The present invention relates generally to the field of containers. The present invention relates specifically to a closure including a tamper band and dispenser for a container. Conventional containers may include a threaded neck or dispensing spout that engages with cooperating threads of a closure to seal the container. Closures may also include a tamper band that breaks or provides some other form of visual indication that the closure has been altered.
One embodiment of the invention relates to a closure for a container. The closure includes an inner wall having a first end and a second end, and an interior surface that defines a central axis. The closure further includes a thread on the interior surface of the inner wall. The closure further includes an end wall that encloses the first end of the inner wall. The closure further includes an outer sidewall having a first end and a second end, where the inner wall is located inside of and surrounded by the outer sidewall. The closure further includes a channel located between the inner wall and the outer sidewall that allows air to pass through the closure. The closure further includes a support structure coupling the inner wall to the outer sidewall. The closure further includes a tamper band extending downward away from the second end of the inner wall. The tamper band includes a radially outward facing surface and a radially inward facing surface. The tamper band further includes first and second frangible connectors coupling the tamper band to the second end of the inner wall. The tamper band further includes first and second hinge connectors coupling the tamper band to the second end of the inner wall. The tamper band further includes a first gap and a second gap extending between the radially outward facing surface and the radially inward facing surface, where the first hinge connector is located between the first and the second gaps in the counterclockwise direction. The tamper band further includes a rib extending radially inward from the radially inward facing surface and extending in the circumferential direction along the radially inward facing surface, where the rib includes an upper surface extending radially inward and away from an upper edge of the radially inward facing surface and a lower surface extending radially inward and away from a lower edge of the radially inward facing surface.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a plastic closure for a container. The plastic closure includes a sidewall defining a longitudinal axis and having first end and a second end. The plastic closure further includes an end wall sealed to the first end of the sidewall. The plastic closure further includes a thread extending from an inner surface of the sidewall. The plastic closure further includes a tamper-indicating band positioned below the second end of the sidewall. The tamper-indicating band includes a first portion having a clockwise facing surface and a counterclockwise facing surface where the first portion extends at least 130 degrees around the second end of the sidewall. The tamper-indicating band further includes a second portion having a clockwise facing surface and a counterclockwise facing surface where the second portion extends around at least 130 degrees of the second end of the sidewall. The tamper-indicating band further includes a first hinge connection coupling the first portion to the second end of the sidewall and a second hinge connection coupling the second portion to the second end of the sidewall. The tamper-indicating band further includes a first gap defined between the clockwise facing surface of the first portion and the counterclockwise facing surface of the second portion and a second gap defined between the clockwise facing surface of the second portion and the counterclockwise facing surface of the first portion. The tamper-indicating band further includes a first frangible connection connecting the clockwise facing surface of the first portion to the counterclockwise facing surface of the second portion. The tamper-indicating band further includes a second frangible connection connecting the counterclockwise facing surface of the first portion to the clockwise facing surface of the second portion.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a cap and dispenser assembly. The dispenser includes a tube defining a longitudinal axis having an exterior surface and a central channel extending between a first opening and a second opening. The dispenser further includes a top sealing surface defining a first end of the plastic tube. The dispenser further includes a thread extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the tube. The dispenser further includes an annular rim extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the tube below the thread. The dispenser further includes a first tab and a second tab extending radially outward from the exterior surface of the tube located above the annular rim and below the thread. The cap includes a sidewall centered around the longitudinal axis having an internal surface, a first end, and a second end. The cap further includes an outer shell surrounding the sidewall and a support structure coupling the outer shell to the sidewall such that rotation of the outer shell imparts rotation to the sidewall. The cap further includes a thread on the internal surface of the sidewall configured to engage with the thread on the exterior surface of the tube. The cap further includes a tamper band extending from the second end of the sidewall. The tamper band includes a first gap and a second gap defined in the tamper band. The tamper band further includes a first frangible connection and a second frangible connection between the tamper band and the second end of the sidewall. The first frangible connection is located above the first gap and the second frangible connection is located above the second gap. The tamper band extends around the dispenser such that the first tab of the dispenser extends at least a portion of the distance through the first gap and the second tab of the dispenser extends at least a portion of the distance through the second gap. Upon rotation of the cap relative to the dispenser, surfaces of the tamper band defining the first gap and the second gap engage respectively with the first tab and the second tab of the dispenser, causing the first and second frangible connections to break.
Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.
This application will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to like elements in which:
Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a closure and related spout are described. The closure has an inner wall enclosed by an end wall with an internal thread on the inner surface of the inner wall. The closure may include a sealing rim that extends down from the inner surface of the end wall. The inner wall is radially surrounded by an outer sidewall, with a passage between the inner wall and the outer sidewall that allows airflow through the closure. The embodiments of the closure include a tamper indicating band, also referred to as a tamper band or safety band. The tamper band is configured to provide a visual indication to the end user that the closure has not been opened since being sealed by the manufacturer.
The tamper band, which in one embodiment is a ring or loop of material located below the end of the inner wall, is attached to the inner wall of the closure with hinge connectors and frangible connectors. The tamper band includes an internal surface having an internal rim or rib that interacts with the dispenser assembly to permanently deform the tamper band upon removal of the closure by a user. The tamper band also includes gaps to interact with a dispenser assembly. Specifically, upon rotation, tabs on the dispenser assembly engage within the gaps of the tamper band, and further rotation of the closure causes the frangible connectors to break. In addition, the same rotating action of the closure causes an internal rim of the tamper band to engage a surface on the spout pushing the now broken tamper band outward. Through the combination of breaking of the frangible connectors and the action of the hinge connectors, the tamper band is broken and displaced, providing the visual indication to a user that the closure is opened while at the same time keeping the broken tamper band secured to the closure.
Compared to at least some conventional tamper bands, the tamper bands discussed herein are configured to provide increased visibility after the closure is opened. Specifically, as discussed in more detail below, the tamper band not only includes breaks points of connection with the main portion of the closure, but also includes hinge connections which allow the tamper band to rotate outward, increasing the visibility of the broken tamper band.
The rotation occurs in two steps and in two directions. In the first step, the initial twist by the user causes the first connection point between a portion of the tamper band and the main portion of the closure to break; the end of the portion of the tamper band connected to the first connection point swings radially outward as it comes into contact with a tab on the dispenser assembly during the counterclockwise rotation of the closure by the user. In the second step, the subsequent lift of the closure by the user breaks the second connection point between a portion of the tamper band and the main portion of the closure; the entire tamper band, now in separated portions, is forced outwards and upwards as it is pulled over the alignment rim on the dispenser assembly. This rotation of the separated portions of the tamper band creates a highly visible signal to the user that the closure has been tampered with prior to opening by the end user.
In addition, the closure and the tamper band discussed herein may be particularly suitable for containers, for example food or drink containers, intended for use by children. For example, because the tamper band remains attached to the closure after the container is opened, the likelihood that the tamper band is accidentally swallowed by a user may be reduced. For example, because the tamper band is removed along with the removal of the closure, it does not remain near the opening of the container where a user may place their mouth. In addition, in contrast to many single walled closures, the closure embodiments discussed herein include inner and outer walls separated by a space that allows passage of air through the closure. This configuration may allow a user to breath and seek medical attention if the closure becomes lodged in the airway of a user.
Referring to
Below the inner wall 58, the closure 50 has a tamper band or tamper-indicating band, shown as safety band 62, that extends around the dispenser assembly, shown as spout 10. The safety band 62 of the closure 50 includes a gap 64. Above the gap 64 in the safety band 62, the frangible connection, shown as bridge of material 66 over the gap 64 in the safety band 62, is shown unstretched and unbroken, signifying to the user that the closure 50 has not previously been removed from spout 10. In some embodiments, the length of the bridge of material 66 as it extends around the circumference of the safety band 62 measures between 0.015 and 0.030 inches. The frangible connection, shown as the band of material 66 over the gap 64 in the safety band 62 has a radial width or a radial dimension that is measured along a radius extending from the central axis. Similarly, the safety band 62 has a radial width or radial dimension that can be measured from an inner edge to an outer edge of the safety band 62 along a radius extending from the central axis.
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
When the container 100 is opened, not only are the bands of material 66 above the gaps 64 in the safety band 62 stretched and broken, but the safety band 62 itself is displaced radially outward by the removal of the closure 50. If the closure 50 is placed back on the container 100, the safety band 62 remains in the displaced position relative to its original position, having been pushed radially outwards away from the central axis and axially upwards by the annular rim 16. The displacement of the safety band 62 is shown in greater detail in
Referring to
Referring to
When assembled with spout 10, the upper portion 82 of the internal surface 80 of the safety band 62 is positioned against the alignment rim 16 of the spout 10 when the closure 50 is assembled onto the spout 10. When the closure 50 is removed with an upwards twisting motion by the end user, the position of the lower portion 84 of the internal surface 80 of the safety band 62 as radially inside the upper portion 82 means that the entire safety band 62 is forced outwards against the alignment rim 16. When the lower portion 84 is pushed against the alignment rim 16, the safety band 62 hinges outwards and permanently deforms, signaling to the user that the closure 50 has been opened after manufacture.
The safety band 62 as shown in
When assembled, the slope of the internal surface 80 from W1 to W2 rests against the annular rim 16 of the spout 10. When the closure 50 is pulled upwards by a user, the resistance from the annular rim 16 forces the displacement of the safety band 62 radially outwards. W3 is smaller than W2 to allow for the sliding of the safety band 62 over the alignment rim 16 of the spout 10 during initial assembly. When the closure 50 is initially placed onto the spout 10, the angled surface from the lower most edge of the closure 50 up to the longitudinal point at which the maximum width W2 occurs allows for placement of the closure 50 without any stretching or breaking of the bridge of material 66 over the gap 64 or any other damage to the safety band 62. In one embodiment, the safety band 62 snaps into place over the alignment rim 16 during assembly.
Referring to
Referring again to
Alternatively, referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the vertical stabilizers 60, or any other features of the closure 50, may be described as diametrically opposite one another. This means that the features are approximately 180 degrees around a circumference from one another, within +/−10 degrees of 180 degrees. Additionally, if a range of error is not otherwise specified for a measurement described in degrees, the range of error should include all degrees within +/−10 of the measurement, inclusively.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The shape of the tabs 18 can be seen most clearly in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In addition, closure 120 includes an internal rim 130 of the safety band 128 extending from the radially inward facing surface of safety band 128. The internal rim 130 of the safety band 128 extends around a smaller portion of the circumference of the safety band 128 than the internal rim of the closure 50. As shown the internal rim 130 of the safety band 128 does not extend the entire circumferential distance from the clockwise facing surface to the counterclockwise facing surface of a portion of the safety band 128 of the closure 120. In the embodiment shown, the internal rim 130 of the safety band 128 is not continuous in the circumferential around the inner surface of safety band 128 and includes a gap or space in rim 130 shown at 132.
Referring to
In various embodiments, the closure 50 and/or spout 10 may be formed from a molded plastic material. In various embodiments, closure 50 and/or spout 10 may be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or any other suitable plastic material. In various embodiments, the closure 50 and/or spout 10 may be formed through any suitable molding method including, injection molding, compression molding, etc.
It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above in the implementation of the teachings of the present disclosure.
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