CLOSURE WITH TAMPER EVIDENT SECONDARY PIECE

Abstract

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to a dispensing closure that comprises a tamper evident secondary lock. Provided is a dispensing closure that encompasses a lid portion and a body portion configured to operatively engage a container. The tamper evident secondary lock is configured to be coupled with the body portion of the dispensing closure and to prevent access to the container and its contents until a tamper evident portion of the secondary lock has been removed. In this manner an end-user can readily determine if the container has been opened prior to the end-user's first use and thus be alerted to possible tampering with the contents of the container. Also provided are embodiments directed to a container assembly and a method for forming the closure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/006,782 filed on Jun. 2, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The following description relates generally to a closure and more particularly to a container closure with a tamper evident secondary piece.

BACKGROUND

Dispensing closures and associated containers can be utilized with a vast variety of products, which can be in any number of forms (e.g., liquid, powder, solid, and so on). In some cases, a variety of products are sold in sealed packages (e.g., external packaging) as a security feature. For example, food products, medicines, cosmetics, and so on, can be sold in containers with a tamper-evident seal, such as a liner.

If a consumer purchases a product where the external packaging or the liner has been broken or removed, the consumer can readily identify that someone may have tampered with the product. However, there are cases where the product may have been tampered with, but the liner was replaced and/or the external packaging was resealed.

Further, although external packaging or liner can provide a means of tamper evidence, they require additional materials, such as the liner itself or the external packaging. Such additional materials unnecessarily increase the cost and time of production thus resulting in an increase in the price of the product.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments in accordance with the present invention to provide a basic understanding of the aforementioned closure with a tamper evident secondary piece. As this summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and features thereof, it should be realized that its sole purpose is to be a prelude to the more detailed descriptions that are presented later such that such detailed descriptions are more readily understood.

Closure embodiments in accordance with the present invention include a lid portion and a body portion configured to operatively engage with a container. Such a closure also includes a secondary lock feature that is operatively engaged with the body portion. When the lid portion is moved away from the body portion, e.g. opened, a first portion of the secondary lock feature is configured to disengage from the body portion leaving a second portion of the secondary lock feature to remain engaged with the body portion.

In some embodiments, the lid portion can be formed of a first colored material and the secondary lock can be formed of a second colored material, different from the first colored material. While in other embodiments bot the lid and body portion are formed of the first color.

In some embodiments, the secondary lock can include a pull-tab portion where such pull-tab portion can be disengaged from the body-portion, e.g. break away therefrom, while leaving another portion of the secondary lock engaged with the body portion and readily visible.

Some embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a container assembly that includes a container and a dispensing closure attachable thereto. The dispensing closure of such embodiments can include a lid portion and a body portion configured to operatively engage the lid portion with the container. The dispensing closure can also include a tamper evident secondary lock operatively engaged with the body portion such that when the lid portion is moved away from the body portion, at least a portion of the tamper evident secondary lock remains engaged with the body portion while another portion of the tamper evident secondary lock is disengaged from the body portion.

Some embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass a method for forming a lid portion and a body portion, wherein the body portion is attached to the lid portion with a hinge. The method can also include forming a secondary lock and operatively engaging the secondary lock with the body portion. The secondary lock can be configured to remain engaged with the body portion and another portion of the secondary lock can be configured to disengage from the body portion.

In some method embodiments, forming the body portion can include forming the body portion and/or the lid portion of a first colored material and forming the secondary lock of a second colored material, different from the first colored material. Further, some such embodiments encompass forming the secondary lock such that a portion thereof is a pull-tab.

The following detailed description and figures sets forth in detail embodiments in accordance with the present invention. It will be understood, however, that such embodiments and the specific features thereof are merely indicative of only some of the various ways in which a closure with a tamper evident secondary piece can be employed or the method by which such a closure can be formed. Thus, while other advantages and features not specifically described herein below may become apparent by a skilled artisan, it will be understood that such other advantages and features that are the result of the teachings provided herein are within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present invention are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an exemplary dispensing closure and an exemplary tamper evident secondary piece;

FIG. 2 depicts the exemplary dispensing closure of FIG. 1 after removal of at least a portion of the tamper evident secondary piece, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts the dispensing closure of FIG. 1 or 2, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, where a lid of such closure is in an open position with respect to a body portion and a remaining portion of the tamper evident secondary piece is shown coupled to the body portion;

FIG. 4 depicts the dispensing closure of FIG. 1, 2 or 3, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, where the lid of such closure is in an open position and the body portion of such closure is coupled to a container; and

FIG. 5 depicts a flex lock mechanism of the closure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments in accordance with the present invention and features thereof are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following descriptions, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments and features thereof.

As discussed above, a container can hold various products, for example, medications, foods, liquids, and the like. In the case of vitamins or other first aid products, it is known that a liner or seal can be placed over the mouth of the container and sealed to a rim thereof to prevent tampering with the products contained therein. Before a first use, the liner or seal has to be peeled back from the rim in order to gain access to the container contents. A damaged or missing liner is then an indication that the product in the container may have been tampered with. However, as it might be possible to carefully peel back the seal from the rim of the container and after tampering with the product of the container replacing such seal, it is possible that a user may not have any evidence of product tampering prior to use of such product. Such lack of evidence of tampering with product can have drastic consequences.

To overcome such lack of evidence of tampering, where a liner or seal is attached to a container or with external packaging, which can be resealed or sold in a damaged condition, where perhaps no container seal is employed, can be eliminated by embodiments of the present invention through the use such embodiments that employ a closure having a tamper evident secondary piece. Further, as such a closure can be manufactured in a manner that eliminates use of a liner or seal as well as so called tamper proof external packaging can provide cost advantages as well.

Where an embodiment in accordance with the present invention is employed as a dispensing closure of a container, in order to gain access to the container contents, the tamper evident secondary piece is irreversibly removed from the dispensing closure. Thus, where a user does not observe the tamper evident secondary piece prior to a first opening of the container, the possibility that the product may have been tampered with is very evident. Advantageously, after such first opening. a lid of the dispensing closure can be readily opened and closed to gain access to the container contents.

Turning now to FIG. 1, such figure depicts an exemplary dispensing closure 100, that is in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Dispensing closure 100 can include a secondary lock 102 that provides evidence of tampering with closure 100. Dispensing closure 100 is shown in a closed position, wherein a lid portion 104 is closed over a body portion 106. Secondary lock 102 is depicted in its assembled position on dispensing closure 100.

In some embodiments of the present invention, secondary lock 102 can be manufactured separately from dispensing closure 100 and coupled to closure 100 during a post molding operation. For example, coupling secondary lock 102 to closure 100 encompasses inserting secondary lock 102 into a complementary opening in body portion 106 of dispensing closure 100. The complementary opening can be formed during a secondary operation or in first molding of closure 100. In such a manner, dispensing closure 100 leaves the manufacturing facility capable of indicating tampering.

The tamper evident dispensing closure can be placed on a corresponding container, with contents therein, at the facility that supplies packaged product or that packages product obtained from a product supplier. When an end-user desires to access the container's contents, the end-user can remove at least a portion of the secondary lock 102, for example an upper portion 120, to allow for lid portion 104 to open or be moved away from body portion 106. If upper portion 120 is removed prior to receipt or a first opening by the end user, the absence of upper portion 120 provides clear evidence that tampering with the product may have occurred. For example, the secondary lock 102 can be molded, or otherwise formed in a color that is different than the color of the other portions of the dispensing closure 100. The color contrast can provide indications the end-user whether or not someone has tampered with dispensing closure 100 or product.

FIG. 1 provides an enlarged view of secondary lock 102 to illustrate the various portions thereof. As shown, the secondary lock 102 can include a lower portion 108 that can be configured to engage in a slot or opening associated with a tab or flex lock mechanism of the closure 100. The lower portion 108 can include one or more extended areas, a first extended area 110 and a second extended area 112, as well as one or more indented portions, a first indented portion 114 and a second indented portion 116. The extended portions and indented portions can operate to facilitate a secure engagement with body portion 106 of dispensing closure 100. Secondary lock 102 is also shown having an extension portion 118 that connects lower portion 108 with an upper portion 120. The lower portion 108 and the extension portion 118 can be configured to remain in a secure engagement with the dispensing closure when the upper portion 120 is removed by the end user, or is removed automatically when lid portion 104 is opened or moved away from body portion 106.

FIG. 2 depicts dispensing closure 100 after at least a portion of the secondary lock 102, for example upper portion 120, has been removed. In this embodiment, upper portion 120 can include a lift lock tab, shown in its removed state in the exploded view 202.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a number of alternate ways for removing upper portion 120 of secondary lock 102. In some such embodiments, upper portion 120 can be torn off the extension portion 118 at a first opening of closure 100 by the end-user. According to this embodiment, the action of lid portion 104 being opened or moved away from body portion 106 can facilitate a tearing action upon secondary lock 102 that results in upper portion 120 being removed. Alternately, top portion 120 can be pried off by the end-user before a first opening of the closure. Since top portion 120 is of a different color than dispensing closure 100, its presence before the end-user first opens closure 100 allows the end-user to easily determine whether or not tampering occurred.

In some embodiments, a pull-tab is included on the secondary lock 102 as an alternative method of removal of upper portion 120. According to this embodiment, the end user can lift the upper portion 120 away from the dispensing closure 100, in the direction indicated by arrow 204. Once removed, the removed piece, shown at 202, can be discarded or sent for recycling.

In some embodiments, as depicted in FIG. 1, upper portion 120 can include wording or another indication that instructs an end-user to remove such upper portion 120 in order to access the container contents. For example, the wording can state “Lift Lock Tab to Break” or “Pull Tab to Break” However, other words and/or diagrams can be utilized.

Turning to FIG. 3 dispensing closure 100 is shown in an open position where extension portion 118 and lower portion 108 are shown remaining fixed to body portion 106. Such remaining portions from the bottom of secondary lock 102 can remain as evidence that the tamper evident feature, upper portion 120, was removed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a container assembly 400, in accordance with the present invention, is depicted. Container assembly 400 encompasses a closure 402 (dispensing closure 100 of FIGS. 1-3) and a container 404. Closure 402 can be a lid or cap or another mechanism that secures an opening or mouth of container 404. The closure and container are operatively attached in a non-removable manner wherein such a non-removable attachment encompasses, but is not limited to, a snap-on non-removable closure means or a threaded means with a non-removable ratchet feature. Container 404 can be a bottle, a jar, or the like. In some embodiments, container assembly 400 can be a sealable container assembly, that is to say a waterproof or spill-proof container assembly.

Although the dispensing closures shown in FIGS. 1-4 have been shown having a circular shape, embodiments in accordance with the present invention are not so limited. Rather, dispensing closures in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can have any shape or size that can be fixably attached to container 404. Further, the container, on which the closure can be operatively attached, can also be any shape or size, where such shape and size are selected as a function of contents or product that is to be stored in the container. Exemplary container contents include, but are not limited to, a powder, granular items, solid or semi-solid contents including food items such as ketchup, mustard, baby food, spices, cookies, cereal, peanuts, grains and the like as well as non-food items, such as hardware items (e.g., nuts, bolts, nails, fasteners, screws) or rock salt, grass seed, sand and the like. Other exemplary container contents include, without limitation, water, fruit juices, automotive oil, rubbing alcohol, pharmaceutical products and cosmetics.

The closure and container can be the same color or can be different colors. For example, in some embodiments the container can be clear and the closure can be colored or opaque, wherein the tamper evidence features discussed herein are a different color. In some embodiments, while both the container and the closure can be clear, but tamper evidence features are colored. Alternately, both can be formed of colored material but where tamper evidence features are of a different color than the dispensing closure. Further, in some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, the closure and the container can be made of the same material or of a similar material while in other embodiments the closure and the container are formed of different materials. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, injection molded suitable thermoplastic materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene and the like.

Closure 402 is illustrated as a unitary or one-piece structure having a first or body portion 406 configured to engage the neck of container 404 and a second or lid portion 408 configured to be movable with respect to first portion 406. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, dispensing closure 402 can be formed as a multiple piece structure, wherein the body portion 406 and the lid portion 408 are operatively connected by a hinge 410. As previously mentioned, although the various embodiments have been shown as a generally circular dispensing closure and/or container, embodiments are not so limited. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, the dispensing closure and/or container can have a shape other than a generally circular shape.

As previous disclosed hereinabove, lid portion 408 can be movable. For example, the lid portion 408 can be configured to move between a first or closed position and a second or open position. When lid portion 408 is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 4, contents (not shown) of container 404 can be accessed or dispensed by the end-user.

For some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, lid portion 408 can moved to a closed position, at least temporarily, to seal container 404 such that contents of the container 404 cannot be accidently accessed. Thus, when lid portion 408 is positioned to seal container 404, such container becomes spill-proof. Further, lid portion 408 can be moved to an opened position to provide easy access to the container and container contents, such that container contents can be accessed without completely removing the closure from the container.

With continuing reference to FIG. 4, container 404 encompasses an opening or mouth. Body portion 406 of closure 402 can be configured to engage a neck or upper rim of container 404, where the neck of such container defines an outer boundary or outer perimeter of the mouth of container 404. When in engagement with such container, an opening 412 of the body portion 406 corresponds to the mouth of container 404 such that container contents can be dispensed through such mouth and opening 412.

In embodiments of the present invention, body portion 406 encompasses an end wall 414. While generally end wall 414 is generally circular, other configurations are possible where container 404 has neck that is other than generally circular. Body portion 406 also encompasses a hollow or tubular skirt 416 that depends from end wall 414. As skirt 416 depends from end wall 414, its shape is generally the same as such end wall.

Skirt 416 is generally configured to engage with the mouth of container 404 where such engagement can be in a threaded manner or in a non-threaded manner. For example, the skirt 416 can include internal screw threads that can operatively engage with complementary screw threads on a neck of the container that defines the mouth thereof. In some embodiments, such internal screw threads or complementary screw threads incorporate a ratchet feature to prevent removal of the closure from the container after such are engaged. Alternately, skirt 416 can engage the neck of container 404 by, without limitation, a snap-on or a press-on means. While generally embodiments of the present invention encompass container and closure that are a two-piece structure, in some embodiments such container and closure are formed as a single piece or single unit. Further, prior to the insertion of secondary lock 102 into dispensing closure 402, such closure can engage the container in a non-removable manner. Such a non-removable engagement encompassing, but not limited to, a snap-on non-removable closure means or a threaded means with a non-removable ratchet feature.

An exterior portion of skirt 416 can be smooth or not smooth, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, an exterior portion of such skirt can have small vertical grooves or other textural features that can improve a person's ability to grip the dispensing closure for its removal from the container.

Referring again to FIG. 4, end wall 414 can be formed with a lip 418 where such lip can define the size of opening 412 of the body portion 406. In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention opening 412 can be sized to provide full-open dispensing capabilities. Providing full open dispensing capabilities, without requiring removal of the dispensing closure from the container, provides ease of use and dispensing. Thus, such full-open dispensing capability provides the advantage of not requiring an end-user to remove dispensing closure 402 from container 404 to achieve the same or similar results that would be achieved if closure 402 were removed from container 404.

Dispensing closure 402 is generally installed to the mouth of container 404 and typically lies in a horizontal plane. For purposes of discussion, a vertical direction or plane will be taken to correspond to a direction parallel to an axial direction with reference to the geometry of the dispensing closure and a horizontal direction or plane will be taken to correspond to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the dispending closure. It should be understood that during molding, the dispensing closure could have a non-upright orientation.

Lid portion 408 can be pivotally joined to the end wall by, for example, hinge 410 where such hinge can be a “living hinge”, a “pivoting hinge”, or another type of hinge. A living hinge is a hinge formed with the body portion and the lid portion as a single piece. A pivoting hinge is formed with the body portion (or the lid portion), wherein the body portion and lid portion are formed as separate pieces and snapped together at the hinge to combine the two pieces. Hinge 410 generally lies in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the skirt. Hinge 410 allows for ease of moving the lid portion, between closed and opened positions. In some embodiments of the present invention, hinge 410 can be constructed of a relatively thin wall that is configured to flex without breakage during an expected service life of the dispensing closure.

With reference to FIG. 5, additionally or alternatively, the closure 402 can comprise a flex lock mechanism 502. Flex lock mechanism 502 can be a positive lock that securely retains the dispensing closure in a closed position. In addition, flex lock mechanism 502 can prevent the lid portion from moving away from the body portion due to vibrations or other causes. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the flex lock mechanism 502 encompasses a first element 504 for securely engaging a second element 506. First element 504 can be located on the lid portion and the second element 506 can be located on the body portion.

In order for the dispensing closure to be opened, after opening for the first time, first element 504 should be moved away and disengaged from second element 506. For example, a bottom portion 508 of flex lock mechanism 502 can be pulled away from the container. In some embodiments, an end user can place their finger between the container and bottom portion 508 and pull outward, away from the container. Movement of bottom portion 508 away from the container can cause first element 504 to disengage from second element 506. For example, the outward movement of bottom portion 508 can cause at least a portion of flex lock mechanism 502 to bend, which can cause first element 504 to bend slightly downward and away from a mating portion of second element 506. Motion in substantially the opposite direction, such as pushing bottom portion 508 toward the container can cause first element 504 to engage with second element 506, thereby retaining the closure in the closed position.

As discussed above, the size of the container and the container mouth is, among other things, a function of the size of the contents to be stored in the container. If the size of the contents are large or should be dispensed in large quantities, the container, the container mouth, and the dispensing closure will be large. On the other hand, if the size of the contents are small and/or should be dispensed in small quantities, the container mouth and dispensing closure will be small.

The subject matter as described above includes various exemplary embodiments. However, it should be appreciated that it is not possible to describe every conceivable embodiment or the features or methodologies thereof. It should be further appreciated that a skilled artisan may recognize that alternate features or methodologies not specifically described herein may also be useful. Where such alternate features or methodologies are the result of the teachings provided herein, such alternate features and methodologies, as well as embodiments that employ such alternate features and/or methodologies will be understood to be within the scope of the present invention and the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A closure, comprising:

a lid portion;

the lid portion comprising a body portion configured to operatively engage the lid portion; and

a secondary lock operatively engaged with the body portion, the secondary lock comprising a tamper evident upper portion configured to engage with the lid portion and a lower portion configured to engage with the body portion.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the lid portion is formed of a first colored material and the secondary lock is formed of a second colored material, different from the first colored material.

3. The closure of claim 1, wherein at least the tamper evident upper portion is configured to be removed upon a first opening of the lid portion.

4. The closure of claim 3, wherein the tamper evident upper portion comprises a pull-tab configured to facilitate removal of such upper portion.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the secondary lock further comprises an extension portion coupling the tamper evident upper portion to the lower portion, wherein the extension portion is configured to break or tear when the tamper evident upper portion is removed.

6. A container assembly, comprising:

a container; and

a dispensing closure attachable to the container, wherein the dispensing closure comprises: a lid portion; a body portion configured to operatively engage the lid portion and the container; and a tamper evident secondary lock operatively engaged with the body portion, wherein an upper portion of the tamper evident secondary lock is configured to be engaged with the lid portion and a lower portion of the tamper evident secondary lock is configured to be engaged with the body portion.

7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein the lid portion is formed of a first colored material and the tamper evident secondary lock is formed of a second colored material, different from the first colored material.

8. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein the secondary lock further comprises an extension portion coupling the tamper evident upper portion and the lower portion.

9. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein the tamper evident upper portion is configured to be removed upon a first opening of the lid portion.

10. The container assembly of claim 9, wherein the tamper evident upper portion comprises a pull-tab configured to facilitate removal of such upper portion.

11. The container assembly of claim 8, wherein extension portion is further configured to break or tear when the tamper evident upper portion is removed.

12. A method of forming a tamper evident container, comprising:

first forming a lid portion and a body portion of a closure, wherein the body portion is attached to the lid portion by one of a living hinge or a pivot hinge;

second forming a tamper evident secondary lock;

operatively engaging the tamper evident secondary lock with the body portion wherein the lid portion is closed with respect to the body portion;

coupling the body portion to a container; and

wherein a first portion of the tamper evident secondary lock is configured to remain engaged with the body portion and the container and a second portion of the tamper evident secondary lock is configured to disengage from the body portion.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein first forming the body portion comprises forming a skirt portion of the body portion wherein the skirt portion further comprises internal screw threads.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein coupling the closure to a container comprises coupling the internal screw threads of the skirt portion with screw threads of the container.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein first forming a lid portion and a body portion comprises first forming using a material of a first color and wherein second forming a tamper evident secondary lock comprises using a material of a second color different than the first color.

16. The closure of claim 5 wherein the lower portion comprising one or more extended areas and one or more indented areas wherein such extended areas and indented areas are configured to securely engage the tamper evident secondary lock with a body portion of a dispensing closure.

17. The container assembly of claim 6 wherein the body portion is non-removably engaged to the container.

18. The container assembly of claim 6 wherein the body portion of the dispensing closure further comprises a skirt portion having internal screw threads.

19. The container assembly of claim 18, wherein the internal screw threads comprise a non-removable ratchet feature.