WO2005032957A1

WO2005032957A1 - Tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles and jars

Info

Publication number: WO2005032957A1
Application number: PCT/IN2004/000161
Authority: WO
Inventors: Narendra Prabhakar Bonde
Original assignee: Narendra Prabhakar Bonde
Priority date: 2003-10-08
Filing date: 2004-06-08
Publication date: 2005-04-14

Abstract

The present invention discloses a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles, jars and cans made of plastic, polymers and/or resin materials. The tamper-proof seal (13) comprises of a seal ring having a substantially cylindrical body joined integrally to the neck (2) of the bottle via a perforation line (33). The seal ring has a size sufficient for a passage of a cap (1) having a rib (42) at its end face inside the seal ring. A ratchet is provided in the cylindrical body of the seal ring such that when the cap is thrust downwards through the seal ring during assembly of the cap and the seal ring, the rib of the cap rides over the screw of the bottle neck (2) and the ratchet of the seal ring to get locked by the ratchet in the seated position of the cap over the bottle neck in a way that the seal ring has to be broken off from the bottle along the perforated line to release the cap from the locking mechanism for opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION WiTH REGARDS TO THE DRAWBACK OF ASSOCIATED WITH KNOWN ART

(A)BACKGROUND:

Disposable bottles and jars particularly made of made of plastic and polymer/resin materials find a wide application in almost all the thrust areas of fast moving consumer market especially for packaging goods such as drinking water, soft drinks, liquor, edible oil, etc. Such disposable bottles packaged with consumer goods are frequently prone to tampering and thereby adulteration of contents which markedly affect the safety and assurance of purchase from consumers' end.

(B)NEED FOR GREATER SAFETY IN PACKAGING :

Apparently, product tampering and adulteration have been common phenomena as long as there have been packaged consumer goods. Adulteration takes place in just about every sphere of consumer products, from petrol to water, pharmaceuticals to personal care products and edible oil to milk. Product tampering and adulteration are very high on the consumer's emotional and psychological agenda and hence, today's consumer craves for a sense of safety and assurance in making purchases. (C) COMPONENTS OF KNOWN ART OF TAMPER-EVIDENT SEALING :

Currently available disposable bottles are fitted with tamper-evident caps which are commonly referred to as CAP SEAL as illustrated in Fig1 of the drawings accompanying this specification. There are two components involved in the packaging of "disposable" bottias/jars/cans are (1)CAP and (2)SEEAL. The CAP SEAL, as manufactured, are part of the same product. Referring to Fig1, the cap seal (1) has a seal portion (13) extending from the open end face of a cap (11) and separated from the cap (11) by a perforated line (12) which acts as a tearing path for the seal portion (13) to separate from the cap (11) at the time of unscrewing the cap (11) for opening the bottle. The functions of the cap (11) and the seal portion (13) are as follows:

a) The cap (11) acts as a closure system, which prevents spilling of the packaged material, prevents taste contamination and material degradation by preventing exposure of contents to the outer atmosphere.

b) The seal portion (13) acts as:

(i) a bonding medium between the cap and the bottle; and

(ii) acts as a tamper-evident feature by showing visual evidence of tampering.

(D) PRACTICE OF TAMPER-EVIDENT SEALING OF THE KNOWN ART FORM :

The cap seal (1) is assembled with the bottle or jar by punching the cap seal (1) on the neck (2) of the bottle or jar. The cap seal (1) is secured onto the bottle in the following stages: (i) The screw typo threads of the cap (11) is secured within the groves of the bottleneck; and

(ii) The seal portion (13) is locked onto the neck (2) of the bottle forming a lock mechanism (21 , 22).

Referring to Fig 2, when the cap (1) is opened, the seal portion (13) remains on the bottle and separates from the cap (11) along the perforated line (12). The remaining seal in the form of a ring on the bottle neck (2) serves as a visual "evidence" of tampering.

(E) DRAWBACKS OF THE KNOWN ART FORM : the above cap seal has the following drawbacks as illustrated in Figs 3a, 3b, 3c:

(i) If the cap seal is removed without breaking the seal and mounted back onto the bottle neck, or if the cap seal itself is replaced, the whole tamper- evident feature is hijacked. In this case, the seal may not show the tampered condition of the bottle at all, or the tampered condition of the bottle might not be evident upon replacing the cap seal. Hence, the tamper-evident feature provided by cap seal existing in the market is not sufficiently tamper-proof.

1. The onus of providing the evidence of tampering is solely placed on the seal remaining on the bottleneck. The ring seal can be easily replaced, duplicated and manipulated to hide the evidence of tampering.

2. After the consumption of the product, the disposable bottle or jar is capable of being re-filled and sealed again to appear like a factory packed product. 3. There is a utility value in used empty botties and jars which the consumers value and like to retain. There is no inbuilt mechanism in the packaging system to destroy re-marketability of these used empty disposable bottles and jars. The jars, such as the high density polyethylene (hdpe) jars used for packing of edible and lube oils are too tough to be destroyed by cutting or crushing.

4. Cap seal in all shapes, sizes and colors are freely available in the market. They are very cheap to manufacture and easy to duplicate. With the availability of used empty bottles, jars and cans in good condition at a fraction of the original manufacturing cost, a spurious manufacturer can easily reassemble the cap seal with the bottle at minimal cost, with minimum effort. These conditions provide the principal motive of tampering.

Attempts have been made over the years to provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles. One such attempt is apparent from the Great Britain Patent document No 2068912 which discloses a bottle having a screw cap provided with a tamperproof seal which is destroyed when the bottle is first opened. The bottle has ratchet-like abutments which can be over-ridden by resilient tongues on the cap, when the cap is being screwed onto the bottle. When the cap is rotated relative to the bottle for unscrewing the cap, the tongues engage with the abutments and cause a sealing ring, on which the tongues are provided, to break away from the cap.

However the teachings of the Great Britain Patent document No 2068912 do not provide for a completely tamper-proof seal as the seal is vulnerable to be removed by cutting and separation from the bottle after first use thereby leading to chances of replacement of new cap and hence tampering.

Therefore there exists a need in the art, to find a solution to the problems associated with the prior art and provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles the features of which incorporated therein would make the seal impossible to be restored to its originality to deceive the consumers and hence prevent tampering.

Therefore, by dint of determined research and intuitive knowledge, I propose a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles which would overcome the deficiencies associated with the prior art and provide an improved tamper- proof seal which is impossible to be restored to its originality to deceive the consumers and hence remains safe and surprisingly tamper-proof.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The objects and advantages of the present invention which would set new safety standards in the field of packaging disposable bottles, cans and jars made of plastic, polymer or resin materials are set out herein below:

An object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles wherein the seal is configured as a part of the bottle to render it impossible to be restored to its originality to deceive the consumers, after first use of the bottle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles wherein the seal leaves multiple and prominent visible evidence of tampering at the very first attempt to open the cap, after manufacture thereby making the bottle unfit for further sealing and marketing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles wherein the seal enables the consumers to recognize the product they favor and trust from spurious counterparts through the highest safety standards in the field of packaging disposable bottles.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles wherein the seal helps manufacturers in protecting their product, brand equity, reputation and increase their profits through greater value addition and market realization from spurious manufacturers.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles wherein the seal enables the Government in collection of tax evaded by spurious manufacturers. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a tamper proof seal for disposable bottles. The tamper proof seal comprises of a seal ring having a substantially cylindrical body joined integrally to the neck of the bottle via a perforation line. The seal ring has a size sufficient for passage of a cap having a rib at its end face there through the seal . A ratchet is provided in the cylindrical body of the seal ring such that when the cap is trust downward through the seal ring during assembly of the cap with the seal ring, the rib of the cap rides over the screw of the bottle neck and ratchet of the seal ring to gets locked by the ratchet in the seated position of the cap over the bottle neck.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention would be apparent from the description when read in conjunction with the drawings enclosed herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRAWJMGS

To complement the description that is being given and in order to promote a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention in accordance with a practical embodiment of the same and as an integral part of the said description a set of drawings accompany it in which, in an illustrative and non- restrictive way, the following are represented :-

Fig. 1 shows the front view of a conventional the cap seal and bottle neck.

Fig 2 illustrates the conventional cap seal in opened condition.

Fig 3a depict the vulnerability of conventional cap seal to cutting and removal of the seal ring.

Fig. 3b illustrates the fitting of new cap seal following removal of seal ring of Fig. 3a according to prior art.

Fig. 3c shows the fitment of a new cap seal on a tampered bottle.

Fig. 4. shows the bottom and front views of the seal ring in conjunction with the bottle neck according to the present invention.

Fig. 5a shows the partial sectional view of the seal (31) without the ratchet, according to the present invention.

Fig. 5b shows the partial sectional view of the seal ring with the ratchet (32), according to the present invention.

Fig. 5c shows the partial sectional view of the seal ring with the ratchet, in a state before joining to the shoulder of bottle neck by a perforated line (33) according to the present invention. Fig. 5d shows the partial s^tional view of the seal ring with the ratchet, in a state integrally joined to the shoulder of bottle neck according to the present invention.

Fig. 6a shows the state of the cap before fitting onto the seal ring where the cap is provided with an extended rib (42) to act as a "second locking member" in the locking mechanism and a crumpling zone (41) to absorb the stress when the cap is being fitted into the seal according to the present invention, according to the present invention,

Fig. 6b shows the state of the cap being fitted onto the seal ring according to the present invention.

Fig. 6c shows the exploded view of locking of the cap fitted onto the seal ring according to the present invention.

Fig. 7a shows the front view of cap fitted onto the seal ring according to the present invention.

Fig. 7b shows the seal ring of the present invention, in a state removed from the shoulder of the bottle neck in tampering measure.

Fig. 7c shows the seal ring in a state removed along with the cap from the shoulder of the bottle neck in seal breaking measure for use, according to the present invention.

Fig. 8a shows the front view of the assembly state of the seal ring and cap according to the present invention.

Fig. 8b shows the front view of the bottle neck portion after seal breaking according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(A) COMPONENTS OF THE SEAL OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in the drawings attached herein, wherein each component are numbered as follows :

1. (a) Bottle neck as No. 2

(b) Shoulder of the bottle as No. 21

2. (a) Seal of this present invention as No. 3

(b) Body (casing) of the above Seal as No. 31

(c) Rechet mechanism of the above Seal as No. 32

(d) Perforated line of the above Seal as No. 33

3. (a) Cap as No. 4

(b) Crumple zone of the cap as 41

(c) Rib of the cap as 42

(B) CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEAL OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses an improved tamper-proof seal for disposable bottles made of plastic and polymer/resin materials. (C) POSITIONING AND INCORPORATION OF THE SEAL OF THE PRESENT INVENTION.

Unlike the known art where the seal is manufactured as an extended part of the cap, the Seal of the present invention is a manufactured "part of the bottle" (or jar/can). In this application the term bottle is used for the purpose of illustration only. It is not to be construed that the invention is limited for application to bottles only. The term bottle referred hereto also includes jars, cans and various types of disposable containers used for packaging consumer goods such as drinking water, soft drinks, liquor, edible oil etc. The best mode of practicing the present invention is explained below.

Referring now to Fig 4a and Figs 5a to 5d, and in accordance with one broad aspect of the present invention, the tamper-proof seal comprises a sealing part hereinafter referred to as a seal ring having a substantially cylindrical body made of a material such as plastic, resin or polymer material. The cylindrical body is adapted for integrally mounting onto the shoulder (21) provided in the neck (2) of the bottle, as shown in Fig 4b. The shape, size and dimensions of the seal ring may vary according to the design and functional requirements and the mode of application.

According to the present invention the cylindrical body of the seal ring (3) is integrally mounted onto the shoulder (21) provided in the neck (2) of the bottle by a continuous or discrete tearable weak wall (not illustrated). In a preferred embodiment, the cylindrical body of the seal ring (2) is integrally mounted onto the shoulder (21) provided in the neck (2) of the bottle along a perforated line (33) as illustrated in Fig 5d. The perforated line (33) integrally joins the seal ring (3) with the shoulder (21) such that the seal ring (3) becomes a part of the bottle. In an alternative embodiment, the integral mounting of the cylindrical body of the seal ring (3) over the neck (2) of the bottle is done at the time of manufacture of the bottle / preform.

Other exemplary embodiments such as weak ring and thin films for integrally joining the cylindrical body of the seal ring to the shoulder provided in the neck of the bottle, and which would tear on gentle twisting by user to separate the seal ring from the neck of the bottle are well contemplated and deemed to be within the scope of this invention.

Preferably, the size of the shoulder (21) is configured such that the circumferential edge of the seal ring (3) is accommodated within the periphery of the shoulder.

(D) STRUCTURE OF THE SEAL

In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall surface of the seal ring (3) comprises a "first locking member" hereinafter referred to as a ratchet (32) in the form of a triangular strip with its apex upwards as shown in Fig. 5a and 5b. The purpose of the ratchet (32) will be described in detail in the later part of this description.

The inner diameter of the seal ring (3) is configured so as to enable easy passage of a cap (4) there through the seal ring (3) and also maintain a predetermined space against the outer surface of the bottle neck. Referring to Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b, the cap (4) comprises a body and a second locking member hereinafter referred to as a rib (42) integrally provided to the circumferential edge of the body. The cap may be made of any material which is known in the art and may resemble a conventional screw cap.

Referring to Fig 6c and in the embodiment shown, the cap (4) is assembled onto the seal ring by thrusting the cap (4) downwards through the seal ring (3). The downward thrust makes the cap ride over the screw threads in the neck (2) of the bottle and also over the ratchet (32) of the seal ring (3) such that the cap (4) in seated position over the neck (2) is firmly locked by the ratchet (32). In this position, the ratchet (32) traps the rib (42) of the cap (4) and prevents the cap (4) from moving upwards after assembly with the seal ring (3) when the bottle is capped in the manufacturing plant.

(E) FUNCTIONING OF THE SEAL OF THIS PRESENT INVENTION

Referring Figs 7a to 7c, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, to open the cap (4), the seal ring (3) is broken along the perforation line (33) such that "the locking of the cap (4) is released by the seal ring (3)". In other words, the Seal, which is a manufactured part of the bottle, has to be broken first to release the cap from the seal's locking mechanism to opening the bottle (or jar/can), or in other words, on the very first attempt to open the bottle after the manufacturing process, the seal is automatically broken thus rendering the bottle incapable of further sealing (for marketing). The seal ring (3) may be broke open by gently twisting it relative to its axis such that the seal ring (3) is separated from the neck (2) of the bottle along the perforation line (33). The size of the seal ring (3) is set so as to enable the user to sufficiently grip the seal ring (3) for twisting for seal breaking.

Alternatively, to break open the seal (3), the cap (4) may be pulled upwards such that the rib (42) of the cap (4) locked onto the ratchet (32) of the seal ring (3) causes an upward thrust on the seal ring (3) so as to release the seal ring (3) from the neck (2) of the bottle, thus releasing the. cap (4) from the locking mechanism.

Figs 8a shows the cap (4) mounted on to the bottle having an integral seal ring (3) on the neck (2) as proposed by this invention.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes a tamper-proof seal which compliments the bottle with a distinct identity wherein the seal is prominently noticeable like a crown on the bottleneck. As the seal is a manufactured part of the bottle, the removal of the seal (3) from the bottle would leave a noticeable evidence of tampering.

(F) TAMPER "EVIDENT" FEATURE IS TAMPER-PROOFED

As the seal is broken on the very first attempt to open the bottle after capping in the factory, a bottle without the seal according to the present invention would provide the following evidences that the bottle was previously opened:

(a) the seal is missing from the bottle;

(b) The cap is fully exposed after the seal is broken.

(c) Parts of the perforated line (33) remain on the bottle with traces of tensil resistance occurred during the separation be manufactured. With a!! the above evidences left on the bottle or the jar, and considering the properties of the material of which disposable bottles and jars are made, the evidences of tampering left on the bottle cannot be restored to its originality without leaving further visible evidences of tampering.

Given the properties of plastics, polymers and resins, the process of breaking causes tensile resistance effect which makes matching the cavities of the two broken parts would be impossible for restoration of originality.

Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

CLAIMI CLAIM

1. A tamper-proof "seal" for disposable bottle such bottle having a substantially wide shoulder at neck portion, comprising :

(i). a substantially cylindrical sealing part integrally joined to the shoulder;

(ii). said sealing part comprising a first locking member and dimensioned to allow passage of a cap therethrough;

(iii). said cap comprising a second locking member wherein; in the assembled state of the cap and the sealing part, the first locking member and the second locking member are in mutually engaging relationship with each other.

2. The tamper-proof seal as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sealing part is joined to the shoulder at the time of bottle manufacture.

3. The tamper-proof seal as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing part is joined to the shoulder through a perforation line.

4. The tamper-proof seal as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing part is joined to the shoulder through a week wall.

5. The tamper-proof seal as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the second locking member overrides the first locking member at the time of assembling the cap and the sealing part.

6. The tamper-proof seal as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the engagement of the locking members is released and thereby the seal is broke open by separating the sealing part from the shoulder.

7. The tamper-proof seal as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims wherein the separation is effected by application of predetermined twisting force to the sealing part.

8. The tamper-proof seal according to any one of the claims 1 to 6 wherein the separating is effected by application of predetermined upward trust to the sealing part.

9. The tamper-proof seal according to any one of the foregoing claims wherein the bottle is made of present and future plastic, polymer and/or resin materials.