SECURE CLOSURE

A cap for closing a container comprising an openable access port located at or towards one end of the cap through which contents of the container can be dispensed when the access port is in an opened condition, an internal wall surface for engaging with one or more parts of an external surface of the container, a first part of a securing means located on the internal wall surface of the cap, the first part of the securing means for cooperatively engaging with second part of the securing means located on the external surface of the container to prevent removal of the cap from the container when the cap is located in a sealing condition on the container thereby preventing removal of the cap from the container, in that the engaging elements form a ratchet arrangement or a ratchet and pawl like arrangement allowing rotational movement of the cap with respect to the container in one direction only.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to secure closures for containers and to container having such secure closures.

In one form, the invention relates to tamper evident security closures and/or to tamper resistant security closures for containers.

In one form, the invention relates to tamper proof secure closures for containers and to containers having the secure tamper proof closures.

In one form, the present invention relates to a security screw cap for forming the secure closure for fitting to a container to secure the container against unauthorised access and to containers having such caps.

In one form, the present invention relates to a one way security cap for a container in which the cap can be rotated in one direction to secure the cap to the container, but is difficult, if not virtually impossible, to rotate the cap in the opposite direction to remove the cap.

In one form, the closure is a cap which includes a tamper evident dedicated access port having a cover which is removable for providing ready access to the fluid in the container without having to remove the cap to withdraw fluid contents from the container.

The present invention finds particular application as a security closure for a container containing a beneficial product, such as a therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical product which closure prevents unauthorised access to the container and/or to the contents of the container, such as for example, by providing a secure closure for a child safe container, and after opening, the closure provides an indication as to whether there has been any tampering of the contents and/or unauthorised dispensing of the contents of the container by using a non authorised dispenser.

Although the present invention will be described with particular reference to one or more forms of the secure closure and containers provided with the secure closures, it is to be noted that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments but rather the scope of the present invention is more extensive so as to include other forms and arrangements of the secure closure, and of the various parts or components forming the closures, other forms and arrangement of the container, and to other uses and applications of the various forms of the secure closure and/or container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical preparations ideally should be administered in measured dosages from a container containing the preparation. The same considerations often apply to dietary supplements, nutritional supplements and the like for both humans and animals. Usually, such preparations are provided in containers, including sterile containers in which the contents of such containers remain in storage under sterile conditions until required for use. Dispensing of such preparations, particularly preparations in liquid form, from containers, in particular the partial dispensing of a measured portion or dosage of liquid or fluid from the container, including sterile containers, requires that the container be opened first and after dispensing a measured dose, resealing of the container to maintain the remaining contents of the container in a condition suitable for use at a later time. After a measured portion or dose has been withdrawn from the container, it is often necessary to resecure the container against unauthorised withdrawal or dispensing of the contents of the container to stop contamination of the remaining contents or to prevent unauthorised access to the contents. Such considerations have application in a wide range of different industries and for different purposes and accordingly relates to a variety of different types of preparations and containers.

As examples, dispensing of pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations, in particular, are two areas where access to the contents of a container to provide a measured dosage is required, including maintaining the remaining contents of the container safe from contamination or unauthorised use after the initial opening of the container or after withdrawal of some of the contents, including accidental dispensing of the contents from the container, or even spillage of the contents of the container. In many instances, such preparations are provided in sealed containers. One way of dispensing a controlled amount of a therapeutic preparation from a sealed container is to use a syringe and needle to pierce a rubber sealing stopper provided at the top of the container to withdraw a measured quantity of the therapeutic preparation, usually in the form of a liquid through the needle into the syringe after the needle pierces the rubber stopper. This procedure is used with sterile containers since the seal comprising the rubber stopper keeps the contents of the container sterile until required for use.

Once the syringe needle is withdrawn, the container with the remaining contents within the container is sealed once again by the closing of the very small aperture which has been formed when the needle pierces the rubber stopper due to the resilience of the material from which the stopper is made. Such stoppers are usually held in place to seal the mouth of the container by a sealing retainer sometimes in the form of a metal band, clamp, seal or other retainer for retaining the stopper in place in order to prevent removal of the rubber stopper from the container. However, the use of expensive and precision machinery is required to insert and deform the metal bands around the rubber stopper onto the top of the container to produce such seals to retain the stopper in place.

For small companies having small production runs, the expense of having such expensive precision machinery is prohibitive making their use economically unviable for many small operators. Therefore, there is a need to provide a lower cost alternative secure closure and/or a secure sealing arrangement for containers that can be used as a substitute for the currently used metallic bands, which alternative does not require the use of expensive machinery to insert the metal bands onto the tops of the container to seal the stopper to the container.

Also, in many industries other than the medical or pharmaceutical industries, there is a need for access to a sealed container for partially dispensing the contents of the container in measured dosages in which only a part of the contents are dispensed before resealing the container for later use. Resealing a container, particularly after the initial seal is broken, has the risk that the remaining contents can be contaminated or accidentally dispensed, such as by a child gaining access to the container. Thus, there is a need for a sealing arrangement that reduces the risk of contamination after some of the contents have been dispensed, and further there is a need for a child resistant container which makes it more difficult for a child to accidentally or inadvertently dispense the contents of a container, particularly in a manner that allows the child to withdraw sufficient quantities to ingest the contents.

Another problem of currently available sealed containers with a rubber stopper is the dispensing system requires the use of a needle, typically the needle of a syringe having a sharp point needed to pierce the rubber stopper in order to withdraw the contents of the container. Such a sharp needle is necessary to pierce the sealing stopper to form a dispensing aperture as the stopper is more or less solid rubber. The sharp point of the syringe needle can cause needle stick injuries or damage. Therefore, there are many industries where the use of needles as fluid extracting tools are to be avoided if at all possible due to the chance of injury occurring during use, such as for example, when treating animals due to the unpredictable and erratic behaviour of animals undergoing veterinary treatment, particularly when the animals react physically to the treatment, such as for example by rearing, kicking or the like which increases the chances of needle stick injuries occurring to both the human and the animal.

Additionally, there is the problem associated with discarding used needles which can cause inadvertent injuries if discarded thoughtlessly. Thus, there is a need to provide an alternative or substitute device and method to using a sharp pointed needle for dispensing fluid from a sealed container having a rubber sealing stopper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a cap for closing a container, the cap comprising an openable access port through which contents of the container can be dispensed when in an opened condition, a body having an internal wall surface, a securing means located internally within the cap, said securing means being arranged to prevent movement of the cap with respect to the container to remove the cap from the container wherein when the cap is received on the container, the securing means engages with the container to substantially lock the cap in place on the container, wherein the cap is substantially prevented from being moved in a direction to remove the cap by the securing means thereby retaining the cap in place on the container.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cap for closing a container comprising an openable access port located at or towards one end of the cap through which contents of the container can be dispensed when the access port is in an opened condition, an internal wall surface for engaging with one or more parts of an external surface of the container, a first part of a securing means located on the internal wall surface of the cap, the first part of the securing means for cooperatively engaging with a second part of the securing means located on the external surface of the container to prevent removal of the cap from the container when the cap is located in a sealing condition on the container thereby preventing removal of the cap from the container.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tamper evident cap for fitting to a container, said cap comprising an internal surface having one part of a securing means for locking the cap to the container in a manner preventing removal of the cap from the container or limiting access to the container when the cap is located on the container, said body including a seal formed on the interior thereof for cooperation with said resealable closure means upon rotation of the cap to tighten the cap onto the container, and an openable access port providing access to said resealable closure when the cap is fitted to the container, wherein the cap further includes a tamper evident cover to said port preventing access to said port except by removal of said port.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an adaptor for use with the cap or security closure of the invention, said adaptor comprising a base having a tamper evident device providing an indication of attempts to move the adaptor, said adaptor arranged to prevent removal or to indicate attempts to remove the adaptor from the container, and a neck portion provided with projecting elements for cooperatively engaging with the engaging elements of the cap to prevent removal of the cap from the adaptor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security closure for connection to a container to close the container comprising a main body portion having an internal wall arrangement, a first part of a security means provided on the internal wall arrangement for cooperatively engaging with a second part of a security means provided on the container, said first and second parts of security means being such so as to allow cooperative engagement with one another, wherein when the closure is connected to the container, the first and second parts of security means cooperatively engage with each other to allow the closure to move in one direction to close the container but substantially prevents movement in a second direction corresponding to the direction to remove the closure from the container thereby securing the container against unauthorised use.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a security cap for use as a closure of a container when connected to the container, the cap comprising a body having a first part of a security means in the form of a multitude of first engaging projections extending from an internal wall structure of the body, said projections for locking the cap onto the container by engaging with a second part of the security means in the form of complementary second projections extending from the container when the cap is connected to the container, wherein when the first and second projections cooperatively engage with each other, the cap can be rotated in a first direction to facilitate sealing of the container by permitting the first projections to move with respect to the second projections, but the cap is prevented from movement in a second direction by the first projection being prevented from movement past the second projections thereby preventing loosening or removal of the cap from the container, thus providing a security cap resisting unauthorised opening of the container.

According to the present invention, there is provided a container having a secure closure in accordance with the present invention, such as a secure closure as described and/or defined in the present specification.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of withdrawing a fluid from a container having a secure closure as defined above using a suitable dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The security means provided on the security closures and containers in accordance with the present invention include cap lock arrangements, engagement assemblies, complementary cooperatively engaging members or elements or the like.

The forms of the caps made in accordance with the present invention are provided with one or other of the forms of the cap lock arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Typically, the cap lock arrangement includes a first and a second engagement means. More typically, the first and the second engagement means or assemblies are each, or include one or more engagement elements. More typically, the engagement elements are one or more, preferably a multitude, of identical engagement elements located in spaced apart relationship to one another. Even more typically, the multitude of substantially identical engagement elements form an array of such elements.

In one form, the engagement elements are projections. Typically, the projections are fingers, protruberances, protrusions, teeth, tongues, boss, nose, or other extendingly elongate jutting member. Preferably there is a multitude of projections, preferably generally radially extending projections from the surface to which they are attached. Even more preferably a ratchet of individual teeth or similar located in an endless array around the wall surface that allows the teeth to engage, such as for example, in the form of a substantially circular array or the like, including in the form of a spoked wheel, toothed wheel or the like. In one form, the projections are in the form of, or function as, a pawl.

Typically, the second engagement means or assembly are external projecting elements, typically arranged in a ring of outwardly individual extending teeth.

Typically, the individual teeth forming the ratchet extend generally in an inclined radial direction to extend obliquely outwardly.

In one embodiment, all of the fingers extend at the same angle which is a constant angle. In other embodiments, the fingers extend at different angles to each other. Further, in some embodiments, the projections are straight whereas in other embodiments, the projections are curved, such as for example, curved along their lengthwise extending axis.

In one form of the cap lock arrangement, there is provided a first part of the arrangement or assembly and a second part of the arrangement or assembly. Typically, the two sets or parts are complementary to one another, so as to cooperatively engage with each other. In one form, the first part of the arrangement or assembly is located on the cap, preferably, on the inside of the cap whereas, the second part of the arrangement or assembly is located on the container preferably on or around the external neck portion of the container.

More typically, the first set of engaging means include a first set of individual teeth which are internal teeth provided to extend from the inside wall surface of the cap internally within the cap and the second set of engaging means includes a second set of individual teeth which are external teeth provided to extend outwardly from the neck of a container or the neck of an adaptor so that when the cap is screwed onto the container to seal the container, the two sets of projections mesh with one another. More typically, the teeth of the cap are arranged in regularly spaced apart relationship circumferentially in an array extending around the internal wall of the cap into the interior of the cap. The internal teeth can take any suitable size or shape and be of any suitable form or configuration.

More typically, the external set of teeth provided on the container are arranged in one or more sets of teeth, preferably two sets of teeth, located substantially diametrically opposite one another on either side of the neck of the container or adaptor. More typically, there are four individual teeth in each set of teeth on or around the neck region of the container. Even more typically, the internal teeth and external teeth have ratcheting one-way engagement with each other to allow rotation of the cap about the neck of the container in one direction only which is the direction to tighten the cap to the container. In one form, the internal projections on the cap and the external projections on the container are located in rings or in a ring-like structure, in which individual teeth of the ring are shaped so that they will readily slide past one another when the closure is screwed on to the container in the direction to tighten the cap, but will engage with each other to lock the cap against counter rotation to prevent rotational movement in the opposite direction thereby resisting attempts to unscrew the closure. The teeth on the neck of the container engage in the spaces between the teeth on the cap to prevent the teeth of the cap from moving past the teeth on the neck.

The external teeth can be of any suitable size or shape, and be of any suitable form or configuration, including being tapered along their length, ending in point, or point-like structure. In one form, the teeth are deformable or deflectable in one direction, but not in the opposite direction. In one form, the teeth form a saw tooth arrangement or profile of the four teeth.

Typically, the cap and neck of the container are each provided with cooperatively engaging rotary engagement elements, preferably threaded portions. Typically, the threaded portion is spaced apart from the ratchet arrangement. More typically, the ratchet arrangement of the neck of the container or adaptor is located closer to the mouth or opening of the container or adaptor than is the threaded portion.

Typically, the container is a bottle, such as a plastic bottle, glass bottle, vial, pill holder or the like. More typically, the container is for hazardous materials, therapeutic materials, pharmaceutical materials or the like. The materials can be in liquid form or solid form, such as for example, a flowable powder or similar. In one form, the container is divided into compartments, sections or the like, by suitable walls, such as for example, in the form of dividers, walls, partitions, membranes or the like to divide the container into discrete separate spaces or chambers for containing materials. In one form, the dividers, walls, partitions, membranes or the like are rupturable, piercable or the like just before use to allow the contents of individual compartments to mix with one another, such as for example, a liquid with a liquid to effect a chemical reaction between the two liquids, or a liquid mixing with a powder to extend the shelf life of the powder before mixing, or the like.

Typically, the security closure of the present invention is a safety closure, a child resistant closure, a tamper evident closure, a tamper proof closure, a tamper resistant closure, or the like. More typically, the security closure has an indicator, preferably a visual indicator, of tampering or attempts to tamper with the container or contents of the container, including attempts to withdraw contents of the container without authority, or to contaminate the contents of the container involving movement of the cap in a loosening direction.

Typically, the security closure is a non-removable closure in the form of a permanent cap or the like. More typically, the security closure is a tamper-resistant screw closure which when mounted on the container, is permanently attached to the container.

Typically, the cap is provided with means for connecting or fitting the cap to the container. In one form, the connecting means includes threaded portions. In one form, the respective threaded portions of the cap and neck of container or neck of the adaptor engage with one another to assist in locating the cap on the container before the two sets of engagement elements engage with one another to allow one way rotation of the cap. More typically, initial rotation of the cap with respect to the container results in the respective threads engaging with one another to allow movement of the cap towards a fully closed or sealed or tightened position. Typically, the two sets of engagement elements engage with one another as the cap is tightened so that and the ratchet action between the two sets of engagement elements commences as the final turns of the cap occur to retain the cap on the container. More typically, the teeth are oriented in a direction to oppose unthreading rotation of the cap so that a fully threaded-on cap is locked to the container as long as the ratchet engagement remains.

In one form, the threaded portions are in the left hand thread arrangement to further confuse children from trying to remove the security cap of the present invention from the container by requiring rotation of the cap in the opposite direction than that required normally to undo the screw cap. Thus, the container having this form of closure is even less accessible.

Typically, the neck of the container or adaptor is sealed by receiving a plug in the opening of the neck. Typically, the plug is in the form of a plug, stopper, bung, cork, button, or other sealing member or sealing closure. Typically, the plug is provided with a receiver for receiving a dispenser, such as the end of a syringe body. One example of the receiver is a bore, typically, a blind bore. More typically, the receiver is a self sealing conduit or channel that is opened by insertion of a suitably shaped dispenser or part of a dispenser such as for example, the spigot at the end of a syringe body. In one form, there is a rupturable membrane located between the end of the receiver, such as at the end of the bore, and the sealing conduit, so that the first insertion of the dispenser i.e. the spigot, ruptures the membrane, allowing the dispenser to pierce the membrane or otherwise pass through the membrane, and open the sealing conduit. In one form the membrane is the closed end of the bore located intermediate the bore and sealing conduit.

Typically, the stopper is a plug made from resilient material, such as for example a rubber or rubber like material. More typically, the dispenser is a syringe, lance, sparge, aspirator or other suitable withdrawing device.

Typically, the plug or stopper is provided with a ridge, sealing surface, or similar located circumferentially around the plug or stopper. Alternatively, the stopper is provided with a tapered, bevelled or sloping side or side wall to assist in locating the stopper and/or retaining the stopper.

Typically, the plug is provided with an enlarged head. More typically, the undersurface of the enlarged head rests upon the rim of the opening of the container. Even more typically, there is a flange or collar adjacent the rim of the container. Even more typically, the enlarged head portion of the plug is compressed between the cap and the flange or collar as the cap is screwed onto the container to seal the container.

Typically, the dispenser is also used for introducing the contents into the container, such as for example, allowing powder, liquid or the like to be introduced into the container, either through the open mouth of the container or through the plug or stopper. Typically, the dispenser is provided with an end for being received in the receiver of the plug. More typically, the end is the boss, spigot, connector or the like of a syringe or similar.

Typically, the length of the dispenser or the operative part of the dispenser is about the length of the blind bore or receiver of the stopper or plug so that the operative end of the dispenser can be received in the receiver. Typically, the end of the dispenser is level with the top of the container so that there is little or no deadspace within the container when inverted to allow substantially all of the contents to be withdrawn from the container.

Typically, a hose, conduit, pipe or the like is connected to the dispenser to allow the contents to be conveyed to a remote site from the container, such as for example, another place to treat an animal in another location further contributing to the safety of using the container to administer therapeutic preparations to particular animals.

Typically, a locator is provided at one end of the dispenser, typically the operative end of the dispenser to facilitate retention of the dispenser in the container, typically within the receiver of the plug sealing the container. In one form, the locator is the spigot of the syringe body. Typically, the side of the spigot is tapered. However, the spigot can take any suitable shape. In one form, the locator is provided with side elements. One form of the side elements is in the form of wings, barbs, arms or similar extending outwards of the locator to engage the plug or stopper to assist in locating the end of the dispenser. In one form, the locator is diamond shaped or the like. However, any suitable shape is possible.

Typically, the cap is provided with an access port. More typically, the access port is openable. In the normal storage position, the access port is sealed and remains sealed until the container is required for use. The access port can take the form of an opening, aperture, cut-out, dispensing hole, dispensing bore, void, cavity or similar, preferably located at or towards the top of the cap to provide access to the contents of the container to assist in withdrawing the contents from the container through the opening. More typically, the opening is provided with a cover, lid or other protective device. This protective device provides a visual indication of the container being previously opened or used and accordingly is one example of the visual indicator. The visual indicator can be of any suitable form or type. One preferred form is a protective cover. Typically, the cover is a temporary cover, a deformable cover, a removable cover, a displaceable cover or the like. Even more typically, the cover is a non replaceable cover, such as a one time use cover, that when removed from the cap to allow access to the contents through the access port, the cover or lid is discarded and is not replaced leaving the access port uncovered or unsealed. The absence of the cover or lid signifies that the container had been opened previously. More typically, the cover is a tamper evident cover, the absence of which indicates that attempts have been made to gain access to the contents of the container or that some of the contents have been withdrawn. Even more typically, the cover is removed when the initial dosage of contents is withdrawn and is not replaceable or replaced. Typically, the cover is provided with a frangible, severable, breakaway or deformable connection. More typically, there are three regularly spaced apart nibs, lands or severable connections located around the edge of the temporary cover. However, any suitable form of the cover is possible. One such frangible connection is a ring of weakness connecting the cover to the cap, which ring of weakness is easily severed or broken. In one form, the ring of weakness is a thin section or membrane.

Typically, the cover is attached to the cap by severable links or connectors. More typically, the cover is attached by frangible or breakaway connectors. Even more typically, there are three frangible connectors located at regularly spaced apart locations around the edge of the cover.

In one form, the cover or lid is a disc or is disc like connected to the top of the cap by a frangible rim portion. Typically, the disc is located proud of the top of the cap. More typically, there is an annular depression around the rim of the disc like cover. In one form, the disc is integral with the cap, both being joined together by a thin ring of the same material from which the disc and cap is made.

In one form, the disc cover is removed from the cap using an implement to prise or otherwise force the disc from the cap in a levering motion. Typically, the implement is planar, such as for example, in the form of a knife blade, spatula, or the like.

Typically, the top of the cap is provided with one or more indicators showing the location for levering the disc to open the access port by removing the disc.

The access port in the top of the cap is most preferably an aperture formed at the top of the cap such that once the cap is positioned on the container, the access port is positioned centrally above a resealable closure fitted to the container. The body is preferably fitted with exterior gripping means to facilitate fitting of the cap to a container.

The cap is preferably non-removable from the container and includes an array of interior projections in the form of pawls arranged in a spaced apart circumferential relationship around the inside of the cap to cooperate with a ratchet formed on the external surface of the container such that fitting of the cap to a container draws the cap onto the container and progressively engages the pawls with the ratchet so as to lock the cap to the container once the cap is fully fitted to the container.

The cap provides limited access to the container by restricting movement of the cap when locked to the container.

The cap is preferably screw fitted to said container. More preferably, the cap is provided with internal threads to cooperatively engage with the container to allow the cap to be tightened to the container. Even more preferably, the engaging assembly of the cap is located more inboard of the cap than the threads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of various components, arrangement and assemblies of the forms of present invention, including different containers, caps and cap locks, will now be described to illustrate to illustrate the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of the cap of the present invention in relation to one form of a sealing plug and container;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective and partial sectional view of the cap secured to the container showing the engagement of the respective projections of the cap and container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap and bottle showing severing of the tamper evident ring around the neck of the container due to removal of the cap from the container;

FIG. 4 is an internal perspective view of one form of the cap of the present invention showing one form of the internal projections;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line A to A of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of the cap showing one form of the temper evident disc in place and being removed from the container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one form of the adaptor of the present invention which is used as a substitute for a conventional cap;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another form of a container having the security closure of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top side perspective view of another form of the secure cap of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the cap of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the cap of FIG. 9 revealing the internal details of the cap;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the form of the cap of FIG. 9 and another form of the container;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the cap of FIG. 9 and the container of FIG. 12.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One form of the cap of the present invention will now be described. This form of the cap, generally denoted as 10, is made from a suitable plastics material and is preferably colour coded to indicate a use, or the contents of a suitable container 11 having a neck portion 13. The colour can be used to identify the type of therapeutic material within the container or the level or potency of the contents to signify the amount of car needed when handling the container and contents. Other forms and arrangements of the cap are also possible, such as caps provided without tamper evident rings or with different types of rings as described later or the like. Cap 10 is provided with an aperture at or towards the upper end in the normal use position in the form of an access opening 12, access port or similar generally circular opening defined by upper rim 14. A solid thin disc 16, typically made of a deformable material, such as for example, a thin metal disc of aluminium, foil, or other easily bent or deformable material is located within aperture 12. Disc 16 is connected to upper rim 14 by three frangible portions in the form of nibs 18, legs or the like. In use, one or more of the frangible nibs 18 is severed, bent, broken, deformed or the like to allow solid disc 16 to be removed using a suitable tool or lever to open the access port of the cap prior to dispensing the contents of the container to which cap 10 is fitted. Disc 16 is a tamper-evident device which provides an indication of whether access has been gained to the contents of the container. Accordingly, disc 16 must be removed before the initial dose of contents of container 11 is withdrawn. Further, it is to be noted that disc 16, once removed by severing frangible nibs 18, is not replaced but is discarded. This serves to provide an indication that the container had been opened previously, and was not in a sterile condition. Other forms of tamper disc 16 are possible.

The outside surface of cap 10 is provided with an array of generally parallel spaced apart lengthwise extending ribs 20, or knurling to assist in more securely gripping cap 10 during rotation of cap 10 to tighten it to the neck of container 11.

With particular reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the internal wall surface 22 of cap 10 is provided with an internal thread 24 or similar arrangement in the form of a small number of turns for cooperating with a complementary or external threaded arrangement also comprising a small number of turns 26 around the outside of the neck of container 11 to allow cap 10 to be threadingly connected to container 11. A multitude of engagement elements are located internally within cap 10. The engagement elements are in the form of ratchets or individual teeth 28 and are provided in an array of spaced apart teeth extending from the inner wall of cap 10 for cooperatively engaging with complementary engagement elements in the form of individual teeth 30, located around the neck of container 11 and extending generally radially outwards. It is to be noted that ratchets or teeth 28, 30 are located above the position of the threads 24,26 closer to the mouth of the container and more inboard in cap 10 when cap 10 is in the secured position on the container 11 to allow the cap to be threadingly received on the container before or as the teeth engage with each other so that when the cap is at the limit of its rotation on the threads, the projections engage one another.

It is to be noted that the shape of the individual teeth or ratchets 28,30 allow one way rotation of cap 10 with respect to neck 13 of container 11, typically in the direction corresponding to tightening the cap onto the neck of the container. The outer edges of the two sets of teeth are straight or have straight portions to prevent sliding movement of one past the other.

In one embodiment, cap 10 is provided with a side skirt 32 having a tamper evident arrangement or device, typically in the form of a tamper evident ring or band 34 located around the lower rim or base of cap 10 to cooperatively engage with a suitable fitting or arrangement provided on the container (not shown), typically around the shoulder of the container where neck 13 joins container 11, so that if, by chance cap 10 is loosened by overcoming the tamper resistant or tamper proof cooperatively engaging teeth 28,30, and/or has been removed from the container tamper evident ring 34, provided with frangible sections or portions 36 is severed or torn away from side skirt 32 to indicate that cap 10 has been removed or attempts have been made to gain access to the contents of container 11. In embodiments having this arrangement, there is increased security against unauthorised use or tampering with the container.

In another embodiment of cap 10, the tamper evident ring is omitted from around the base or lower rim of cap 10, so that cap 10 engages directly with neck 13 of container 11 or with the neck portion of a suitable adaptor located on the neck of the container (to be described in more detail later in this specification).

Another form of the cap of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11. In this form, cap 80 is provided with a tamper evident seal in the form of a solid disc 82 connected to cap 80 by a frangible ring or ring connector having a ring of weakness allowing disc 72 to be broken away from cap 80. Markers in the form of radially inwardly directed arrows 84 are located equidistantly around the top surface of cap 80 to provide an indication as to where to apply pressure from a suitable tool or implement, such as a lever, to prise disc 82 away from cap 80 using force to lever disc 82. In one form, disc 82 is provided with a side skirt 86 standing proud of the top surface of cap 80. One end of a suitable removal tool is placed against side skirt 86 in the vicinity of one of markers 84 to lever disc 82 away from cap 80. In one form, three lands or nibs 88 are provided internally within cap 80 or on the inner surface of cap 80 or disc 82 for connecting disc 82 to cap 80. When using the removal tool, nibs 88 are broken and the frangible connection ring ruptures to allow disc 82 to be removed allowing access through cap 80 to container 11. Generally inwardly radially directed teeth 28 are arranged as projections to extend form the inner surface of the wall of cap 80. Teeth 28 are angled by being angularly inclined when extending from the inner wall of cap 10. Further, the shape of teeth 28 are such as to allow one way rotation by having a tapered edge or side on one side of the teeth, i.e. on the proximal side closer to the wall, and straight edges on the distal side away from the inner wall to prevent rotation in a direction for screwingly removing the cap.

In use of the cap of the present invention, such as cap 10 of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, and cap 80 of FIGS. 9 to 13, plug 38 is frictionally fitted to the mouth 40 of container 11 to seal the container. In one form, plug 38 is made from a resiliently deformable material, such as for example a rubber or rubber like material, including a natural or synthetic material. The underside of plug 38 rests upon rim 43 provided around the mouth of container 11 to assist in sealing container 11. Collar or flange 41 is provided to assist in clamping the edge of plug 38 between container 11 and cap 10 when cap 10 is being screwed on to the top of container 11. Collar 41 can take any suitable size or shape, and is provided with an upper flat surface to bear against the underside of head 44 of plug 38 to clamp or squeeze the head 44 of plug 38 between cap 10 and container 11 to form a liquid-proof seal.

Plug 38 is provided with a blind bore 42 and an openable channel or conduit (not shown) located within the wall closing the inboard end of blind bore 42. The openable channel is normally biased closed owing to the resiliency of the material from which plug 38 is made. When a suitable dispenser, such as for example, the spigot at the end of the barrel or body of a syringe (not shown) is inserted into blind bore 42, the closed channel is forced open to allow the contents of the container to be withdrawn through the spigot into the syringe body thereby allowing dispensing of the content from the container without the end of a needle being required to have a sharp point to pierce the rubber of plug 38. Plug 38 is provided with a head op portion 44 of larger diameter than mouth 40 of container 11 defined by upstanding flange or collar 41, and a side portion 46 which is received within mouth 40 to seal container 11 by side portion 46 contacting the internal wall of the mouth of container 11 to facilitate sealing of plug 38 in mouth 40 to seal container 11. Plug 38 is optionally provided with a ridge (not shown) or a bevelled or tapered portion to facilitate sealing of plug 38 within the mouth of a container.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, one form of adaptor 50 for fitting over neck 56 of container 58 to convert a conventional container to a tamper evident or tamper resistant container will now be described. Other forms of the adaptor are possible including adaptors provided with other tamper evident devices. The adaptor is provided as a replacement for the conventional cap of a container, such as a normal threaded plastic cap. Adaptor 50 is provided with a neck portion 52 similar to the neck 13 of container 11. Neck 52 is of relatively smaller diameter extending axially outwards from a side skirt 54 having a relatively larger diameter for fitting over a large size neck 56 and mouth 60 of container 58 such as for example, the standard sized opening of a container. A ratchet arrangement of generally radially outwardly extending individual teeth 30, or ratchets are arranged circumferentially around the outside of the upper part of neck 56 of container 58. In one form, the ratchet arrangement is more or less symmetrical around the neck with a first group of four individual teeth 30 located around one half of the neck, and a second group of four individual teeth 30, located around the other half of the neck diametrically opposed to the first group of four teeth. A relatively smooth continuously curved portion 31 is located between the two groups of teeth on either side of the neck. The two smooth curved portions 31 are diametrically opposed to one another. Other forms and arrangements of the ratchets, individual teeth or the like are possible. It is to be noted that the shape, profile, size and orientation of the two groups of teeth are complementary to the shape, profile, size and orientation of the teeth 28 located internally within cap 10 so as to cooperatively engage with one another by slidingly meshing to prevent cap 10 from loosening and/or being removed from the neck of the container whilst allowing cap 10 to be tightened in the opposite direction.

An external threaded portion comprising a small number of turns 62 is circumferentially located around the outside of the neck of the adaptor at a position below the position of the ratchet arrangement. The threads cooperate with the internal threads of cap 10 to allow cap 10 to be secured to the top of the adaptor, and to squeeze plug into sealing engagement between the top of the mouth of the adaptor and the internal wall of the cap 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 2.

A tamper evident ring 64 is provided circumferentially around the lower rim or base of side skirt 54. A multitude of frangible lands, nibs, sections 66 or similar are provided to connect tamper evident ring 64 to the base or lower rim of side skirt 54. Tamper evident ring 64 cooperatively engages with a suitable fitting or arrangement (not shown) provided around neck 56 of container 58 to retain tamper evident ring 64 in place if adaptor 50 is rotated to unloosen or remove the adaptor by severing the frangible lands 66 to separate tamper evident ring 64 from side skirt 54, thereby providing an indication that at least there has been an attempt to gain access to the contents of the container. Other arrangements or forms of the tamper evident arrangement or device can be associated with or attached to the adaptor.

Operation of one form of the secure closure of the present invention will now be described. A suitable container, such as for example, a plastic bottle having a single filler opening or a plastic bottle 70 having two fillers 72,74 as shown in FIG. 8, is provided and filled with the desired contents, such as a pharmaceutical or veterinary preparation, through one or both of fillers 72,74, preferably through the larger 72 of the two fillers, such as for example, the standard size opening of the plastic bottle. Alternatively, if the container is a vial or other relatively small size bottle for containing liquid pharmaceuticals, the bottle is filled through the single small sized opening at the top of the bottle.

After filling, plug 38 is inserted into the opening at the mouth 40 of neck 13 of bottle 11, or inserted into the opening 51 at the top of adaptor 50, after securing adaptor 50 to the neck of the bottle 58. Cap 10, with disc 16 intact or cap 80 with disc 82 intact, is screwed onto the neck of the bottle or to the top of the adaptor by engaging the internal threads of the cap with the external threads around the neck of the bottle or of the adaptor to tighten the cap to the bottle or adaptor. Owing to the shape, size, profile and orientation of the individual teeth 28 forming the internal ratchet on the cap matching, or being complementary to, the individual teeth 30 forming the external ratchet around the neck of the bottle or adaptor, cap 10 can only be rotated in one direction by the internal teeth 28 passing over the external teeth 30 to tighten cap 10. When attempts are made to rotate cap 10 in the opposite direction, such as to unscrew cap 10 or to loosen cap 10, the two sets of ratchet teeth cooperatively engage with one another to prevent further rotation so that it is virtually impossible to remove cap 20 from the bottle or adaptor by unscrewing cap 10. Even if sufficient force were used to deform one or more of the cap 10, bottle or adaptor to allow the two sets of teeth to slide past one another, to facilitate removal of cap 10 from the bottle or adaptor, tamper evident ring 34 at the base of cap 10 or tamper evident ring 64 at the base of adaptor 50 would be severed from the respective side skirt if cap 10 is rotated beyond a threshold amount by rupturing the frangible lands 36,66, thus providing an indication that cap 10 has been rotated in the wrong direction and that the sterility or integrity of the contents of the bottle may be a risk. However, it is to be noted that the engagement of teeth 28, 30 is sufficient in most cases to prevent removal of cap 10 from container 11.

When the contents of the container are to be dispensed, disc 10, or 82 is removed from the opening in the top of cap 10, 80 by levering disc away from cap 10 as shown more particularly in FIG. 6 or by deforming disc 10 sufficiently to break or rupture frangible nibs holding disc in place on cap 10. After removing disc from cap 10, the spigot or connector located at one end of the syringe barrel or body is inserted into blind bore 42 and pushed home or forced into plug 38 whereupon the channel is opened by deflecting or deforming the sides of channel or conduit so that when the container is inverted or similar, the end of the spigot or connector can be immersed within the fluid contents of the container, particularly when the container is inverted. The plunger of the syringe is operated to withdraw a measured dose of fluid into the barrel of the syringe whereupon the syringe is removed from the blind bore and container in preparation for administration to the patient or person or animal requiring treatment. When the spigot is being removed, or has been removed, the elastically deformable sides of the channel assume their original position to seal the channel or conduit thereby resealing the container. All the time, cap 10 remains in place secured to the top of the container.

Thus, the secure closure of the present invention is resealable and provides an almost tamper-proof closure of a container by virtually preventing removal of the cap and providing a visual indication that there has been an attempt to remove the cap.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of the present invention include the following:

The security closure of the present invention provides a spill-proof enclosure since the sealing plug can remain in place at all times to seal the container so that even if the container is inverted, the plug prevents the contents from spilling since the plug is biased to a closed position. Additionally, the container is a spray-proof container, particularly when being opened for the first time since the syringe being used to withdraw contents remains in place within the blind bore thereby preventing splashback or the contents being sprayed prior to or during withdrawal of the contents through the syringe.

The security screw cap of the present invention can be attached to the container by hand or manually thereby obviating the need to use specialised machinery to install the secure band, ring or similar for retaining the sealing plug in the mouth of the container. This allows lower production runs of specialised preparations to be packaged at a lower cost and hence be produced more economically since there is no need for the very expensive and specialised packaging machinery. Furthermore, no specialised tools are required to attach the secure screw cap or to open and remove the frangible cover from the top of the secure closure of the present invention.

The closure of the present invention is used to form a tamper-resistant or tamper-proof container which is safe to use with children and animals.

The closure system overcomes the need to have sealing/retaining band of metal which requires the use of specialised machinery which is expensive for small operators.

Other advantages include:

The container provided with the secure closure is a spill proof container;

The contents of the container provided with the secure closure cannot be consumed directly from the container making it virtually impossible for children to ingest harmful amounts of the contents of the container;

With containers having the secure closure, the contents of the container are not exposed to atmosphere at any time, even during withdrawal of the contents of the container through the security closure;

Any excess contents of the container that remain after withdrawal of the measured dose of the contents has a tendency to fall back into the container thereby avoiding wastage of valuable contents of the container.

Details of other advantages of the secure closure are provided in the specification.

The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described.

It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A cap for closing a container, the cap comprising an openable access port through which contents of the container can be dispensed when in an opened condition, a body having an internal wall surface, a securing means located internally within the cap, said securing means being arranged to prevent movement of the cap with respect to the container to remove the cap from the container wherein when the cap is received on the container, the securing means engages with the container to substantially lock the cap in place on the container, wherein the cap is substantially prevented from being moved in a direction to remove the cap by the securing means thereby retaining the cap in place on the container.

2. A cap for closing a container comprising an openable access port located at or towards one end of the cap through which contents of the container can be dispensed when the access port is in an opened condition, an internal wall surface for engaging with one or more parts of an external surface of the container, a first part of a securing means located on the internal wall surface of the cap, the first part of the securing means for cooperatively engaging with a second part of the securing means located on the external surface of the container to prevent removal of the cap from the container when the cap is located in a sealing condition on the container thereby preventing removal of the cap from the container.

3. A tamper evident cap for fitting to a container, said cap comprising an internal surface having one part of a securing means for locking the cap to the container in a manner preventing removal of the cap from the container or limiting access to the container when the cap is located on the container, said body including a seal formed on the interior thereof for cooperation with said resealable closure means upon rotation of the cap to tighten the cap onto the container, and an openable access port providing access to said resealable closure when the cap is fitted to the container, wherein the cap further includes a tamper evident cover to said port preventing access to said port except by removal of said port.

4. An adaptor for use with the cap or security closure of the invention, said adaptor comprising a base having a tamper evident device providing an indication of attempts to move the adaptor, said adaptor arranged to prevent removal or to indicate attempts to remove the adaptor from the container, and a neck portion provided with projecting elements for cooperatively engaging with the engaging elements of the cap to prevent removal of the cap from the adaptor.

5. A security closure for connection to a container to close the container comprising a main body portion having an internal wall arrangement, a first part of a security means provided on the internal wall arrangement for cooperatively engaging with a second part of a security means provided on the container, said first and second parts of security means being such so as to allow cooperative engagement with one another, wherein when the closure is connected to the container, the first and second parts of security means cooperatively engage with each other to allow the closure to move in one direction to close the container but substantially prevents movement in a second direction corresponding to the direction to remove the closure from the container thereby securing the container against unauthorised use.

6. A security cap for use as a closure of a container when connected to the container, the cap comprising a body having a first part of a security means in the form of a multitude of first engaging projections extending from an internal wall structure of the body, said projections for locking the cap onto the container by engaging with a second part of the security means in the form of complementary second projections extending from the container when the cap is connected to the container, wherein when the first and second projections cooperatively engage with each other, the cap can be rotated in a first direction to facilitate sealing of the container by permitting the first projections to move with respect to the second projections, but the cap is prevented from movement in a second direction by the first projection being prevented from movement past the second projections thereby preventing loosening or removal of the cap from the container, thus providing a security cap resisting unauthorised opening of the container.

7. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the closure is in the form of an adaptor for replacing the conventional closure of a plastic bottle with a secure closure allowing one way rotation of the closure with respect to the container.

8. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the adaptor has a neck portion provided with externally extending teeth for cooperative engagement with internally extending teeth located within the closure to form a secure closure.

9. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the security means comprises a cap lock arrangement, engagement assembly, complementary cooperatively engaging members or elements in which one part of the security means is provided on the closure and another part of the security means is provided on the container.

10. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the security means includes a multitude of engagement elements located on the inner wall of the cap and a multitude of complementary engagement elements located on the outer wall of the container wherein the two multitude of engagement elements cooperatively engage with each other.

11. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the engaging elements include projections in the form of fingers, protruberances, protrusions, teeth, tongues, bosses, or other elongate jutting members.

12. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the engaging elements form a ratchet arrangement or a ratchet and pawl like arrangement allowing rotational movement of the cap with respect to the container in one direction only.

13. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that one set of engaging elements are arranged in a ring around the inside wall surface of the cap and another set of engaging elements are located in a ring around the outside of the neck of the container.

14. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the external set of teeth provided on the container are arranged in one or more sets or groups of teeth, preferably as two sets of teeth, located substantially diametrically opposite one another on either side of the neck of the container.

15. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that one or other of the set of teeth includes four individual teeth arranged in spaced apart relationship to each other on one side of the neck of the container.

16. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the cap and container are each provided with cooperative engaging rotary engaging elements, preferably threaded portions, arranged to allow the cap to be threadingly received on the container when the cap is rotated with respect to the container.

17. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the engaging elements for cooperative one-way engagement are located closer to the mouth of the container and to the open end of the cap than is located the rotary engaging elements for threadingly engaging with each other to allow the cap to be received on the container.

18. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the security closure is a safety closure, a child resistant closure, a tamper evident closure, a tamper proof closure, a tamper resistant closure or other closure of the type that is difficult to remove the closure from the container when the closure is securely located on the container.

19. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the security closure is a non removable cap which can be screw threadingly received on the container when rotated in one direction but cannot be rotated in the opposite direction to remove the cap owing to the cooperative engagement of the engaging elements provided on the inside of the cap with the engaging elements provided on the outside of the container preventing loosening movement of the cap with respect to the container.

20. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the projecting elements are arranged to extend angularly from the wall to which they are attached wherein the angle of inclination of the engaging elements is constant and the angle of inclination are complementary to one another.

21. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the container is sealed by a sealing element in the form of a plug, stopper, bung, cork, button, stud, or other sealing member receivable in the open neck of the container.

22. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sealing member is provided with a receiver, preferably a receiving bore in one surface, preferably the upper or top surface, for receiving therein part of a dispenser to dispense contents of the container through the sealing element.

23. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sealing member is made from a resilient material allowing the sealing member to be resiliently deformed so as to be receivable in the neck of the container to seal the container.

24. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sealing member is provided with a self sealing conduit, channel, space, void, cavity, gap, bore or similar that is openable by insertion of a dispenser, including a part of the dispenser, in the conduit thereby allowing dispensing of contents from the container.

25. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the dispenser includes a syringe having a syringe body and spigot wherein the spigot is received in the sealing member thereby opening the conduit allowing contents of the container to be withdrawn.

26. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sealing member is provided with a rupturable membrane located between the end of the receiver provided in the body of the sealing member and the conduit, or located at the end of the receiver.

27. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the sealing member is provided with a resealable bore which at rest, is normally closed and which, when the dispenser is inserted into the receiver, opens allowing dispensing of the contents of the container through the sealing member.

28. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the cap is provided with an openable access port.

29. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the access port is in the form of an opening, aperture, cut-out, dispensing hole, dispensing bore, void, gap, cavity or similar located at or towards the top of the cap to provide an access point for gaining access to the contents of the container through the cap when secured in place on the container to close the container.

30. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the openable access port is provided with a cover, lid, protector, disc, temporary cover, deformable cover, removable cover, displaceable cover, or similar which, prior to use of the container, is fixed in place with respect to the closure and sealing member.

31. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the cover is connected to the cap by one or more frangible connections or frangible connecting pieces or frangible connectors.

32. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the frangible connection is one or more, preferably three frangible connectors in the form of nibs, lands, bosses, or similar connectors for connecting the cover to the cap such that the frangible connection is severed, ruptured, broken or similar to allow removal of the cover from the closure.

33. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the frangible connector is an area or line of weakness, preferably a circle of weakness located in the top of the closure allowing the cover to be displaced from the cap to reveal the access port.

34. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the cover is in the form of a solid disc located centrally at the top surface of the cap and wherein the top of the cap is provided with indicators to indicate the position at which the cover or disc can be removed from the cap.

35. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the solid disc is removed from the cap by action of an implement or tool to lever the disc from the cap thereby rupturing the ring of weakness around the disc to allow removal of the disc from the cap.

36. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the closure is provided with a depression extending circumferentially around the cap adjacent the ring of weakness radially outside the solid disc to assist in removal of the solid disc.

37. A closure or method according to any preceding claim characterised in that the solid disc extends outwardly from the surface of the cap providing a contact surface for contact by a tool or implement used to prise the solid disc from the cap when the cover is to be removed from the cap.

38. A cap for closing a container in accordance with the present invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

39. A tamper evident cap for fitting to a container having a resealable closure fitted thereto in accordance with the present invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

40. An adaptor for use with the cap or security closure of the invention in accordance with the present invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

41. A security closure for connection to a container to close the container in accordance with the present invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

42. A security cap for use as a closure of a container when connected to the container in accordance with the present invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

43. Every novel feature as hereinbefore disclosed or defined in the specification and/or drawings when taken alone or in combination with any other feature including features that are novel or otherwise, including groups of two or more features

Patent History
Publication number: 20110303670
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 9, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 15, 2011
Inventor: Raymond John Baker ( Victoria)
Application Number: 13/133,896
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Destructible Outer Closure (220/257.1); With Retainer (220/328); Secondary Closure Guided In Reciprocating Movement (220/254.9); Frangible Inner Closure (220/258.3); Attached Raising Or Pry-off Means (220/285)
International Classification: B65D 51/20 (20060101); B65D 43/26 (20060101); B65D 45/00 (20060101); B65D 51/18 (20060101); B65D 50/00 (20060101);