BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
The present disclosure relates to overcaps for mounting on the top of cans or containers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a tamper-evident overcap having a tear strip that must be removed before the overcap can be removed from the can or container.
Overcaps provide a protective covering for a dispensing device (e.g., push-to-spray button, discharge nozzle, etc.) positioned on the can or container. To remove the contents of the can or container, the cap is removed and the dispensing device is activated. Such overcaps are typically formed in a mold using a plastics material such as polypropylene or high-density polyethylene.
The cans or containers are stored in warehouses and later displayed on store shelves for purchase by consumers. During the time period when the cans or containers are stored and displayed, they may be accessible to people who wish to tamper with them. It is known to provide a tear strip that is appended to a bottom portion of the overcap. If the tear strip is missing when the consumer purchases the product, then the consumer is put on notice that the can or container may have been tampered with. After the tear strip is removed from the overcap, a remaining closure portion of the overcap is used to cover the can or container.
According to the present disclosure, a tamper-evident overcap is provided for mounting on a can having a dispenser valve and an annular lip surrounding the dispenser valve. The overcap includes a closure and a tear strip appended to the closure along a frangible tear line.
The tear strip includes, in series, a pull tab, a first arcuate section carrying a first retainer flange, a tether section, and a second arcuate section carrying a second retainer flange. The closure includes a base having a second curved wall carrying a third retainer flange and a first curved wall carrying a fourth retainer flange. The tether section is spaced-apart from the second curved wall yet is arranged to interconnect the first and second arcuate sections. Thus, the pull tab can be used to separate, in sequence, the first and second arcuate sections (carrying the first and second retainer flanges) from the base of the closure without disturbing the first and second curved walls (carrying the third and fourth retainer flanges).
Prior to separation of the tear strip from the closure, when the overcap is mounted on the can, each of the first, second, third, and fourth retainer flanges engages the underside of the annular lip on the can to retain the overcap in a mounted position on the can. Thus, all four retainer flanges will engage the annular lip as long as the tear strip remains coupled to the base of the closure.
Before a user removes the overcap from the can for the first time, the user will use the pull tab to separate the tear strip from the closure along the frangible tear line to disengage the first and second retainer flanges from the annular lip. At this stage, only the third and fourth retainer flanges provided on the closure engage the annular lip on the can to retain the overcap in a mounted position on the can. Thereafter, only the third and fourth retainer flanges provided on the closure will be used to retain the overcap in the mounted position on the can. Thus, the first and second retainer flanges on the tear strip are called “temporary” retainer flanges herein because they do not remain with the closure after separation of the tear strip from the closure. The third and fourth retainer flanges on the closure are called “permanent” retainer flanges herein because they remain with the closure after separation of the tear strip from the closure.
Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tamper-evident overcap configured to be mounted on an aerosol can as shown in FIG. 4, the overcap including a closure having a circular top and an annular side extending downwardly from the circular top toward a base and a removable, annular tear strip appended to and encircling the base of the closure;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the “inverted” overcap of FIG. 1 showing the annular tear strip (including its pull tab) in more detail;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the inverted overcap of FIG. 2 showing that the annular tear strip includes, in series (in a clockwise direction beginning at 2:00 ‘o’clock), a pull tab, a first arcuate section carrying a curved first retainer flange, a U-shaped tether section spaced from the base of the closure, and a second arcuate section carrying a curved second retainer flange;
FIG. 4 is a “flat development” of an inwardly facing surface of a cylindrical side wall of the base of the closure and portions of the annular tear strip (from the inverted perspective shown in FIG. 2) before the tear strip is separated from the base of the closure showing a first band appended to six spaced stacking ribs and a second band connecting to the first band and carrying four retainer flanges and comprising (in series from left to right) a first curved wall (of the base), the first arcuate section (of the tear strip), a second curved wall (of the base), and a second arcuate section (of the tear strip);
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tamper-evident overcap of FIGS. 1-3 mounted on an aerosol can;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the overcap of FIG. 4 taken along line 6—6 of FIG. 5 showing engagement of portions of the closure and the annular tear strip with an annular lip of the aerosol can when the overcap is mounted on the aerosol can in a tamper-evident mounted position;
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the overcap and portions of the aerosol can taken along line 7—7 of FIG. 6 showing that the annular tear strip includes, in series (in a counterclockwise direction beginning at 9:00 o'clock), a pull tab, a first arcuate section carrying a first retainer flange (in phantom), a tether section spaced from the base of the closure, and a second arcuate section carrying a second retainer flange (in phantom) and showing that the base of the closure includes a third retainer flange (in phantom) located between the first and second retainer flanges and near the tether section and a fourth retainer flange (in phantom) located between the second and first retainer flanges and near the pull tab, wherein each of the four retainer flanges engages the underside of the annular lip to retain the overcap in the tamper-evident mounted position on the aerosol can until the annular tear strip is separated from the base of the closure;
FIGS. 8-10 show a series of steps in which the annular tear strip is pulled manually using a counterclockwise pulling motion to separate the annular tear strip from the base of the closure so that the first and second retainer flanges included in the tear strip are disengaged from the annular lip of the aerosol can after separation of the tear strip from the closure base causing only the third and fourth retainer flanges included in the base of the closure to engage the underside of the annular lip to retain the overcap in place on the aerosol can;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 7 showing separation of the pull tab and the first arcuate section from the closure base and disengagement of the first retainer flange from the annular lip on the aerosol can;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing partial separation of the second arcuate section from the closure base and partial disengagement of the second retainer flange from the annular lip of the aerosol can;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 showing final separation of the tear strip from the closure base and retention of the overcap on the annular lip of the aerosol can using only the third and fourth retainer flanges (in phantom) included in the closure base;
FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the overcap mounted on the aerosol can in the position shown in FIG. 10 (after separation of the tear strip from the closure base) showing a user pushing a pair of squeeze-removal pads on the side of the closure together to cause the third and fourth retainer flanges to disengage the annular lip of the aerosol can; and
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12—12 of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A tamper-evident overcap 10 including a closure 12 and an annular tear strip 14 is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Overcap 10 is configured to mount on a can 16 (or other suitable container) having a dispenser valve 18 and an annular lip 20 surrounding dispenser valve 18 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 5-7.
To remove overcap 10 from can 16 for the first time, annular tear strip 14 must be separated from closure 12 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 8-10. As shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-3, tear strip 14 includes, in series, a pull tab 22, a first arcuate section 24 carrying a first (temporary) retainer flange 26, a tether section 28, and a second arcuate section 30 carrying a second (temporary) retainer flange 32.
Can 16 is a well-known conventional design and includes a cylindrical body 34 and a closure member 36 mounted on body 34 to cover a top opening formed in body 34 as shown in FIG. 5. Closure member 36 is formed to include a dome 37 and annular lip 20 is located on dome 37 to surround dispenser valve 18. As shown, for example, in FIG. 6, overcap 10 covers dispenser valve 18 and engages an underside 38 of annular lip 20 when mounted on can 16.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3, closure 12 includes a circular top 40, an annular base 42, and an annular, frustoconical side 44 extending downwardly from top 40 to base 42. Side 44 is formed to include decorative scalloped regions 46 extending from base 42 upwardly toward top 40.
Base 42 of closure 12 includes a cylindrical wall 48 and an inclined annular wall 49 interconnecting cylindrical wall 48 and side 44 as shown best in FIG. 1. As suggested in FIG. 4, cylindrical wall 48 of base 42 includes a first annular band 51 coupled to inclined annular wall 49 and a second annular band 52. Second annular band 52 includes first and second arcuate sections 24, 30 of tear strip 14.
As suggested in FIG. 3, base 42 includes a first curved wall 54 next to pull tab 22 and a second curved wall 56 next to tether section 28. A third retainer flange 55 is cantilevered or otherwise coupled to an inwardly facing surface of second curved wall 56 and a fourth retainer flange 57 is cantilevered or otherwise coupled to an inwardly facing surface of first curved wall 54 as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 4.
The third and fourth retainer flanges 55, 57 are said to be “permanent” retainer flanges because they remain with closure 12 after separation of tear strip 14 from closure 12 as shown, for example, in FIGS. 10-12. First and second retainer flanges 26, 32 are said to be “temporary” retainer flanges because they do not remain with closure 12 after separation of tear strip 14 from closure 12 as suggested in FIGS. 10-12. Before tear strip 14 is separated from closure 12, each of the first, second, third, and fourth retainer flanges 26, 32, 55, 57 is adapted to engage the underside 38 of annular lip 20 to retain overcap 10 in a mounted position on can 16 as suggested in FIGS. 5 and 7.
As suggested in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, each of first band 51, first curved wall 54, and second curved wall 56 has a first thickness and each of first and second arcuate sections 24, 30 has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. First curved wall 54 has an arc length and fourth retainer flange 57 is curved and has an arc length that is less than the arc length of first curved wall 54 as shown in FIG. 7. Second curved wall 56 has an arc length and third retainer flange 55 is curved and has an arc length that is less than the arc length of second curved wall 56 as shown in FIG. 7.
As shown best in FIG. 4, a first frangible tear line 61 is established along a boundary between first arcuate section 24 and adjacent portions of first and second curved walls 54, 56 and first band 51. A second frangible tear line 62 is established along a boundary between second arcuate section 30 and adjacent portions of first and second curved walls 54, 56 and first band 51. In the illustrated embodiment, each of first and second frangible tear lines 61 and 62 is U-shaped.
Tether section 28 includes a curved rail 64 arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to an exterior surface of second curved wall 56 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Tether section 28 also includes a first rail mount 65 coupled to first arcuate section 24 and a first end of curved rail 64 and a second rail mount 66 coupled to second arcuate section 30 and a second end of curved rail 64. Tether section 28 functions to interconnect one end of first arcuate section 26 to one end of second arcuate section 30 to provide a “bypass” around one of the permanent retainer flanges (e.g., third retainer flange 55) of overcap 10. The exterior surface of second curved wall 56 is curved as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 to define a curved slot 67 between curved rail 64 and that curved exterior surface. Curved rail 64 has an arc length and the arc length of third retainer flange 55 is less than the arc length of curved rail 64 of tether section 28 as shown in FIG. 7.
Base 42 of closure 12 also includes a pair of frangible tab anchors 68 arranged to interconnect an outwardly facing surface of first curved wall 54 and an inwardly facing surface of pull tab 22 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 3. These tab anchors 68 are “broken” as suggested in FIG. 8 upon movement of pull tab 22 in direction 69 to initiate separation of annular tear strip 14 from base 42 of closure 12. Otherwise, frangible tab anchors 68 function to retain pull tab 22 in a “ready” anchored position alongside closure 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. First curved wall 54 is arranged to lie normally in opposing spaced-apart relation to pull tab 22 as shown in FIG. 3.
Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, annular tear strip 14 is shown to include, in series, pull tab 22, first arcuate section 24, tether section 28, and second arcuate section 30. During removal of tear strip 14, pull tab 22 is moved in direction 69 to (1) separate first arcuate section 24 from first and second curved walls 54, 56 and first band 51 along first frangible tear line 61 and (2) separate second arcuate section 30 from first and second curved walls 54, 56 and first band 51 along second frangible tear line 62 as suggested in FIGS. 7-10 without disturbing mating engagement of third and fourth retainer flanges 55, 57 and annular lip 20 of can 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the arc length of third retainer flange 55 is greater than the arc length of fourth retainer flange 57. These flanges 55, 57 cooperate to retain overcap 10 in a mounted position on can 16 to accommodate repeated mounting and dismounting of overcap 10 after separation of tear strip 14 from closure 12.
The procedure for dismounting overcap 10 from its mounted position on can 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. A first squeeze-removal pad 71 is provided on one portion of side 44 of closure 12 above base 42 and first arcuate section 24. A second squeeze-removal pad 72 is provided on another portion of side 44 of closure 12 above base 42 and second arcuate section 30. First and second squeeze-removal pads 71, 72 are located in spaced-apart relation to one another and cooperate to provide means for temporarily deforming side 44 to move first and second curved walls 54, 56 away from one another to cause third and fourth retainer flanges 55, 57 to disengage annular lip 20 while overcap 10 is mounted on can 16 and after separation of tear strip 14 from base 42 of closure 12 in response to movement of first squeeze-removal pad 71 toward second squeeze-removal pad 72 resulting from application of opposing forces 81, 82 to pads 71, 72 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 so that overcap 10 can be removed from a mounted position on annular lip 20 of can 16.
A plurality of stacking ribs 74 are coupled to first band 51 and inclined annular wall 49 as suggested in FIGS. 2-4 and adapted to engage a top side 39 (see FIG. 6) of annular lip 20 prior to and after separation of tear strip 14 from base 42 of closure 12 along first and second frangible tear lines 61, 62. Each stacking rib 74 includes a lip-engaging surface 76 arranged to lie in spaced-apart opposing relation to one of the four retainer flanges 26, 32, 55, 57 as shown in FIG. 4. The stacking ribs 74 are arranged to “bottom out” on annular lip 20 of can 16 as suggested in FIG. 6 to provide “top load” strength for overcap 10. Top load strength is needed once cans 16 are packed in corrugated cases. As such cases are palletized on a skid, the lower cases will be placed under top load. The corrugated cases may compress and come in contact with overcaps 10 and stacking ribs 74 function to resist such compression and support high stacking loads on the top of overcap 10.
Tear strip 14 is configured to separate from base 42 of closure 12 as one continuous strip so as to “separate” the temporary first and second retainer flanges 26, 32 from closure 12 without separating the permanent third and fourth retainer flanges 55, 57 from closure 12. Tether section 28 ties first and second arcuate sections 24, 30 together and bypasses second curved wall 56 carrying third retainer flange 55 to facilitate that result to provide for multi-use/removal of overcap 10.
Tear strip 14 provides two temporary retainer flanges 26, 32 that cooperate with the two permanent retainer flanges 55, 57 to provide 300° of flange retention capacity prior to separation of tear strip 14 from closure 12. After removal of tear strip 14, the two permanent retainer flanges 55, 57 cooperate to provide about 135° of flange retention capacity for overcap 10 on can 16.
Patent Grant
6886708
