Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an irreversible tamper evident system for a button closure is provided. The irreversible tamper evident system is provided by a color change system carried by the flexible button portion of the closure. The color change system comprises an indicator coating over a dark colored substrate coating. The indicator coat is preferably colored with a light colored transparent colorant such as an orange colored fluorescent dye. The indicator coat is preferably a liquid material which can be cured by evaporation, heat, UV irradiation or the like, to form a solid layer. When the substrate layer and indicator layer are in intimate contact, a first color is observed. Depending upon the relative colors used for this substrate and indicator layers, this first color can be a combination of the colors of the two layer or can be primarily the color of the substrate layer.

Abstract: A button enhancement coating system wherein mechanically actuated buttons and vacuum actuated buttons of closures may be provided with a coating system which changes color after the closure has been applied to a container and then removed therefrom with the change in color indicating tampering. The coating system includes a first coating layer applied directly to the upper surface of the button and a second coating layer of a different color applied in overlying and bonded relation to the first coating layer. The second coating layer is preferably transparent and the two colors are selected so that they produce a third color while the coating layers are bonded together. When the two coating layers become separated during the removal of the closure from a container, the button assumes the color of the second coating layer. The first coating layer may have an embossed upper surface including ribs and grooves with the second coating layer flowed thereinto.

Abstract: This relates to a color change system to be incorporated in a flexing area of an end panel of a closure. The color change system includes a dark background coating on a flexing portion of the closure end panel to which there is bonded by way of an adhesive such as a varnish, ink or coating a brittle layer which due to the flipping action of the flexing portion of the end panel will fracture. The brittle layer is preferably of a light color and is colored utilizing a fluorescent dye. The combination of the background color and the fluorescent color of the brittle layer produces a first color in the original closure and when the end panel flexes and the brittle layer fractures to not only crack but also tear apart or delaminate from itself, to reflect its own light color much more brilliantly, the color of the color change system drastically changes to indicate tampering. This color change is irreversible. The color change system may also include a message indicia.

Abstract: This relates to a guide for guiding a closure cap onto a container neck finish in a machine for automatically applying closure caps to containers. Most particularly this relates to a guide assembly for closure caps which include a metal shell and a plastic overcap including a tamper indicating band which depends below the metal shell and wherein the closure cap cannot be supported by way of flanges or rails of a track in the normal manner in that the supporting part of the closure cap is subject to deformation and not true and round as in the case of metal closure caps. A lower portion of the conventional track has been replaced by a magnetic cap guide unit which forms an extension of the conventional track and which maintains the position of a closure cap after it has been initially engaged by the neck finish of a container so as to maintain the relationship of the closure cap relative to the container which permits the closure cap being seated square on to the neck finish for final automatic application.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an irreversible tamper evident system for a button closure is provided. The irreversible tamper evident system is provided by a color change system carried by the flexible button portion of the closure. The color change system comprises an indicator coating over a dark colored substrate coating. The indicator coat is preferably colored with a light colored transparent colorant such as an orange colored fluorescent dye. The indicator coat is preferably a liquid material which can be cured by evaporation, heat, UV irradiation or the like, to form a solid layer. When the substrate layer and indicator layer are in intimate contact, a first color is observed. Depending upon the relative colors used for this substrate and indicator layers, this first color can be a combination of the colors of the two layer or can be primarily the color of the substrate layer.

Abstract: This relates to the provision of a vacuum actuated button type closure with a tamper indicating arrangement which will visually indicate when a container has been opened or more particularly when the vacuum within a vacuum packed container has been lost. The deflectable button of the closure is utilized to squeeze a dye from a sponge like member into a layer of absorbent material so as to color the absorbent material. The absorbent material, in turn, is provided with non-absorbent areas which define indicia to indicate that an associated container has been opened.

Abstract: A shaft locking device for precisely maintaining axial and rotational position of a machine part, with the mechanism including a shaft positioning element having an opening lying along a first axis for receiving a rotatable part, a rotatable and axially moveable part positioned within the opening and including a groove having its centerline or locus of maximum depth lying perpendicular to the machine part rotational axis, with the shaft positioning element further including a threaded set screw arranged coplanar with the groove plane and perpendicular to but offset from the shaft axis and having a contoured end face moveable into cooperating engagement with a portion of the groove surface.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an irreversible tamper evident system for a closure such as a button closure is provided. The irreversible tamper evidence system is provided by an appearance change system carried by the flexible button portion of the closure. The appearance change system comprises a liquid crystal material and a liquid crystal poison. When the button is depressed such as upon initial closure of the container, the liquid crystal material is separated from the liquid crystal poison and optical properties of the liquid crystal material are viewable. When the container is opened the flexing the button forces the liquid crystal poison into contact with the liquid crystal material and the optical properties of the liquid crystal material are irreversibly altered.

Abstract: This relates to the special construction of shells for closure panels of composite closures which, in production, for all practical purposes will eliminate nesting of stacked closure panels. Most specifically, each closure panel will be provided with flutes indenting the skirts thereof so as to prevent closure panels from nesting when stacked. Preferably, each closure panel is provided with at least three flutes and preferably four with the circumferential spacing of the flutes of a closure panel all being different and when the shells of the closure panels are formed in a multiple cavity die, the flute arrangement in each cavity will also be different. This will, for all practical purposes, eliminate nesting of the closure panels when stacked during production.

Abstract: This relates to the provision of a vacuum identifying button of a conventional closure for containers with encapsulated microcapsules containing a suitable dye. While the button is in its depressed, concave configuration, a coating surrounding the microcapsules is cured and caused to bond to the microcapsules. When the button everts to project upwardly and have a convex configuration, the coating is tensioned causing the microcapsules to rupture and release the color forming dye materials thereof. If desired, the evidence of button flipping or tampering may merely be in the form of a colored area, such as a stripe. In a modification, the effected colored areas may be in a design to present a warning or message. For example, a simple message such as "OPENED" may be effected.

Abstract: This relates to a tamper-evident overcap for packages of the type which include a container that is sealed closed by means of a removable closure. The overcap is preformed and shaped to tightly telescope over both the skirt of the closure and an upper part of the container body and is bonded to the closure skirt in the container body utilizing an adhesive. The collar of the overcap also includes an intermediate portion joining the portions bonded to the closure and the container and the intermediate portion is provided with a circumferential weakening line to facilitate separation of the two parts of the collar when the closure is to be removed. The collar may also be provided with suitable stripes of a coating containing microcapsules in which there is packaged a suitable FDA approved dye or coloring so that when the microcapsules are ruptured, the overcap will be stained so as to indicate tampering.

Abstract: This relates to a closure for a container in the form of a closure cap which is provided with a mechanically actuated button. The button is centrally located and is generally in a recessed position. The button is surrounded by a plurality of dished areas which, when the closure is applied, will engage the end sealing surface of a container and cause a deflection of the dished areas which will result in an annular portion of the closure surrounding the button to invert and to project the button axially upwardly from its original recessed position to a projecting position. The closure may be enhanced by other tamper indicating arrangements which are sealed to the closure by way of a translucent panel overlying the end panel of the closure and being bonded at its periphery to the closure. The translucent panel will be provided with a layer of material generally axially aligned with the button and the button will be provided with a layer of adhesive, preferably contact adhesive.

Abstract: This relates to a closure cap having an end panel which is equipped with a central button or panel area so as to cause deflection, either by way of a vacuum within an associated container or by mechanical action when a container is closed. Recently, there has been developed a desire for a louder popping noise when the closure is removed. Also there has been developed tamper indicating indicia elements to be actuated by the button or panel area to irreversibly indicate that a container has been opened even though the closure cap has been reapplied. A need for a greater stored energy in the button or panel area has been found and such additional stored energy is obtained by utilizing faceted areas or portions.

Abstract: This relates to the provision of a closure having a mechanically actuated button with a tamper indicating arrangement. A transparent panel overlies the end panel of the closure and there is provided a message indicia either on the upper surface of the button or the under surface of the transparent panel with their being carried by the transparent panel a pleated screen which shields the message indicia either by overlying the same or by blending with the message indicia in color. One end of the pleated screen is fixedly attached to the transparent panel while the opposite end has a releasable bond. When the closure is applied and the mechanical button moves towards the transparent panel, the pleated screen is clamped between the two with the result that the pleated screen is flattened and elongated rupturing the releasable bond so that once the closure is removed from the container and the button moves down away from the transparent panel, the pleated screen can collapse exposing the message indicia.

Abstract: This relates to a mechanically actuated closure cap which is provided with a tamper indicating feature. The closure cap includes an end panel having a centrally located button that is normally in a button down position, but when the closure cap is applied to a container, it is mechanically actuated to a button up position. A translucent panel is fixedly applied to the closure cap in overlying relation to the end panel and there is positioned between the button and the translucent panel several possibilities of devices for indicating that the closure cap has been applied to a container and either is in its original position relative to the container or has been removed therefrom.

Abstract: This relates to the formation of a vacuum indicating button in a molded plastic closure. The button is formed by cold working which results in the flow of plastic material from a central portion of the end panel towards the center of the central portion and the automatic formation of an upwardly projecting generally curved button. In all forms the button is formed by cold working of the plastic. The button may be formed by coining between two opposed tools, or the button may be formed by cold working only the top side of the central portion of the end panel by such methods as including spinning, mechanical peening and shot peening. In the case of coining, the button may be formed either by a single annular ring of cold worked, oriented, reduced thickness material or by a plurality of such rings.

Abstract: This relates to a closure with a drop down tamper indicating band and a related container finish. The container is provided with a neck finish which includes below threads thereof a radially outwardly projecting bead which carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced, vertical nibs. The closure is constructed to be rotated relative to the container neck finish during the removal thereof and includes a lower tamper indicating band which is secured to the closure skirt by a plurality of rupturable bridges. The band has formed on the inner surface thereof a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially inwardly projecting, axial splines which may be considered as arranged in pairs for receiving therebetween a container nib.

Abstract: This relates to an improvement of a conventional closure having a tamper evident feature in the form of a safety button. In accordance with the improvement, the surface of the safety button is provided with a coating in the form of a suitable binder incorporating rupturable microcapsules containing an FDA approved colorant. A relatively stiff layer of translucent material overlies an end panel of the closure in position to be engaged by the microcapsules and to effect rupture of the microcapsules when the safety button everts from a lower axial position to an upper axial position and the microcapsules strike against the underside of the layer of translucent material. In order to prevent accidental rupture of the microcapsules prior to the closure being applied to a container, there is incorporated in the coating spacers which normally prevent the rupture of the microcapsules during conditions of manufacture and handling.

Abstract: This relates to a tamper indicating closure which includes a closure cap having a button which is movable between an elevated position and a downwardly recessed position in accordance with the state of closure of an associated container. In particular, the button is provided with a tamper indicating arrangement which will include a first layer directly attached to the button and an overlying second layer which is connected to the button generally at the periphery thereof. The first layer is in the form of a photoactive layer and the second layer is in the form of a friable filter material. Normally the second layer protects the first layer, but when the button changes its shape, the friable filter layer will crack and expose the underlying photoactive layer to cause a change in the photoactive layer. This change could be in the form of the disappearance of a message, including a UPC code or the developing of a previously formed message on the photoactive layer so as to make that message appear.

Abstract: This relates to a conventional type of closure having a central button which is normally provided with an "up" convex state and which is movable by a vacuum within an associated container to a "down" concave state. The button, as formed, has a zero or tensile stress state with the stress state changing to a compressive stress state when the button is drawn downwardly by a vacuum within the associated container. In accordance with this invention, the button has been reformed so that it is slightly flattened and this reforming has changed the zero or tensile stress state to a compressive stress state thereby providing the button with more stored energy when it is drawn downwardly by a vacuum within an associated container. This additional stored energy provides for a greater flipping action of the button which can be utilized to operate an irreversible tamper indicating system which may be applied to the button.