WO2017001533A1

WO2017001533A1 - Tamper-evident overcap

Info

Publication number: WO2017001533A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/065228
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander Donald Meiklem Mcpherson; David Conway Richardson
Original assignee: Obrist Closures Switzerland Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-06-30
Filing date: 2016-06-29
Publication date: 2017-01-05
Also published as: GB2555741A; GB201720570D0; GB201511421D0; GB2555741B

Abstract

A tamper-evident overcap (100) for a closure (101) comprises a cap superior part (100A) fixable to an exterior surface of the closure (100), and a co-axial annular inferior part (100B) which is releasably connected to the cap superior part (100A) and comprises at least one inwardly directed projection (6) facing an interior of the overcap and at least one zone of weakness (5). At least one projection (6) of the annular inferior part (100B) is capable of interacting with at least one projection (3C) located on the exterior surface of the closure (101). The torque of the engagement of the projections (6, 3C) of the tamper-evident overcap (101) and the closure (101) causes the annular inferior part (100B) to break at the zone of weakness (5) if an attempt is made to open the closure (101) without the annular inferior part (100B) having been removed from the tamper-evident overcap (100).

Description

TAMPER-EVIDENT OVERCAP

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a closure for a container and particularly to a closure with means for indicating that the closure has been opened at least once.

Background of the Invention

Tamper-evident closures arranged to provide an indication that the closure has been opened at least once are known.

There is an increasing demand for tamper-indicating systems which ensure that a container is not re-filled with non-original contents. Whilst it is relatively easy to produce some form of tamper-evidence, it is much more difficult to provide tamper- evidence which cannot either be overcome without causing the tamper-evidence system to activate, or which cannot be returned from an activated state to a state that is visually identical to the non-activated state so as to appear non-activated.

In WO 2015/ 1 1 385 1 A l , which is incorporated herein by reference, the inventors provide a tamper-evident closure for a beverage container, in which a tamper-evident closure is provided that can be teared off in order to allow a cap of the closure underneath an overcap to be twisted and removed in order to gain access to the beverage within the container. The cap may exhibit a further tamper-evident means which indicates that the closure, and hence the container on which the closure is used, has been opened at least once.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement for a tamper-evident closure.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an inner closure (for example a metal shell) with an overcap and a tamper-evident band connecting the overcap to the inner closure. The inner closure may comprise a shell separable into a top cap (which may fit into the overcap) and a lower sleeve. In particular, the present invention provides a new design for a tamper-evident band of a closure that causes the tamper-evident band to break if an attempt is made to open the closure without tearing the tamper-evident band off. Hence, with this design, a clear, visible identification is provided that an attempt has been made to open the closure without first tearing off the tamper-evident band.

In normal use of the closure, the tamper-evident band is removed to allow the closure to be opened. The present invention provides a novel mechanism to ensure that the tamper-evident band still breaks if an attempt is made to open the closure without tearing it off.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a tamper-evident overcap for a closure, comprising: a cap superior part fixable to an exterior surface of the closure, and a co-axial annular inferior part which is releasably connected to the cap superior part and which comprises at least one inwardly directed projection facing an interior of the overcap and at least one zone of weakness.

The at least one inwardly directed projection may be capable of interacting with at least one projection located on the exterior surface of the closure.

The or a zone of weakness may be in proximity to the or an inwardly directed projection of the co-axial annular inferior part. The or a zone of weakness may be one of: a predetermined breaking point, a line of weakness, a slit, a recess or a line of frangible bridges of the co-axial annular inferior part.

The at least one projection may be one of: a rib, a dove-tail shape projection, a ramp element, a ratchet element.

In an embodiment, the co-axial annular inferior part comprises two or more inwardly directed projections. In an embodiment, the co-axial annular inferior part is a tamper-evident band, preferably a tamper-evident tear off band.

In an embodiment, the co-axial annular inferior part is releasably connected to the cap superior part by a plurality of frangible bridges.

According to another aspect, there is provided a closure comprising a tamper-evident overcap according to the first aspect.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a closure and overcap combination comprising: a closure comprising at least one projection located on an exterior surface of the closure, and a tamper-evident overcap according to the first aspect and in comprising at least one inwardly directed projection capable of interacting with at least one projection located on the exterior surface of the closure, wherein said at least one inwardly directed projection of the co-axial annular inferior part is brought into engagement with said at least one projection of the closure upon rotation of the tamper-evident overcap relative to the closure.

The tamper-evident overcap may be freely rotated between I ° to 45°, preferably 5° to 25°, of movement before the at least one inwardly directed projection of the co-axial annular inferior part engages with the at least one projection of the closure.

The tamper-evident overcap may be rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise relative to the closure until projections of the tamper-evident overcap and the closure engage.

In an embodiment, the closure comprises a shell, the shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, wherein the superior cap part of the tamper-evident overcap is fixed to the first shell part and the co-axial annular inferior part which is releasably connected to the cap superior part is releasably fixed to the second shell part. In an embodiment, the torque of the engagement of the projections of the tamper- evident overcap and the closure causes the co-axial annular inferior part to break at the zone of weakness.

In an embodiment, the co-axial annular inferior part breaks before the releasable connection between the co-axial annular inferior part and the cap superior part of the tamper-evident overcap breaks.

The present invention also provides a tamper-evident overcap for a closure comprising a cap superior part fixable to the exterior surface of a closure, and a co-axial annular inferior part which is releasably connected to the cap having at least one inwardly directed projection facing the interior of the overcap and at least one inwardly directed recess or thinning.

In a preferred embodiment, the least one projection is capable of interacting with the closure, the closure having at least one projection onto the exterior surface.

In some embodiments, the at least one projection of the exterior surface of the closure and the at least one projection engage upon rotation of the overcap relative to the closure.

In a further preferred embodiment the overcap can be freely rotated for 1 ° to 45°, preferably 5° to 25°, more preferably 15° of movement, before the projection of the exterior surface of the closure engage with the at least one projection facing the interior of the overcap.

In a preferred embodiment the recess or thinning represents a predetermined breaking point or line of weakness of the co-annular inferior part, i.e. the tamper evident band. There may be more than one recess or thinning introduced into the tamper evident band. For example, there may be 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 recesses or thinning positioned into the tamper evident band. In a preferred embodiment the recess or thinning is introduced from the inside of the tamper evident band. In addition, the recess or thinning may extend a third, a half, two third or even the full thickness of the tamper evident band, in the latter case provided that the two ends separated by the recess or thinning may be fragility connected.

Due to the recess or thinning, the material of the tamper evident band of the overcap will break in a horizontal direction once the overcap is twisted or rotated without removing the tamper evident band when it is located onto a closure. In other words, the recess or thinning introduces a line of weakness into the co-axial annular inferior part, i.e. the tamper evident band.

In a preferred embodiment, the recess or thinning having a vertical position and/or a perpendicular shape and/or introduce at least a perpendicular slit or gap into the tamper evident band.

In some embodiments the recess or thinning is in proximity to the at least one projection of the overcap. In a preferred embodiment the recess or thinning is located directly next to the at least one projection. In a preferred embodiment, the recess or thinning is a slit added to the inside of the tamper evident band. Preferably the recess or thinning extends throughout the most of the tamper evident band height. The band parts may be joined by a line of weakness when the closure is in the unopened state. For example a frangible line may be provided in the band, the gap being formed between adjacent peripheries of two bandO parts along which the line extends.

Any measure which would introduce a line of weakness of the band is also within the scope of invention, such as but not limited to one more horizontal connection via frangible bridges within the band.

In addition, in a further preferred embodiment the slit/recess is located next to the opening tap of the tear off band, i.e. the front view of the closure showing the label print. By that measure it is directly evident if the tamper evident band is in an untouched condition.

The at least one projection may be selected from the group consisting of a rib, a dovetail shape projection, a ramp and a ratchet arrangement. The skilled person is well aware of further shapes of projections which either facilitates engagement of the tamper evident band and the sleeve/closure and/or to pull the band onto the closure upon rotation of the overcap relatively to the closure.

In a preferred embodiment the co-axial annular inferior part of the overcap comprises two or multiple projections.

The overcap may be rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise until the projections of the overcap and the closure engages.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the co-axial annular inferior part is a tamper evident band, preferably a tamper evident tear off band.

The closure may be comprised of a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part; wherein the superior cap part of the overcap is fixed to the first shell part and the tamper-evident band which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably fixed to the second shell part.

The result of the rotation of the overcap relatively to the closure results in a torque, wherein this torque of the engagement of the projections of the overcap and the closure causes the tamper evident band to break at the line of weakness.

The result is that the tamper evident band breaks before the fragile connection between the tamper evident band and the cap of the overcap breaks.

In some embodiments then the lid is rotated without removing the tamper band the band is split by the mechanism. The overcap may have around 15° of movement before ribs engage. Before the ribs engage two ramped ribs attempt to ride up over ribs on the sleeve. A small slit is added to the inside of the band causes it to break before the band drops off.

The present invention further provides a tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising: a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part; and a tamper-evident overcap, the overcap comprising a cap which is fixed to the exterior of the first shell part and a tamper-evident member which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably located around the exterior of at least part of the second shell part, such that the first and second shell parts cannot be separated unless the member is released, and thereafter the cap is removable together with the first shell part.

The result is that the first shell part cannot be removed from a container until the tamper-evident member is released.

A mechanism is provided to ensure that the band still breaks if an attempt is made to open the closure without tearing it off.

The tamper-evident member is located (for example secured or fixed) around the exterior of second shell part. In other words the member is separate from and extends about the part rather than, for example, being provided between / releasably held between the first and second shell parts.

In some embodiments the first and second shell parts are frangibly connected directly together i.e. they are connected without a tamper-evident member axially between them.

The present invention yet further provides a tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising: a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part; a tamper-evident overcap, the overcap comprising a cap which is fixed to the first shell part and a tamper-evident member which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably fixed to the second shell part, such that the first and second shell cannot be separated unless the member is released, and thereafter the cap is removable together with the first shell part.

A mechanism is provided to ensure that the band still breaks if an attempt is made to open the closure without tearing it off. The closure may further comprise a first portion including inner and outer parts, and a second portion, the first portion being connected or connectable to the second portion and removable therefrom, the inner and outer parts being movable upon first opening of the closure from the first position to a second position in which there is a gap between at least part of the first and second portions, the closure comprising means for preventing the first portion from returning to the first position so as to maintain the gap.

The outer part may be movable relative to the inner part from a first position in which the first and second shell parts are adjacent each other to a second position in which there is a gap therebetween, the closure comprises locking means for locking the closure in the second position upon first opening so that the gap cannot easily be closed.

Closures formed with inner and outer parts may include means for preventing the inner part from moving relative to the second portion until the other part has reached the second position. If the inner part can move relative to the second portion before the outer part has reached its second position (to generate the gap) there is a risk that the closure could be returned to a closed position without the gap having been generated. The present invention may be configured to prevent this.

The closure comprises a shell. A metal (such as aluminium) shell, cowl or the like may be provided to house working components. In gap-forming embodiments the gap may be formed in the shell. The shell parts may be joined by a line of weakness when the closure is in the unopened state. For example a frangible line may be provided in the shell, the gap being formed between adjacent peripheries of two shell parts along which the line extends. The gap may be obstructed. Alternatively the gap may be unobstructed. By 'unobstructed' is meant there is no obstruction at or through the gap. The closure thereby does not rely on an obstructing member becoming trapped at or in the shell gap. By forming an unobstructed gap it is not possible to defeat the tamper-evidence by a simple cutting operation through the gap. In other words, the locking mechanism may be remote from the gap.

The tamper-evident member may be frangibly connected to a free end of the cap.

The member may include anti-rotation features for engaging corresponding features on the second shell part.

A seal or the like may be carried on or by the member. In some embodiments the member is formed with a portion reminiscent of a piece of wax, lead, or other material with a design stamped into it and attached to things as a guarantee of authenticity.

The cap may be friction fitted onto the first shell part. In some embodiments an adhesive may alternatively or additionally used. In some embodiments the first shell part must be rotated relative to the second shell part to open the closure.

Where present, the second portion may be attachable to a container. For example the second portion may be attachable to the mouth and neck region of a container. In some embodiments the second portion may be snap-fittable onto a container. Roll- on-pilfer-proof (ROPP) arrangements are also contemplated.

The second portion may comprise or include a pouring fitment. The closure may further comprise a non-return valve. Certain industries, in particular the spirits industry, demand additional measures to prevent tampering. In-bore fitments such as non-return fitments are often fitted to containers to prevent re-filling regardless of other tamper-evidence measures.

The closure may include a ratchet arrangement for preventing return to the first position, for example by locking inner and outer parts in the second position. A ratchet arrangement is a simple and efficient method of irreversibly locking the inner and outer parts together. Advantageously the locking means which initially hold the inner part on the body may subsequently prevent, or help prevent, the outer part returning to the first position.

The body part may include formations, such as screw threads, for engagement on the container or in-bore fitment as appropriate. In such cases the cap ratchet arrangement or other locking mechanism may be located above the formations so as to increase the difficulty in accessing and tampering with the locking arrangement.

The member may be a tamper-evident band, strap or the like. The band may be generally annular. The band may extend around part, substantially all or all of the second part. It may extend axially over part, substantially all or all of the second part.

The cap and tamper-evident band may be formed as a single piece.

The cap and tamper-evident band may be frangibly connected together. For example the frangible connection may be provided by a plurality of frangible bridges between the cap and the band.

The tamper-evident member may include a section with the appearance of a seal. In the unopened position the overcap may prevent axial separation and/or relative rotation of the first and second shell parts.

The present invention also provides a spirits bottle closure comprising a closure as described herein.

The present invention also provides in combination a closure as described herein and a container.

The present invention also provides a tamper-evident overcap for a closure container of the type having a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, the overcap comprising: a cap which is fixable to the exterior of the first shell part and a tamper-evident member which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably locatable on the exterior of the second shell part, such that the first and second shell cannot be separated unless the member is released, and thereafter the cap is removable together with the first shell part.

The present invention also provides a tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising: a generally circular cylindrical sleeve comprising a first sleeve part and a second sleeve part; and a generally circular cylindrical tamper-evident overcap, the overcap having a greater diameter than the sleeve; the overcap comprising a top cap which is fixed to the exterior of the first sleeve part and a tamper-evident member which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably fixed around the exterior of at least part of the second sleeve part, such that the first and second sleeve parts cannot be separated unless the member is released, and thereafter the cap is removable together with the first sleeve part.

A mechanism is provided to ensure that the band still breaks if an attempt is made to open the closure without tearing it off. The present invention also provides a container closure in combination with an overcap as described herein.

The present invention also provides a tamper-evident overcap for a closure container of the type having a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, the overcap comprising: a cap which is fixable to the first shell part and a tamper-evident member which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably fixed to the second shell part, such that the first and second shell cannot be separated unless the member is released, and thereafter the cap is removable together with the first shell part.

An overcap formed according to the present invention may, in some embodiments, be retrofittable to pre-existing shells.

The closure may be a spirits bottle closure.

According to specific aspects of the present invention there is provided:

A tamper-evident overcap for a closure comprising a cap superior part fixable to the exterior surface of a closure, and a co-axial annular inferior part which is releasably connected to the cap superior part having at least one inwardly directed projection facing the interior of the overcap and at least one inwardly directed recess.

The least one projection is capable of interacting with at least one projection located onto the exterior surface of a closure.

The at least one projection of the exterior surface of the closure and the at least one projection engage upon rotation of the overcap relative to the closure.

The overcap can be freely rotated for I ° to 45°, preferably 5° to 25° of movement, before the projection of the exterior surface of the closure engage with the at least one projection facing the interior of the overcap.

The recess is in proximity to the at least one projection of the overcap. The recess represents a predetermined breaking point or line of weakness of the co- annular inferior part. The at least one projection is selected from the group consisting of a rib, a dove-tail shape projection, a ramp and a ratchet arrangement.

The co-axial annular inferior part of the overcap comprises two or multiple projections.

The overcap is rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise until the projections of the overcap and the closure engages.

The co-axial annular inferior part is a tamper evident band, preferably a tamper evident tear off band.

The closure is comprised of a shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part; wherein the superior cap part of the overcap is fixed to the first shell part and the tamper-evident band which is releasably connected to the cap and releasably fixed to the second shell part.

The torque of the engagement of the projections of the overcap and the closure causes the tamper evident band to break at the line of weakness. The tamper evident band breaks before the fragile connection between the tamper evident band and the cap of the overcap breaks.

The recess is a slit added to the inside of the tamper evident band. A closure comprising the overcap.

Embodiments may include a design feature for the tear band which will cause it to tighten onto the body on rotation. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may be used separately or together.

Examples of closures formed in accordance with the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Example embodiments are shown in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein.

Accordingly, while embodiments can be modified in various ways and take on various alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and described in detail below as examples. There is no intent to limit to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives should be included.

The terminology used herein to describe embodiments is not intended to limit the scope. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are singular in that they have a single referent, however the use of the singular form in the present document should not preclude the presence of more than one referent. In other words, elements referred to in the singular can number one or more, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, items, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, items, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein are to be interpreted as is customary in the art. It will be further understood that terms in common usage should also be interpreted as is customary in the relevant art and not in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be more particularly described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I A shows an overcap according to an embodiment of the invention, in a closure and overcap combination in which the overcap is mounted onto a closure, the closure fitted to the neck of a container;

Figure I B shows the overcap of Figure I A with a tamper-evident member thereof partly removed;

Figure I C shows the overcap of Figure I B with the tamper-evident member thereof fully removed;

Figures 2A to 2D show the closure and overcap combination of Figures I A to I C with the tamper-evident band of the overcap removed and at different stages of opening of the closure, by removing a lid of the closure and during which a gap is generated, and subsequent closing of the closure, during which the lid is refitted and following which the gap is maintained;

Figure 3 is an exploded view of a closure assembly, comprising an overcap according to the present invention, a sleeve and a gap generator assembly termed herein "orchid assembly";

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the closure assembly illustrated in Figure 3, with the tamper-evident band of the overcap mounted onto the closure;

Figure 5 is a front view of the closure assembly illustrated in Figure 3, with the tamper-evident band of the overcap mounted onto the closure;

Figures 6A and 6B show perspective and cross-sectional views respectively through the tamper-evident band and sleeve of the closure assembly illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 7A is a front view of the overcap with the tamper-evident band mounted onto the sleeve of a closure;

Figure 7B shows a cross section of the overcap and closure of Figure 7A through the tamper-evident band; and

Figures 8A and 8B show perspective and cross sectional views respectively of the overcap and closure shown in Figures 7A and 7B with enlargement sections depicting ribs of the sleeve of the closure and ribs of the tamper-evident band of the overcap.

Description

Example embodiments are described below in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to embody and implement the apparatus and processes herein described. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternate forms and that the invention is capable of being practiced or being carried out in various ways falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring first to Figure IA, there is shown a closure and overcap combination I , in which an overcap 100 is mounted onto a closure, generally indicated 101 , which is secured onto a container neck 2. The closure 101 comprises a shell 3 having a first shell part 3A (not shown) and a second shell part 3B. In this embodiment the shell 3 is formed from metal; in other embodiments a shell formed from a plastics material may, for example, be provided.

An overcap 100 is provided and fits on top of the first shell part 3A. The overcap 100 includes a cap part I 00A and a tamper-evident band I 00B. In this embodiment the overcap 100 is formed from a plastics material.

The cap part I 00A is secured to the shell part 3A (in this embodiment by friction and an adhesive) and is frangibly connected to the tamper-evident band I 00B at its free end 4.

The tamper-evident band I 00B includes a generally disc-shape section l OOC formed appear like a seal. Around one side of the seal l OOC a frangible line 5 extends.

The tamper-evident band I 00B is removably secured to the second shell part 3B, that the cap part I 00A (carried on the first shell part 3A) cannot be removed. In order to remove the cap part I 00A, the tamper-evident band I 00B must first be released. This is achieved by lifting the seal l OOC to cause the frangible line 5 to break as shown in Figure I B (in which the first shell part 3A can now be seen). The seal l OOC can then be pulled to tear it away from the free end 4 of the cap I 00A as shown in Figure I C. Figures I B and I C also show axial ribs 3C provided on the outer surface of the shell part 3B for engaging corresponding ribs on the tamper-evident band I 00B to prevent the tamper-evident band I 00B from rotating.

In Figures 2A to 2D, the tamper-evident band I 00B shown in Figures I A to I C has been completely removed from the overcap 100. This allows a user to grasp the cap part I 00A and unscrew it (in other embodiment the overcap could, for example, be pulled off rather than unscrewed). The cap part I 00A is secured to the first shell part 3A so that they co-rotate off the container neck 2. In this embodiment a gap generating mechanism is provided (see WO 2015/ 1 1 385 1 A I ). Accordingly, in an initial rotation phase the cap part l OOA/shell part 3A rotation causes the shell parts 3A, 3B to be separated (in this embodiment a frangible line between the shell parts 3A, 3B is initially present and is broken) and a gap G to open up between the shell parts 3A, 3B as shown in Figure 2B. Continued rotation then causes the cap part l OOA/shell part 3A to be rotated off the container neck 2 as shown in Figure 2C. When the cap part l OOA/shell part 3A are replaced, the gap G between the shell parts 3A, 3B remains and cannot be re-closed, as shown in Figure 2C.

In Figures 3 and 4 a closure assembly 300 and closure 400 respectively, formed according to an embodiment is shown. The closure assembly comprises an overcap 100 and a closure 301 comprising a gap generating mechanism (orchid assembly) 25 which fits within a shell 3 (see Figures 3 and 4). In this embodiment the shell 3 is formed as a sleeve. The closure assembly 400 is assembled by fitting the shell 3 over the gap generating mechanism 25. The overcap 100 is then fitted on, as shown in Figure 4 in a sectional view. The sleeve 3 is divided into an upper portion 3A and a lower portion 3B separated at a split line 40. The overcap 100 is divided into an upper portion I 00A and a lower portion I 00B separated at a split line 4, which is substantially co-axial to the split line 40 of the sleeve 3 of the closure 301.

There now follows a description of a gap generating mechanism which could be used together with the tamper-evident overcap of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a closure generally indicated 400 which can be secured onto a container neck.

The closure 400 comprises a main body 20, an inner part 15 and an outer part 3A, i.e the upper cup-shape part of the sleeve 3, and a lower cylindrical part 3B of the sleeve 3. The parts 3A, 3B are separated at a split line 40 formed by a cutting process once the sleeve 3 has been applied to first and second portions of the closure.

The main body 20 can be fixed onto the container neck by clips which project inwardly and engage under a shoulder. A valve housing 55 is clipped into the main body 20.

A float valve 65 is housed in the housing 55 and can seal against a valve seat to prevent re-filling of the container. A valve control ball 70 is located on top of the float valve 65.

In use a cap part, comprised of the upper part 3A of the sleeve 3 and the upper part I 00A of the overcap 100, is rotated. This unscrews the upper part I 00A of the overcap 100 and the upper part 3A of the shell from the inner part 15. The outer part 3A unscrews until a locking mechanism 25 locks it to the inner part 15. The locking mechanism is described in more detail in WO 2015/ 1 1 385 1 A l , Page 7, Line 12 to Page 8, Line 46 as well as Page 9, Line I to Page 10, Line 32, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, With the upper part 3A of the sleeve 3 and the upper part I 00A of the overcap 100 locked together, the inner part 15 can then be unscrewed from the main body 20. Thereby, the upper part 3A of the sleeve 3 as well as the upper part I 00A of the overcap 100 split from their respective lower parts 3B and I 00B at the respective split lines 40 and 4.

When the cap part (upper part 3A of the sleeve 3, upper part I 00A of the overcap 100, inner part 15) is screwed back onto the main body 20, a gap G is formed between the first and second sleeve parts 3A and 3B. This is because the outer part 3A cannot be screwed completely back down onto the inner part 15 by virtue of the locking mechanism 25. In addition, the bottom of the inner part 15 protrudes below the bottom of the outer part 3A so as to be visible in the gap G.

The gap G formed between the sleeve parts 3A, 3B is unobstructed in the sense that there is no obstruction member trapped between the parts 3A, 3B.

In Figure 5 the overcap 100 attached to the outer sleeve 3 is depicted. In addition, the line of weakness 7, wherein the tamper-evident band I 00B will split when the cap part is rotated without removing the tamper-evident band I 00B beforehand is indicated. The tamper-evident band I 00B will split in this embodiment in a co-axial horizontal direction.

In Figure 6A, the sleeve 3 with a rib assembly/ ratchet arrangement 3C of the closure 301 and the tamper-evident band I 00B located around the sleeve 3 is depicted in a cross-sectional perspective view. The tamper-evident band I 00B exhibits ribs 6 in a staggered arrangement with the ribs 3C of the sleeve. The distance between the ribs 6 of the tamper-evident band I 00B and the sleeve 3 determine the degree of movement until the ribs 3C, 6 will engage. According to the invention, only one rib 6 on the inside of the tamper-evident band I 00B is needed in order to function as a tamper evident means. Upon rotation of the overcap relatively to the closure, the overcap i.e. tamper-evident band I 00B will have around 15° of movement before the rib 6 or the ribs 6 located inside of the tamper- evident band I 00B will engage with the ribs 3C of the rib assembly/ ratchet arrangement of the surface of the sleeve 3. Before the ribs engage, two new ramped ribs 6 attempt to ride over ribs 3C on the sleeve 3. A small recess 8 in the shape of a slit added to the inside of the tamper-evident band I 00B causes it to break before the tamper-evident band 100B drops off.

Thereby, the ribs 3C, 6 engage and when a further torque is applied, i.e. the overcap 100 is rotated above 15°, the tension at the engaged ribs 3C, 6 will result in breaking the tamper-evident band I 00B at its weakest point. According to an embodiment of the invention, this weakest point (zone of weakness 7) is introduced by a slit, i.e. a recess 8 from inside of the tamper-evident band I 00B. Due to this recess 8 the tamper-evident band I 00B will be more receptive to the applied force and hence the tamper-evident band I 00B will break at /around the area of the recess 8. As shown in the enlargement section of Figure 6A, the two engaging ribs 3C, 6 are designed to facilitate a tight engagement by a tight interlocking. In addition, the recess 8 is located directly next to the rib 6 of the tamper-evident band I 00B. By that measure the slit is not visible from the outside of the closure. In addition, the line of weakness i.e. the location where the tamper-evident band I 00B will break can be specifically determined. In a further embodiment of the invention, the slit is visible from the outside of the overcap.

Figure 6B shows basically the arrangement of the tamper-evident band I 00B located around the sleeve 3 as depicted in Figure 6A in a cross-sectional view.

Figure 7A depicts the overcap 100 mounted onto the sleeve 3. The line A indicates a cutting line. Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view through the tamper-evident band

I 00B through the cutting line A. Apart from the tamper-evident band I 00B and the sleeve 3, the closure 301 further comprises a gap generating mechanism as the inner part 25 which fits within the shell 3. Furthermore, the engagement of the ratchet arrangement of the ribs 3C of the sleeve 3B with the ribs 6 of the tamper-evident band

I 00B is depicted. Figures 8A and 8B show the dove-tailed shape ribs 6. When the tamper-evident band I 00B is rotated relative to the closure 301 , these dove-tail ribs 6 facilitate the tamper-evident band I 00B being pulled onto the sleeve 3.

The present invention thus provides a tamper-evident overcap for a closure, the tamper-evident comprising a first portion and a second portion releasably connected to the first portion, the second portion intended to be broken away from the first portion during first opening of the closure to indicate that the closure has been opened at least once, the second portion comprising a zone of weakness and at least one inwardly directed projection that is configured to engage with at least one projection on the exterior surface of the closure in the event that the overcap is rotated relative to the closure without the second portion having been separated from the first portion to cause the second portion to break at the zone of weakness to provide an indication of the attempt to open the closure without the second portion having been removed. The present invention provides an improved tamper-evident overcap for a closure. The present invention also provides a closure comprising the improved tamper-evident overcap. The present invention further provides an overcap and closure combination comprising the improved tamper-evident overcap.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tamper-evident overcap for a closure, comprising:

a cap superior part fixable to an exterior surface of the closure, and

a co-axial annular inferior part which is releasably connected to the cap superior part and which comprises at least one inwardly directed projection facing an interior of the overcap and at least one zone of weakness.

2. The tamper-evident overcap of claim I , wherein said at least one inwardly directed projection is capable of interacting with at least one projection located on the exterior surface of the closure.

3. The tamper-evident overcap of claim I or claim 2, wherein the or a zone of weakness is in proximity to the or an inwardly directed projection of the co-axial annular inferior part.

4. The tamper-evident overcap of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the or a zone of weakness is one of: a predetermined breaking point, a line of weakness, a slit, a recess or a line of frangible bridges of the co-axial annular inferior part.

5. The tamper-evident overcap of any one of claims I to 4, wherein the at least one projection is one of: a rib, a dove-tail shape projection, a ramp element, a ratchet element.

6. The tamper-evident overcap of any one of claims I to 5, wherein said coaxial annular inferior part comprises two or more inwardly directed projections.

7. The tamper-evident overcap of any one of claims I to 6, wherein the coaxial annular inferior part is a tamper-evident band, preferably a tamper-evident tear off band.

8. The tamper-evident overcap of any one of claims I to 7, wherein said coaxial annular inferior part is releasably connected to said cap superior part by a plurality of frangible bridges.

9. A closure comprising the tamper-evident overcap of any one of claims I to

8.

1 0. A closure and overcap combination comprising:

a closure comprising at least one projection located on an exterior surface of the closure, and

the tamper-evident overcap of any one of claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 7 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein

said at least one inwardly directed projection of the co-axial annular inferior part is brought into engagement with said at least one projection of the closure upon rotation of the tamper-evident overcap relative to the closure.

I I . The closure and overcap combination of claim 10, wherein the tamper- evident overcap can be freely rotated between I ° to 45°, preferably 5° to 25°, of movement before the at least one inwardly directed projection of the co-axial annular inferior part engages with the at least one projection of the closure.

1 . The closure and overcap combination of claim 10 or claim I I , wherein the tamper-evident overcap is rotatable clockwise or anticlockwise relative to the closure until projections of the tamper-evident overcap and the closure engage.

1 3. The closure and overcap combination of any one of claims 10 to 1 2, wherein the closure comprises a shell, the shell comprising a first shell part and a second shell part, wherein the superior cap part of the tamper-evident overcap is fixed to the first shell part and the co-axial annular inferior part which is releasably connected to the cap superior part is releasably fixed to the second shell part.

1 4. The closure and overcap combination of any one of claims 10 to 1 3, wherein the torque of the engagement of the projections of the tamper-evident overcap and the closure causes the co-axial annular inferior part to break at the zone of weakness.

1 5. The closure and overcap combination of claim 1 4, wherein the co-axial annular inferior part breaks before the releasable connection between the co-axial annular inferior part and the cap superior part of the tamper-evident overcap breaks.