WO1999058337A1

WO1999058337A1 - Tamper indicating closure

Info

Publication number: WO1999058337A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/010922
Authority: WO
Inventors: David F. Krueger
Original assignee: Kerr Group, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-05-14
Filing date: 1999-05-14
Publication date: 1999-11-18
Also published as: AU4000099A

Abstract

The present invention provides a tamper indicating closure (20) for a container (10) that includes, for example, a substantially flat, round closure top (22) and an annular skirt (24) depending from the outer rim of the closure top. The skirt includes, for example, an internal formation (26) designed to cooperate with an external formation (14) on the container to retain the closure on the container, and a bonding surface (32) at a bottom edge of the skirt. The tamper indicating closure also includes, for example, an annular tamper indicating band (40), including an annular upper band (44) bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface, an annular lower band (42) connected to the upper band along a frangible line (46), and a plurality of tabs (50) connected to the lower band, each of the plurality of tabs extending inwardly and upwardly towards the closure top.

Description

TAMPER INDICATING CLOSURE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to closures for containers, and in particular to closures including tamper indicating mechanisms.

Background Information

Tamper indicating closures for bottles and other containers are designed to indicate to the consumer when the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with. Known tamper indicating closures typically include a flat, circular closure top and an annular skirt depending downwardly from the outer rim of the closure top. The inner surface of the skirt portion includes threads which interact with a threaded portion of the container neck to retain the closure on the container.

Tamper indicating closures also typically include a tamper indicating band connected to the bottom of the skirt along a frangible line or joint. The tamper indicating band is generally an annular member having a plurality of inwardly and upwardly extending tabs that are retained beneath an annular shoulder on the neck of the container. When the closure is removed from the container for the first time, the tabs contacting the shoulder prevent the tamper indicating band from moving with the closure top and skirt, causing the tamper indicating band to separate from the skirt along the frangible line.

With many known tamper indicating closures, the closure top, skirt, and tamper indicating band are formed integrally. However, due to the complexity and shape of the tamper indication closure, the tabs must often be formed facing downwardly, and later folded upwards. This type of manufacturing may require reheating of the closure, adding to manufacturing time and costs. Other known tamper-indicating closures are formed separately and later joined together. Some of these closures require complex or unreliable formations that retain the two components together and later snap apart. In other known embodiments, the tamper indicating band is fused to the skirt, with the tamper indicating band later separating from the skirt at the point of fusion. In this latter situation, it is difficult to consistently provide a suitable bond between the tamper indicating band and the skirt, because the bond must be both strong enough to prevent accidental separation, yet weak enough to allow easy separation by the consumer.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a tamper indicating closure for a container that includes, for example, a substantially flat, round closure top and an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top. The skirt includes, for example, an internal formation designed to cooperate with an external formation on the container to retain the closure on the container, as well as a bonding surface at a bottom edge of the skirt. The tamper indicating closure also includes, for example, an annular tamper indicating band, including an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface, an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line, and a retention formation, for example a plurality of tabs, connected to the lower band, each of the plurality of tabs extending inwardly and upwardly towards the closure top.

In an exemplary embodiment, the closure top and annular skirt are formed as a first unit, and the tamper indicating band is formed as a second unit. The first and second units are then bonded together. When the closure is placed on the container, the tabs are retained below an annular shoulder of the container, and when the closure is removed from the container, the plurality of tabs contact the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a closure 20 according to the present invention fitted over an exemplary container 10 according to the present invention. Container 10, which may be of any suitable shape and be made of any suitable material, includes, for example, a container neck 12 defining a circular opening in the top of the container 10. The neck 12 may include an external formation 14 on an outer surface that cooperates with an internal formation on the closure 20 to retain the closure on the container 10. The external formation 14 may include, for example, an external thread as shown in Figure 1. Neck 12 also includes, for example, an annular shoulder 16 disposed below the external formation 14.

Closure 20 generally includes, for example, a substantially flat, round closure top 22 and an annular skirt 24 depending from the outer rim of the closure top 22. Skirt 24 includes, for example, an internal formation 26 that cooperates with the external formation 14 of the container 10 to retain the closure 20 on the container 10, for example an internal thread. The skirt 24 also includes a bonding surface 32 formed, for example, at a bottom edge of the skirt 24, which may include any arrangement in which the bonding surface 32 is in the vicinity of the bottom edge. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the bonding surface is a substantially flat surface facing in the downward direction, but any suitable shape of the bonding surface 32 may be employed, including other embodiments described below.

The exemplary closure 20 of Figure 1 also includes, for example, an annular sealing member 28 that contacts an upper surface 18 of the neck 12 to form a seal when the closure 20 is retained on the container 10. Many similar sealing members, sealing pads, and other sealing arrangements are known in the art, and any suitable seal - or no seal ~ may be employed in conjunction with a closure 20 according to the present invention. Similarly, Figure 1 illustrates, for example, a closure 20 having axially- extending ridges 30 on an outer surface to facilitate gripping and rotation of the closure 20 by the consumer. Other frictional or grip-assisting elements may be present or may be omitted as desired. An annular tamper indicating band 40 depends from the skirt 24. Tamper indicating band is attached, for example, to bonding surface 32 and extends downwardly from the bottom edge of the skirt 24. In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, tamper indicating band includes a lower band 42 and an upper band 44 connected by a frangible line 46. Frangible line 46 may be any type of frangible line or joint as known in the art, for example a plurality of frangible members or ribs or an annular area of thin cross- section. Additionally, frangible line 46 may be formed according to any suitable method, for example by molding the frangible line 46 as part of the original shape of the tamper indicating band 40 or by scoring the tamper indicating band 40 after molding. While the tamper indicating band 40 may be manufactured according to many different methods, in an exemplary embodiment the lower band 42, upper band 44, and frangible line 46 are formed integrally. Also included as part of the tamper indicating band 40 is a retention formation, for example a plurality of tabs 50. The tabs 50 are connected, for example, to the lower band 42 at its bottom edge and preferably extend upwardly and inwardly towards the container top 22. The tabs 50 are retained below the shoulder 16 when the closure 20 is placed on the container 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the tabs 50 are spaced circumferentially around the lower band 42. The retention formation may include other arrangements, for example a solid band that may be retained below the shoulder 16.

In manufacturing the closure 20 according to the present invention, the closure top 22 and skirt 24 preferably are formed as one integral unit. As noted above, the tamper indicating band 40, including the lower band 42, upper band 44, frangible line 46, and tabs 50 may be formed as a second integral unit. Preferably, these units are formed by injection molding or compression molding of a suitable plastic, but any suitable manufacturing method may be utilized. Because the closure 10 is formed as two or more separate components, tabs 50 (or an alternative retention formation) may be molded, for example, in the upwardly and inwardly extending position. The various components may then be connected without any reheating or other re-positioning of the tabs 50.

Prior to being placed on the container 10, the tamper indicating band 40 is bonded to the skirt 24 at, for example, the bonding surface 32. The bond between the upper band 44 and bonding surface 32 can be any suitable bond, for example glueing the two members or snapping the members together using interconnecting elements. Preferably, however, the bond is formed by fusing the two members together, for example by ultrasonic welding. Ultrasonic welding forms a particularly strong bond that requires no special formation of the bonding surface 32 or upper band 44, as well as no pre- treatment or post-treatment of the elements.

Regardless of the particular embodiment, the bond between the upper band 44 and bonding surface 32 should be stronger than the connection between the lower band 42 and the upper band 44 provided by the frangible line 46, and if desired the former may be much stronger than the latter. Because the lower band 42 separates from the upper band 44 at the frangible line 46, the strength of the bond between the upper band 44 and bonding surface 32 need not be limited by the consumer's ability to break the bond. Without this limitation, manufacturing tolerances increase dramatically, so that a closure 20 according to the present invention is much easier to manufacture and use than closures according to the prior art.

When the closure 20 is initially placed on the container 10, the tabs 50 are bent outward, for example, by the shoulder 16 so that the tabs 50 may pass over shoulder 20 to a position below shoulder 20. Once tabs 50 have cleared the shoulder 20, the tabs 50 spring inward to a position in which the tabs 50 are locked under the shoulder 16. In this position, the tabs 50 may abut, for example, the outer surface of the container neck

12, the lower surface of the shoulder 16, or both. Alternatively, the tabs 50 may assume an unbiased configuration in which they are maintained below shoulder 16 without contacting any part of container 10.

When the closure 20 is later partially or fully removed, either during normal use by the consumer or for purposes of tampering, tabs 50 will retain the lower band 42 below the shoulder 16. As the closure top 22 and skirt 24 are drawn upwards, the lower band 42, along with tabs 50, separates from the remainder of the closure 20. Because the bond between the upper band 44 and the bonding surface 32 is stronger than the frangible line 46, the separation will occur along the frangible line 46. The upper band 44 will accordingly be removed with the closure top 22 and skirt 24, while the lower band 42 and tabs 50 will be retained, for example, below shoulder 16.

Figure 2 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a closure according to the present invention. As illustrated, the embodiment of Figure 2 is similar, for example, to the embodiment of Figure 1 described above. The present embodiment includes, however, a secondary skirt 52 connected, for example, to the lower band 42. Secondary skirt 52 can be arranged to cover container 10 below the area of the external formation 14 and the shoulder 16. Accordingly, secondary skirt 52 provides additional protection against tampering by making it even more difficult to insert a substance into the container 10 through the space between the closure 20 and container 10 or to tamper directly with tabs 50. In addition, labeling, printing or other marking can be placed on the secondary skirt 52 as desired. Secondary skirt 52 may, of course, be utilized in conjunction with other embodiments of the closure 20.

It should be understood that bonding surface 32 and upper band 44 may each be shaped in numerous ways. Figure 3 illustrates another configuration of the bonding surface 32. In this configuration the bonding surface 32 includes an upper bonding surface 31 and a lateral bonding surface 33, which together may form an annular member having an L-shaped cross-section that extends at least partially around the outside of upper band 44. The upper bonding surface 31 and lateral bonding surface 33 may together retain the upper band 44 in place during bonding and create an effective bonding surface 32.

Figure 3 also illustrates a sealing pad 60 which may be included in place of or in conjunction with sealing member 28. Sealing pad 60 can be compressed when the closure 20 is placed on container 10, and therefore may apply an upward force against the closure 20 to keep tabs 50 in contact with the shoulder 16 if desired.

As with bonding surface 32, other elements of the container 10 and closure 20 may embody different configurations than those described above. For example, the skirt 24 may be shaped to include a child-resistant mechanism. In general, the present invention can be used with a variety of child-resistant mechanisms known in the art. In an exemplary child-resistant embodiment shown in Figure 4, the skirt 24 includes, for example, an inner skirt portion 23 and an outer skirt portion 25. Outer skirt portion 25 is, for example, substantially coaxial with inner skirt portion 23, but extends slightly outwardly and further down than inner skirt portion 23. Inner skirt portion 23 preferably includes internal formation 26, while outer skirt 25 includes, for example, bonding surface 32.

As shown on the left side of Figure 4, outer skirt portion 25 may comprise a push tab 29 and a contact member 27. Tab 29 and contact member 27 may, for example, be formed as an extension of a section 21 of outer skirt portion 25, or may depend from the skirt portion in some other suitable manner. Bonding surface 32 may be disposed, for example, at the bottom edge of tab 29. In this embodiment, shoulder 16 also includes, for example, an upwardly extending abutment 15. In an unbiased configuration, the contact member 27 is, for example, radially aligned with the abutment 15. When the closure is rotated, the contact member 27 engages the abutment 15, preventing further rotation and removal of the closure 20. When the tab 29 is depressed inwardly, tab 29 and contact member 27 are biased inwardly so that abutment 15 may pass between tab 29 and contact member 27 to permit removal of the closure and separation of the tamper indicating band 40.

In the exemplary embodiment of Figure 4, tab 29 is radially aligned with the remainder of outer skirt portion 25 (i.e. the portion of skirt 25 other than section 21). In this arrangement, contact member 27 is, for example a linear extension of section 21. It should be noted that for purposes of clarity in illustrating the described embodiments, upper band 44 and skirt 24 are shown in an exploded view in the left side of Figure 4, although these elements do not, for example, separate during normal removal of the closure 20. The device according to the present invention has been described with respect to several exemplary embodiments. It can be understood, however, that there are many other variations of the above-described embodiments which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, even where elements have not explicitly been designated as exemplary. For example, the closure 20 and container 10 may include other types of child-proof elements in conjunction with or alternative to the elements described above. Moreover, the specific design of many elements of the closure 20 and container 10 may vary. It is understood that these modifications are within the teaching of the present invention, which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tamper indicating closure for a container, comprising: a substantially flat, round closure top having an outer rim; an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top, the skirt having an inner surface, the inner surface including an internal formation designed to cooperate with an external formation of the container to retain the closure on the container, and the skirt having a bonding surface; and an annular tamper indicating band, including: an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and a retention formation connected to the lower band, the retention formation extending inwardly and upwardly to engage an annular shoulder of the container; wherein when the closure is removed form the container, the retention formation contacts the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

2. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1 , wherein the external formation includes an external thread and the internal formation includes an internal thread.

3. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1 , wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

4. The tamper indication closure according to claim 1 , further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

5. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

6. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1 , wherein the skirt includes: an inner skirt portion, the inner skirt portion including the internal formation; and an outer skirt portion, the outer skirt portion being substantially concentric with and outside of the inner skirt portion and the outer skirt portion including the bonding surface.

7. The tamper indication closure according to claim 6, wherein the shoulder includes an upwardly-extending abutment and wherein the outer skirt portion includes: a contact member; and a tab connected to the contact member and disposed outside of the contact member; wherein when the contact member is in an unbiased configuration, the contact member is radially aligned with the abutment, and when the tab is pressed inwardly, the contact member is biased inwardly so that the abutment may pass between the tab and the contact member.

8. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1 , wherein the retention formation includes a plurality of tabs.

9. A tamper indicating band for a container closure, the closure having a closure top and an annular skirt depending from a rim of the closure top, the skirt including a bonding surface, comprising: an annular upper band being bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line; and a retention formation connected to the lower band, the retention formation extending inwardly and upwardly to engage an annular shoulder of a container; wherein when the closure is removed from the container, the retention formation contacts the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

10. The tamper indicating band according to claim 9, wherein the retention formation includes a plurality of tabs.

11. The tamper indicating band according to claim 9, wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

12. The tamper indicating band according to claim 9, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

13. The tamper indicating band according to claim 9, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

14. A tamper indicating closure and container, comprising: a container having a container neck, the container neck including an external formation and an annular shoulder located below the external formation; and a tamper indicating closure, including: a substantially flat, round closure top having an outer rim; an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top, the skirt having an inner surface, the inner surface including an internal formation designed to cooperate with the external formation to retain the closure on the container, and the skirt having a bonding surface; and an annular tamper indicating band, including: an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and a retention formation connected to the lower band, the retention formation extending inwardly and upwardly to engage the annular shoulder of the container; wherein when the closure is removed form the container, the retention formation contacts the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

15. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 14, wherein the external formation includes an external thread and the internal formation includes an internal thread.

16. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 14, wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

17. The tamper indication closure and container according to claim 14, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

18. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 14, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

19. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 14, wherein the retention formation includes a plurality of tabs.

20. A method of manufacturing a tamper-indicating closure, comprising the steps of: forming a first unit, the first unit including a closure top and a skirt depending from an outer rim of the closure top, the skirt including an internal formation and a bonding surface; forming a second unit, the second unit including an annular upper band, an annular lower band, and a retention formation connected to the lower band, the upper band and lower band being connected along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and bonding the first unit to the second unit by bonding the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the step of bonding the first unit to the second unit includes fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the retention formation includes a plurality of tabs.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the internal formation includes an internal thread.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first and second units are each integral units.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the first and second units are formed by injection molding.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the first and second units are formed by compression molding.

27. A tamper indicating closure for a container, comprising: a substantially flat, round closure top having an outer rim; an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top, the skirt including: an inner skirt portion having an inner surface, the inner surface including an internal formation designed to cooperate with an external formation of the container to retain the closure on the container; an outer skirt portion having a section including a push tab and a contact member associated with the push tab, such that when the contact member is in an unbiased configuration, the contact member is radially aligned with an abutment of the container, and when the tab is pressed inwardly, the contact member is biased inwardly so that the abutment may pass between the tab and the contact member; and and the skirt having a bonding surface; and an annular tamper indicating band, including: an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and a retention formation connected to the lower band, the retention formation extending inwardly and upwardly to engage an annular shoulder of the container; wherein when the closure is removed form the container, the retention formation contacts the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

28. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 27, wherein the external formation includes an external thread and the internal formation includes an internal thread.

29. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 27, wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

30. The tamper indication closure according to claim 27, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

31. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 27, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 14 September 1999 (14.09.99); original claims 28-31 cancelled; original claims land 8-27 amended; remaining claims unchanged (9 pages)]

What is claimed is:

1. A tamper indicating closure for a container, comprising: a substantially flat, round closure top having an outer rim; an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top, the skirt having an inner surface, the inner surface including an internal formation designed to cooperate with an external formation of the container to retain the closure on the container, and the skirt having a bonding surface; and an annular tamper indicating band, including: an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and a plurality of upwardly and inwardly extending tabs connected to the lower band to engage an annular shoulder of the container; wherein when the closure is removed form the container, the tabs contact the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

2. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1. wherein the external formation includes an external thread and the internal formation includes an internal thread.

4. The tamper indication closure according to claim 1, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

5. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

6. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 1. wherein the skirt includes: an inner skirt portion, the inner skirt portion including the internal formation; and an outer skirt portion, the outer skirt portion being substantially concentric with and outside of the inner skirt portion and the outer skirt portion including the bonding surface.

8. A tamper indicating band for a container closure, the closure having a closure top and an annular skirt depending from a rim of the closure top, the skirt including a bonding surface, comprising: an annular upper band being bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line; and a plurality of upwardly and inwardly extending tabs connected to the lower band to engage an annular shoulder of a container; wherein when the closure is removed from the container, the tabs contact the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

9. The tamper indicating band according to claim 8, wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

10. The tamper indicating band according to claim 9, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

11. The tamper indicating band according to claim 8, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

12. A tamper indicating closure and container, comprising: a container having a container neck, the container neck including an external formation and an annular shoulder located below the external formation; and a tamper indicating closure, including: a substantially flat, round closure top having an outer rim: an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top, the skirt having an inner surface, the inner surface including an internal formation designed to cooperate with the external formation to retain the closure on the container, and the skirt having a bonding surface; and an annular tamper indicating band, including: an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and a plurality of upwardly and inwardly extending tabs connected to the lower band to engage the annular shoulder of the container; wherein when the closure is removed form the container, the tabs contact the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

13. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 12, wherein the external formation includes an external thread and the internal formation includes an internal thread.

14. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 12, wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

15. The tamper indication closure and container according to claim 12, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

16. The tamper indicating closure and container according to claim 12, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

17. A method of manufacturing a tamper-indicating closure, comprising the steps of: forming a first unit, the first unit including a closure top and a skirt depending from an outer rim of the closure top, the skirt including an internal formation and a bonding surface; forming a second unit, the second unit including an annular upper band, an annular lower band, and a plurality of upwardly and inwardly extending tabs connected to the lower band, the upper band and lower band being connected along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and bonding the first unit to the second unit by bonding the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of bonding the first unit to the second unit includes fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the internal formation includes an internal thread.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first and second units are each integral units.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first and second units are formed by injection molding.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first and second units are formed by compression molding.

23. A tamper indicating closure for a container, comprising: a substantially flat, round closure top having an outer rim; an annular skirt depending from the outer rim of the closure top, the skirt including: an inner skirt portion having an inner surface, the inner surface including an internal formation designed to cooperate with an external formation of the container to retain the closure on the container; an outer skirt portion having a section including a push tab and a contact member associated with the push tab, such that when the contact member is in an unbiased configuration, the contact member is radially aligned with an abutment of the container, and when the tab is pressed inwardly, the contact member is biased inwardly so that the abutment may pass between the tab and the contact member; and and the skirt having a bonding surface; and an annular tamper indicating band, including: an annular upper band bonded to the skirt at the bonding surface; an annular lower band connected to the upper band along a frangible line distinct from the bonding surface; and a plurality of upwardly and inwardly extending tabs connected to the lower band to engage an annular shoulder of the container; wherein when the closure is removed form the container, the tabs contact the shoulder to retain the lower band on the container, the lower band separating from the upper band along the frangible line.

24. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 23, wherein the external formation includes an external thread and the internal formation includes an internal thread.

25. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 23, wherein the upper band is bonded to the skirt by fusing the upper band to the skirt at the bonding surface.

26. The tamper indication closure according to claim 23, further comprising: an annular secondary skirt connected to the lower band, the secondary skirt surrounding the container below the shoulder.

27. The tamper indicating closure according to claim 23, wherein the bonding surface includes: an annular upper bonding surface being bonded to an upper surface of the upper band; and an annular lateral bonding surface integral with the upper bonding surface, the lateral bonding surface being bonded to an outer surface of the upper band; wherein the upper bonding surface and the lateral bonding surface together have an L- shaped cross-section.

28. [Deleted].

29. [Deleted].

30. [Deleted].

1. [Deleted],