WO2011000066A1

WO2011000066A1 - Safety closure with tamper indication, closure sealed against accidental opening, and sealing system against accidental opening

Info

Publication number: WO2011000066A1
Application number: PCT/BR2010/000172
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Patrick Vollers
Original assignee: Claudio Patrick Vollers
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2010-05-27
Publication date: 2011-01-06
Also published as: BRPI0901927A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety closure with tamper indication, a closure sealed against accidental opening, and to a sealing system against accidental opening for closures having a cap (4) with a discharge opening, an outer lid (3) and a sealing pin formed separately from the cap and outer lid assembly. The sealing pin comprises a preferably cylindrical rod (13) with a widened upper end (10) and a widened lower end (11), having the shape of inverted cones. The widened lower end (11) of the sealing pin (2) has a transition step (12) next to the rod (13). The cap (4) and the outer lid (3) have conical holes (9 and 6) that are aligned in the closed position. The conical holes (9 and 6) are formed by an elastic membrane. The upper end (10) of the pin (2) ends at a flat surface having a shape that matches the shape of the hole (6) in the outer lid (3). The pin (2) extends through the holes (6 and 9), the stop (12) on the pin is retained by the membrane of the conical hole (9) in the cap, and the widened upper end (10) with the flat surface is received and retained in the hole (6) in the outer lid.

Description

"SAFETY LOCK WITH INFRINGEMENT INDICATION, LOCK WITH ACCIDENTAL OPENING, AND ACCIDENTAL LOCKING SYSTEM" The present invention is concerned with a security closure, and more particularly, an tamper evident closure which demonstrates to the observer whether the package is sealed or if it has been opened or tampered with and that it is a system and tamper-evident lock with a lock against accidental opening.

There is a huge variety of safety locks that propose to indicate whether the package has been opened or not.

The most commonly used type of safety lock is a detachable strap attached to the overcap by small breakable bridges.

When considering this type of closure, care should be taken to achieve a tamper evidence seal that can be applied to the container without compromising seal construction. For example, when the tamper evidence element is a strap interconnected by frangible bridges to an overcap, when using high speed equipment, there is a possibility that only a few bridges will break, or that the strap will not completely descend into the neck of the during the assembly process, allowing access to the contents of the container without however evidencing such a situation. Breakable strap closures also have the drawback of leaving the strap loose to be thrown in the trash.

Another known type of tamper evident closure is intended for closures having a lid base and an overcap, the latter being threaded with the free-swing child-proof system where downward pressure is required to disengage the lock. overcap.

In this construction, a pin is secured to the overcap by means of breakable bridges that abut the base of the lid, so that with the push in the open direction, the pin is pushed upwards by the base of the lid breaking the frangible bridges and pushing the pin out. The lid surface then shows a hole. Evidence of tampering here does not apply to other types of closures, such as hinged overcap closures, and has the inconvenience of releasing a small part, the pin, to be discarded, which is unwanted for environmental reasons. waste and for safety reasons as it may be ingested by a child. A tamper evident safety lock is known to be applied to fliptop hinged closures having a pin overcap in a weakened region intended to be broken; the pin through a hole in the overcap and is retained in a cover base member. With the opening of the overcap the weakened region breaks and the pin is retained at the base of the lid. In this construction, as with most tamper evident security closures for fliptop closures, after opening and breaking the seal, overcap closure brings the ruptured element to its initial situation, masking the tamper.

In all known constructions the pin locking the overcap at the bottom, bottom of the lid is integrally constructed with the lid and overcap assembly in the same material and color, the pin being locked by the overcap closure movement.

The present invention aims at a safety lock construction where the lock pin is independently constructed and applied by pressure after closing the overcap. It is a further object of the present invention to construct a safety lock having no loose or hanging parts after opening the container.

The present invention also aims at a tamper evident closure construction which upon first opening or tampering the sealing member disappears from the surface of the overcap, clearly demonstrating that the container has been opened.

Still the object of the present invention is a tamper evident security system and lock with a security seal constructed against accidental opening. Another object of the present invention is to obtain a tamper evident security lock by means of a simple and cost effective construction. To achieve the above objectives, the present invention teaches a construction where the pin is independent of the assembly, overcap and lid, being applied to lock the overcap after closing, allowing successive openings and closures of the overcap until locking, extending thus the possibilities of closure applicability.

Since the pin is an independent element, the manufacture of the overcap and lid assembly becomes simple, as well as that of the pin, which can easily be of a different color from the assembly, which is the preferred construction of the present invention.

After the pin is applied, its top surface is displayed on the overcap surface. Being the different color, the presence of the pin is highlighted by the visual contrast created, allowing the immediate recognition of the closure situation.

In the situation of violation the absence of the pin top is immediately displayed.

The present invention provides a tamper evident security lock having at least two independent parts, an overcap and lid assembly, and a lock pin. It is considered the lid 2010 000172

5 as the lower part of the closure which is fixed to the container neck and has a dump opening.

The lid being provided to be fixed to the container discharge opening by internal thread and a circular seal by snapping or other convenient means such that after application it can no longer be removed.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the overcap is hinged to the lid by means of a hinge member, has a manipulation tab extending outwardly from the lid body and has a closing bung for the dump opening of the container.

The lid has a top surface where a dump opening is located.

The overcap and the top of the lid have matching holes aligned with each other when the assembly is in the closed condition. In an alternative construction, the holes are in lateral projections of the overcap and lid outside the assembly.

The lid and overcap holes have a smaller, downwardly tapered cone-shaped bottom membrane of the same material, preferably plastic but of a smaller thickness, thus giving the membrane greater elasticity. The locking pin has a preferably cylindrical shank body and at each end thereof has an enlarged conical shaped element, both with the smallest diameter facing downwards. The upper end of the pin is flat and is complementary to the overcap hole. Thus, while sealed, the surface of the overcap has no indentation, and will preferably have a region with a different color, corresponding to the top surface of the pin. The extended upper pin element is housed in the tapered hole of the overcap.

The lower retaining member passes through the top hole of the lid and is retained there by the stop surface created by the step in transition to the pin body.

The tapered shape and proper elasticity of the holes allow the pin to be applied in one direction only. The step of the lower flared part of the pin configures a retaining stop that prevents the pin from exiting through the hole in the cover.

The tapered shape of the upper end of the pin allows the appropriate overcap to be opened at the appropriate pressure by forcing the overcap hole out of the upper end of the pin. The tapered shape of the hole, with a smaller opening below, prevents the upper end of the pin from penetrating back into the overcap hole, the pin then descends and ends. housing housed in the tapered hole of the lid.

The invention provides a locking system against accidental opening which provides the locking system with additional locking which requires a rotating movement in the locking element to allow the overcap to pass through the upper end of the pin and be opened. For this the sealing member has tabs at the upper end to be fitted into corresponding slots made from the overcap hole.

For opening the overcap, the sealing member must first be rotated, matching the tabs with the slots to allow the opening pressure to disengage the pin overcap. In summary, in a first embodiment, the invention provides a tamper evident security lock for closures having a lid with a dump opening, an overcap and a locking pin, characterized in that the locking pin is constructed It is independent of the cap and overcap assembly and consists of a rod with enlarged upper and lower ends shaped like inverted cones, where: the enlarged lower end of the locking pin has a step in transition with the rod; the lid and overcap have tapered holes aligned in the closed position; the conical holes are formed by an elastic membrane; the upper end of the pin terminates on a flat surface shaped complementary to the overcap hole; the pin goes through the holes; the pin stop is retained by the hole membrane conical lid; and the upper flared end with the flat surface lodges and is retained in the overcap hole.

In a second embodiment, the invention provides a locking lock against accidental opening for closures having a lid with a dump opening, an overcap and a locking pin, characterized in that the locking pin is constructed independent of the assembly. cover and overcap and consists of a rod with enlarged upper and lower ends shaped like inverted cones, where: the upper end has tabs; the enlarged lower end of the locking pin has a step in the transition with the rod; the lid and overcap have tapered holes aligned in the closed position; the conical holes are shaped by an elastic membrane; the tapered hole of the overcap has slots coincident with the tabs of the pin element; the upper end of the pin terminates on a flat surface shaped complementary to the overcap hole; the pin goes through the holes; the pin stop is retained by the tapered hole membrane of the lid; and the upper flared end with the flaps is rotated, offset from the slots in the hole above the overcap.

In a third embodiment, the invention provides a locking system against accidental opening for closures consisting of an overcap and lid assembly, characterized in that it comprises an independent locking pin with widened ends through elastic overcap and lid holes, whose ends deform with the pressure exerted to insert the lower end of the pin, retaining these trapped portions between the widened ends, where the upper end of the tab having pin is pivotable until the tabs coincide with predicted grooves in the overcap hole, where by pressing the overcap in the open direction to detach the elastic overcap of the upper overcap of the pin, where the pin, prevented from returning to the overcap elastic hole, descends and lodges over the cover hole, and the overcap closure is completely released from the pin.

The invention will be better understood from its description by referring to the figures where: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the safety lock in the open position prior to application of the seal; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the closed security lock ready to receive the security seal; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the safety lock closed and locked with the seal; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the security lock closed and locked with the seal; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the safety lock closed after tampering or opening of the overcap, with the seal missing from the overcap surface; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the closed safety lock after tampering or opening of the overcap with the seal in the end position with the upper end housed in the lid hole; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the safety lock in the open position with the externally constructed side flap holes; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the closed security closure ready to receive the seal with the externally constructed side flap holes; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the locked safety lock with the externally constructed side flap holes; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the safety lock with externally constructed side flap holes after opening the overcap showing the seal situation after opening; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the safety lock with the safety lock against accidental opening; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the safety lock with the lock against accidental opening, with the seal aligned with the slots in the overcap hole; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the safety lock. against accidental opening opened with the seal housed in the lid hole; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the safety lock after opening or tampering, no longer showing the sealing member on the surface of the overcap; and Figure 15 is a perspective view of the safety lock in an alternative construction, the lock having a tab and overcap hole one slot, with the holes offset from the body of the lid and overcap assembly.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 6, the tamper evident security lock consists of at least two independent parts, a one-piece set 1 and a lock pin 2.

The assembly 1 consists of an overcap 3 hinged to a lid 4 by means of hinge 5, the lid 4 itself being the lower part of the closure which is coupled to the container neck. The overcap 3 is provided with a closing spout 7 for the dump opening, a manipulation flap and has a hole with a lower membrane forming a conical hole 6.

Dump opening lid 8 has a conical hole 9 also formed by a lower membrane. The membrane is constructed of the same plastic material as the cover and overcap assembly, but with a thinner thickness giving the tapered holes greater elasticity. The tapered holes 6 and 9 of overcap 3 and cap 4 align with the overcap closure.

The locking pin 2 consists of a preferably cylindrical rod 13 with the widened upper 10 and lower 11 ends shaped as inverted cones.

The lower end 11 of the lock pin 2 goes through the holes of the overcap 3 and the lid 4. Its tapered shape facilitates the passage of that end through the holes 6 and 9 of the overcap 3 and the lid 4, widening the membrane by the pressure exerted during lock application 2.

The lower end 11 of the lock pin 2 in transition with the rod 13 of the pin has a step 12 acting as a stop. After passing the lower end 11 of pin 2 through the hole

9 of cap 4, the membrane retracts, pinning pin 2 by step 12, with the enlarged upper end 10 housed in the tapered hole 6 of overcap 3.

With the opening of the overcap 3 the tapered hole 6 of the overcap is forced through the enlarged upper end 10 of the lock 2 with pin 2 retained by the enlarged lower end 11, and with the closing of the overcap, the upper end of the pin is prevented from returning to hole 6 of overcap 3 and is pushed down into the hole in cap 4. In figures 7 through 10 the tapered holes are in lateral projections 16 and 17 of the overcap and of the lid aligned externally to the body of the assembly.

Figures 11 to 14 show locking with the safety lock with additional locking against accidental opening.

Here the upper widened portion 10 of pin 2 has tabs 14 and the tapered hole of overcap 3 has slots 15 in the same arrangement as tabs 14. Pin 2 is inserted with offset tabs 14 of slots 15. For opening of overcap 3 it is necessary to rotate pin 2 by taking tabs 14 to the position of slots 15 so that with opening pressure hole 6 with slots 15 of overcap 3 is detached from the upper end of pin 12.

The accidental opening locking system consists of applying an independent locking pin 2 with widened ends 10 and 11 through elastic holes 6 and 9 of overcap 3 and cap 4, which deform with insertion pressure from the lower end 11 of pin 2, retaining such portions secured between the enlarged ends 10 and 11; turning the upper end 10 of the tab having tab 14 until the tabs 14 coincide with slots 15 provided in hole 6 of overcap 3; pressing overcap 3 in the open direction to detaching the elastic hole 6 from the overcap 3 of the upper end 10 of pin 2; pin 2, prevented from returning to elastic hole 6 of overcap 3, descends and lodges over hole 9 of cap 4; overcap closure completely released from pin 2.

More specifically, the elastic holes 6 of the overcap 3 and 9 of the lid 4 are constructed of an inverted tapered membrane, and the flared ends 10 and 11 of pin 2 have the inverted tapered shape with the lower end forming a stop step. in transition with the pin rod.

Claims

1. Tamper-evident safety lock for closures having a cover (4) with a dump opening, an overcap (3) and a locking pin, characterized in that the locking pin is constructed independently of the assembly. cover and overcap and consists of a rod (13) with enlarged upper (10) and lower (11) ends shaped as inverted cones, where: the enlarged lower end (11) of the lock pin (2) has a step ( 12) in transition with the rod (13); lid (4) and overcap (3) have tapered holes (9) and (6) aligned in the closed position; tapered holes 9 and 6 are formed by an elastic membrane; the upper end (10) of the pin (2) ends on a flat surface shaped complementary to the hole (6) of the overcap (3); pin (2) goes through holes (6) and (9); the pin stop (12) is retained by the tapered hole membrane (9) of the lid; and, the flared upper end (10) with the flat surface lodges and is retained in the overcap hole (6).

2. Locking lock against accidental opening for closures having a lid (4) with a dump opening, an overcap (3) and a locking pin, characterized in that the locking pin is constructed independently of the assembly. cover and overcap and consists of a rod (13) with enlarged upper (10) and lower (11) ends shaped as inverted cones where: the upper end has tabs (14); the enlarged lower end (11) of the lock pin (2) has a step (12) in transition with the rod (13); lid (4) and overcap (3) have tapered holes (9) and (6) aligned in the closed position; tapered holes 9 and 6 are formed by an elastic membrane; the conical hole (6) the overcap (3) has slots (15) coincident with the tabs (14) of the pin element (2); the upper end (10) of the pin (2) terminates on a flat surface shaped complementary to the hole (6) of the overcap (3); pin (2) goes through holes (6) and (9); the pin stop (12) is retained by the tapered hole membrane (9) of the lid; and, the upper flared end (10) with the flaps (14) is rotated, offset relative to the slots (15) in the hole (6) above the overcap.

Closure according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the pin element (2) is of a different color than the cap (4) and overcap (3) assembly.

Closure according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the assembly (1) cover (4) and overcap (3) are hinged (5) and made of one-piece construction. plastic material.

Closure according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the elastic membrane of the tapered holes (6) and (9) is integrally constructed with the assembly (1) having a smaller thickness.

Closure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rod (13) is cylindrical.

7. Locking system against accidental opening for closures consisting of an overcap assembly (3) and cover (4), characterized in that it comprises an independent locking pin (2) with extended ends (10) and (11). through elastic holes (6) of the overcap (3) and (9) of the lid (4), whose ends deform with the pressure exerted to insert the lower end (11) of the pin (2), retaining such trapped portions between the enlarged ends (10) and (11), wherein the upper end (10) of the tab bearing pin (14) is rotatable until the tabs (14) coincide with slots (15) provided in the hole ( 6) of the overcap (3), where by pressing the overcap (3) in the opening direction to detach the elastic hole (6) of the overcap (3) of the upper end (10) of the pin (2), where the pin (2 ), prevented from returning to the elastic hole (6) of the overcap (3), descends and lodges over the hole (9) of the cover (4), and the overcap closure is completely released from the pin (2).

A system according to claim 7, characterized in that the elastic holes (6) of the overcap (3) and (9) of the lid (4) are constructed of an inverted conical shaped membrane and the enlarged ends ( 10) and (11) of the pin (2) have the inverted tapered shape with the lower end forming a stop step in transition with the pin rod.