ZA200905785B - A screw cap having a tamper-evident band - Google Patents
A screw cap having a tamper-evident band Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- ZA200905785B ZA200905785B ZA200905785A ZA200905785A ZA200905785B ZA 200905785 B ZA200905785 B ZA 200905785B ZA 200905785 A ZA200905785 A ZA 200905785A ZA 200905785 A ZA200905785 A ZA 200905785A ZA 200905785 B ZA200905785 B ZA 200905785B
- Authority
- ZA
- South Africa
- Prior art keywords
- cap
- cap according
- seal
- retention
- opening
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008030 elimination Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011031 large-scale manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010008 shearing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D41/00—Caps, e.g. crown caps or crown seals, i.e. members having parts arranged for engagement with the external periphery of a neck or wall defining a pouring opening or discharge aperture; Protective cap-like covers for closure members, e.g. decorative covers of metal foil or paper
- B65D41/32—Caps or cap-like covers with lines of weakness, tearing-strips, tags, or like opening or removal devices, e.g. to facilitate formation of pouring openings
- B65D41/34—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt
- B65D41/3423—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt
- B65D41/3428—Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt with flexible tabs, or elements rotated from a non-engaging to an engaging position, formed on the tamper element or in the closure skirt the tamper element being integrally connected to the closure by means of bridges
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Description
[] . ) .
A SCREW CAP HAVING A TAMPER-EVIDENT BAND
The present invention relates to a screw cap having a tamper-evident band.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a screw cap which has a tamper-evident band without a strip for the rapid opening of the band, and the tamper-evident band of which remains torn but connected to the cap once the latter has been unscrewed for the first time.
The advantage of this type of cap resides in the availability of a tamper-evident band or seal which does not remain on the neck of the bottle when the cap is unscrewed.
Screw caps which have a tamper-evident band without a strip for the rapid opening of the band are known. The band is connected to the main body of the cap by means of bridges for controlled breakage along the entire circumferential region of confluence between the band and the main body of the cap. In addition, the band is provided internally with projecting band- retention elements which impede the coming away of the seal. When the cap is unscrewed for the first time, the retention elements prevent the axial movement of the tamper-evident band. The bridges for controlled breakage therefore break owing to the shearing caused by the unscrewing movement.
The band becomes completely separated from the rest of the cap and remains on the neck as evidence of the first opening.
However, cases of tampering have been detected in which, once the cap has been unscrewed for the first time and the contents of the bottle have been impaired, the cap is screwed on again and the bridges for controlled breakage are adhesively bonded, the cap returning to its original position.
AP1353ZA00/COMP
; .
In order to prevent this type of tampering, screw caps having a tamper-evident band are known in which the bridges for controlled opening occupy only one sector of the confluence zone between the main body of the cap and the tamper-evident band, the band and the main body of the cap being connected by a continuous wall of material in a circumferential sector. In addition, the band has a cut in the axial direction which is in register with one of the ends of the said continuous connecting wall between the tamper-evident band and the main body of the cap. Consequently, the tamper-evident band is torn after the cap has been unscrewed for the first time but does not become separated from the main body. Owing to the stresses occurring at the ends of the continuous connecting wall between the main body and the tamper-evident band, the material (generally a plastics material, typically polyethylene) which forms the tamper-evident band becomes deformed and it is impossible to re- bond the connecting bridges between the tamper-evident band and the main body of the cap.
The main disadvantage of this last type of cap is that its method of manufacture is expensive and unsuited to the economies of scale of large production runs. For, both the said axial cut and the separation zone between the circumferential band and the main body of the cap are obtained by cutting the already moulded cap. To do this, it is necessary to use two blades, one which makes an axial cut and another which makes a cut along a circumferential sector. In this process, the adjustment of the blades is critical, given that the end points of the axial cut and of the circumferential cut must be in register. During the production process, the blades become displaced, which means that production has to be stopped and a readjustment carried out. This is expensive and, consequently, the cost of manufacture is not reduced for large-scale production.
An object of the present invention is to provide a screw cap having a tamper- evident band, in which the tamper-evident band does not become separated from the main body of the cap after the latter has been unscrewed, and which
AP1353ZA00/COMP tl ) 2009/0575 does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, also having additional operational advantages.
In particular, the present invention consists in a screw cap having an internal thread and a tamper-evident band or seal which can be torn by unscrewing the cap and which is secured to the main body thereof by means of points for controlled breakage, the seal having on its internal face (a) projecting retention element(s), characterised in that the said zone of connection by points for controlled breakage between the seal and the main body extends along the entire circumferential perimeter of the cap, in that the seal has a recess or an opening in the general axial direction at a point and in that the said retention element(s) is (are) distributed uniformly along the internal face of the seal except in a circumferential section adjacent to the said recess or opening in the general axial direction, which section is free from the said projecting retention elements.
Preferably, the said circumferential section is located on the side of the said opening opposite the direction of rotation for opening the cap, defined by the said internal thread.
The cap to which the present invention relates has the following advantages: 1) The axial opening or recess can be produced directly during the moulding process. 2) The connecting zone between the seal and the main body with points for controlled breakage can be produced by cutting the already moulded cap with a blade. Given that the zone includes the entire circumferential perimeter, it is not necessary to coordinate/adjust the operation of the blade with respect to the other blade or to the axial opening or recess, and therefore no displacements occur during production. 3) The absence of retention elements in a circumferential sector adjacent to the axial opening or recess ensures that the seal does
AP1353ZA00/COMP
£2009/057g5 not become separated from the main body and, in addition, facilitates the removal thereof once unscrewed. 4) Moreover, owing to the fact that the breakage points are distributed circumferentially along the perimeter, the user can also complete 5 the tearing of the seal once the cap has been removed, discarding the seal from the main body of the cap. 5) The cap according to the present invention needs less material than a conventional cap, due to the elimination of several retention elements, without additional material needed.
All this results in a cap which is more economical and more functional compared with the prior art.
Preferably, the axial retention element(s) comprise(s) more than one uniformly distributed projecting element.
Preferably, the axial retention element(s) comprise(s) at least two projecting elements for retention in respect of movement in the axial direction, which elements are distributed uniformly along the internal face of the seal, except in the said circumferential sector.
More preferably, the said circumferential sector comprises an angle greater than that corresponding to the result of dividing 360° between the existing number of retention elements. Even more preferably, the angle covered by the circumferential sector is equal to or greater than twice the corresponding angle of the result of dividing 360° between the existing number of retention elements.
Alternatively, and likewise in a preferable manner, the said angle covered by the said circumferential sector is from 60° to 150°, and even more preferably from more than 90° to 130°.
AP1353ZA00/COMP
6 852009705785
The number of projecting retention elements may be variable; according to tests carried out by the inventor, the optimum number of elements is four.
Preferably, the retention elements are those referred to in the field as “petals” or folds of material in the wall.
For a better understanding of the invention, some drawings of an embodiment of the present invention are appended by way of non-limiting example.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cap according to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment in front elevation.
Figure 3 is another view of the embodiment in side elevation.
Figure 4 is a view of the cap of the embodiment in sectioned side elevation.
Figure 5 is a view of the cap of the embodiment in sectioned rear elevation.
Figure 6 is a sectioned bottom view.
Figure 7 is another perspective view of the cap of the embodiment.
Figure 8 is a view of the cap of the embodiment on the neck of a bottle.
Figure 9 shows diagrammatically a process for the first unscrewing of the cap of the embodiment.
Figure 10 shows a cap which has already been unscrewed, with the seal torn.
Figure 11 shows a detail of the internal face of the cap, in the zone corresponding to the axial opening or recess.
API1353ZA00/COMP :
Figure 12 shows a detail of the same zone once the seal has been torn.
The Figures show an embodiment of the present invention which consists in a cap of plastics material which has a generally cylindrical shape and which comprises a main body 1 which has a generally cylindrical shape and which has, internally, a thread 25 for screwing it on to a mating thread located on the neck 100 of a bottle.
At its lower portion, and in the manner of a skirt, the cap has a security band or seal 2 which is connected to the main body 1 by way of bridges or points for controlled breakage 221 which are distributed uniformly along a material-free line 22 which includes the entire circumferential perimeter of the cap. All the points for controlled breakage 221 are of the same dimensions and shape.
The material-free line 22 can be obtained by making a cut in the cap of plastics material which has already been moulded or injection-moulded, in accordance with known techniques.
The seal 2 also has an opening 21 arranged in the axial direction, the purpose of which is to cause a weakening of the seal along a major portion of its height in order to cause a breakage of the seal 2 along the line defined by the opening 21. As can be seen in Figures 11 and 12, the axial arrangement of the opening 21 generates two bridges for controlled breakage 211, 212 in the tamper-evident band or seal 2.
Internally, the seal has elements for retention in respect of movement in the axial direction 241, 242, 243,... The object of these elements is to impede the movement of the seal in the axial direction, so that the unscrewing of the cap causes the breakage of the various elements for controlled breakage existing in the seal 2. Various retention elements of this type are known. According to tests carried out by the inventor, it is preferable to use those referred to as “petals” 241, 242, 243, which consist in folds in the wall of the seal. The number is variable, and may be one, although tests have shown that the
API1353ZA00/COMP functioning of the cap is improved when four petals are used, as in the embodiment shown. Each petal covers approximately 60°.
A circumferential zone or section 23 which is free from retention elements 241, 5s 242, 243 is provided on the internal face of the seal 2. The circumferential zone or section 23 is adjacent to the opening 21 and, in the embodiment shown, is located on the side opposite the direction of opening of the cap defined by the internal thread 25. The absence of petals means that the controlled breakage of the seal (initiated in the opening 21) stops on reaching the said zone, with the result that the seal remains connected to the cap.
Furthermore, the resulting stresses cause the seal to become deformed during the opening operation (see Figures 8 to 10). However, given that the breakage line 22 is distributed along the perimeter, it is possible to complete the tearing off of the seal manually once the cap has been removed from the bottle. In the embodiment, the circumferential sector 23 covers approximately 120°, corresponding to twice the angle covered by each of the petals 241, 242, 243.
In general, anything which does not affect, impair, change or modify the essence of what has been described, will be within the scope of the present invention.
AP1353ZA00/COMP
Claims (14)
1. A screw cap having an internal thread and a tamper-evident band or seal which can be torn by unscrewing the cap and which is secured to the main body thereof by means of points for controlled breakage, the seal having on its internal face (a) projecting retention element(s), characterised in that said zone of connection between the seal and the main body by points for controlled breakage extends along the entire circumferential perimeter of the cap, in that the seal has a recess or an opening in the general axial direction at a point and in that said retention element(s) is (are) distributed uniformly along the internal face of the seal except in a circumferential section adjacent to said recess or opening in the general axial direction, which section is free from said projecting retention elements.
2. A cap according to claim 1, characterised in that said circumferential section is located on the side of the said opening opposite the direction of rotation for opening the cap, defined by the said internal thread.
3. A cap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the axial retention element(s) comprise(s) more than one uniformly distributed projecting element.
4. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the axial retention element(s) comprise(s) at least two projecting elements for retention in respect of movement in the axial direction, which elements are distributed uniformly along the internal face of the seal, except in the said circumferential sector.
30. 5. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said circumferential sector comprises an angle greater than that AP1353ZA00/COMP corresponding to the result of dividing 360° between the existing number of said retention elements.
6. A cap according to claim 5, characterised in that the angle covered by said circumferential sector is equal to or greater than twice the corresponding angle of the result of dividing 360° between the existing number of said retention elements.
7. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said circumferential sector covers an angle of from 60° to 150°.
8. A cap according to claim 7, characterised in that said circumferential sector covers an angle of from more than 90° to 130°.
9. A cap according to claim 8, characterised in that said circumferential sector covers an angle of more than 120°.
10. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the tamper-evident band has four of said elements for retention in respect of movement in the axial direction.
11. A cap according to any one of the said claims 1 to 10, characterised in that said elements for retention in respect of movement in the axial direction comprise folds of material in the wall, or petals.
12. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the cap is produced from plastics material.
13. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that said recess or opening in the general axial direction consists in an opening in the axial direction which defines two bridges for controlled breakage in the tamper-evident band. AP1353ZA00/COMP
11 oo a
14. A cap according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that all the points for controlled breakage are of the same shape and dimensions. Dated this 18" day of August 2009 VON SEIDELS Intellectual Property Attorneys for the applicant AP1353ZA00/COMP
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES200900326A ES2321471B1 (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2009-02-05 | "THREADED PLUG WITH GUARANTEE BAND". |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| ZA200905785B true ZA200905785B (en) | 2010-05-26 |
Family
ID=40723275
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA200905785A ZA200905785B (en) | 2009-02-05 | 2009-08-20 | A screw cap having a tamper-evident band |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| ES (1) | ES2321471B1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA200905785B (en) |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6484896B2 (en) * | 1997-08-01 | 2002-11-26 | Portola Packaging, Inc. | Tamper evidencing closure |
| US6053344A (en) * | 1998-07-02 | 2000-04-25 | Owens-Illinois Closure Inc. | Tamper-indicating closure and method of manufacture |
| FR2813288B1 (en) * | 2000-08-23 | 2003-02-21 | Rical Sa | INVIOLABILITY SYSTEM FOR A PLUG COMPRISING MEANS FOR LOCKING THE RADIAL DEFORMATION OF THE INVIOLABILITY RING DURING ASSEMBLY |
| US6736280B1 (en) * | 2002-12-19 | 2004-05-18 | Felipe Lopez Zapata | Tamper-proof cap for bottles |
-
2009
- 2009-02-05 ES ES200900326A patent/ES2321471B1/en active Active
- 2009-08-20 ZA ZA200905785A patent/ZA200905785B/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ES2321471B1 (en) | 2010-01-27 |
| ES2321471A1 (en) | 2009-06-05 |
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