CONTAINER HAVING DUAL TAMPER-EVIDENT INDICATORS

Abstract

An improved container for dispensing liquid having a bottle and a mounting closure. The bottle has a top with a neck defining a mouth. The closure includes a hollow collar having a first section adapted to be received over the neck of the bottle and a second section having a protrusion. The closure includes a cap adapted to be received over the collar having an opening aligned with the protrusion. A first tamper-evident means is associated with the cap, while a second tamper-evident means is associated with the collar.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/833,307 filed in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on Jun. 10, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a container for storing liquid, and more particularly, to a container that incorporates two tamper-evident features with readily observable indications for distinguishing between a container that has been opened for normal use and a container that has been opened and exposed to potential tampering.

2. Description of the Related Art

Containers for storing permanent liquids, of the type used in tattoo machines, stencil pencils or electric pens, are typically sealed with a cap, or closure, to prevent contamination and/or leakage of the stored product. These conventional containers utilize closures having a threaded cap, shaped for engaging threads on the mouth of a container, and are generally known in the art. These closures include a tamper-evident feature, commonly a ring, attached to the container. When the closure is initially screwed onto the container, the tamper-evident ring slips past the threaded neck of the container. When the closure is loosened, or unscrewed, from the container for the first time, the tamper-evident ring is broken away from the closure. This indicates to a consumer or user that the container has been opened. In many conventional closure configurations, the broken tamper-evident ring remains on the container following removal of the closure.

In many applications, containers are filled with the stored product prior to sealing the closure on the container. In some conventional applications, the filled container and closure together are subjected to a sterilization and sealing process. Typically, an induction seal is utilized for hermetically sealing the mouth of the container.

In conventional applications, in order to access the stored product for first time use it is necessary to unscrew the closure and then remove the induction seal. When the closure is unscrewed to remove the seal, the tamper-indicating ring is broken. Continued use of the bottle and contents therein make it impossible to determine if the contents have been tampered with after first use.

In the tattoo industry, ink safety is a growing concern. As bottles of ink are opened, and portions are used for tattooing, the remaining ink remains in the bottle for later use. The possibility exists that the remaining ink could be contaminated after the bottle is initially opened, since the containers are not typically for one time use. Rather, they are used to refill the machines as ink runs out. Most conventional ink containers have a safety foil seal or lining covering the mouth of the bottle for protecting the ink contents. In order to use the ink contained therein, the conventional tamper-evident ring must first be broken in order to remove the seal or lining covering the mouth. Once this occurs, it's impossible to determine if the contents of the ink are later tampered with.

As such, while this art may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, it would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.

The present invention seeks to remedy the safety concern in the tattoo industry by providing a container having a closure with two tamper-evident features along with a pressure seal prior to first use. The first tamper-evident feature indicates if ink within the container has been removed for use, while the second tamper-evident feature indicates if ink within the container has been exposed to the possibility of contamination.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved container having two tamper-evident features which provide the user with readily observable indications distinguish between when the container has previous been opened for normal use and when the container has been opened and exposed to potential tampering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tamper-evident cap which when first opened will provide the user with a readily observable indication that the container has previously been opened for normal use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tamper-evident collar which when once removed will provide the user with a readily observable indication that the container has previously been opened and potentially exposed to tampering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved container capable of preserving the contents therein without the need for an induction seal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

In accordance with an additional

In accordance with an additional embodiment

In accordance with an additional embodiment

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to an improved container having tamper-evident features which provide the user with readily observable indications distinguishing between when the container has previously been opened for normal use and when the container has been opened and exposed to potential tampering, as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts in which:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a container system of the present invention having a tamper-evident cap and a tamper-evident collar both having readily observable indications for determining potential tampering;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the bottle of the container system of FIG. 1 thereof;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mating closure of the container system of FIG. 1, wherein a cap is in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the mating closure of the container system of FIG. 1, wherein the is in the opened position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mating closure of the container system of FIG. 1 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the collar of the container system of FIG. 1, having a tamper-evident ring;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the collar of the container system of FIG. 6 thereof;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the collar of the container system of FIG. 6 thereof;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cap of the container system of FIG. 1, having a tamper-evident band;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the cap of the container system of FIG. 9 thereof; and

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the collar of the container system of FIG. 6 thereof.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1, which illustrates a container system 10 including a container 12, preferably a bottle, and a mating closure 30 screwed onto the bottle to create a leak-proof and air-tight seal.

Referring to FIG. 2, the bottle 12 has a top 14, which includes a neck 16 defined by a mouth 18. The neck 16 includes external threads 20. Turning to FIGS. 3-4 in the preferred embodiment, the closure 30 includes a hollow collar 32 having a first section 34. The first section 34 is adapted to be received over the neck 16 of the bottle 12. The collar 32 includes a second section 36 having a protrusion 38. The collar 32 includes an externally threaded section 40 and an internally threaded section 42. The internally threaded section 42 of the collar 32 (shown in FIG. 5) is adapted to be received over the external threads 20 of the neck 16 of the bottle. This allows the collar 32 to rotate between a closed position 60 (shown in FIG. 3) adjacent the top 14 of the bottle 12 and an opened position 62 (shown in FIG. 4) remote from the top 14 of the bottle.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the closure 30 includes a cap 50 having an opening 52. The cap 50 is adapted to be received over the collar 32 such that the opening 52 is aligned with the protrusion 38. The cap 50 includes a band 51 positioned about the collar substantially between the first and second sections 34, 36 adjacent the externally threaded section 40 of the collar. The cap 50 includes an internally threaded section 54 adapted to be received on the externally threaded section 40 of the collar 32, such that the cap 50 is both rotatably mounted and axially moveable thereon. The cap 50 is able to rotate relative to the collar 32 between a lowered sealing or closed position 64 (shown in FIG. 3) adjacent the collar 32 where the protrusion 38 obstructs the cap opening 52 and a raised dispensing or opened position 62 (shown in FIG. 4) remote from the collar 32 where the protrusion 38 no longer obstructs the cap opening 52. The cap 50 is rotated from the closed position 64 to the opened position 62 in order to clear the opening when it is desired to use the liquid contained in the bottle 12.

The closure 30 of the container system 10 includes two tamper-evident features designed to be broken to access the liquid contained within the bottle 12. The first tamper-evident means 70 is associated with the cap, while the second tamper-evident means 80 is associated with the collar.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, the first tamper evident means is preferably the band 51 frangible attached to the cap by a plurality of frangible bridges 72. The band 51 is permanently mounted about the collar substantially between the first and second sections 34, 36 adjacent the externally threaded section 40 of the collar. As the cap 50 is unscrewed from the collar 32 during counter-clockwise rotation, axial movement of the band 51 is restricted. The axial tension force is applied to the frangible bridges 72 of the cap, causing them to break from the band 51 and allowing the cap to be unscrewed from the collar, thereby clearing the protrusion 38 from the cap opening 52. The liquid contents of the bottle are then able to be dispensed therethrough the cap opening 52. After use, clock-wise rotation of the cap replaces the cap adjacent the collar 32 at the lowered sealing or closed position 64 where the protrusion 38 obstructs the cap opening 52. The broken frangible bridges 72 are a readily observable indication that the cap 50 has been opened and contents of the bottle may have been used. However, a broken first tamper-evident means does not indicate that the contents have not been exposed to potentially harmful tampering, but rather only that the contents may have been used.

Referring to FIGS. 6-8, the second tamper evident means is preferably a securing ring 80 frangibly attached to the collar 32 by a plurality of frangible bridges 82. The securing ring 80 is permanently mounted to at least the lower thread 20A of the external thread 20 of the neck 16 of the bottle. As the collar 32 is unscrewed from the mouth of the container during counter-clockwise rotation of the closure, axial movement of the ring 80 is restricted by the lower thread 20A. The axial tension force is applied to the frangible bridges 82 causing them to break and allowing the mating closure 30 to be removed from the mouth of the bottle, while leaving the ring 80 thereon. The broken frangible bridges 82 are a readily observable indication that the closure 30 has been removed from the bottle, and a possible indication that the contents of the bottle have potentially been tampered with. Unlike prior art, where the mating closure must be removed in order to remove the induction seal, the present invention does not contain such seal. Thus, the closure 30 of the present invention should remain in tack during use and only when broken bridges 82 are present indicate the closure has been opened and possible tampering with may have occurred.

Both the cap 51 and collar 32 may contain external gripping portions 90 that aid a user in rotating the cap and collar respectively, when breaking the tamper-evident means 70,80.

In conclusion, herein is presented an improved container have two tamper-evident indicators. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations, which fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A container for a liquid comprising: a bottle having a top with a neck defining a mouth of the bottle; a hollow collar having a first section adapted to be received over the neck of the bottle and a second section having a protrusion; a cap adapted to be received over said collar comprising an opening aligned with said protrusion; first tamper-evident means associated with said cap; and second tamper-evident means associated with said collar.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said first tamper-evident means is breakable by a force less than the force necessary to break said second tamper-evident means.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein said cap has an internally threaded section adapted to be received on an externally threaded section of said collar such that said cap can be rotated relative to said collar between a position adjacent said collar wherein said protrusion obstructs said cap opening and a position remote from said collar wherein said protrusion no longer obstructs said cap opening.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein said first tamper-evident means comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being initially joined to each other by a part breakable when sufficient force is applied to rotate said cap from the adjacent position.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the neck of the bottle is externally threaded and said collar has an internally threaded section adapted to be received on the externally threaded neck of the bottle such that said collar can be rotated between a position adjacent the top of said bottle and a position remote from the top of said bottle.

6. The container of claim 5 wherein said second tamper-evident means comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being initially joined to each other by a part breakable when sufficient force is applied to rotate said collar from the adjacent position.

7. The container of claim 1 wherein said cap creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said collar when said cap is received on said collar.

8. The container of claim 3 wherein said cap creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said collar when said cap is in the adjacent position.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein said collar creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said bottle when said collar is received on said bottle.

10. The container of claim 5 wherein said collar creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said bottle when said collar is in the adjacent position.

11. A container for a liquid comprising: a bottle having a top with a neck defining a mouth of the bottle; a hollow collar adapted to be received over the neck of the bottle; a cap adapted to be received over said collar; first tamper-evident means associated with said cap; and second tamper-evident means associated with said collar.

12. The container of claim 11 wherein said first tamper-evident means is breakable by a force less than the force necessary to break said second tamper-evident means.

13. The container of claim 11 wherein said cap has an internally threaded section adapted to be received on an externally threaded section of said collar such that said cap can be moved relative to said collar between a position adjacent said collar and a position remote from said collar.

14. The container of claim 13 wherein said first tamper-evident means comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being initially joined to each other by a part breakable when sufficient force is applied to rotate said cap from the adjacent position.

15. The container of claim 11 wherein said collar engages said bottle such that said collar can be moved between a position adjacent the top of said bottle and a position remote from the top of said bottle.

16. The container of claim 15 wherein said second tamper-evident means comprises a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion being initially joined to each other by a part breakable when sufficient force is applied to move said collar from the adjacent position.

17. The container of claim 11 wherein said cap creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said collar when said cap is received on said collar.

18. The container of claim 13 wherein said cap creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said collar when said cap is in the adjacent position.

19. The container of claim 11 wherein said collar creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said bottle when said collar is received on said bottle.

20. The container of claim 15 wherein said collar creates a substantially fluid tight seal with said bottle when said collar is in the adjacent position.