US3595420A

US3595420A - Tamperproof closure

Info

Publication number: US3595420A
Application number: US873052A
Authority: US
Inventors: Brian L Miskin
Original assignee: Johnsen and Jorgensen Plastics Ltd
Current assignee: Johnsen and Jorgensen Plastics Ltd
Priority date: 1967-10-17
Filing date: 1969-10-31
Publication date: 1971-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-27

Abstract

A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and substantially coinciding with the apex of said circumferential projection when the closure is in place on the container, whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container without interference from said projection.

Description

United States Patent 72] Inventor Brian 1.. Miskin Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 729,091, May 14, 1968, now abandoned.

[54] TAMPERPROOF CLOSURE 20 Claims, 15 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 215/42, 2l5/4l. 215/465 [5 1] Int. Cl 865d 41/20, B65d 43/02 [50] Field of Search 215/42, 46,

Primary ExaminerGeorge T. Hall AttorneyHowson and Howson ABSTRACT: A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and substantially coinciding with the apex of said circumferential projection when the closure is in place on the container, whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container without interference from said projection.

TAMPERPROOF CLOSURE This isa continuation-in-part'application of my prior application, Ser. No. 729,091, filed May doned, for Tamperproof Closure."

This invention relates to containers and cooperating clo- One objectof the invention is to provide an-effective tam- :perproof container and closure of this type, whichis simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture.

The underlying idea of the invention is to provide a con- "tainer and a cooperating closure which fits over the top of it and which comprises a cap portion and a detachable tcarband portion. When the closure is fitted to the container the cap portion of the closure seals the container-and the detachable tear band portion engages a circumferential projection on the outside wall .of the container so that the closure cannot be removed without first detaching the tear band'portion from the cap. In the assembly illustrated the outside wall of the container has only a single projection, and this simplifies manufacture of the container whether this is made from metal or .from a plastics material. For example it is possibleto manufacture the co'ntainerfrom a thermoplastic material by=injection molding in a two-piece-mold having no side pieces, making the container seam-free. Aseam-free container is much easier to seal than one having-a seam, and so the cap portionof the closure need be. provided with only a single sealing rib to cooperate with the outside wall of the containerto provide an effective seal. i

A similarly shaped seam-free metal container may easily be made by a simple stamping operation. Aluminumis a suitable metal for this purpose. Thus the construction-of both thecontainer and the closure is simple.

The present invention provides a truly tamperproof closure which also has excellent sealing'characteristics providing a high moisture vapor barrier so that the closure is particularly suited for containers for products where moisture ingress or egress may be harmful. For example moisture infiltration may dilute the potency of products such as tablets, powders and pastes. Conversely some products maybe affected adversely by escape of moisture from the product. More specifically, the tamperproof closure of the present invention comprises a cap portion ofgenerally cuplike form and a circumferentially extending tear band detachably secured to the skirt of the cap portion along a weakened line of juncture'The container is provided with means in the form of a circumferential projection which engages in an internal recess in the closure to lock or seat the closure in place over the open end of the container. The-weakened line ofjuncture in the illustrated embodiment between the tear band and cap portion is substantially aligned with the apexof the circumferential projection so that when the tearband is torn away the cap portion can be removed from the container. In the illustrated form the circumferential projection has a downwardly and outwardly divergent frustoconical surface and the lower terminal edge of the cap portion has a sloping surface mating with the surface of the projection toprovide an effective seal initially and also upon subsequent reuse of the closure when the tear band has been removed.

r Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a circumferentially extending rib on the inner wall of the skirt of the cup portion spaced downwardly from the top thereof which provides a first seal area. a second seal area being provided by engagement of the rim of the container with the inner surface of the top. These two sealing areas define a capillary cavity or chamber which, as noted above, provides an efiec tive moisture barrier resisting transmission of gases and water vapors which may, in someinstance, dilute or harmfully affect 14, i968, and now abanthe products in the container. Additionally, the peripheral seal provided by the rib on the container provides excellent sealing characteristics upon reuse of the cap portion after the tear band has once been removed.- It'has been found that this sealing arrangement is much more effective than conventional screw caps and provides a good seal even if the cap is not fully seated or replaced over the open end of the container.

' The construction and arrangement of the closure is also, as noted above, truly tamperproof in that fracture of the line of juncture provides visual indication that the tear band'has been tampered with and that the closure may have once been removed from the container. I

The closure is preferably formed as a single piece of a plastics materialhaving the cap portion and the detachable portion joined by a circumferential line ofweakening. The detachable portion may be provided with a tab. The bottom of the detachable portion may have a sloping shoulder to makeit more difficult for a tamperer to remove the closure by prising it off without first removing the detachable portion. For manufacturing reasons such'a shoulder-may be formed asa series of small steps.

The container may havea smaller external diameter above the circumferential projection than below it, so that when the cap is in position above the projection, it projects at most only a small amount beyond the outside wall of the container.

We also provide a method of manufacturing a container according to the invention from a thermoplastics material by injection molding usinga two-piece'mold without side pieces. This method has two main advantages overa method where a more complex mold is used: it is cheaperand it provides a seam-free container which is easier'to seal than one having a seam..Thus the container maybe effectively sealed by a simple cap havinga single sealing rib, whereas aseamed container requires amore complex cap having two or three sealing ribs cooperating both with the inside and outside walls of the container.

We. also provide a method of manufacturing a container according to the invention from a metal, such as aluminum, by a stamping operation.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details thereof are hereinafter morefully set forth with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

. FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a tamperproof closure constructed in accordance with the present invention 'with parts broken away to show the construction thereof more fully;

FIG-'2 isa side elevational view'partly in section of a container to which the closure of FIG. 1 is assembled;

'FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the closure and container in assembled relation;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the closure in place on the container;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing the closure with the tear band removed;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the cap portion in place on the container,. the tear band having been removed, being shown in broken lines;

. FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a closure-container assembly, the cap portion of the closure having a modified top construction;

FIG.8 is a side elevational view partly in section of another embodiment of tamperproof closure constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the closure and container in assembled relation; 1

FIGS. 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional views taken on lines 10-10 and 11-1 1, respectively of FIG. 9 showing the cap portion in place on the container and showing the tear band portion in broken lines;

FIG. I? is a fragmentary view partly in section showing the .closure and container'in disassembled relation with the tear band bf the closure removed;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view with parts broken away of the closure;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a modified form of the closure-container assembly of FIGS. 8- 13 inclusive; and

FIG. shows another modified form of the container-closure assembly of FIGS. 8-13 inclusive.

Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a tamperproof closure and container assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. The closure which is generally designated by the numeral 10 comprises a cap portion 12 of generally cuplike form having a disclike top 14 and a skirt 16 depending from the outer peripheral edge of the top 14 and a tear band portion 18, in the present instance, secured to the lower terminal edge of the cap portion by a weakened line of juncture or score line 20. The tear band 18 is provided with a tab 22 which extends radially outwardly in a horizontal direction to provide gripping means for the user to initiate removal of the tear band when it is desired to gain access to the contents of the container. As illustrated, the tab 22 is disposed at the end of a strip 24 defined by a second score line 26 extending parallel to the first score line and extending partially around the circumference of the tear band and then angling off obliquely to the lower terminal edge thereof.

The container which is generally designated by the numeral 30 comprises, in the present instance, a generally cylindrical body portion 32, a bottom wall 34, and is open at its opposite end. The sidewall of the container has an enlarged portion as at 36 which is of greater cross section than the main portion of the body and the upper part of the enlarged section is of reduced cross section as at 38. At the juncture of the

sections

36 and 38 there is provided, in the present instance, a circumferentially extending projection 40 which has a downwardly and outwardly divergent frustoconical sealing surface 42. As

sure wherein the top 114 is connected to the skirt 116 by inwardly convergent wall portion 120 which seats on the rim of the container. In all other respects, this closure is the same as that previously described.

When it is desired to remove the closure, the user simply grasps the tab 22 and pulls it to the right with respect to FIG. 3. When this is done the center portion of the-tear band between the parallel score lines gives way until the line meets the bottom of the tear band component; Further, pulling of the tab, of course, severs the circumferential score line 20 to completely remove the tear band. With the tear band 18 removed, the cap portion 12 may be easily disassembled simply by pulling it axially upward thereby permittin g the contents to be removed from the container. This arrangement provides a truly tamperproof construction since the closure cannot be removed until the tear band has been severed aiong the score line 20. The cap portion may, however, be reused and when fully seated as shown in FIG. 6 provide an effective seat at the first and second seal areas as well as between the

mating sloping surfaces

42 and 46.

Preferably and for manufacturing reasons, this sloping shoulder comprises a series of small steps as illustrated. The presence of this shoulder makes it more difficult for the closure as a whole to be forcibly removed from the container without first detaching the detachable band.

The inside'of this container is shaped by an internal mold member, and the outside by an external mold member. These mold members meet at the projection 7 on the external wall of the container. The mold is fed with molten thermoplastic through an opening. When the thermoplastics material has set,

illustrated in the assembled relation the circumferential pro- I jection seats in a circumferentially extending pocket 44 in the closure thereby retaining the closure in place on the container. Also as noted, the pocket is defined, in part, by a sloping surface 46 which mates with the surface 42 to provide an effective seal therebetween. The inner diameter of the tear band portion is preferably slightly smaller than the external diameter of the enlarged body portion 36 to provide a diametral interference and consequently a tight-sealing fit when the closure is in the assembled relation. Note also that the inner diameter of the tear band portion 18 is larger than the reduced body portion 38 in order to facilitate assembly of the closure to the container.

Another important feature of the closure of the present invention is the provision of a circumferentially extending sealing rib 50 projecting inwardly from the inner surface of the skirt and spaced downwardly from the top 14 of the cap portion. When the closure is seated on the container as illustrated in FIG. 4, this sealing rib 50 snugly engages the upper sidewall portion 38 ofthe container to provide a first seal area. In other words, the outer diameter of the upper sidewall portion 38 of the container is slightly greater than the diameter of the innermost trace of the peak of rib 50 thereby to provide an interference fit therebetween when the closure is assembled to the container. Preferably the container is of seam-free construction. However, if desired, only the area of the exterior surface of the container engaged by the closure need be seam-free. Further, as noted the top of the cap seats on the top rim of the container to provide a second seal area and defining a circumferentially extending anticapillary chamber or cavity 54, which sealing arrangement effectively prevents the ingress of the container may be removed by pulling the mold members apart.

There is illustrated in FIGS. 8-13 inclusive another embodiment of tamperproof closure and container assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. This assembly is generally similar in overall arrangement to the embodiment previously described and thus the closure generally designated by the numeral 200 comprises a cap portion 212 having a disclike top 214 and a skirt 216 depending from the outer peripheral edge of the top and a tear band portion 218 detachably secured to the lower terminal edge of the skirt portion 216. The tear band portion 218 has a tab 222 serving as gripping means for the user to initiate removal of the tear band when it is desired to remove the same to permit the cap portion to be removed to gain access to the contents. The cap portion is also provided with a circumferentially extending sealing rib 250 which projects inwardly from the inner surface of the skirt and is spaced downwardly from the top 214 of the cap portion. This rib engages the sidewall of the container when the closure is assembled to the container in the manner shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

The container which is generally designated by the numeral 230 comprises as in the previously described embodiment a generally cylindrical body portion 232, a bottom wall and is open at its top end. The sidewall is enlarged as at 236 and the upper wall adjacent the open end is of reduced cross section as at 238. At the juncture of the

sections

236 and 238 there is provided a projection 240 which as illustrated has a downwardly and outwardly divergent frustoconical sealing surface 242. Spaced downwardly from the projection 240 is a circumferentially extending shelf 241 having a radial upper moisture into the container which might adversely affect the In lieu of the dished top arrangement of the cap shown in FIG. 1, there is illustrated in FIG. 7 a modified form of the cloface 243 against which the lower terminal edge of the tear band portion seats when the closure is in the assembled relation (see FIGS.10 and 11).

In the present instance, the cap portion is formed with a lower edge having a castellated configuration designed to provide a more positive gripping action with the projection 240 on the container when the tear band portion has been removed. To this end the tear band portion 218 is connected by circumferentially spaced scored areas 257 which are defined by partial score lines 259 being located at the bottom edge of the pocket 261 within which the projection 240 engages to hold the cap in place on the container. This pocket 261 as illustrated-has a circumferentially extended tapered wall portion 263 at the lower terminal edge of the areas of the cap portion at the scored sections 259. Intermediate the scored sections 259, the cap portion is provided with depending ear sections 271 which nest in and are spaced from recessed portions 273 in the upper edge edge of the tear band portion. The ear portions have a return lip 277 which when the tear band portion is removed seats under the radial shoulder 2810f the projection 240 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11. This provides a snap action when the cap portion is applied to the container initially and alsoafter removal of the tear, band portion. Furthermore, as viewed in FIG. l0, the lower edge of'the cap portion intermediate the'depending ear sections is tapered to provide a continuous sealing engage-' ment between the lower terminal edge of the cap and the slopi'ng surface of the projection 240.

Similar to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive, the inner diameter of the tear band portion is preferably slightly smaller than the external diameter of the enlargedbody portion 236 to'provide a diametral interference and,' c'onsequently, a tight sealing fit when the closure is in the assembled relation. Note also that'the innerdiameter of the tearband portion 18 is larger than the reduced body portion 238 in order to facilitate assembly of the closure to the container.

A modified form of the closure and container assembly described above is illustratedv in FIG. 14.,The overall structural arrangementand assembly of the parts is identical to that described, except that in the present instance the bead 360 of the cap portion of the container closure seats in a circumferentially extending groove 363 in the outer wall of the conin the assembled relation is disposed below and, snugly engages a be'ad ,463 which extends circumferentially and projects radially outwardly on the outer wall of the container adjacent the open end thereof.

' -lclaim:

1. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein .theimprovement comprises: the container having at least one circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the [hoof junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and substantially coinciding with the apex of said circumferential projection when the closure is in place on the container whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the'container and means defining a further line of weakening in the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for a portion of the closure circumference in a direction parallel to the weakened line of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, and a tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line ofweakening and said further line ofweakening.

2. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed ofa cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from thecontainer until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises. the line of junction of the tear band component and of the capportion of the closure being weakened whereby tainer adjacent the open end thereof. This provides a greater when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed completely from the container and can; subsequently be pressed back on the container, at least the outer wall of the container adjacent the open end being a smooth, seam-free surface and said cap portion having a skirt with at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface engaging said smooth, seam-free surface of the container to providea first seal area therebetween in the closed position, and means defining a further line of weakeningin the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for arportion of the closure circumference ina' direction parallel to the weakened line of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, anda tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said furtherline of weakening.

3. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inside of the top of the cap portion seats against the top edge of the container to define a second seal area and providing an annular anticapillary cavity between said first and second seal areas. r

4. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one circumferential projection extending from the outer surfaceof the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby whensaid tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion .can be removed from the container and can subsequently be 'of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, and a tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said further line of weakening.

5. 'A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band 'component has beendetached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having a smooth, seam-free outer surface, a single circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and substantially coinciding with the apex of said circumferential projection when the closure is in place on the container, whereby when said tear band the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container without interference from said projection, and means defining a further line of weakening in the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for a portion of the closure circumference in a direction parallel to the weakened line ofjunction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, anda tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said further line of weakening.

6. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim in which the container is of circular cross section and of uniform internal diameter, said container having a smaller external diameter above said circumferential projection than below the circumferential projection. I

7. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, at least a portion of the junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened junction, the cap portion can be completely removed from the container and can subsequently be'pressed back on the container, and means on said cap portion immediately adjacent and below a circumferential line of the weakened junction engaging under said projection to hold the cap portion on said container when the tear band has been removed.

8. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tear band portion is connected to the cap portion by circumferentially spaced scored areas.

9. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cap portion includes a skirt having at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface adapted to engage the sidewall of the container to provide a first seal area therebetween in the closed position.

10. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said container is provided with a circumferential groove and wherein said bead sits in said groove in the closed position. 1

' 11. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said container and skirt of said cap portion are provided with cooperating circumferentially extending beads.

12. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the wall of the container confronting the tear band portion and the tear band portion are of a relative size to provide an interference fit and wherein the wall of the container above the projection is of smaller dimension than said tear band to facilitate assembly of the closure to the container.

13. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear ing a plurality of ear portions, each of said ear portions having a return lip adapted to engage under the projection on the container.

14. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, at least a portion of the junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and disposed below the projection whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened junction, the cap portion can be completely removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, and means on said cap portion immediately adjacent gaging under said projection to hold the cap portion on said container when the tear band has been removed, the outer surface of said circumferential projection and the lower terminal edge of said cap portion having complementary mating surfacesproviding a surface-to-surface seal when the cap portion is seated over the open end of said container.

15. A tamperproof closure for closing the open end of a container having projection means for securing the closure in place comprising a cap portion, a tear band, fracturable means detachably securing the tear band to said cap portion, removal of said tear band portion permitting removal of said cap portion from said container, and means on said cap portion immediately adjacent and below a circumferential line of the fracturable means detachably securing the tear band to said cap portion engageable under the projection means to hold the cap portion on the container when the tear band has been removed.

16. A tamperproof closure for closing the open end of a container having projection means for securing the closure in place comprising a cap portion, a tear band, fracturable means detachably securing the tear band to said cap portion, removal of said tear band portion permitting removal of said cap portion from said container, said cap portion including a circumferential skirt having a plurality of ear portions, each of said ear portions having a return lip adapted to engage under the projection means on the container to hold the cap on the container when the tear band has been removed.

17. A tamperproof closure for closing the open end of a container having projection means for securingthe closure in place comprising a cap portion, a tear band, fracturable means detachably securing the tear band to said cap portion, removal of said tear band portion permitting removal of said cap portion from said container, said cap portion including a circumferential skirt having a plurality of ear portions, each of said ear portions having a return lip adapted to engage under the projection means on the container and means on said cap portion adapted to engage under the projection means of the container, said cap portion having a surface complementing the surface of the projection means to provide a surface-to-surface seal when the cap portion is seated on the container.

18. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has. been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, at least the outer wall portion of the container adjacent the open end above said projection being a smooth, seam-free surface, said cap portion having a skirt with at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface of a dimension to provide an interference fit with a smooth, seamfree surface of upper wall portion of the container to provide a first seal area.

19. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventa nd below a circumferential line ofthe weakened junction ening the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, at least the outer wall portion of the container adjacent the open end above said projection being a smooth, seam-free surface, said cap portion having a skirt with at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface of a dimension to provide an interference fit with a smooth, seamfree surface of upper wall portion of the container to provide a first seal area, and the inside of the top of the cap portion seating against the top edge of the container to define asecond between said first and second seal areas. t

20. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 33 seal area and providing an annular antieapillury cavity wherein the inner diameter of the tear band component is greater than the diameter of the wall portion of the container

Claims

1. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and substantially coinciding with the apex of said circumferential projection when the closure is in place on the container whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container and means defining a further line of weakening in the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for a portion of the closure circumference in a direction parallel to the weakened line of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, and a tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said further line of weakening.

2. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed completely from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, at least the outer wall of the container adjacent the open end being a smooth, seam-free surface and said cap portion having a skirt with at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface engaging said smooth, seam-free surface of the container to provide a first seal area therebetween in the closed position, and means defining a further line of weakening in the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for a portion of the closure circumference in a direction parallel to the weakened line of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, and a tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said further line of weakening.

3. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inside of the top of the cap portion seats against the top edge of the container to define a second seal area and providing an annular anticapillary cavity between said first and second seal areas.

4. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, the outer surface of said circumferential projection having a downwardly and outwardly divergent frustoconical surface and the lower terminal edge of said cap portion having a sloping surface mating with said frustoconical surface of said circumferential projection to provide a surface-to-surface seal when the cap portion is seated over the open end of said container, and means defining a further line of weakening in the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for a portion of the closure circumference in a direction parallel to the weakened line of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, and a tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said further line of weakening.

5. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having a smooth, seam-free outer surface, a single circumferential projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and substantially coinciding with the apex of said circumferential projection when the closure is in place on the container, whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container without interference from said projection, and means defining a further line of weakening in the tear band component, said further line of weakening extending for a portion of the closure circumference in a direction parallel to the weakened line of junction between said cap portion and said tear band component, said further line of weakening then extending obliquely to the free edge of the tear band component, and a tear tab extending from said tear band component between said juncture line of weakening and said further line of weakening.

6. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 5 in which the container is of circular cross section and of uniform internal diameter, said container having a smaller external diameter above said circumferential projection than below the circumferential projection.

7. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, at least a portion of the junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened junction, the cap portion can be completely removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, and means on said cap portion immediately adjacent and below a circumferential line of the weakened junction engaging under said projection to hold the cap portion on said container when the tear band has been removed.

10. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein said container is provided with a circumferential groove and wherein said bead sits in said groove in the closed position.

11. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said container and skirt of said cap portion are provided with cooperating circumferentially extending beads.

13. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, the junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened junction, the cap portion can be completely removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, said cap portion including a circumferential skirt having a plurality of ear portions, each of said ear portions having a return lip adapted to engage under the projection on the container.

14. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the container having at least one projection extending from the outer surface of the container adjacent its open end, at least a portion of the junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened and disposed below the projection whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened junction, the cap portion can be completely removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, and means on said cap portion immediately adjacent and below a circumferential line of the weakened junction engaging under said projection to hold the cap portion on said container when the tear band has been removed, the outer surface of said circumferential projection and the lower terminal edge of said cap portion having complementary mating surfaces providing a surface-to-surface seal when the cap portion is seated over the open end of said container.

17. A tamperproof closure for closing the open end of a container having projection means for securing the closure in place comprising a cap portion, a tear band, fracturable means detachably securing the tear band to said cap portion, removal of said tear band portion permitting removal of said cap portion from said container, said cap portion including a circumferential skirt having a plurality of ear portions, each of said ear portions having a return lip adapted to engage under the projection means on the container and means on said cap portion adapted to engage under the projection means of the container, said cap portion having a surface complementing the surface of the projection means to provide a surface-to-surface seal when the cap portion is seated on the container.

18. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, at least the outer wall portion of the container adjacent the open end above said projection being a smooth, seam-free surface, said cap portion having a skirt with at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface of a dimension to provide an interference fit with a smooth, seam-free surface of upper wall portion of the container to provide a first seal area.

19. A container and closure assembly of the type in which the closure is formed of a cap portion and a tear band component and the closure cooperates with the container preventing the removal of the closure from the container until the tear band component has been detached, wherein the improvement comprises: the line of junction of the tear band component and of the cap portion of the closure being weakened whereby when said tear band component is torn away along said weakened line of junction, the cap portion can be removed from the container and can subsequently be pressed back on the container, at least the outer wall portion of the container adjacent the open end above said projection being a smooth, seam-free surface, said cap portion having a skirt with at least one circumferential bead on its inner surface of a dimension to provide an interference fit with a smooth, seam-free surface of upper wall portion of the container to provide a first seal area, and the inside of the top of the cap portion seating against the top edge of the container to define a second seal area and providing an annular anticapillary cavity between said first and second seal areas.

20. A container and closure assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the inner diameter of the tear band component is greater than the diameter of the wall portion of the container above the projection to facilitate assembly thereof and is of a diameter substantially the same as the wall portion of the container below the projection to provide a snug contact between the tear band and container.