 28 is preferably oriented vertically in the molded state. The thickness of the portion of the retaining tape 10 below the bottom wall 29 is preferably reduced, as shown well in Figure 4, to facilitate molding. According to another important aspect of the present invention, a series of recesses 24 is formed in the lower inner wall 16 of the tamper evident belt 4. Each recess forms a rear wall 25 which is preferably aligned with the upper inner wall 15 of the tape manipulator 4 so that the rear recess wall is oriented approximately vertically. Preferably, each hole 28 has one of the recesses 24 vertically aligned above it so that the lower edge of the recess rear wall 25 intersects the back wall 31 of the hole 28, as shown well in Figure 4. , each hole 28 is connected and in flow communication with at least one recess 24. However, in some cases, it may be preferable to form additional recesses 24 in the inner wall 16 between the holes 28. For example, six holes may be used 28 and twelve recesses 24. The width of each recess 24 is preferably the same as that of its hole 28. The maximum depth D of each recess 24, as shown in Figure 4, is at least about 0.381 mm (0.015 inch) . With reference to figure 6, when, when placing the plug, the closure 1 is inserted on the neck 40 of a container, the articulation 12 allows the retaining strap 10 to rotate upwards so that its lower edge 20 is located below of an annular bead 42 projecting out from the neck of the container. As is conventional, when the plug 2 is rotated on removal, the entire closure assembly 1 initially advances upwards as a unit under the action of the threads 14 and 17 until the lower edge 20 of the retaining strap 10 engages the annular bead 42. This engagement prevents the manipulating evidence tape 4 goes higher. Then, the continued rotation of the plug 2 causes the tearing strips 6 to break, providing a positive indication that the integrity of the closure 1 has been compromised. The tearing of the tear strips 6 allows the table 2 to be worn. separates from the tamper evidence belt 4 so that, even if the stopper is removed, the tamper evident tape remains behind and remains attached to the neck of the container 40. As also shown in Figure 6, when the 1 close to the neck of the container 40, an approximately V-shaped cavity 30 is formed between the inner wall 16 of the tamper evident belt 4 and the inner wall 26 of the retaining tape 10. As previously explained, it can be spilled or splashing liquid on the neck of the container 40 and down the threads to the V-shaped cavity 30 during the placement of the cap. According to the present invention, the positive drainage of this fluid, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 6, is guaranteed by the cooperation of the holes 28 and the recesses 24. Specifically, unlike the closures of the prior art, the back wall 31 of the hole 28 extends beyond the hinge area 12 and the tamper evident belt 4. This feature, in conjunction with the recess 24, ensures that the deflection of the retention strap 4 when turned to its operative position in the neck of the container does not create a reservoir for fluid accumulation. The fluid in the cavity 30 can flow easily along the rear walls 25 and through the recesses 24 and exit through the holes 28. In addition to facilitating drainage, the recess 24 ensures that the cavity 30 is vented so that droplets of fluid remaining in the cavity 30 dry quickly. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential attributes and, accordingly, the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, should be consulted as indicative of the scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. A tamper indicating closure for sealing a container having a neck portion, said closure including: a) a plug portion adapted to engage said container neck and forming an annular skirt extending downwardly; b) a first tape extending downwards, said first tape forming an approximately circular inner wall, a plurality of recesses forming in said inner wall and being spaced around; c) means for releasably attaching said first tape to said annular skirt; d) a second belt having an inner wall and an upper edge, a plurality of holes being formed in said second belt and being spaced around, said holes extending at least to said top edge; and e) a joint connecting said upper edge of said second tape to said first tape, said articulation allowing said second tape to rotate upward toward said inner wall of the first tape when said closure is applied to said container neck to form a ca. between said inner walls of said first and second tapes, said recesses cooperating in said inner wall of the first tape and said holes to be able to drain fluid from said ca.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said holes in said second tape extend to said joint.

3. The closure according to claim 2, wherein said holes in said second belt penetrate said first belt so as to extend beyond said inner wall of said first belt.

4. The closure according to claim 3, each of said recesses forms a first rear wall disposed in said first belt, and wherein each of said holes forms a second rear wall disposed in said first belt, intersecting each of said rear walls. of said holes with one of said rear walls of said recesses, whereby each of said holes is in flow communication with one of said recesses.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein each of said holes is vertically aligned with one of said recesses.

6. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the number of said recesses is greater than the number of said holes.

7. The closure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said inner wall of said first tape is inclined at an angle to the vertical direction, each of said recesses being formed in said inclined portion of said inner wall of the first tape.

8. The closure according to claim 7, wherein each of said recesses forms a rear wall, said rear recess walls extending substantially vertically.

9. The closure according to claim 1, wherein said releasable attachment means includes a plurality of tear strips bridging said annular skirt and said first tape.

10. A tamper indicating closure for sealing a container having a neck portion, said closure including: a) a plug portion adapted to engage said container neck and forming an annular skirt extending downwardly; b) a tamper evident tape extending downwards, said tamper evident tape forming an inner wall, a recess forming in said inner wall; c) means for releasably attaching said tamper evident tape to said annular skirt; d) a retaining tape having an inner wall and an upper edge, a hole being formed in said retaining tape; and e) a joint connecting said upper edge of said retaining tape to said tamper evident tape, said articulation allowing said retaining strap to rotate upward towards said inner wall of tamper evidence when said closure is applied to said neck container to form a ca between said inner walls of said tamper evident tape and said retaining tape, said hole extending said said hollow to said hole in flow communication with said recess, so said recess and said hole they cooperate to be able to drain fluid from said ca.

11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein said hole enters said tamper evident tape.

12. The closure according to claim 11, wherein said inner wall of retaining tape has a base portion, and wherein said hole extends at least about 0.508 mm (0.02 inch) beyond said inner wall base.