Tear Strip Patents (Class 215/254)
  • Patent number: 5249704
    Abstract: A sealing cap, for use on the valve of a barrel having an opening with a collar and a valve sealing plate, is made of plastics and is of the type which is damaged during opening. The cap comprises a cover plate and a cylindrical guide. Locking elements are disposed on an inner side of said cylindrical guide, and, in use, engage resiliently under the collar such that the valve sealing plate covers said locking elements at the top, and said cylindrical guide covers said locking elements towards the outside. Narrow radially aligned webs are provided on one part of said cover plate, which webs frangibly connect said cover plate and said cylindrical guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventor: Klaus Boetzkes
  • Patent number: 5246124
    Abstract: In a closure device for bottles, particularly intended for bottles containing quality drinks, there are provided a pour body adapted to be secured on the neck of the bottle and a cap which engages releasably with the pour body; the cap is rigid with a tubular outer skirt which abuts against an annular outer portion of a collar fast with the pour body; the skirt and the annular outer portion are bonded by a frangible outer ring which provides a seal hard to rebuild at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Guala S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piero Battegazzore
  • Patent number: 5224616
    Abstract: A snap on non-replaceable cap for a plastic bottle neck has an upper skirt and an inwardly spaced sealing flange, the inner opposed surfaces of the upper skirt and the sealing flange are curved downwardly and away from one another. A tear skirt is joined to the lowermost edge of the upper skirt to form a thin circumferential tear line. An inturned rib is formed on the inner surface of the tear skirt which locks under an external rib on the neck. The tear skirt, including the inturned rib, may be completely or partially torn off to permit the cap to be removed. To facilitate removal, the tear skirt is formed with a vertical tear line from the lower edge thereof to the circumferential tear line. A tab formed adjacent the vertical tear line functions as a lift tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Northern Engineering and Plastics Corp.
    Inventor: Harry E. Crisci
  • Patent number: 5222616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metal cap, the thickness of the skirt of which is 0.06 to 0.4 mm, with at least one tearing ling which includes a cut or tear line and alternating transverse reliefs and external recesses, each recess ending in the tearing line or at least within 0.5 mm thereof, the thickness of the bottom wall of the tear line being 20 to 70% of the thickness of the skirt, and the tearing line having a bottom thickness which is at most equal to 70% of the thickness of the skirt. The invention also relates to a method of producing the cap. The invention is applicable to obtaining tearable tabs for metal caps which tabs tear entirely along the rear line provided without dangerous edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Pechiney Emballage Alimentaire
    Inventors: Guy Druesne, Joel Michaud
  • Patent number: 5211301
    Abstract: A spooning closure generally comprising a skirt a top, a spooning opening and a hinged spooning lid which is adapted to pivot from a closed position to an open spooning position. A locking means is provided, which is adapted to securely and releasably lock the spooning lid in the closed position. The locking means comprises a tongue and a friction engaging slot. It may further comprise an arcuate latch projection which extends at an acute angle to the spooning lid bottom surface and a cooperating keeper which partially defines the spooning opening and is formed by an arcuate cantilever. Also provided is a reinforcing web extending from the bottom of the spooning lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Magenta Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Groya, Richard W. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5201440
    Abstract: A container closure includes a body for mounting on the container. The body defines a dispensing orifice. A flow control device, such as a lid, is disposed on the body for being moved between positions opening and closing the dispensing orifice. A tamper-indicating member is provided as a unitary extension from the lid. A first frangible web connects the member to the lid. An anchor is connected with a second frangible web to another portion of the tamper-indicating member, and the anchor is retained by the closure body. The tamper-indicating member also includes a graspable pull tab. The tab can be pulled to completely sever the frangible webs connecting the tamper-indicating member to the lid and to the anchor. This permits the lid to be opened while providing evidence of tampering with the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures, a division of Pittway Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Gross
  • Patent number: 5197617
    Abstract: A closure (30) for an aperture (70) with a co-operative peripheral rim profile, such as the mouth of a container, the closure incorporating a self-locking fastener element (40) which cooperates with the rim profile and locks the closure on to the aperture upon limiting engagement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Ariel Industries plc
    Inventor: Cyril K. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5147053
    Abstract: A container with a body and a closure which is held captive to the body and which is is disengageable therefrom by urging the closure towards the body to deflect a deformable member on the closure or the body. This opens a pathway along which a retaining member can move, as the closure is rotated relatively to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Daredi Products Close Corporation
    Inventor: Reginald Friedenthal
  • Patent number: 5141138
    Abstract: A pouring cap for mounting atop a neck of a container is unitarily formed of a synthetic resin with a body adapted to fit over the neck of the container and having an outer body edge centered on an axis, a central pour tube within the edge and forming an axially throughgoing outflow passage, and a cover sealingly engageable in a closed position with the body over the passage at the edge. A hinge is provided on the edge between the body and the cover and a hook projects axially from the cover in the closed position past the edge of the body at a location on the edge generally diametrically opposite the hinge. A retaining element defines with the body an opening adjacent the edge opposite the hinge location. The hook is engageable with elastic deformation through the opening to catch underneath the retaining element and once inserted through the opening is engaged such that the hook or the element must be permanently deformed to move the cover from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Astra Plastique
    Inventors: Philippe Odet, Jacques Ambrosi
  • Patent number: 5129531
    Abstract: A closure assembly for a container including a cap and an engagement member for releasably connecting the cap to the container to cover an opening in the container with the cap. A tamper evident membrane surrounds the periphery of the cap and includes a connecting member for releasably joining the membrane about the periphery of the cap in a breakaway manner. A release tab is provided, integrally formed with the membrane, in a breakaway manner on a portion of the membrane. Release of the tab from the membrane enables the same to extend outwardly from the membrane so as to be grasped and pulled by a user to sever the connecting member and peel off the remaining portion of the tamper evident membrane to enable removal of the cap from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Creative Packaging Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Beck, Terry E. Kubitz
  • Patent number: 5123561
    Abstract: A container closure includes a body for mounting on the container. The body defines two spaced-apart surfaces and a dispensing orifice between the top surfaces. A flow control device, such as a lid or nozzle assembly, is disposed on the body between the two spaced-apart top surfaces for being moved between positions opening and closing the dispensing orifice. A tamper-indicating member is provided over the lid or nozzle assembly. The member has two spaced-apart outer sections which are each attached to one of the body top surfaces. The member also has a middle section extending across and over the lid or nozzle assembly. The middle section is joined on each side with a frangible web to an outer section to inhibit movement of the lid or nozzle assembly from the closed position. The tamper-indicating member also includes a graspable pull tab on the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Richard A. Gross
  • Patent number: 5111947
    Abstract: A tamper proof cap for use on container having a threaded neck. The cap includes a top portion, an annular skirt portion depending from the top portion and a separable strip depending from the bottom of the skirt portion. The boundary between the skirt portion and separable strips is defined by a line weakness. The skirt portion has internal threads that complement threads on an upper portion of the container neck. A portion of the separable strip has internal teeth that engage notches on a lower portion of the container neck. At the end of the strip is a tab which is grasped and pulled to sever the strip from the skirt along the line of weakness, thereby allowing the skirt portion to be unthreaded. The teeth of the strip and the container notches are constructed to allow the teeth to slide past the notches upon rotation of the cap in clockwise threading direction while causing the teeth to engage the notches to prevent rotation of the cap in a counterclockwise unthreading direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventor: Michael C. Patterson
  • Patent number: 5105960
    Abstract: A container for use in combination with a closure has a threaded neck and a flexible lip portion which extends inwardly and upwardly from the top of the neck portion and which defines the opening to the container. The closure has a top portion from which depends a threaded annular skirt which cooperates with the threaded neck portion. The upper surface of the threads on the annular skirt have a plurality of radially extending small upwardly pointed ribs defining fastening configurations registrable with a plurality of radially extending small downwardly pointed ribs on the lower surfaces of the thread on the neck portion of the container. The threads of the closure are smaller than the threads on the neck of the container so as to extend a lesser distance toward the neck of the container than the distance the thread on the neck of the container extends toward the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Northern Engineering & Plastics, Corp.
    Inventors: Robert Crisci, Joseph Bashour
  • Patent number: 5103989
    Abstract: According to the invention, a metallic product of a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm is compressed between a narrow elongated relief (2, 3) and an alternating succession of reliefs (10) and hollows (11) disposed opposite this narrow relief (2, 3), the differences in level between the said alternating reliefs (10) and hollows (11) being transverse in respect of the said narrow relief (2, 3), the compression stress being such that the minimum thicknesses of the said metallic product after compression are comprised between 0.01 and 0.15 mm. This method makes it possible to obtain tearing lines which have no injurious rough portions. The invention likewise relates to the products obtained and is particularly interesting in the field of packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Cebal
    Inventors: Guy Druesne, Joel Michaud
  • Patent number: 5100011
    Abstract: A combination of a cap and tube in which a tube has an opening terminating in a tapered nozzle with an open end. The nozzle has a first diameter proximate said tube and is designed for rotational engagement with a cap. The nozzle includes a ring with a diameter which is the largest diameter of the nozzle and is located at least a band width distance from the junction of the nozzle to the tube. The cap is sized to engage the nozzle at its open end and has a closed outer terminal end. The outer end of the cap includes an axially centered locating cup for engagement with the outer open end of the nozzle. This forms a first seal in a first position and a second seal in a second position which is closer to the outer cap end by the band width distance. The cap is designed for rotational engagement with the nozzle. At its nozzle engaging end, the cap terminates with a circumferential band having an axial width defining the above mentioned band width distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: The West Company, Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael G. Maietta
  • Patent number: 5085333
    Abstract: A tamper evident overcap has a tear band which is offset radially from both a ring member sonically welded to a container shoulder and a cap, by generally radially extending frangible bridges. The bridges are severed by applying force to a pull tab extending radially and axially from the tear band in alignment with a gap in the ring member so that there are no undercut faces on the overcap which can consequently be molded in a straight draw mold without cams or slides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Continental Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert V. Dutt, Gary L. Mengeu, Stephen F. Royal
  • Patent number: 5080245
    Abstract: A closure device for use with a container, comprising cap means with a pull tab and scoring to remove the cap, the scoring including stepped scoring on both sides of the cap with each scoring having a frangible interruption proximate the top radial edge of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: The West Company Incorporated
    Inventor: William A. Conard
  • Patent number: 5069367
    Abstract: A stopper for a dispensing container having a body portion from which a pour spout extends, which spout is closed by a cap and wherein the stopper further includes a diaphragm member for surrounding the spout and sealing the body portion thereof and which diaphragm also includes a vertically extending band having a slot therein for receiving a locking flange extending from the cap with the band being severable from the diaphragm upon opening of the cap to thereby provide a guarantee strip to indicate opening of the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Societe Nouvelle de Bouchons Plastiques
    Inventors: Pierre Salmon, Claude Pradinas
  • Patent number: 5058775
    Abstract: A toggle-acting dispensing closure which is resistant to premature actuation of said actuator during shipping and handling prior to purchase, and which provides evidence that access has been gained to the contents of the associated container. A removable tear tab means is provided on the closure actuator or on the body of the closure which interferes initially with the pivoting of the actuator on the body. The tear tab means is frangibly connected to the actuator or body and is positioned between the body and actuator adjacent the actuator finger pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Seaquist Closures, a Division of Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Gross, Dieter F. Lay
  • Patent number: 5052574
    Abstract: A tamper-proof and tamper-evident closure system is for use with a plastic container body and lid of the type wherein the container body has an opening defined by a continuous side wall and the lid has a depending skirt terminating at a lower edge, with the skirt overlapping the side wall adjacent the opening when the lid covers the opening. The closure system comprises a shield flange projecting outwardly from the side wall of the container body imemdiately adjacent the lower edge of the lid when the lid covers the opening of the container body and a tamper-evidencing band frangibly connected to the shield flange along a separation path spaced from the side wall of the container body. The shield flange bars access to a substantial portion of the lower edge and includes a cut-out section providing access to a minor portion of the lower edge of the lid to permit removal of the lid from the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Cardinal Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Lee McKinnon, Imre J. Buza, Terry L. Hartman, Arthur H. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 5048706
    Abstract: A cap is composed of a cylindrical skirt provided with a central opening, and ensures the locking of a plug in the opening of a neck of a container. A tear-off lid is sealed onto this cap and, by means of a projecting part on a gripping ring of the cap, is connected by a strip to a portion of the upper end of the skirt delimited circumferentially by tear-off lines parallel to the generatrices of the skirt, extending over the entire height of the latter and associated with partial cuts. The skirt tears off when the lid is torn off by means of the ring. The cap is particularly useful for sealing of containers for sterile non-injectable pharmaceutical products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Manufacture Lyonnaise de Bouchage
    Inventor: Robert de Vaujany
  • Patent number: 5046632
    Abstract: A closure assembly for use with fiber containers of a generally cylindrical shape which includes an integrally molded lid having a top portion which extends to a periphery which incorporates a seating channel and a skirt assembly within which primary and secondary latching components are retained. The lid is associated for multi-mode closure upon the container through the use of a plurality of spaced fasteners which are attached to the container outer sidewall in a predetermined spaced relationship adjacent the top edge thereof. Primary latching components within the skirt assembly are of limited extent and are removable from the lid through the use of a pull tab and parting groove architecture. Thus, the lid may be removably secured to the container with the secondary latching feature within the upper portion of the skirt assembly without damaging and without engaging the primary latching structure for pre-filling shipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Paul G. Bordner
  • Patent number: 5040702
    Abstract: In a manually actuated sprayer having a nozzle rotatable from OFF to ON positions, a removable tear strip or a removable cap is provided for preventing rotation from the OFF position. Upon removal of the tear strip or cap, the nozzle is free to be rotated to its ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Calmar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Knickerbocker, R. Kevin O'Neill, Douglas B. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 5029718
    Abstract: A closure for monodose bottles having a reservoir with a breakable bottom fittable into bottle openings. A cylindrical element having a lower end with a cutting edge is inserted in the reservoir. A sealing cap is fittable around a bottle neck, the sealing cap includes a top wall, and cylindrical wall connected by a breaking line which is easily manually broken, and provides a means by which the entire cap is removed to expose the cylindrical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Capsulit S.p.A.
    Inventor: Napoleone Rizzardi
  • Patent number: 5004110
    Abstract: There is disclosed a closure which permits the opening of a membrane sealed nutritional or pharmaceutical product container in a single action motion which also maintains a hermetic seal under retort conditions. This closure includes a generally cylindrical side wall having threads along the inner surface thereof and retaining means for cooperative engagement with the lip of a plastic container, and a top having an annular rim portion and a center portion, with the top having a lower surface attached to a heat-sealable barrier able to be secured to the plastic container, with the top also having a center portion removal means. A method is also disclosed for providing a hermetic seal on plastic containers using the closure and plastic container of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Thomas W. Osip, Jerold W. Montgomery, Paul A. Pezzoli
  • Patent number: 4971227
    Abstract: In a manually actuated sprayer having a nozzle rotatable from OFF to ON positions, a removable tear strip or a removable cap is provided for preventing rotation from the OFF position. Upon removal of the tear strip or cap, the nozzle is free to be rotated to its ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Calmar, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Knickerbocker, R. Kevin O'Neill, Douglas B. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 4946055
    Abstract: An improved synthetic resinous molded threaded cap for use on necked containers permitting initial press fit installation and subsequent threaded engagement. The cap is provided with a tear seal, an inner surface of which provides mutual engagement of an inwardly projecting rib with a corresponding rib on the container neck. Rupture of the tear seal removes this rib and allows the cap to be threadedly engaged by further axial displacement of the cap upon the neck. The cap may be molded with a feathered free edge to facilitate removal from a mold without damaging the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventors: Edward J. Towns, Edward M. Brown
  • Patent number: 4934554
    Abstract: A tamper-evident lid for use with containers includes a surface to cover the container, and downward projections around the periphery of the surface which surrounds the mouth of said container. An interrupted ring is frangibly attached to the downward projections. A plurality of tamper-evident hooks are affixed to said ring. The hooks are visible through openings in the downward projections. The hooks engage the container, but when the lid is removed, the ring fractures away from the downward projection ring and the tampering with the package is apparent. In the preferred embodiment, a bead on the lid engages the sidewall of the container to provide a resealable, airtight seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Bryant Edwards
    Inventor: Bryant Edwards
  • Patent number: 4919286
    Abstract: An improved container and closure combination is described. The container has a variety of protrusions from its neck. The closure consists of a cap cover, a tear strip, a double-hinge, and an anchor band. The improvements of the closure include providing for a flexible valve seal, an easier removal apparatus for the tear strip, a self-aligning cap and a double lock bead system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Robert Linkletter Assoc.
    Inventor: Albert J. Agbay, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4848615
    Abstract: A tamper-proof closure for a container having a discharge opening at one end and a wall member spanning the opening, inter-engaging locking between the skirt of the cap and the container opening, a tab projecting radially outwardly from the skirt registerable with a recess or gap in a radially outwardly directed flange of the container which it normally overlies, a fracturable tear band portion including inter-locking to prevent relative rotation of the closure and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: The West Company
    Inventor: Peter W. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 4784279
    Abstract: A tamper-proof seal for a container having at least one circumferentially extending flange adjacent the discharge opening therein comprising an annular top and a circumferentially extending skirt depending from the top adapted to be crimped at its lower terminal edge to engage under the flange to hold it on the container. A pull ring connects to the annular portion by a throat portion and partial score lines extend across the annular top portion on either side of the pull ring and define a plurality of circumferentially spaced score lines extending from the lower edge of the skirt upwardly in an axial direction to a point closely adjacent the juncture of the skirt and annular top portion. The axial score lines are spaced closely about the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: The West Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Osting, William A. Conard
  • Patent number: 4779750
    Abstract: A removable thermoplastic cap for a beer keg bushing comprising a flat disc with integral peripheral skirt which includes inturned upwardly directed gripping lugs preventing removal of the cap when once fitted to a beer keg bushing, vertical slots spaced around the skirt and extending partway across the disc to provide venting for the interior of the bushing, and a pull tab provided on one side of the disc and connected by weakened lines to the opposite side thereof to facilitate peeling off of the cap by tearing apart the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Arlco Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 4760931
    Abstract: A container neck insert for providing a safety feature upon removal of a conventional covering cap. The insert is in the form of a plastic disk molded with a portion which engages a recess in the container neck and is retained therein. In one form the safety feature provides tamper indication by using a circumferential frangible opening line and a pull tab for removal of a portion of the disk. In another form, the safety feature provides child-resistant access to the container by acting as a pivoting door having a closing feature when the opening force is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Peter P. Gach
  • Patent number: 4733787
    Abstract: There is disclosed an overcap for a container with a primary cap for the removal of the contents thereof, whereby the overcap is easily assembled onto the container and completely surrounds the primary cap. When assembled, the overcap prevents access to the primary cap, and when removed, the overcap becomes irreversibly deformed such that visual evidence is clearly apparent that access to the primary cap has been gained. The irreversible deformity consists of tabs connecting the pull-tab to the overcap, and weakened areas in the side of the overcap which must be torn to allow removal of the primary cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Merck & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Norman D. Knopf, Heinz P. Meyer, Abraham Leibson
  • Patent number: 4730745
    Abstract: A package that is made of a blown plastic container and a two-piece or composite closure which is secured to a neck portion of the container. The closure includes a molded plastic plug style closure with an inner annular member which engages the inside of the neck of the container, an outer annular member which closely surrounds the outside of the neck of the container and a top panel from which the inner and outer annular members depend and which spans the rim of the container. The second piece of the closure is a molded plastic collar which surrounds the outer annular member of the plug style closure and which is frictionally interlocked therewith. The bottom of the collar has an inwardly and upwardly extending flange which engages a bead on the outside of the neck of the container to interlock the collar and the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois Closure Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Perry
  • Patent number: 4727998
    Abstract: A tamper evident mechanism for a bottle and closure assembly. The bottle and closure each have engaging means adapted for engagement with each other upon clockwise rotation of the closure means and for becoming interlocked against counterclockwise rotation to prevent removal of the closure. A tear tab and associated frangible strips are provided on the skirt of the closure. The tear tab is disposed within an indentation on the outer surface of the closure. Pulling off the tear tab along the frangible strips accomplishes removal of the interlocked engaging means, freeing the closure for counterclockwise rotation and removal. At the same time a gaping hole is imparted to the skirt of the cap providing visual evidence of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Inventor: B. Kenneth Simon
  • Patent number: 4727999
    Abstract: A safety dispensing closure and container package in which the closure is affixed to the container so that it cannot be removed, requiring dispensing through a dispensing orifice in the closure top and inhibiting refilling of the container. An internal bead on the closure skirt engages a groove in the container neck and the closure skirt extends into close proximity with a shoulder on the container neck to prevent attempts of prying removal. Tamper indication can also be provided by an integrally molded insert across the dispensing orifice which is removed by a pull tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1988
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastic Corporation
    Inventor: Peter P. Gach
  • Patent number: 4721210
    Abstract: A lid and cup assembly for storing and dispensing comestibles is disclosed which provides a tamper-evident package to indicate unauthorized tampering. The tamper-evident package for storing and dispensing comestibles and the like, includes a cup formed of a sidewall member having at its open end a rim with an unrolled peripheral edge. The package also includes a lid configured and dimensioned for engagement with the cup at its open end. The lid includes a panel member having along its periphery an annular rib configured and dimensioned so as to snap-fittingly and sealingly engage the cup. The annular rib is formed of an inner wall an outer wall and a transverse top wall. The outer wall has three spaced apart detent ribs of predetermined length for securing engagement with the cup peripheral edge at least when the lid is pried off. The outer wall also has adjacent at least one of the detent ribs a pair of tear lines on each side of the respective detent rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Inventors: Richard R. Lawrence, Charles R. Malsbury, Glenn Moreau
  • Patent number: 4712705
    Abstract: A safety cap which functions as a protective and sanitary seal for covering valves or quick disconnect coupling plugs of the type which are used on beverage tank dispensers and which may only be removed by destruction of the cap so as to provide a positive indication of tampering wherein the cap includes an upper body portion which is securely engagable over the valve and completely covers it and a lower skirt portion which is attached thereto by both an integral tear strip and a plurality of spaced frangible connecting elements so that removal of the cap requires a destruction of the frangible elements and a subsequent severing of the tear strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Stoffel Seals Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Fuehrer
  • Patent number: 4709823
    Abstract: An anti-tamper container closure assembly includes a container having a orifice defining neck which receives a closure cap. The container has a plurality of projecting anti-rotation teeth positioned below the bottom of the closure cap and an overcap is adapted to be snapped over the closure cap, the overcap having a skirt with inner diameter projecting anti-rotation ribs which index with the container teeth to prevent rotation of the overcap. The overcap is effective to prevent opening of the orifice and is provided with frangeable connecting portions allowing a part of the overcap to be removed from the assembly to provide access to the closure cap for an opening actuation of the closure cap. The overcap skirt is provided with an inner diameter ledge which abuts a closure cap outer diameter ledge to prevent removal of the overcap skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: James M. Beck
    Inventors: James M. Beck, Robert D. Rohr
  • Patent number: 4706837
    Abstract: A tamper resistant package consisting of a container and removable closure includes sealing means comprising an insert disposed in the interior of the container for sealing the container. The insert includes a tear-away section and a tab affixed to the insert at the tear-away section. The tab normally extends upwardly for removing the tear-away section when it is desired to open the container. If the tear-away section is partially or completely broken away from the body of the insert the user is provided with a positive, readily ascertainable indication that the package has been previously opened and possibly tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: Inventive Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Carl W. Cooke
  • Patent number: 4682702
    Abstract: A dispensing closure having a base cap with a top containing a dispensing orifice and a skirt adapted to be attached to a container so that dispensing of the container contents can take place only through the cap orifice. The orifice is sealed with an integrally molded removable disc having a spiral weakening groove which defines a tear strip. Lifting a pull ring attached to the tear strip removes the sealing disc as a spiral strip so that any attempt to hide a previous partial opening by pushing the lifted portion of the strip back in the plane of the disc will be easily detected. A lid attached to the base cap provides easy access to the seal for detecting tampering and removal for use as well as acting to close the orifice after removal of the sealing disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Peter P. Gach
  • Patent number: 4645087
    Abstract: Five embodiments of a tamper indicating molded plastic band that locks over a ledge on the closure and beneath a flange on the container. The cylindrical band is molded with continuous locking rings or interrupted tabs joined adjacent the top end bottom edge thereof and which extend inwardly and generally toward each other to form mechanical locking members. Depending upon the particular arrangement of the locking rings on the tamper indicating band, the band would be applied to the closure before or after threaded application to the container. The band may be used with a plastic or metal closure and with a plastic, metal or glass container having a threaded neck and outwardly extending radial flange therebelow beneath which the ring or tab will lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventor: Maximillian Kusz
  • Patent number: 4605137
    Abstract: A bottle cap of the tear-off type, particularly an easy-to-open cap for wide mouth bottles, in which a central top wall which covers the top portion of the mouth of the bottle is connected to a lateral band which surrounds the opening of the neck of the bottle and is bent under the edge of the neck to grip the cap, while a tear-off tab, bounded by one or more score lines, extends from the top wall through the lateral band and an angular sealing gasket is interposed between the mouth of the bottle and the top wall and the lateral band, respectively. The angular sealing gasket is bonded to the undersurface of the central top wall at a bond area inside the score line or lines, whereby, when the cap is broken by lifting the central top wall by means of the tear tab, the angular sealing gasket is lifted with it in one piece and slips off from underneath the lateral band, ousting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Italcaps S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Taragna, Antonio Giovannelli
  • Patent number: 4605138
    Abstract: A bottle cap of the tear-off type, particularly an easy-to-open cap for wide mouth bottles, in which a central top wall which covers the top portion of the mouth of the bottle is connected to a lateral band which surrounds the opening of the neck of the bottle and is bent under the edge of the neck to grip the cap, while a tear-off tab, bounded by one or more score lines, extends from the top wall through the lateral band and an angular sealing gasket is interposed between the mount of the bottle and the top wall and the lateral band, respectively. The score line or lines are carried out approximately at the boundary line between the top wall and the lateral band and the angular sealing gasket is bonded to the innermost surface of the lateral band at a bond area outside the score line or lines, whereby, when the cap is broken by lifting the central top wall by means of the tear tab, the residual lateral bond appears L shaped and the angular sealing gasket is broken only at the tear tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: Italcaps S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luigi Taragna, Antonio Giovannelli
  • Patent number: 4598834
    Abstract: A sealing cover (10) is disclosed for resealing a side injection port (14) on an IV solution container (12). Sealing cover (10) has a first end portion (28), a center portion (30) and a second end portion (32) which define a cover region (24). One side of the cover region (24) has an adhesive material (44) so that the cover can be adhesively secured to the port (14). A nonadhesive region (48) is positioned over the injectable membrane (20) of the port. The first and second end portions (28, 32) are folded relative to the center portion (30) and wrapped about the cylindrical portion (16) of the port (14) to enhance the adhesive attachment. Protrusions (36) on the center portion (30) can also be folded against the cylindrical portion for adhesive attachment. A pull tab region (26) extends from one of the end portions to permit removal of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: U.S. Clinical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Winfield S. Singletary, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4540098
    Abstract: A tamper indicating and child resistant package including a closure for use with a container having lock members. The closure has a top with concentric inner and outer skirts depending therefrom. The outer skirt is equipped with locking tabs for engaging the lock member on the container to prevent removal of the closure from the container. The locking tabs are deflectable radially outwardly upon radial inward squeezing of the outer skirt at predetermined diametrically opposed points which are circumferentially spaced from the lock tabs. A frangible, removable taper indicating means is provided to maintain the lock tab in circumferentially spaced relationship to the lock member and the squeeze points in alignment with ramp means on the container to prevent radial inward deflection and opening rotation of the closure until the tamper indicating means is broken away and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Luker
  • Patent number: 4526283
    Abstract: A package closure includes a stopper adapted to be sealingly engageable with the opening of the package. The closure also includes a frangible member adapted to simultaneously seal the opening and carry the stopper in a disengaged position relative to the opening. Preferably, the stopper is engageable with the package opening in a child-proof manner. Breaking of the frangible member permits the child-proof package to be initially opened without requiring the package user to struggle with the child-proof stopper. The package contents may then be transferred to a package not having child-proof sealing means. Easy access to the contents of the package by the elderly or handicapped is thereby promoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Inventor: Robert A. Skinner
  • Patent number: 4522308
    Abstract: An oral liquid dose vial and seal combination is disclosed which requires no crimping or other tools for assembly. A graduated vial of the combination has a circumferential external lip substantially adjacent to its mouth. A unitary plastic seal for the vial has a base plate and an endless rib protruding from the base plate. The rib is configured to fit into the mouth of the vial and to sealingly engage interior walls of the vial. A lip rims the circumference of the base plate and includes inwardly protruding ribs which engage the lip of the vial. A grippable tab is attached to the lip of the seal. Portions of the lip of the vial have thin walls so as to be frangible and to break when the tab is pulled upwardly with a force exceeding a predetermined threshold level. When the frangible portions of the lip of the vial break, the lip partially separates from the base plate, and the entire seal is pulled off the vial by the upwardly directed force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: James J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4514248
    Abstract: A sealing cover has an upper layer of plastic film substantially impervious to moisture and bacteria. A second layer of metal foil film is bonded to the plastic layer with a layer of adhesive or by extruding the plastic onto the second layer. An additional layer of adhesive material is bonded to the second layer for adhering to a carrier liner in packaging the seal and engaging the container top in resealing the container upon removal from the carrier. Upon removal of the sealing cover from a container, telltale strips of the cover are left in engagement with the container to indicate the seal has been removed. In another embodiment, a layer of metal foil is laminated between two layers of plastic film. Slits may be formed in the cover to promote its tearing to leave telltale sealing strips on the container upon removal of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: U.S. Clinical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Cummings