US2012543A - Sealed package - Google Patents

Description

- Aug. 2 7, 1935. J. NOLAN 2,012,543

SEALED PACKAGE Filed July 8, 1932 Z MQ 25,

INVENTOR I -ATTORNEY Patented Aug. -27, 1 935 SEALED PACKAQE John R. Nolan, Houston, Tex, assignor to Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation, Long Island City,

7 N. Y., anorporation of New York Application July 8, 1932, Serial No. 621,329

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to sealed pack-' ages and the parts thereof, and more particu larly, to a tamper proof seal.

Manufacturers of products which are packed in sealed containers are particularly interested in having the ultimate consumer purchase their products in the same condition as they leave the factory- In many instances, dishonest dealers impose upon the manufacturer, and upon the public, by adulteratingthe contents of the package or by removing the contents and refilling the packages with an inferior product. In either case, they are sold as original and genuine packages, but the consumer does not receive the benefit of the goods for which he is paying. Naturally, such frauds create dissatisfaction on the part of the consumer and are detrimental to the good will and reputation of the manufacturer.

In an effort to guard against the above contingencies, packers have, in some cases, adopted impractical closures which must be destroyed or substantially deformed when they are removed. In many instances, it is desirable to use the closure again to protect the remaining contents of thepackage and, hence, destruction of the closure is objectionable. ,Another method resorted to by manufacturers consists in placing a label across the cap and the container to prevent removal of the cap without destruction of the label.

.30 Such labels can easily be counterfeited, and the original label can be readily steamed off and replaced without detection. Attempts have also been made to-close the interior of nozzles. The latter is objectionable because the internal closure is concealed, it is dificult to open, and portions of the metal forming the closure are likely to fall into the contents of the can.

The present invention aims to provide a tamper pro ts-package, comprising a closure securely locked upon a container, which can .be removed only by destroying a part thereof which can be readily accomplished. The invention also to provide a closure which can'be replaced to form an effective seal which discloses the fact that the original seal has beenv broken.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive tamper proof seal for a container. Another object of the invention is to provide a closure which cannot be removed without destruction'of a part thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamper proof closure whichforms an effective reseal to protect the remaining contents of the package during consumption thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamper proof band for a closure cap which may be securely locked upon the cap and which may be removed readily by destruction thereof.

A further objectpf the invention is-to provide a protective band which bears the trade-mark of the manufacturer or otherwise identifies the genuineness of the product. A

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious uporf an understanding of the illustrated embodiment about to be described or will 1. be indicated in the. appended claims, and various advantages not referred to hereinwill occur to one skilled in the-art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has 1. been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. .1 is a side elevational view-illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 20

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the closure looked upon the container;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the parts of the closure removed from the con- 25 tainer. r

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner in which the band may be removed; v Y

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illus- 3o trating a modified band construction;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating another modification of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illusu trating still another modification of the present invention; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view illustrating a slightly difierent band secured about a cap.

Referring again to the drawing, and more par- 40 ticularly, to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a-nozzle or outlet l adapted to be attached to a metal container-2 or the like. The nozzle preferably comprises a cylindrical body part 3 having an upper part which is flanged outwardly and rounded. to to form a crown or sealing surface" 4. The flanged part of the nozzle is also bent downwardly, and flared outwardly to form a shoulder 5 with a downwardly extending cylindrical part 6 substantially larger in size than the crown part 4.

Preferably, the lower edge of the cylindrical partor skirt 6 is cutto provide suitable inclined portions 1 merging into horizontal portions 9 which have at their ends, stops or vertical projections [0. The inclined portions 1 cooperate with to become loose or to he accidentally removed therefrom. The stops I limit the relative position of the lugs of the cap with respect to the threads to prevent the cap from being turned too far upon the nozzle.

Suitable recesses I I are provided in the shoulder between adjacent threads to permit the lugs of the cap to pass therethrough and engage the lower edge of the thread portions I and 9. In addition, the recesses II are utilized to lock the cap or? the nozzle. This function will bedescribed in detail hereinafter. A preferred type of cap I2 is illustrated herein with a cover portion I4 and a depending skirt I5 formed integral therewith. 'The lower edge of the skirt -is rolled into a bead IE to strengthen the skirt and is provided with suitable lugs or projections I'I extending radially inwardly for engaging the thread portions 1 and 9 of the nozzle. Preferably, the skirt of the cap is knurled or corrugated as shown at I9 to facilitate gripping of the cap. A suitable liner is preferably placed in the cap to provide a seal upon the crown part 4 of the nozzle.

In order to carry out the primary objects of the present invention, that is, to lock the cap upon the container, the skirt I5 is provided with an aperture or a plurality of apertures 2I. Preferably. as many apertures are provided as there are lugs and these aredefinitely spaced about the circumference of the's kirt with respect to the lugs I'I so that upon application of the cap to the container, and engagements of the cap lugs with the stops III on thenozzle, the apertures 2I register with the recesses I I provided between adjacent Various devices may be utilized to interlock the closure cap and the recesses I I. A preferred form of device is shownin Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and may com-' prise a tamper proof band 22 made from a strip of sheet metal or thelike. with suitable projections 24 formed therein to register with the apertures '2I in the skirt of the cap. As illustrated, the projections 24 may be formed by punching or drawing a portion of the strip into the shape of a substantially cylindrical extension sufllciently small to flt into the apertures 2I and suificientLv strong to lock the cap in position by engagement with the 'sidesoftherecesses II.

One end of the band 22 is, provided with a suitable eyelet '25 adapted to be' inserted through an aperture 26 at the other end of the band, and thereafter compressed, as shown in Fig. 2, to lock the ends of theband together. The ends of the band may be fastened in any other suitable manner to achieve the desired objects.

when the band is thus assembled about the cap. the projections extend through apertures ,2I and register'withthe recesses II between adjaeent threads of the container whereby removal or rotation of the cap is prevented without destructiolifof the band. The projections 24 prevent accidental or intentional unscrewing of the, cap. They also prevent removal of .the band with-3Q out destruction thereof. The corrugations 21 serve a two-fold purpose, first, they permit the band to be stretched during application thereof tomago mmodate slight variations in size, and secondly, they cooperate with the corrugations I8 in the skirt of the cap to hold the band thereon- However, excellent results may be obtained without the corrugations. I v

If desired, suitable notches 29 or weakened portions substantially adjacent to the connected ends of the band may be provided.

A suitable member 30 (Fig. 4) may be inserted through the aperture '25 and thereafter, twisted to disconnect the ends of 'the band. Hence, the notches. are not essential but are'sometimes desirable. Since the bands have to be fastened by special machinery or tools, dishonest persons cannot readily tamper with the seal or thecontents. Where the notches 29 are'used, the band usually breaks at the notches and cannot be replaced.

In Fig. 5 a slightly modified form of band is shown wherein a block 2I of suitable'material is welded or otherwise secured to the band 22.

The block 3| isadapted to project through the.

aperture 2 I of the cap and register with the recess I I in substantially the same manner as the projection 24 of the preferred embodiment. An advantage of this construction is that the appearance of the package is enhanced since the locking projections are not visible.

In Fig. 6 a portion of a tamper proof band is shown having a substantially oblong or rectangular projection 32 formed therein. In this construction the side flanges 34 of the projections engage the respective head and 'tail ends of adjacent threads while the upper flange 35 extends beneath the lip or flange iOf the nozzle to. hold the band securelyupon the container, and at the same time, lockv the cap against rotation or removal; In Fig. 7 in, a tab 36 is provided by slitting the metal of the band below and at the sides of the tab, and bending the tab 36 upwardly-and inwardly so that it is adapted to project through the aperture of the cap and registers with the recess I I.

A continuous band 331 is shown in Fig. 8 telescoped about the skirt ofaclosure 'cap as shown in the preferred embodiment. The'projections 3.9 are preferably formed in the band during its application by a suitable machine which press'a portions 39 of the band into the apertures of the cap. While several ways of utilizing the invention have been shown, it will be understood that these are merely illustrative and that other means may another modification is shown wherealso be utilized. It will be understood also, that notches, or pry open the joined ends. In either instance, the inwardly projecting portions of the band can be withdrawn from the recesses between the threads and can'be removed from the apertures in the skirt of the cap to permit the cap to be unscrewed. It will be noted that the band is destroyed in this manner thus, insuring the package against tampering or substitution of the contents, butat the same time, the cap is not distorted and is fully. capable of providing an eiIecive seal for use'during consumption of the contents of the package. i

-may be utilized for applying the closures upon.

containers. The package provided herein is attractive in appearance, is provided with a. secure.

seal, and the parts thereof, are rugged in construction and fully capableof withstanding any rough usage to" which they may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form; construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thusdescribed my invention, I claim:

1. In a closure of the class described, the combination of a screw closure cap having a depending skirt provided with an aperture, a band member of substantially the same length as the periphery of the cap skirt adapted to be secured about said skirt, and means associated with said band member extending radially inwardly therefrom adapted to extend through said aperture.

2. In a closure of the class described, the combination of a cap having a depending skirt provided with a plurality of apertures, a band member adapted to be attached to said cap; to provide band upon the cap.

4. In a closure of the class described, the combina'tion of a cap having a depending skirt provided with an aperture, 9. wire edge in the'lower edge of the skirt, container engaging means formed in said wire edge, and a band member extending about said skirt having its lower edge abutting against said wire edge, said member having projections associated therewith adapted to extend radially inwardly with respect to said skirt. I

5. In a closure of the class described, the combination of a cap having a depending skirt provided with apertures, said skirt having corrugations therein, a member constricted about said skirt having corrugations therein adapted to register with the corrugations in the skirt of said cap, and inwardly extending projections in said band adapted to register with said apertures.

6. In a sealed package, the combination of a container having interrupted cap engaging projections thereon, a closure cap secured to said projections and having an aperture in the skirt thereof, and a band member secured about said cap provided with portions extending radially inwardly through said aperture and between said cap engaging projections on the container to prevent removal of the cap without destruction or removal of the band. 1

7. In a tamper proof package, the combination of a container having a plurality of threads thereon, said container having recesses between adjacent threads, a screw closure cap sealed upon said container, said cap having apertures in the skirt thereof adapted to register with said recesses,

and a. band member extending about the skirtof said cap, portions of said band member extending through said apertures and blocking the recesses between adjacent threads of the container, whereby rotation of the cap without removal of the band is prevented. I

8. In a sealed package, the combination of a container having cap engaging means thereon, a closure cap adapted to engage said means, said cap having apertures in the skirt thereof, and a band member-constricted about said cap, said band having projections thereon extending inwardly through said apertures and between said cap engaging means on the container, said band .member also having corrugations therein to facilitate application thereof.

'9. ,In a tamper proof package, the combination 7 of a container provided with interrupted threads,

a closure cap engaging said threads having apertures in the skirt thereof, and an annular member secured about the skirt of said cap, portions of said band member extending through said apertures and between the adjacent ends of said threads to lock the cap upon the container and corrugations in said band adapted to facilitate removal of said band from the closure cap.

'10. In a tamper proof package, the combination of a container 'providedwith interrupted threads, a closln'e cap provided with means for engaging said threads, said cap having an aperture in the skirt thereof, and'a band member constrictedabout said cap having a projection extending through the aperture in the cap and extending betweenthe cap engaging means on the container, said band member having weakened portionsadapted to facilitate destruction and removal thereof.

11. A tamper proofpackage, comprising in combination, a container having interrupted threads thereon providing recesses between adjacent threads, a screw cap applied upon said container having apertures in the skirt thereof adapted to register with the recesses between adjacent threads and a continuous band telescoped about the skirt of the cap having portions thereof struck radially inwardly to extend through said apertures and block the recesses between adjacent threads to prevent rotation of said cap without removal of the band.

12. A band for a. tamper-proof package, said band comprising, in combination, a strip of metal having means at the ends thereof for securing said band about a closure cap, and a projection having a substantially tubular flange portion formed in said strip by punching an aperture in said strip and extending the portions of the strip adjacent to the aperture transversely of said strip.

13. A band for a tamper-proof screw cap, said band comprising, in combination, means for interlocking the ends of saidv band about a closure cap, and symmetrically spaced projections formed between the upper and lower edge of the ba d, said projections having substantially rigid fla ge portions'adapted to look a screw cap against, rotation.

14. In a tamper proof package, the combination of a container having interrupted threads thereon, a closure cap having thread engaging means in the skirt thereof and an aperture in said skirt, and a band member secured together at its ends and extending about the skirt of the cap, saidband member having a projection formed therein extending radially inwardly through said aperture between adjacent threads of the container, said band member being adapted to be removed from said cap to indicate that the package has been opened.

15. In a sealed package, the combination of a metal container having a nozzle at the upper end thereof provided with interrupted threads, a closure cap having means in the skirt thereof adapted to'engage said threads, and having apertures intermediate said thread engaging means, and a substantially circular band member ex-' tending about the skirt of said cap, said band member having portions thereof set radially inwardly to register with said apertures and the portions intermediate adjacent threads, whereby removal of the cap is prevented without destruc-' tlon of said band member.

16. A tamper proof band adapted to be secured about a cap having apertures in the skirt thereof, comprising in combination, a plurality of lateral projections formed from portions of said band, said projections being rigid and extending transversely of saidgbandto provide stops adapted to extend through the apertures in the cap, lock the closure cap against rotation, and means-at I the-respective ends of said band adapted to be interlocked to secure the band about a closure cap.

17. 'A tamper proof band comprising in com.- bination, a strip of metal adapted to extend about said band and extending transversely of said band adapted to extend through apertures in the skirt of a cap, said projections being substantially rigid to facilitate locking a screw cap on a container, means at the ends of the band forinterlocking the ,ends of said band, and weakened portions in said band adapted to facilitate tearing the band upon removal thereof.

JOHN R. NOLAN.

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