TAMPER EVIDENT CAP
The present invention is an integrated hinged cover and locking snap to detect tampering of the bung plugs on plastic drums. The locking snaps will break upon an unauthorized attempt to remove the cap from the drum finish. The hinged cover also provides an annular locking ring on the inside surface for engaging an annular ring on the plastic drum finish. The living hinge allows the cap to fit over the annular ring on the drum finish. The living hinge also provides a tear tab member (pull-tab) to remove the cap from the annular locking ring.
This Present Application is the non-provisional counterpart of my pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/425,336, filed on Dec. 21, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The Present Application claims the benefit of and priority to said provisional patent application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA tamper evident cap is a device that is placed on a container to seal and protect the contents of the container in such a way as to reveal whether the seal has been broken after initial placement. Tamper evident caps are routinely used to seal the contents of steel or plastic drums. They are often fabricated using plastic polymers such as polyethylene. However, they are also often fabricated using metals. Typical devices are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,569, issued to Toei, et.al. on Dec. 2, 1986, U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,908, issued to Kline on Mar. 26, 2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,688,484, issued to Boulauge, et.al. on Feb. 10, 2004.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is an integrated hinged cover and locking snap to detect tampering of the bung plugs on plastic drums. The locking snaps will break upon an unauthorized attempt to remove the cap from the drum finish. The hinged cover also provides an annular locking ring on the inside surface for engaging an annular ring on the plastic drum finish. The living hinge allows the cap to fit over the annular ring on the drum finish. The living hinge also provides a tear tab member (pull-tab) to remove the cap from the annular locking ring.
Referring to
- View C-C—a left side elevation of the Tamper Evident Cap.
- A top plan view of the Tamper Evident Cap. This is shown in more detail in
FIG. 2A . - View B-B—a right side elevation of the Tamper Evident Cap.
- A bottom plan view of the Tamper Evident Cap.
The second row shows:
- A front elevation of the Tamper Evident Cap. This is shown in more detail in
FIG. 2B . - A breakout of the Tamper Evident Lock. This is shown in more detail in
FIG. 3 . - A cross section of the Tamper Evident Cap placed on the bung plug opening of a drum.
The bottom row shows a front elevational cross section of the Tamper Evident Cap. This is shown in more detail in
The Tamper Evident Cap of the Present Invention is fabricated from a plastic polymer material, such as polyethylene. Referring to
Referring to
Claims
1. A cap that fits over and around a bung plug, said cap comprising:
- a) two opposing semi-cylindrical flaps connected together by and pivoting around a living hinge, such that the two semi-cylindrical flaps can be brought together to form an annulus, wherein each semi-cylindrical flap comprises a semi-circular top surface, a semi-cylindrical surface comprising a side, top and bottom, said semi-cylindrical surface integrated at its top with the semi-circular top surface, and an annular section locking groove or lock rim integrated with the semi-cylindrical surface at the bottom of said semi-cylindrical surface; and
- b) two lock mechanisms each comprising an arrow shaped male tongue and corresponding female groove, wherein the arrow and the tongue of each lock mechanism are integral to the semi-cylindrical surface of each of the opposing semi-cylindrical flaps, such that when the two semi-cylindrical flaps are brought together, the male tongue of each lock mechanism inserts and locks into place in the corresponding female groove, thereby locking the two semi-cylindrical flaps together.
- wherein the two semi-cylindrical flaps are free to pivot around the living hinge, and can be brought together to fit over and around the bung plug and locked into place thereupon.
2. The cap of claim 1 wherein the two semi-cylindrical flaps are free to pivot around the living hinge from an angle of 0° to approximately 210°.
3. The cap of claim 1 further comprising an element that permits a user to pry open the cap, thereby disconnecting the two semi-cylindrical flaps from each other.
4. The cap of claim 2 further comprising a pull-tab.
5. The cap of claim 1 wherein removal of the male tongue from the female groove of either lock mechanism causes the tongue to break.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 9, 2011
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2012
Inventors: Glen Barlics (South Plainfield, NJ), Mark Barlics (Edison, NJ)
Application Number: 13/316,415
International Classification: B65D 55/02 (20060101);