NO834100L - CONTAINER CLUTCH DEVICE WITH TUKLE STATEMENT - Google Patents

Description

The present invention generally relates to containers

and closure devices of a tamper-indicating type and refers more specifically to closure devices that provide containers with a tamper indication.

The events of recent years in the United States and elsewhere have reinforced the need for an effective way to ensure the uncontaminated delivery of products in containers to a consumer, particularly medicinal products for internal use. There is a particular need for a container for such products which bears a reassuring statement to the consumer that the contents have not been tampered with from the time of manufacture to the time of sale to the consumer.

A basic prior art method aimed at

fulfilling this need is constituted by the so-called "gossip" or "evidence" indication, i.e. an easily noticeable characteristic indicating tampering, such as a signal that some person has previously tried to gain access to the contents of the container. This method can be broadly generalized as placing a tamper-inducing element in the access path of a container to indicate tampering through perceptible change. When categorizing types of evidence, using previously known methods, one finds elements that show color change, that mechanically present literal messages and that are broken or torn to pieces when tampering occurs. The color changing devices can be considered less desirable as they require environmentally sensitive components and measures to seal the same from the external environment. The mechanical devices which ensure literal indication, i.e. the words "closed" or "open" are less desirable as they are, as a natural consequence of their construction, complicated and made to order. Of the three categories, the break-and-wear method offers the best opportunity for the desired simplicity of solution.

Previously known evidence of tampering can also be categorized with regard to the location of the evidence in relation to the container's access opening. Here you will find an experiment where the evidence is placed directly at the access opening and where the evidence is otherwise placed in the container's access path. In the case of the former placement practice, the evidence extends directly over the access opening, e.g. is fixed across the mouths of the jars (glasses).

In the latter case, the evidence is placed in container packaging, inside plastic that is heat-shrunk around the glass with a cap, etc. The effective location for a tamper evidence is obviously directly at the access opening, after which packaging, heat-shrinkable plastic sleeves and similar items of evidence outside the container can be removed and the remaining container with a cap remains without a tamper statement.

Previously known evidence indications can also be categorized with regard to type where the tamper evidence directly at the access opening is closing element-activated or not. In the case of the first-mentioned category, the opposite (opening) movement of the closing device brings some element into tearing contact with the tamper evidence.

In the latter case, the tamper evidence is unaffected by the removal of the closing device. The closure-activated case obviously provides greater security.

U.S. Patent Nos. 2,131,774 and 2,131,775 are believed to relate to tamper evident containers of the desired of the foregoing tamper evident categories. In the case of these containers, the tamper-resistant element is simply tearable sheet material. The element is placed directly at the mouth opening of the container and is lid or cap-activated. By adapting this effective choice of features, however, Waring has vulnerable, expressly acknowledged in the patent documents to correct the tampering in connection with the element of evidence.

US Patent 2,131,774 seeks to provide a lid in the form of a hollow cylinder with a skirt hanging down from the top of the lid and internally threaded to receive the glass neck. The top of the lid is centrally open and there are teeth or tines designed in the plane of the lid which extend into the centrally located opening. The evidence or gossip element is inserted into the interior of the lid and is suitably fixed in this. The lid with its embedded tamper proof is then screwed onto the glass. Now the prongs are bent out of the plane of the lid top and into puncture engagement with the gossip member and remain accessible through the open lid top.

When Waring comments on this page by his container with

lid, he declares that if one tampers with the prongs, i.e. by bending them out of said puncturing engagement with the gossip element, the consumer can demonstrate such tampering by looking at the condition of the prongs which were said to have been deformed by renewed insertion and by to consider the state of the gossip element which was said to have been tampered with in this way. Such a procedure where one ultimately relies on considerations required by the consumer makes Waring's method less desirable, despite the fact that it includes the most effective of the stated practices. Its lack reveals yet another important factor for effective tamper reporting, namely that the cracking elements and the evidence of tampering must be kept out of reach.

In the exercise under the above-mentioned US patent 2,131,775, the tamper evidence is attached to the lid to be moved together with it, as the lid again has a central open top. A lining is stapled, stapled or glued to the tamper evidence. In the course of turning the lid, the tamper proof and the liner firmly on a jar or glass, a lower friction surface of the liner is pressed onto the jar neck by friction between the same. When the lid is rotated in the opposite direction to release it from the jar or jar, the lid and the tamper proof initially rotate relative to the liner and the booklet pin. The limitation of US patent 2,131,774 is again present, i.e. the booklet pin is accessible at all times through the open lid center.

The cited US Patents 2,131,774 and 2,131,775 are also not adapted to what could be expressed as "the alternative consumer benefit", which requires both (1) that the gossip or evidence element and the sealing layer be removable together with and completely contained, including evidence fragments, of the lid upon its removal from the container and (2) that there is an adhesive or tack-anchored gasket between the lid liner and the container access port until the time of initial opening. Waring's patent documents thus expressly reject any form of adhesive or adhesive attachment of the lid to the container and require that no adhesive bond be found between the lid and the container. Requirement (2) in the aforementioned alternative consumer benefit is therefore not fulfilled.

The fact that lid liners are kept in place in the lid during shipping and application of lids to containers is common practice in today's industry, as shown for example in Dukes' US patents 3,819,460 and 3,917,100. A circumferential groove is formed in the lid immediately below the top field of the lid above the lid threads. In commercial practice, the liner is forced into the cap and held in place in the groove. As indicated in the Dukess<1>patent documents, the liner includes a compressible layer which is said to be displaced radially outside the liner into sealing engagement with the groove wall when the lid is screwed down onto the container. In both the commercial and Dukess' patented practice, there has been no concern about tampering and there is no anchoring of the linings to the container mouth, such as by adhesive or other bonding.

On related considerations, such measures as providing the closure elements with complete tamper-resistant capability at the time of their manufacture, enabling them to be stored without a made-to-order lid construction or lid processing step as in Waring's method, are considered by applicants to be highly desirable features of effective tamper proofing. and which are designed for use in connection with the many different, common widespread lids that are side by side in production.

The primary purpose of the invention is to provide improved tamper indication for containers of the type that carry lids and methods for performing the same.

A further purpose of the invention consists in the adaptation of the previously indicated practice choices and existing practice in related industries.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide for exchange lending systems where both requirements of the aforementioned alternative consumer favoring are met.

In order to achieve these goals, according to the invention, a container with a jar (glass) with a mouth for access to its contents, a gossip element, which can take the form of a simple paper package that closes the mouth, and a transparent lid that is releasably attachable to the jar and circumscribing its mouth and spout element when attached to the jar. The lid includes one or more puncturing elements inside the lid for movement therewith. The gossip or evidence element

is arranged in "caught" relation to the puncturing element before the joining of the lid and the glass. When the lid is screwed on

on the glass, the gossip or evidence element is attached to the mouth of the glass when it comes into contact with it, for example through

contact activation of a sealant on the glass mouth. Opposite opening movement of the lid is followed by visible cracking and tearing of the tamper proof (gossip element).

The puncturing element can take the form of one or more knife-like prongs which hang down from the upper inner surface of the lid and which cannot be deflected in relation to this. The lid is suitably made of transparent material so that the state of the gossip element can be considered constant after the initial assembly time until the time of sale to the consumer.

In another closing device according to the invention, the lid prongs are applied to a squeegee disc and the tines are then blunted on the underside of the squeegee disc. A second disc is now attached to the gossip disc through adhesion and, as the second disc is unaffected by the tines when the gossip disc is torn, the second disc can keep the jar or glass sealed and the contents unaffected by fragments from the gossip disc.

A further tamper evidence according to the invention has a compressible layer, such as foam material, in which the tines are trapped. The preferred tamper proof is a laminate that includes a compressible layer and an underlying layer, both of which act to blunt or dull the prongs in the fully engaged position of the compressible layer and to serve as a sealing layer for the jar or glass. An overlying layer of foil can also be included in the laminate.

The lid or cap may include means to distribute forces to which the tamper proof is exposed to its periphery, thus reducing the likelihood of tip breakage when the lid or cap is screwed into initial retaining engagement with a glass. Said power distribution means can also serve as cap resealing means for a jar or glass upon removal

of the tamper evidence after initial opening of the glass. The invention further relates to an external cap for the closure device for

to discourage malicious tinkering with the gossip evidence.

In order to fulfill the requirement for said alternative consumer preference or favour, a further embodiment of the invention includes, in addition to the prongs, means inside the cap for selective engagement with the tamper proof device according to

its activation by the opening movement of the cap, both to forcibly break the sealing bond between the tamper proof laminate and to hold the tamper proof laminate together with the closure cap. tamper proof-

the laminate is attached to the mouth of the container, for example by induction heating, and the tamper-proof laminate is structured in such a way that it maintains its integrity when it is forcibly separated from such an attachment during the opening movement of the cap.

According to another aspect, according to the invention, a container has been provided comprising the usual neck which ends in a container mouth and delimiting a surface that circumscribes the mouth, including the container's sealing surface, and where the neck has the typical threads for the closure element attached thereto. The extended surface area of the container is arranged for engagement with the tamper evidence and is designed to initiate first and second engagement with the same during the first and second direction of movement, respectively. With such an aid, the container enables the tamper evidence to be introduced into the closure element in connection with the sealing surface upon movement of the closure element in said first direction and to be selectively positively restrained from movement relative to the mouth during the initial phase of movement of the closure element in said second direction , without the need for an adhesive layer or other binder between the container neck and the tamper proof.

The preceding and other objects of the invention as well as its features will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, where the same reference numbers denote like parts, and where:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a first closing device.

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the closing device according to fig.

1 following the line II-II in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of a pin included in the closing device according to fig. 1, seen in direction III-III in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows the peak in fig. 3 in another side view.

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the closing device, seen from the front, partially in section. Fig. 6 shows a general view of a tamper-evident device for insertion into the closing devices according to fig. 1 or 5. Fig. 7 shows a placement tool for use when inserting the tamper-evident member in fig. 6 in a closing device (hood). Fig. 8 shows a view of a pin forming part of the closing device

ning according to fig. 5 seen correspondingly in the direction III-III in fig.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of the peak according to fig. 8.

Fig. 10 shows an enlarged partial view in section of a part of the closing device according to fig. 5, in connection with a tamper-prone element. Fig. 11 shows a partial view in section of another part of the closing device according to fig. 5, in connection with the tampering element. Fig. 12, 14 and 16 show variants of tamper-resistant laminates for use in the practical implementation of the invention. Fig. 13, 15 and 17 show partial views in section of parts of the closing device according to fig. 5 and laminates according to fig. 12, 14 and 16.

Fig. 18 shows a view of a further embodiment

of a peak.

Fig. 19 shows a side view of the peak according to fig. 18.

Fig. 20 shows a front view of the cap according to another embodiment. Fig. 21 shows a partially cut away view of the cap according to fig. 20 and shows the internal parts. Fig. 22 shows a view of the cap corresponding to fig. 21, but where the embodiment includes a special sealing layer for the container's access opening. Fig. 23 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of a tamper-evident element or "sentry device" in accordance with the invention. Fig. 24 shows a plan view of the sentry body according to fig. 23 in the operationally assembled position with a tamper-proof closure device. Fig. 25 shows a sectional view of the device according to fig. 24, which is also assembled with a container. Fig. 26 shows an enlarged partial section of the device according to fig. 24 and shows the respective contact surfaces on the cap and the sentry body. Fig. 27 shows an enlarged partial view of a further closing device according to the invention. Fig. 28 shows a sectional view of a closed container, which includes the closing device according to fig. 27. Fig. 29 shows a plan view of another closing element in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 30 shows a sectional view of the closing element according to fig.

29 following the line XXX-XXX in fig. 29.

Fig. 31 shows a plan view of a tamper evidence for use in connection with the closing element according to fig. 29.

Fig. 32 shows a sectional view of the tamper evidence according to fig.

31 following the line XXXII-XXXII in fig. 31.

Fig. 33 shows a sectional view of a composite device which includes the closing element according to fig. 29 and the evidence of tampering according to fig. 31.

Fig. 34 shows a partial view of the device according to fig.

31 as seen from the line XXXIV-XXXIV in fig. 29.

Fig. 35 shows a highly enlarged partial view of a device in which the closing element according to fig. 29 and the evidence of tampering according to fig. 31, in connection with a container, as seen along the line XXXV-XXXV in fig. 29. Fig. 36 shows a view corresponding to fig. 35 after initial opening of the container, removal of the tamper evidence from the closing device and renewed attachment of the closing element to the container. Fig. 37 shows an exploded view of another container in accordance with the invention, with a section through the cap and the glass neck along the line XXXVII-XXXVII in fig. 41 and with the proof of tampering seen from the side. Fig. 38 shows the container parts according to fig. 37 in assembled position and shown in section as in fig. 37. Fig. 39 shows a view corresponding to fig. 38 with the cap screwed up a little on the glass neck. Fig. 40 shows an enlarged view of the tamper proof device according to fig. 37-39. Fig. 41 shows a plan view from above of the container in its position according to fig. 38. Fig. 42 shows a view corresponding to fig. 41, but with the cap turned an angle Z according to fig. 41 in the opening direction of the container. Fig. 43 shows a plan view from above of the container in its position according to Fig. 39 and further rotated through an angle Y according to Fig. 42. Fig. 44 shows a plan view from above of another closing element in accordance with the invention. Fig. 45 shows a sectional view of the closing device according to Fig. 44 along the line II-II in Fig. 44 and shows one of a number of cap ribs 528.

Fig. 46 shows a plan view from above of a container for use in situations where an adhesive or other binding agent is not desired between the container neck and the tamper evidence.

Fig. 47 shows a sectional view of the container according to fig. 46 following the line XLVII-XLVII in fig. 46. Fig. 48 shows an enlarged partial view of the container according to fig. 47.

According to fig. 1-4 includes a closure device or cap

10 a closing element 12 with a hanging skirt part 12a and internal threads 14 and a downwardly directed opening 16. The cap delimits an extended closing surface comprising the skirt part 12a and the underside 12b of the cap 10, for cooperation with the neck and the mouth of a jar, glass or similar container that has an access opening to get to the content.

Within said closing surface, the cap 10 includes one or more prongs, three of which are shown at 18a, 18b and 18c and which comprise puncturing and tearing or breaking elements, placed at mutually equal angular distances. Each tip can be formed in one piece with the cap 10, e.g. by being molded together with this, and is rigid, so that it is not so easily bent in relation to the underside of the cap 12b. The tines can form parts of an insert piece for the cap 10 and which are fixed in this to participate in the movements of the cap. Because of its fixed connection with the cap, each pin moves with the cap in its movement in a first direction (clockwise) to releasably fixed connection with the glass neck, and also in the cap movement in a second, opposite direction (counter-clockwise) in relation to the glass or jar, to cancel said fixed compound.

The cap 10 is conveniently formed from optically clear plastic

of butyrate, acetate, nylon, lucite and plexiglass and the like. The glass or jar to be used with the cap 10

is preferably made of glass-like thermoplastics which will provide a barrier against hidden penetration, for example when using an injection needle. The handlebar with high impact resistance is suitable for the purpose.

When considering the design of the tip 18c as shown in fig. 3 and 4 it appears that this includes a vertically extending, radially projecting wall 20, which ends in an inverted V-shaped groove or channel 22, bounded by surfaces 24a and 24b, each of which forms an angle A (forty-five degrees) with the vertical central axis 26. The channel extends radially inwards and upwards to the inner wall

28 at an angle B (thirty degrees).

According to fig. 5, the cap 30 has a skirt portion 32, internal threads 34, an internal cap underside 30a and tines 36a, 36b and 36c, which extend in the direction of the lower opening 38.

It will be seen that each of the prongs 18a-c and 36a-c is radially offset from the center of rotational movement of the caps 10 and 30 and that each extends substantially parallel to the axis of the hollow cylindrical cap. Each pinion is also arranged radially in relation to the center of rotation, so that it has an extension generally to form a front surface which causes an element penetrated by it to crack or tear up.

In fig. 8 and 9, it will be seen that the design of the tines 36a-c includes an asymmetry about the axis 40. The V-shaped part is delimited by inclined side walls 42 and 44, where the former begins to slope at the location 42a, which is higher than the slope start location 44a for the latter. Both slope at an angle C (thirty degrees) and radially inwards upwards from the outer wall 45 to the inner wall 46 at an angle D (thirty degrees). The asymmetry gives rise to a preferential directional deformation of the tines as indicated at time 36c in fig. 10 by composition, which will now be explained.

In fig. 6, a tamper indicating means 48 is shown in form

of a largely flat disc which may consist exclusively of a foam layer, e.g. styrene-based foam plastic. A mounting tool 50 (Fig. 7) includes a support element 52, which in connection with the present explanation is assumed to be rigid, e.g.

in the form of a metal cylinder, to receive the sheet-shaped member 48 on its upper surface 52a, and the tool is movable in the directions E to introduce the member 48 into the opening 38 of the cap 30.

Fig. 10 shows the assembly which is the result of said insertion operation using a rigid support tool. In this assembly, the entire tines 36c is embedded in the layer-shaped member 48, with the tines' end parts 36c-l placed at a distance from the underside 48a of the tines, the tines delimiting a largely hook-shaped part at its end part 36c-l, which hook part is in restraining engagement with the layer member 48 and extends in direction F, i.e. in the direction of the opening movement of the cap 30 (anti-clockwise rotation). As such, the tip is arranged to favor tearing of the layer member 48 during the opening movement of the cap 30 and is consequently arranged to increase the tamper indication. As is clear from fig. 10, the tip 36c is so deformed that reuse of the cap is impossible after a person has tampered with it.

The layer member 48 can carry an edge ring 53 on its underside

of contact-activated adhesive or similar can be applied to the glass mouth, so that the assembly according to fig. 10 is provided with a glass attachment. With the tip 36c located at a distance from such a lower part, broken fragments from the layer member 48 can be removed by opening the container without getting into the container.

The support element 52 can, if desired, be a compressible element, e.g. of rubber, for adaptation according to the assembly shown in fig. 11. Here, a significant portion of the tip 36c is located in the layer member 48 (more than half of its vertical extent), to promote tamper proof breakage. Retention is effected by the rest of the tip 36c which lies outside with respect to the layer member 48.

Although the tamper proof or tamper indicating means has been described as consisting of foam for the layer member 48, the invention includes various other tamper proof means, some of which are shown in FIG. 12, 14 and 16. In fig. 12, the gossip proof comprises a layer of foam material 54 in combination with an overlying layer 56 of metal foil, and the two layers form a laminate 58. By using the method according to fig. 10, i.e.

by using a rigid support member, one arrives at the structure according to fig. 13, where the tip 36c penetrates and is thus located in both layers of the laminate.

In fig. 14, the laminate 60 comprises a foam material layer 62 and

an underlying layer 64, which forms a sealing layer for a container's access opening, e.g. parchment or similar sealing layer. One arrives at the device according to fig. 15 when proceeding as described for fig. 10, i.e. the tip 36c penetrates and lies in the layer 62 and at a distance from the layer 64, so that its integrity is not violated.

In fig. 16, the laminate 66 comprises a foam material layer 68 and a metal foil 70 which lies between the layer 68 and the underside 30a of the cap and is attached to one surface of the layer 68, and with an underlying parchment layer 72 attached to the side of the layer 68 which is located opposite said one surface . In the finished assembly (fig. 17), again produced according to the method according to fig. 10, the tip 36c penetrates the metal foil layer 70 and is spaced from the parchment layer 72, which is attachable to the glass or jar mouth as explained above.

The tines can be designed as further shown in fig. 18

and 19. Here, the tip 74 is symmetrical about the axis 76 and defines a piercing or piercing tip 78 which slopes radially inwards upwards between end walls 80 and 82.

In the embodiments according to fig. 14 and 16, the upper surfaces of the container access opening's sealing layer of parchment or similar dense paper are provided with coloring, e.g. bright red, and the foam layers have a contrasting colour, e.g. white, whereby a lively indication of tampering is ensured when the closing element is turned in the opening direction. When the ripping tines are embedded in the foam layer over most of their extent, the safety of tamper indication is guaranteed. The fastening aspect, whereby an internal parchment disc is held in a closing element by its attachment to the foam material, makes it possible to utilize the described methods in connection with intended use without tampering, i.e. where it is desirable to avoid release of the sealing layers for the container's access opening from the caps during shipping and handling.

According to fig. 20 and 21, the closure device 110 includes a hood 112, preferably with vertical groupings of ribs 114, spaced around the outside of the hood's hanging skirt portion. The cap 112 has internal threads for attachment to a container and includes prongs 118 which extend downwardly from the upper inner surface of the cap within the container-closing surface of the cap. A tamper evidence element 120, which may consist of paper sheet material, is attached to the prongs 118, which bore through the tamper evidence element when it is forced into the interior of the cap. The tines 118 are movable together with the cap 112, preferably by being formed in one piece with this, and the gossip proof element 120

is movable by means of the prongs together with the cap when the cap is fixed on a container. The cap is of the transparent type,

in that it consists of suitable translucent plastic or the like, so that the condition of the gossip proof element 120 is visible through the cap.

In fig. 22, the closure device 122 has the preceding structure in common with the closure device 110, and further has an access opening sealing layer 124 attached at its periphery to the gossip proof element 120 after the tines 118 are rolled over as indicated.

The peak rolling or binding step is advantageous in that it favors the tearing thereof. Moreover, the step places the pre-assembly thus obtained in such a position that it can now receive an underlying layer as part of the cap which is manufactured with its integrity unaffected by the activation of the gossip proof element. With the cusps now blunted (blunted)

and without their previous puncturing and tearing capability under the gossip proof element, the glass mouth or container access opening sealing layer 124 is thus isolated from the prongs. According to fig. 25, a binding or adhesive agent 126 can be applied either to the mouth of the container 128 or to the underside of the layer 124, so that the layer 124 when the closure device 122 is screwed onto the glass through the engagement of the cap threads 116 with the container neck threads 130 attached to the container and the gossip proof element 120 is thus fixed in relative to the container. By grasping the closing device 122 and turning it anti-clockwise, a demolition of the gossip proof element 120 is initiated and indicates the initial opening of the container.

According to fig. 23, the tamper guard post element 132 has the form of an upper cap 134 with a central opening 136 through its upper wall, hanging skirt part 138, largely horizontal endless ribs 140 and 142 and a catch 144 near the opening 146. The upper cap is sized so that it can be assembled with the cap 112 as shown in fig. 24 and 25, i.e. placing the cap 112 vertically inside the top cap without friction and holding it in place by means of the locking hook 114, which extends radially within the periphery of the cap 112. The ribs 140 and 142 only contact the rib groupings 114 of the cap 112, in the embodiment shown, as shown in the enlarged view according to fig. 26, thereby counteracting a sufficient friction boundary surface between the top cap 134 and the tamper-resistant cap 122 so that a person can turn the cap 122, unless the top cap is pryed off. The upper cap is thus in a fixed, enveloping position on the cap and is stored on it for rotation. If the hood is seized

of an aspiring "tamper", the result is a rotation of this without movement of the cap and thus without activation of the gossip evidence.

For the aforementioned decoupling purposes, one can simply put

enter a tool, e.g. a screwdriver, in the opening 136 and under the cap 134 and exert an upward force on the cap to

to overcome the latch and cancel the connection. At this point, one can gain direct access to the cap 122. Such an opening 136 in the top cap also serves to make it possible to visually observe the condition of the tampering evidence 120.

When the gossip certificate used in practical implementation

of the invention has the form of a laminate or multilayer element as in fig. 12 and 16, i.e. includes an upper foil element of an extremely tearable nature or in the form of delicate sheet material, which is in turn rather easily tearable, the above-mentioned practice can present difficulties during assembly, especially when the assembly of the closing device and gossip evidence is turned to a fixed engagement with a container. The tines are thus alone in force-exerting relation to the gossip proof element and alone lead to the desired position in the final assembly. With such a cap movement in the closing direction, a point is reached where the gossip proof element is pressed together between the cap and the container, and at this transition point resistance to further rotation is encountered. To overcome such resistance, increased force is applied to the cap which is transmitted through the prongs to the sensitive tamper proof element, increasing the propensity of the cap and prongs to move relative to the tamper proof element and occasionally causing tearing of the tamper proof element and rendering it ineffective. for use.

In accordance with the invention, an organ has been inserted

in the closing device to subject the tamper-proof element to force influence in places other than the tines-tins-proof interface, which additional force supports the force exerted by the tines and in reality shares the load with them. In the embodiment according to fig. 44 and 45, the cap 512 is formed in one piece with radially extending ribs 528, placed outside the tines 516 at the inner circumference of the cap 512. The ribs have generally vertical rising surfaces 528a at their sides which face in the clockwise direction of rotation of the cap, which rising surfaces extend downwards from the underside of the cap 512a, as can be seen from fig.

45, where, for the sake of clarity, only a single rib is shown. On the sides which face in the direction of rotation of the cap anti-clockwise, the trailing edges of the ribs have the form of inclined surfaces 528b. With such a device, the turning movement of the cap in the closing direction is followed by a powerful engagement between the rising surfaces 528a of the ribs and the chatter proof element 520 at its upper surface together with the tines, which results in efficient distribution of the force that

is assigned the gossip evidence element and allows the use of sensitive tampering elements such as gossip evidence, e.g. foils, thin paper and the like. When turning in the opposite direction, i.e. when the cap turns in the direction of opening, the inclined surfaces 528b slide over the surface of the gossip proof element, the tearing being initiated by the tines.

In the embodiment of the power application/distribution device according to fig. 27 and 28, the closing device includes a cap or a closing element 232, and a force application element 234 is fixed in the interior of the cap near the underside of the cap 232a, preferably in the form of a ring that circumscribes the prongs 216 without coming into contact with them. As a material for the element 234, a plastic composition can be chosen that is more compressible than the plastic material for the cap 232, and the plastic composition is also chosen in relation to the gossip-proof element 220 so that it exposes the gossip-proof element's upper surface to frictional force when the element 234 is pressed together between the cap 232 and the gossip-proof element 220. The gossip-proof element is inserted into the cap to provide it in fig. 27 shown assembly and the tines are bent as explained earlier, to form the closing device according to fig. 28, shown in fixed engagement with a jar or glass 218, where the sealing member 226 is in place. As can be seen from the enlarged sectional view in fig. 27, the lower side 234a of the element 234 is in force-applying/distributing contact with the upper side 220a of the gossip proof element until the assembly reaches the condition as fig. 28 shows, where binding or adhesive agent 236 ensures that the closing device is fixed to the access opening of the glass.

In this embodiment, a post-initial opening can

of the one in fig. 28 shown container remove the torn gossip evidence element from the closure device as well as remove the layer 226 from the container to get to the contents thereof, but can close the container again due to the element 234 still remaining in the closure device, its characteristic compressibility also being adapted for direct sealing contact between the underside 234a and the container portion near the access opening.

Another embodiment of the closing device with protection for the gossip proof element is shown in fig. 29-36. According to fig. 29

and the closure device 310 includes a cap or closure element 312 with a skirt portion 312a and internal threads 314

for attachment to a container, and includes tines 316

extending downwardly from the cap's upper inner surface 312b of the cap's top panel 312c and disposed within the cap/container closure surface, comprising the skirt and the top panel. The peaks 316a-c,

which can be arranged in a number of one or more, is shown in the form of three puncturing elements at mutually equal angular distances.

The gossip proof element 320 (Figs. 31 and 32) can be designed as a laminate or multi-layer tamper proof element, which includes an upper foil element 322 of an extremely tearable nature,

an intermediate layer 324 of foam or similar compressible material and a lower layer 326 of dense paper such as parchment.

The gossip proof element 320 is assembled with the cap 312

by reversing the cap 312 from the one in fig. 30 shown position, place the gossip proof member 320 in engagement with the cap's open end 312d, after which a rigid tool, e.g. a metal cylinder, is brought to act on the layer 326 and force the gossip evidence element

320 towards the cap's top field 312c. During the latter work step, the tines 316 inside the foam material layer 324 are distorted, as shown in the sectional view according to fig. 34, i.e. the tip 316b is clamped flat against the parchment layer of a boot-like shape 316b-l in the foam layer 324 and is in penetrating relation to both the foil layer 322 and the foam layer 324. The layer 326 may include a tamper indication 326a, e.g. red coloring, on its surface next to the foam layer 324.

In contrast to the force application device according to fig.

27 and 28 causes the device according to fig. 29 and 30 for such a gossip evidence protective purpose displacement of the gossip evidence element to frictional contact with the interior of the closing element's skirt part, whose surface facing the gossip evidence element is preferably designed in such a way that the frictional contact is raised.

In this respect, it has been shown that the same structure can fulfill both the previously known resealing function and a hitherto unknown and unexpected function, namely realizing a tamper-proof displacement and protection function, which will now be explained.

Reference is again made to fig. 30, where a force application device is shown in the form of a flexible cone 328, formed integrally with the cap 312 or otherwise fixed into it. The taper 328 begins at one end portion 330, which adjoins the apex field 312c, at a location radially outside the location of the tips 316a-c, and extends in a cantilevered manner to the opposite end portion 332, which defines a generally planar horizontal surface 334 parallel to the peak field 312c.

During the assembly with tools of the gossip proof element 320 in the cap 312, which is equipped with member 328 as in fig. 30, the member 328 comes into contact with the gossip evidence element 320 and is thereby deflected, as shown in fig. 33, and compresses the foam material layer 324. During such assembly, the foam material layer expands from its compressed state outside the member 328 and thereby extends outwards in contact with the interior of the skirt 312a next to the member 328. The skirt 312a is preferably provided with a surface with increased friction in its portion adjacent to the member 328, such as inwardly directed ribs or protrusions 336, which are arranged in a uniform manner, distributed around the circumference of the cap (Fig. 29). It has been found that the gossip proof element 320 is forced to curl circumferentially upwards and downwards (Fig.

35) in engagement with the projections 336.

Seen in another light, the preceding structure can be used in general for closing containers, namely as an "anti-back" closing device. In this context, the term "buckling" means the unwanted self-detachment of a lid from its retaining engagement with a container, as occurs when containers with screwed-on lids are exposed to vibrations during shipment, temperature changes, etc. With known containers, there are no such anti-backing constructions, i.e. where (1) the closing element is in locked connection with the gossip-proof element, preferably by means of the tines, the gossip-proof element through the described displacement being brought into engagement circumferentially with projections 336 by means of means 328 which compresses the foam material layer 234, and where (2) there is another blocking or locking device between the tamper proof element and the container through the binding or adhesive agent 340. In cases where the tamper proof aspect is not desired, one can use an opaque cap with spikes or other means for securing the cap with a substitute element for the gossip proof element 320 , e.g. a compressible and outwardly movable element of a non-tampering nature.

Even if the gossip proof element 320 according to the preceding explanation is placed in its position according to fig. 33 by means of an installation tool so that it engages with the end portion 332 of the member 328 to give rise to the deflection of the same as well as the compression of the foam material layer 324, it is possible for the gossip evidence element to arrive at its position according to fig. 33 in another way. The gossip proof element 320 can thus be attached to tinder 316 by means of a container, as will now be explained.

According to fig. 35, deflection of member 328 can take place during the attachment of the cap 312 to the container 318. Here, the surface 338 of the container 318 which delimits its access opening has an adhesive layer 340 and is vertically flush with the end portion 332 of the member 328. When the parchment layer 326 of the gossip proof element 320 comes into contact with the adhesive 340, the member 328 is deflected towards the top field 312c. The end portion 324 cuts into the foil layer 322 and compresses the foam material layer 324 which expands to the right of its compressed area, whereby the gossip proof element 320 is displaced outwards and into contact with the protrusions 336.

When initially opening the container in fig. 35 which is closed with a cap, the gossip-proof element 320 is torn with the help of the tines 316, after which the gossip-proof element 320 is attached to the container 318 by means of the adhesive 340. The gossip-proof element is now removed from the cap 312, i.e. by peeling it off from the tines 316. The cap which is free of the gossip evidence element is seen in fig. 36, which also illustrates the resealability of the protective body. The flat surface 334 of the end portion 332 is thus in sealing contact with the surface 338 of the container 318, preferably in a flat horizontal position, largely parallel to the top field 312c, as indicated in fig. 36.

According to fig. 37, the cap or closure element 412 of the container 410 consists of transparent plastic material and is designed with a skirt part 414 with internal threads 416. A circumferential bead 418 projects inwards from the skirt 414 together with the threads 416, but is placed completely horizontally and delimits together with the underside 412a of the top field of the cap 412b a recess or groove 420. Tinders 422a, 422b and 422c (Fig. 37) are movable together with the cap 412 in its rotational movement. Each tip slopes to form a piercing tip at 422a-1 and 422b-1 in FIG. 37 and preferably has a length below the underside 418a of less than the vertical extent of the track 420. The preferred structure of the gossip evidence element 424 is a laminate, as can be seen from the enlarged view according to fig. 40. The laminate includes an upper compressible layer 426 of a material, e.g. open cell styrofoam, which can be torn and caused to crack by tines 422a-422c. This layer preferably has a thickness of from thirty to thirty-five mils. A printed pattern is applied to the upper surface 426a of the layer 426. Adhesive 427 in a strip pattern is applied to stiffen the layer 428 for securing it to the underside of the layer 426.

This layer consists of a pressure-sensitive hot melt, which is supplied by Finley Adhesives, and can be approx. one mille in thickness. The element 424 is cylindrical or disc-shaped and the individual strips, one of which is indicated at 427a, of the adhesive layer pattern are located at a distance from the other strips and extend like cords in the cylinder. The stiffening layer 428 consists of a clear K resin, which is supplied by Phillips 66 and is preferably from four to ten mils. The above pressure sensitive adhesive bonds the layer to the gossip proof layer 430, which is a paper approximately one mil thick. The bottom layer 432 is a one mil aluminum foil coated with polyethylene or Surlyn etc. for general purposes. Color and pattern features are important, both from a security and control point of view and from a tamper indication point of view. The printed pattern on the surface 426a is a green imprint with thin lines to impart an anti-counterfeit character to the tamper evidence element 424. The layer 426 preferably consists of white foam and the coloring of the paper layer 430 in the gossip proof element is preferably red on the surface facing the clear stiffening layer 428.

Reference is again made to fig. 37, where a jar or glass 434 is partially shown. The jar or jar has a neck 436 with external threads 438. A layer 440 of controlled release adhesive may be applied to the mouth of the neck 436.

When assembling the cap 412 and the gossip proof element 424, the cap is reversed from its in fig. 37 shown orientation and the gossip evidence element 424 is forced against the surface 412a of the top field 412

by means of a rigid support element, e.g. of metal, which acts against layer 432 of the element 424. The layer 426 is pierced by the tines, which are deformed in the foam material, so that the element 424 is retained by the tines. The result of this operation can be seen from fig. 38, where the tamper proof member 424 engages the recess or groove 420 and is held by the prongs

at a preselected vertical distance from the bead 418 for reasons which are discussed below.

In the drawing according to fig. 38, the cap is screwed all the way onto the container in the closing direction (complete closing movement in the clockwise direction as in fig. 41). The layer 432 (Fig. 40) of the gossip-proof element 424 is attached to the mouth of the neck 436 by means of the adhesive layer 440, and the gossip-proof element is thus anchored to both cap 412 and jar or glass 434. When the layer 432 consists of polyethylene-coated aluminum or other suitable coating as stated above, the latter anchoring is preferably carried out by induction heating of the aluminum foil, which directly bonds the coating to the container neck, without the need for a special adhesive.

Based on the above vertical distance between the gossip proof element 424 and the bead 418 in FIG. 38, there may be a measure of cap rotation counterclockwise (in the opening direction) prior to any confrontational contact between the bead 418 and the layer 432

and thus before breaking the anchoring for the element 424 to the mouth of the neck 436. During such a rotation measurement, indicated as angle Z in fig. 41, the tines 422a, 422b and 422c cut through the foam material layer 426, which gives rise to the layer 430 being exposed in areas 442, 444 and 446 as shown in fig. 42, and the bright red layer 430 is seen through the white foam against the background of green lines on top of the foam layer 426.

During further rotation of the cap 412 in the opening direction from its in fig. 42 shown position, namely through the angle Y, to that in fig. 43 shown position, where the bead 418 comes into contact with the underside of the layer 432 and exerts upward camming force on it. Positive vertical upward displacement of the bead 418 which is due to the exchange of rotating cap movement to upward translation through the mutual engagement of the threads 416 and 438 causes the removal of the anchored connection between the gossip proof element 424 and the glass 434. The effect of this is that the demolition of the layer 426 by means of tines 422a-422c cease after as gossip evidence element 424

can now rotate freely together with the cap 412 and the tines 422a-422c no longer perform any movement relative to the member 424.

Various features participate in the present construction and effect. First, it will be understood that the previously stated "alternative consumer preference" is realized whereby the gossip element, although bound to the container at the time of cap opening, is retained with the cap after its activation at initial opening. Secondly, splintering or tearing of the foam material layer 426 is spatially controlled, i.e. only takes place through the angle Z according to fig. 41 or another angle that can be created by choosing the vertical distance between the gossip proof element's layer 432 and the rib 418. Thirdly, after such a controlled tearing of the foam material layer 426, reduced splintering will be achieved, as a higher probability of fragments sticking is realized within the cap 412 in the presence of effective tamper indication. Fourthly, there is the possibility of resealing, after which layer 432 is unaffected by these operations.

A design factor of the gossip proof element that contributes to realizing the features mentioned immediately above are the properties of the layer 428 which is included in the gossip proof element 424. This layer is capable of withstanding the combing force to which the gossip proof element is exposed from the bead 418 during its release from the glass 434, while at the same time maintaining the element 424's cylindrical geometric design. In its functional design, element 424 will have an anti-counterfeiting imprint on top

a peak securing layer (layer 426), a layer to maintain structural integrity (layer 428), a tamper proof layer (layer 430) and sealing and resealing layer (layer 432).

From another point of view, it will be seen that the cap 412 has several and successively operative means for retaining the gossip proof element 424. The tines 422a-422c represent the first means for retaining the gossip proof element, as they are embedded in the layer 426 when the cap and the gossip proof element are put together. The bead 418 is inactive until the time the tines 422a-422c have caused the layer 426 to crack and the restraining connection with this has ceased, but follows the gossip proof element 424, for restraining and continuous engagement with the same after activation of the gossip proof element.

Although the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments, it is possible for the person skilled in the art to make certain changes without thereby deviating from the scope of the invention. The gossip evidence element can thus have a multi-layer form such as element 320 or be designed in another way, for example from a single paper layer destroyed by the tines to other multi-layer structures, e.g. where a layer of foam material immediately next to the cap's top field and supported by an encapsulated aluminum layer, the latter being available on the market.

When the foam material layer is opaque, the aluminum layer or other underlying gossip evidence layer is seen in the parts that lie flush with the translucent spikes, in an unactivated state, and are highly visible when activated. Another suitable tamper proof structure could comprise an upper paper layer, a foam fabric layer, a lower paper layer and a bottom layer comprising Surlan coated aluminum foil. Although the engagement between the tines and the gossip proof structure is shown by the tines' penetration of the gossip proof element, the invention also includes a surface connection between the tines and the gossip proof element, e.g. in that the prongs have a surface in contact with the upper surface of the gossip proof element, said surface being bound together through the influence of heat. Although, moreover, the shown embodiments deal with rotatable closure devices with internal threads, the invention only requires that the closure devices be rotatable for activation of the gossip proof element. In the last-mentioned embodiment, an alternative structure for the gossip proof element 424 could consist of shaping the tamper indication on top of the stiffening layer, e.g. by coloring its upper surface. The stiffening layer can now consist of opaque material, such as fibreboard, after which the gossip evidence statement does not need to be seen through as in the first mentioned embodiment, where the stiffening layer of K-resin has a transparent character.

With reference to fig. 46-48, another embodiment of the invention comprises a tamper-evident container with aids for non-adhesive connection with the container's closing element. The container 610 includes a neck 612, which on its outside carries threads 614 for securing the cap and forms an access channel between the container mouth and the container's inner chamber 616. The container defines a surface that circumscribes the mouth, including circumferential teeth 618, a flat surface 620 and container sealing surface 622 .

As indicated in the enlarged view according to fig. 48, which shows the upper right corner portion of fig. 47, the sealing surface 622 directly defines the mouth and is a flat circular ring (Fig. 46). The planar surface 620 is also a circular ring, which abuts the sealing surface 622 and lies vertically recessed below it with dimension B. The surface 620 extends to the root, i.e. the lower end of the inclined surface 618b of the teeth 618. Each of the teeth 618 also has an outer vertical side 618a, which leads to the tooth apex, an inner side 618c which is generally vertically arranged and another inner side 618d, which forms an angle with the horizontal plane. Set in the clockwise direction in fig. 46, the side 618c is the leading edge, i.e. it is in front in that one o'clock is ahead of twelve o'clock, and the side 618d follows in a clockwise direction, the sides 618c and 618d of each tooth intersecting at said tooth apex and otherwise along the length of the inclined surface 618b . It is seen that the teeth 618 extend vertically above the sealing surface 622 with a dimension corresponding to the difference between A and B,

and the teeth can consequently penetrate a layer applied to the surface area 618-620-622 to a depth corresponding to said dimensional difference when the layer is in sealing connection with the sealing surface 622. The full radial dimension of the surface area 618-620-622 is indicated as F, with equal sub-dimensions C, D and E indicating the radial dimension of the sealing surface 622, the recessed surface 620 and the teeth 618.

A preferred gossip-proof element for use in practice includes a compressible inner layer of open-cell foam, an upper layer of metal foil and a lower layer of closed-cell foam, which is suitable for sealing the container on which it is placed. The gossip evidence element is arranged in the cap 624 as explained above in connection with fig.

5-7.

When the cap 624 with mounted gossip proof element is screwed down on the container 610, the layer 640, at the time of initial closing of the container after it has been filled with its contents, will ride relatively freely over the inclined plane-like surfaces 618d of the container 610 and finally the closure between the cap 624 and the container 610 so that the layer 640 abuts against the sealing surface 622 to seal the container. At this point, the teeth, based on their increased height above surface 622 and their vertical sides 618c, reside in layer 640 in such a manner that the tamper proof member will be positively restrained from movement relative to container 610 in the initial phase of cap 624 opening movement (towards clockwise). The result is the necessary relative movement of the cap tines with respect to the gossip evidence element and visible tearing thereof. The foam material is torn through and reveals any desired tamper indication placed on the upper surface of the gossip proof element's layer consisting of foam material with a closed cell structure. In an alternative version of the container construction, the tops of the teeth 618 could lie radially outside the tooth roots and at the same vertical level as the roots to implement the same different interventions between the container and the gossip proof element in the closing element's respective movements in different directions. Accordingly, the particularly shown and described preferred embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting. The true spirit and scope of the invention is indicated in the subsequent patent claims.

Claims (20)

1. Container closure device (10,30,110,122,230,310,412) with tamper indication, characterized in that it comprises a closure element (12,32,112,122,232,312,412,512) which delimits the extended closure surface of the container, a tamper-resistant element (48,58,60,66,120,220,320,424) within the closure device as well as the closure element (18) 36a,118,216,316b,422a,516) which are movable together with the closing element to both hold the tamper-resistant element together with the closure element as well as for selective tearing of the tamper-resistant element, said movable body being inaccessible through the extended closing surface of the closure element, and that the closure device makes the tampering organ visible through it. 2. Closing device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said movable member comprises at least one restraining-tearing element (18a, 36a, 118, 216, 316b, 422a, 516) which extends from the closing element in engagement with the tamper-promoting element. 3. Closing device in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the closing element is arranged for rotatable first and second movements in opposite directions, and said restraining-tearing element is radially displaced from the axis of rotation for said first and second movements. 4. Closing device in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the retaining-tearing element is one with the closing element. 5. Closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the tamper-evident element (120) has a first side facing the extended closure surface of the closure device and an opposite, second side, which closure device also includes a container closure layer (124) attached to said opposite, second side of the tamper-resistant element, which container closure layer retains its integrity during said selective tearing of the tamper-resistant element. 6. Closing device in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that said movable member comprises at least one restraining-tearing element (118) which extends from the closing element in engagement with the tamper-resistant element (120) and extends past the tamper-resistant element's other side in - tearing relationship to the container closure layer. 7. Closing device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the tamper-evident element includes a compressible layer (48,54,62,68,324,426), said movable member having at least a main part located inside the compressible layer. 8. Closure device in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the tamper-evident element also includes a container access opening sealing layer (53, 64, 72, 326, 432) attached to the compressible layer. 9. Closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the closure element includes a cap and an upper cap (outer cap), which cap is rotatably placed inside the upper cap and releasably secured through a locking hook device in this, the cap being isolated from movement applied to the closure element. 10. Closing device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the closing element includes a force-exerting member (234,328,336,528) attached to the closing element for movement together with it, said force-exerting member being placed between the tamper-adhering element and the closing surface of the closing element and is arranged to exert force on it tamper-resistant element at a place on this at a distance from the place of engagement between the tamper-resistant element and said movable member, in order to thereby move the tamper-resistant element together with said movable member during the closing device's movement to secure engagement with the container. 11. Closure device in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the tamper-resistant element is removable from the closure device, and that said force-exerting body (234,328) also defines a container access opening sealing surface when the tamper-resistant element is removed from the closure device. 12. Closing device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the closing element includes a top field (312c) with a container-closing surface and a skirt (312a) hanging down from the same, which closing element further includes force-exerting (328) means for movement together with the closure element and selectively co-operable with the tamper-adherent element to exert movement thereon against the skirt. 13. Closing device in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the deflectable element is a conical element in one with the top field, and that the tamper-resistant element is removable from the closing device, which conical element delimits the container sealing surface which extends largely parallel to the top field at said removal of the tamper-resistant element from the closure device. 14. Closing device in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the closing element further includes a series of indenting protrusions next to said force-exerting body for cooperation with the tamper-exerting element during said movement thereof with the help of said force-exerting body. 15. Closing device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the closing element includes an upper field (512) with an inner surface that delimits the container-closing surface, which upper. field at its inner circumference includes means for exerting force on the tamping member and comprises a plurality of projections (528), each of which has a side (528a) extending perpendicular to said surface and another side (528b) extending obliquely in relation to said surface. 16. Closure device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the closure element includes further means (418) for cooperating with the tamper-adherent element (424) selectively after tearing this to hold the tamper-adherent element together with the closure device. 17. Closing device in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the tamper-evident element comprises a crackable and tearable layer (426), the first-mentioned body (422a) being attached to the crackable and tearable layer, a stiffening layer (428) side by side with the crackable and tearable layer, a gossip evidence layer (430) side by side with the stiffening layer and exposed through this by demolishing the crackable and tearable layer using the first-mentioned organ, as well as a container sealing layer (432) side by side with the gossip evidence layer. 18. Closing device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the closing element includes an upper field (512) with an inner surface that delimits said container-closing surface, which upper field at its inner circumference includes means for exerting force on the tamping element and comprising a plurality of projections (528), each of which has one side (528a) extending perpendicular to said surface and another side (528b) extending obliquely in relation to said surface. 19. Container including the closing device specified in claim 1 as well as a container part (610) with a neck (612) which opens into a container mouth and delimits an extended surface area (618, 620-622) which circumscribes the mouth and includes a container sealing surface (622), characterized by that said neck is provided with fastening means (614) for a closing element, which has an internal member (14) which cooperates with said fastening means for movement of the closing element in a first direction for fixing on the neck and for closing the mouth, as well as in another, opposite direction to remove the closure element from the neck, which extended surface area on the container part is arranged for engagement with said tamper-resistant element and designed (618) to implement first and second divergent engagements with the same respectively during said movements in the first and second directions, for thereby allowing the tamper engaging element to be moved into closing contact with the sealing surface and to be selectively positively retained from movement relative to the mouth in the initial phase of the closure element's movement in said second direction. 20. Container in accordance with claim 19, characterized in that the extended surface area of the container part includes toothed means (618) outside the sealing surface to effect said selective positive retention of the movement of the tamping element.