Closure with a tamper-evident element

A tamper-evident closure is provided with a base having a deck with a discharge aperture. A lid is included for covering the discharge aperture on the base. The lid defines a latch aperture. The base has a resilient locking lever that projects from the base deck and through the lid latch aperture when the lid is closed. The lever engages the lid and holds the lid closed. A tamper-indicating element is provided on the lid to prevent operation of the lever. The element is attached to the lid with frangible portions which can be broken when sufficient force is applied to remove at least a part of the element and permit operation of the lever whereby another part of the element remains on the lid to provide evidence that part of the element has been removed.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to a tamper-evident closure for a container. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART 
Designs have been proposed for container closures which include a latch for 
holding the closure closed and preventing the opening of the closure 
unless the closure latch is manipulated in a specific manner. Some such 
designs are particularly suitable for use as child-resistant closures. 
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,017 discloses a closure having a child-resistant 
latch. The closure has a base or body adapted to be mounted on the 
container over the opening and defines a discharge aperture through which 
the container contents can be dispensed. The latch includes a locking 
member in the form of a lever projecting upwardly from the closure body. 
A lid is hingedly connected to the body for movement between a closed 
position occluding the discharge aperture in an open position spaced from 
the discharge aperture. The lid defines an aperture for receiving the 
lever when the lid is closed so that the lever engages an adjacent portion 
of the lid and holds the lid closed. 
In order to open the closure, the lever must be pushed in one direction 
while the lid is lifted. This requires the use of some fingers of both 
hands, as well as some significant finger strength. Small children are not 
capable of performing the necessary manipulations with strength sufficient 
to open the closure. 
While the above-discussed child-resistant closure functions well, it would 
be desirable to provide, in some applications, a tamper-evident feature on 
the closure. Preferably, such a tamper-evident feature should prevent 
operation of the latch unless the tamper-evident feature is removed. 
Further, the removal should result in a readily observable, altered 
configuration or appearance which will be immediately indicative of the 
removal of the tamper-evident feature or portion thereof. 
It would also be desirable to provide an improved tamper-evident feature 
suitable for use with a variety of latched closure designs which could be 
relatively easily incorporated in such existing closure designs. 
Further, it would be beneficial if such an improved tamper-evident design 
could be readily employed with various types of child-resistant closures 
as well as non-child-resistant closures. 
It would also be advantageous if such an improved tamper-evident design 
could be readily fabricated from thermoplastic materials and include 
separate pieces of contrasting color. 
It would also be beneficial if such an improved closure could be provided 
in a form that would not require excessively complicated manufacturing 
operations and that would permit the use of conventional, high-speed, 
automatic capping machines for applying the closure to a container. 
The present invention can be embodied in designs that provide one or more 
of the above-discussed benefits and features. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a tamper-evident closure offering advantages 
of greater design flexibility, improved child resistance, easier 
manufacturing, and better compatibility with high-speed, automatic capping 
machines. 
The closure includes a base or body for attachment to the container. In the 
preferred embodiment, the base includes a deck defining a discharge 
aperture communicating with the container. 
The closure also includes a lid for movement between the closed position 
occluding the discharge aperture and an opened position spaced from the 
discharge aperture. In the preferred embodiment, the lid is hingedly 
connected to the body. 
A releasable latch is defined cooperatively by the base and lid to hold the 
lid closed. In a preferred embodiment, the latch includes (1) a latch 
surface on the lid adjacent a receiving aperture defined in the lid, and 
(2) a lever unitary with, and projecting upwardly from, the base to 
project through the lid receiving aperture and engage the latch surface 
when the lid is closed. 
A separate tamper-indicating element or plate, which is not molded as part 
of the lid, is mounted to the lid so as to prevent operation of the latch. 
The element includes (1) a removable part, and (2) an attachment structure 
that is engaged with the lid and that has a frangible portion which can be 
broken when sufficient force is applied to remove the removable part to 
permit operation of the latch. 
At least a portion of the attachment structure remains on the lid to 
provide evidence that the tamper-indicating element has been removed. 
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become 
readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, 
from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, 
this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some 
specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended 
to be limited to the embodiments so described, however. The scope of the 
invention is pointed out in the appended claims. 
For ease of description, the closure of this invention is described in an 
upright position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are 
used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that 
the closure of this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, 
used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described. 
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the tamper-evident closure of the 
present invention in a fully closed condition wherein the closure is 
represented generally by the reference numeral 20. The closure 20 is 
adapted to be mounted on a container (not illustrated) which may have a 
conventional open mouth defined by a neck (not illustrated) or other 
suitable structure. 
The closure 20 includes a closure base or body 24 for securement to the 
container. The base 24 includes a generally cylindrical, peripheral wall 
26 and a generally transverse closure wall or deck 28 (FIGS. 3 and 5) 
which extends across the base 24. A central portion 27 of the base deck 28 
is thicker so that the surrounding portion of the deck 28 defines a 
peripheral shoulder. 
The cylindrical wall 26 of the closure base 24 is adapted to engage the 
outer periphery of the top of the container neck (not illustrated) around 
the container mouth, as with threads (having an appropriate structure for 
preventing removal of the installed closure). Other suitable engaging 
means (e.g., snap-fit beads) may be provided to secure the closure base 24 
on the container. Alternatively, in some applications the closure base 24 
could be non-releasably attached to, or formed unitary with, the 
container. 
The closure base 24 includes a discharge passage 40 through the deck 28 
(FIG. 5). The closure passage 40 is surrounded by a hollow discharge tube 
39. The tube 39 projects upwardly from the body deck 28. 
A conventional sealing ring 45 projects downwardly from the underside of 
the deck 28 for engaging an interior edge of the container neck at the 
container mouth to effect a tight seal. 
Preferably, a lid 50 is hingedly connected by a hinge means or hinge 52 
(FIG. 5) to the edge of the base 24. The lid 50 carries a 
tamper-indicating element or member 54 which must be removed, as explained 
in detail hereinafter, to provide access to the lid for opening and 
closing the lid 50. The lid 50 defines three holes 55 (FIG. 5 shows two of 
the three holes 55), and each hole 55 is adapted to receive a portion of 
the element 54 to anchor the element 54 to the lid 50 as explained in 
detail hereinafter. 
The lid 50 is adapted to be pivoted between (1) a closed position (FIG. 1) 
preventing flow of the container-stored contents through the closure and 
(2) an open position moved away from the closed position to permit the 
dispensing of the container-stored contents from the base discharge 
aperture (FIG. 3 shows a partly open position). 
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the hinge 52 is a snap-action 
hinge of the conventional type described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,712. 
If a hinge is employed, it is not required that the hinge 52 be a 
snap-action type hinge. Any suitable hinge system may be employed for 
connecting the lid 50 to the base 24 consistent with the particular 
application requirements, aesthetics, manufacturing techniques, etc. 
Preferably the lid 50 and the closure body 24 are molded as a unitary 
structure from suitable thermoplastic materials, such as polypropylene or 
polyethylene. However, the lid 50 and body 24 could be formed as separate 
pieces, and preferably would in such a case be designed for subsequent 
assembly with a suitable connecting hinge system to permit opening and 
closing of the lid. The detailed design and operation of the hinge per se 
form no part of the present invention. 
The lid 50 preferably includes a central cover panel 58 and has a 
peripheral skirt 60 depending from the periphery of the central cover 
panel 58. The lid skirt 60 has a bottom surface 62 (FIG. 5) defining a 
bottom surface of the lid. The skirt bottom surface 62 is adapted to rest 
on the peripheral, annular shoulder of the base deck 28 when the lid is 
closed as illustrated in FIG. 5. 
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the lid 50 also includes a 
sealing spud or member 68 (FIG. 5) which projects from the central cover 
panel 58. The sealing member 68 is adapted to enter into the discharge 
opening of the hollow tube 39 projecting upwardly from the base central 
deck region 27 when the lid 50 is closed (FIG. 5). This is particularly 
suitable for use with containers of liquids. 
It will be appreciated, however, that the base discharge tube 39 and lid 
sealing member 68 need not be provided in the form illustrated, or need 
not be provided at all. If the closure 20 is used with liquids, then other 
means for sealing the closure lid 50 and base 24, as around the lid skirt 
bottom surface 62, may be employed. If the closure 20 is designed for a 
container for pills or other individual items, then a major portion of the 
base deck central portion 27 may be eliminated in order to provide a 
relatively large access opening to the container. In such a case, the 
discharge tube 39 and lid sealing member 68 would, of course, be 
eliminated. 
A novel latching mechanism is provided for maintaining the lid 50 in the 
closed position and inhibiting a child from opening the closure--even 
after the element 54 is removed (as explained in detail hereinafter). 
Specifically, at the front of the closure 20, diametrically opposite from 
the hinge 52, the base 24 has a resilient locking lever 70 (FIGS. 1-3 and 
5) which projects upwardly from the base deck 28 at a location inwardly of 
the periphery of the base. The locking lever 70 has an outwardly 
extending, and downwardly facing, shoulder 72 (FIG. 5). The lever 70 is 
relative stiff, and a small child would find it difficult, if not 
impossible, to use a finger to bend or deflect the locking lever 70 
rearwardly toward the hinge 52. 
The top of the locking member 70 has a curved distal end 74, and the front 
region of the locking member 70 above the shoulder 72 extends outwardly, 
in a slightly convex curve, from the thinner distal end to the outer edge 
of the shoulder 72. This defines a camming surface 76 against which the 
lid 50 acts as explained hereinafter. The lever 70 also has an upper rear 
surface 78 (FIG. 5). 
The lid central cover panel 58 defines an aperture 80 (FIG. 3) inwardly of 
the periphery of the lid for receiving the lever 70 when the lid is closed 
(FIG. 5). The bottom of the aperture 80 opens at the bottom surface of the 
lid (i.e., lid skirt bottom surface 62). 
The front of the aperture 80 is defined by an inwardly slanting, planar, 
upper front wall 82. The wall 82 acts as a cam surface for engaging the 
lever camming surface 76 as the lid 50 is pivoted downwardly to the fully 
closed position. As the cam wall 82 and lever surface 76 engage, the lever 
70 is deflected rearwardly, to accommodate movement of the lid 50 to the 
fully closed position wherein the lid skirt seating surface 62 engages the 
base deck 28. 
The upper edge of the lid cam wall 82 terminates at a horizontally disposed 
latch surface 86 (FIG. 3) at an elevation slightly below the elevation of 
the downwardly facing shoulder 72 on the lever 70. Thus, when the lid 50 
is fully seated in the closed position, the lever 70 returns to its 
normal, undeflected position owing to the inherent resiliency of the lever 
material. When the locking lever 70 has returned to the normal, unstressed 
position illustrated in FIG. 5, the locking lever shoulder 72 overlies the 
lid latch surface 86 and prevents the lid 50 from being pivoted upwardly 
unless the locking lever 70 is first pivoted rearwardly. 
When the lid 50 is fully closed as illustrated in FIG. 5, the top surface 
of the lid on either lateral side of the lever 70 is at an elevation 
slightly greater than the top of the lever distal end 74. The clearance 
around the top of the lever 70, and the overall width of the lever 70, are 
relatively small. This reduces the exposure of the lever 70 to engagement 
with a child's teeth and inhibits efforts of a child to bend the lever 70 
rearwardly. Further, the small clearance around the lever 70 inhibits the 
insertion of a child's teeth under the lever shoulder 72. 
However, in order to facilitate opening of the closure by an adult user, 
the lid 50 defines a finger access recess around, and extending from the 
aperture, and the recess is defined in part by two, spaced-apart, concave, 
curved surfaces 90A and 90B (FIG. 6). The surfaces 90A and 90B accommodate 
the width of a typical adult finger so that an adult can position a finger 
adjacent the upper front portion of the locking lever 70 and push the 
locking lever 70 rearwardly. However, the overall extent of the depth and 
width of the adjacent surfaces 90A and 90B are relatively small so as to 
reduce the exposure of the lever 70 to engagement with a child's teeth and 
so as to inhibit efforts of a child to bend the lever 70 rearwardly. 
Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the top of the locking lever distal end 
74 is preferably recessed slightly below the top of the adjacent central 
cover panel 58 of the lid. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the 
peripheral region of the lid 50, including the skirt 60, extends outwardly 
beyond the front of the locking lever 70 to prevent a child's teeth from 
engaging the front of the lever 70. 
To assist an adult user in opening the closure, the lid 50 includes a pair 
of finger-engaging surfaces 92 (FIGS. 1 and 3) with one surface 92 on one 
side of the latch area and with one surface 92 on the other side of the 
latch area. Each finger-engaging surface 92 is defined in the skirt lid 60 
by a shallow indentation. The indentations 92 extend part way around the 
lid on either side of the lid aperture 80. Each finger-engaging surface 92 
forms an outwardly facing, smooth wall defining a rear portion of the 
indentation. 
Preferably, each indentation and associated finger-engaging surface 92 
extends completely to the skirt bottom surface 62 but terminates short of 
the top of the skirt. Further, the end of each finger-engaging surface 92 
near the aperture 80 merges with the lid skirt 60. 
In order to permit the adult user's finger to exert an upper, opening force 
on the lid 50, each finger-engaging surface 92 extends progressively 
outwardly with increasing distance from the lid bottom surface 62 as can 
be seen in FIG. 6. The finger-engaging surface 92 terminates along a top 
edge which extends forwardly or outwardly of the lid skirt bottom edge. 
However, but the finger-engaging surface 92 is free of overhanging 
peripheral surfaces of a depth sufficient to be liftingly engaged by a 
child's teeth. That is, the indentation is sufficiently shallow and 
slopped or curved so that the child's upper or lower front teeth cannot 
effectively engage, in a non-slipping manner, the surface 92 and apply 
sufficient force in the direction needed to pry the lid 50 away from the 
base 24. 
Further, the other portions of the lip periphery between the two 
finger-engaging surfaces 92 and between each surface 92 and the hinge 52 
are free of overhanging peripheral surfaces of sufficient depth to be 
liftingly engaged by a child's teeth. 
In order to increase the child resistance of the closure 20, the 
finger-engaging recesses 92 do not extend in front of the region of the 
locking lever 70. That is, the lift area presented by each finger-engaging 
surface 92 is laterally displaced from the locking lever 70 and aperture 
80 by an amount sufficient to require the user to perform the opening 
manipulations at two distinctly different locations on the closure in 
order to open the lid. Thus, the locking lever 70 must be engaged at one 
location on the lid 50, and while the locking lever is deflected, the lid 
50 must be opened by lifting at one or both of the separated, laterally 
displaced, finger-engaging surfaces 92. This manipulation sequence is 
difficult and confusing for small children. 
Preferably, the surface of skirt 60 immediately below the latch surface 86 
(FIG. 2) between the finger-engaging surfaces 92 is substantially vertical 
and smooth, and is somewhat forward of the locking lever shoulder 72 (FIG. 
5), so as to eliminate or reduce the presence of surfaces or edges that 
could be engaged by a child's teeth to separate or distort the structures 
in the region of the locking lever 70. 
In addition, the portion of the base 24 that extends from the hinge 52 is 
configured to project peripherally outwardly at least as far as the lid 
bottom surface 62. Preferably, the front portion of the base 24 extends 
peripherally outwardly further than the lid skirt bottom surface 62 as 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5. Because the front portion of the base 24 
normally projects beyond the closed lid 50, the closure has a larger range 
of manufacturing (molding) tolerances. That is, the molding of a slightly 
larger lid would still not result in the front portion of the lid 
projecting peripherally beyond the base 24 so as to create an overhanging 
ledge that could be engaged by a child's teeth. Thus, the closure has the 
capability for more easily accommodating manufacturing processes. 
The closure of the present invention provides improved child resistance. 
Because the preferred embodiment of the closure has an inset latch 
structure and a lid free of overhanging peripheral surfaces with a depth 
sufficient to be engaged by a child's teeth, the lid is highly resistant 
to being pried open by a child's teeth. The smooth contours of the lid in 
the finger lift areas and in the locking lever area eliminate sharp edges 
and ledges so as to prevent a child's teeth from effectively engaging the 
closure in a manner that could deform and distort the closure to permit 
opening. 
Further, the recess area around the locking lever is configured so that if 
a child bites down on the top, front portion of the lid 50, then the 
child's teeth will only force the closure lid more tightly against the 
closure base. The front surface of the locking lever 70, with its smooth, 
curved contour, resists being effectively engaged by a child's teeth. On 
the other hand, engagement of the rear surface of the locking lever by 
some means, as with some external instrument inserted between the lever 
and lid, will serve only to push the locking lever further forwardly into 
a greater engagement with the lid. 
The tamper-indicating element 54 is mounted to the top of the lid 50 as 
illustrated in FIG. 1 to prevent operation of the latch by preventing 
access to the lever 70. The tamper-indicating element 54 includes a 
removable part which must be torn away from the top of the lid 50 to 
expose the lever 70. When the tamper-indicating element 54 is torn away, 
as illustrated in FIG. 2, two front anchor portions 102 and one rear 
anchor portion 104 remain on the lid deck 58. These provide an indication 
that part of the tamper-indicating element 54 has been removed. This tells 
the user that the closure 20 is, and has been, in condition for opening, 
and therefore, that the closure may indeed have been opened. Thus, the 
anchor portions 102 and 104 retained on the closure lid 50 function as 
tamper-evident indicia and are evidence that the integrity of the closure 
can no longer be guaranteed. 
The tamper-indicating element 54 includes a central, flat, disc-like 
portion or plate 106 having a rear lift tab 108 and a downwardly 
depending, front latch guard or shroud 110. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the 
latch guard 110 extends over the latch or lever 70 to prevent access 
thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the underside of the element 54 also 
preferably includes a downwardly projecting rib 112 spaced slightly 
inwardly of the latch guard 110. The rib 112 is adapted to extend 
downwardly behind the lever 70 to prevent rearward movement of the lever 
70 until the element 54 is removed. 
The underside of the element 54 also includes two additional, spaced-apart, 
parallel ribs 116 (one of which is visible in FIG. 5) along the inside 
surface of the guard 110. These ribs transfer the bending moment from the 
guard 110 to the flat, disc-like portion 106 of the element 54 when an 
attempt is made to lift the guard 110 to expose the lever 70 in the latch 
area. The inner edge of each rib 116 fits in front of, and may contact, 
the front surface of the lever 70. 
The plate 106, including the lift tab 108, latch guard 110, rib 112, and 
ribs 116, constitute a substantial portion of the removable part of the 
tamper-indicating element 54. The removable part of the element 54 is 
connected to the lid 50 with an attachment structure as will next be 
described. 
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the front portion of the element 54 has two holes 
120, and the rear portion of the element 54 has one hole 122. As can be 
seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, each front anchor portion 102 is connected to the 
cover at the periphery of a hole 120, and the rear anchor portion 104 is 
connected to the element 54 at the periphery of the hole 122. 
As illustrated in FIG. 4, adjacent each front anchor portion 102 the plate 
106 defines a partially cylindrical section or flange 130. Each flange 130 
defines an arc of about 300 degrees. This leaves about a 60 degree notch 
132 (FIG. 6). Each flange 130 reinforces the region around the hole 120. 
A generally triangle-shaped, load-bearing plate 136 (FIGS. 6 and 8) is 
connected to the bottom edge of the partially cylindrical flange 130. In 
the preferred embodiment, the element 54 is molded from thermoplastic 
material (e.g., polypropylene) as a unitary structure. The triangle-shaped 
plate 136 is thus attached to the circular plate 106 as a unitary 
extension of the semi-cylindrical flange 130. The triangle-shaped plate 
136 is connected to the flange 130 at each of the three corners of the 
triangular shape. Each corner of the plate 136 includes a partially 
cylindrical portion 140 (FIG. 6) which is directly adjacent to, and is 
connected with, the flange 130. The connection between the flange 130 and 
each semi-cylindrical portion 140 of the triangle-shaped plate 136 is 
relatively thin and defines a frangible connection 144 (FIG. 8). 
Projecting downwardly from the underside of the triangle-shaped plate 136 
is an anchor post 150. The anchor post 150 has an enlarged diameter head 
152 with a frustoconical, tapered distal end 154. Each post 150 is adapted 
to be received in one of the two lid holes 55 (one of which holes 55 is 
illustrated in FIG. 5). Each post 150 is concentric with the element hole 
120. When the element 54 is installed on the closure lid 50, each post 150 
is also concentric with the receiving hole 55 in the lid. 
The distance x (FIG. 8) from the underside of the plate 136 to the top of 
the post enlarged end 152 is equal to or greater than the thickness of the 
lid central portion 58. Preferably, the diameter of the shaft of the post 
150 (inwardly of (above) the enlarged head 152) is slightly larger than 
the diameter of the lid hole 55. The enlarged head 152 is also necessarily 
larger than the diameter of the hole 55. The tapered, frustoconical distal 
end 154 of the post 150 accommodates insertion of the post 150 into the 
hole 55 in the lid 50. The lower distal end of the tapered end 154 of the 
post has a diameter less than the diameter of the lid receiving hole 55 to 
accommodate insertion. During insertion, the hole 55 is temporarily 
deformed (enlarged) to accommodate the insertion of the larger head 152. 
The hole 55 remains slightly enlarged to accommodate the slightly larger 
diameter shank of the post 150. 
The frangible connections 144 between the triangle-shaped plate 136 and the 
flange 130 are strong enough to accommodate the compressive forces 
generated during insertion of the shroud posts 150 where the closure is 
assembled. However, each frangible connection portion 144 will break when 
sufficient tensile and/or bending forces are applied to the element 54 as 
the plate 106 is lifted upwardly (by grasping the tab 108 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 
7)). The plate 106 breaks from the plate 136 at the frangible portions 144 
so that the front anchor portions 102 (FIGS. 4 and 6) remain in the lid 
50. The anchor portions 102 are prevented from being pulled out of the lid 
50 owing to the enlarged heads 152 on the posts 150. 
When the frangible portions 144 are fractured, the remaining anchor 
portions 102 retained on the lid 50 are substantially free of any sharp 
protrusions that may be unsightly or hazardous. 
If desired, each post 150 may project upwardly from the upper side of the 
triangle-shaped plate 136 to provide a protrusion that is more visible 
than is just the flat surface of the triangle-shaped plate 136. In this 
alternate embodiment, which is not illustrated, the upwardly projecting 
portion of the post 150 would preferably have a height less than or equal 
to the height of the top surface of the element 54. 
The rear anchor portion 104 may have the same structure as the front anchor 
portion described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 8. However, in the 
embodiment of the rear anchor portion illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, the 
rear anchor portion 104 has a different structure which eliminates the 
triangle-shaped plate 136 employed in the front anchor portion 102. 
Adjacent the rear anchor portion 104, the plate 106 defines a cylindrical 
flange 160 which projects downwardly from the underside of the element 54 
to define a continuation of the hole 122. 
Three ribs 162 extend radially inwardly from the internal diameter of the 
hole 122. Each rib 162 has an angled top surface 164 (FIG. 9) and a 
downwardly facing bottom surface 166. 
The bottom surface 166 of each rib 162 merges at a frangible connection 168 
with the top of a post 170. The ribs 162 and frangible connection 168 are 
sufficient in size to provide adequate filling for the molding process and 
to provide a suitable fracture strength which accommodates assembly of the 
element 54 on the closure. 
The post 170 has an enlarged end head 172 with a frustoconical or tapered 
or distal end surface 174. The diameter at the lower end of the tapered 
surface 174 is less than the diameter of the closure lid receiving hole 
55, but the diameter of the head 172 is greater than the diameter of the 
closure lid hole 55. Preferably, the diameter of the shank of the post 170 
inwardly of (above) the head 172 is also slightly larger than the diameter 
of the lid hole 55. The post 170 can be inserted into the hole 55, and 
some deformation necessarily occurs. However, the resiliency of the lid 
material causes the size of the hole 55 to reduce to a diameter smaller 
than the head 172 for tightly retaining the post 170 in the closure lid 
50. 
With reference with FIGS. 7 and 9, it will be appreciated that each 
frangible connection 168 is located at the outermost portion of the post 
170. Preferably, the post 170 is concentric with the hole 122, and the 
diameter of the shank of the post 170 is slightly less than the diameter 
of the hole 122. 
The three frangible portions 168 connecting the post 170 to the ribs 162 
are sufficiently small to be fractured when the plate 106 is lifted 
upwardly with sufficient force. The post 170 and broken connections to the 
ribs 162 define the rear anchor portion 104 (FIG. 2) which remains in the 
lid (as illustrated in FIG. 2) to provide evidence of tampering in the 
same manner as the front portions 102. 
The portion of the element 54 above the frangible portions 168 (above the 
rear post 170) and above the frangible portions 136 (above the front posts 
150) constitutes the removable part of the element and functions, when in 
place, as a shroud for preventing access to the latch lever 70. The 
removable part or shroud is removed by lifting up on the tab 108. The 
removable part can be discarded. The latch lever 70 is then exposed for 
operation to release the lid 50. 
The anchor portions 102 and 104, along with the associated frangible 
portions 144 and 168, respectively, may be defined as the attachment 
structure for attaching the tamper-indicating element to the closure lid 
50. Upon rupture of the frangible portions 144 and 168, the removable part 
of the element is lifted away, and the remaining part of the attachment 
structure on the lid includes only the anchor portions 102 and 104. 
A second, and presently preferred, embodiment of the tamper-indicating 
closure of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10-14. The 
closure is designated generally by the reference number 220 in FIGS. 10 
and 11. The closure 220 is adapted to be mounted on a container (not 
illustrated) which may have a conventional open mouth defined by a neck 
(not illustrated) or other suitable structure. 
The closure 220 includes a closure base or body 224 for securement to the 
container. The base 224 includes a generally cylindrical, peripheral wall 
226, and a generally transverse closure deck 228 (FIG. 11) which extends 
across the base 224. A central portion 227 of the base deck 228 extends 
upwardly to form a stepped, elevated platform surrounded by a generally 
peripheral, lower portion of the deck 228. 
The cylindrical wall 226 of the closure base 224 is adapted to engage the 
outer periphery of the top of the container neck (not illustrated) around 
the container mouth, as with threads (having an appropriate structure for 
preventing removal of the installed closure). Other suitable engaging 
means (e.g., snap-fit beads) may be provided to secure the closure base 
224 on the container. Alternatively, in some applications, the closure 
base 224 could be non-releasably attached to, or formed unitary with, the 
container. 
A conventional sealing ring 245 projects downwardly from the underside of 
the deck 228 for engaging an interior edge of the container neck at the 
container mouth to effect a tight seal. 
The closure base 224 includes a discharge passage 240 through the deck 
central portion 227 (FIG. 11). The closure passage 240 is surrounded by a 
hollow discharge tube 239. 
Preferably, a lid 250 is hingedly connected by a hinge means or hinge 252 
to the edge of the base 224. The lid 250 carries a tamper-indicating 
element, plate, or member 254 which must be removed, as explained in 
detail hereinafter, to permit opening and closing of the lid 250. 
As with the first embodiment of the lid 50 described above with reference 
to FIGS. 1-9, the second embodiment of the lid 250 defines three bases or 
holes (only one of which holes 255 is visible in FIG. 11). Each hole 255 
is adapted for receiving a portion of the element 254 to anchor the 
element 254 to the lid 250 as explained in detail hereinafter. 
As with the first embodiment of the lid 50 described above, the lid 250 is 
adapted to be pivoted between (1) a closed position (FIGS. 10, 11, and 12) 
and (2) an open position (not illustrated) moved away from the closed 
position to permit the dispensing of the container-stored contents from 
the base discharge aperture 240. 
The hinge 252 may be of any suitable type, including the snap-action type 
hinge 52 described above with respect to the first embodiment illustrated 
in FIGS. 1-9. In the preferred embodiment, the lid 250 and closure body 
224 are molded as a unitary structure from suitable thermoplastic 
materials, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. However, the lid 250 and 
body 224 could be formed as separate pieces, and preferably would in such 
a case be designed for subsequent assembly with a suitable connecting 
hinge system to permit opening and closing of the lid. The detailed design 
and operation of the hinge per se form no part of the present invention. 
The lid 250 preferably includes a central cover panel 258 (FIGS. 11 and 12) 
and has a peripheral skirt 260 depending from the periphery of the central 
cover panel 258. The lid skirt 260 has a bottom surface 262 (FIG. 11) 
defining a bottom surface of the lid. The skirt bottom surface 262 is 
adapted to rest on the peripheral, annular surface of the base deck 228 
when the lid 250 is closed as illustrated in FIG. 11. 
The lid 250 also includes a sealing collar 268 (FIG. 11) which projects 
downwardly from the central cover panel 258. The sealing collar 268 is 
adapted to surround, and sealingly engage, the peripheral surface of the 
closure base discharge passage tube 239 (FIG. 11). This is particularly 
suitable for use with containers of liquids. 
The base discharge tube 239 and lid sealing collar 268 need not be provided 
in the form illustrated, or need not be provided at all. Indeed, if the 
closure 220 is intended for use with substances other than liquids, such 
as small, solid items, then a liquid-tight seal might not be required in 
some applications. 
As with the first embodiment of the closure discussed above with reference 
to FIGS. 1-9, the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-14 includes a 
latching mechanism for maintaining the lid 250 in the closed position and 
inhibiting a child from opening the closure--even after the 
tamper-indicating element 254 is removed (as explained in detail 
hereinafter). The latching system employed in the closure 220 is 
substantially the same as that employed in the first embodiment of the 
closure 20. 
In particular, at the front of the closure 220, diametrically opposite the 
hinge 252, the base 224 has a resilient locking lever 270 (FIGS. 10, 11, 
and 12) which projects upwardly from the base deck 228 at a location 
inwardly of the periphery of the base. The locking lever 270 has an 
outwardly extending, and downwardly facing, shoulder 272. The lever 270 
has a rear surface 278. The top of the lever 270 defines a curved, distal 
end 274. The lever 270 has an angled, front, camming surface 276 extending 
downwardly from the upper, distal end 274 to the shoulder 272. 
The lid central cover panel 258 has an aperture defined in part by an 
inwardly slanting, planar, upper front wall 282. The wall 282 acts as a 
cam surface for engaging the lever camming surface 276 as the lid 250 is 
pivoted downwardly to the fully closed position. As the cam wall 282 and 
lever surface 276 engage, the lever 270 is deflected rearwardly, to 
accommodate movement of the lid 50 to the fully closed position wherein 
the lid skirt seating surface 262 engages the base deck 228. 
The upper edge of the lid cam wall 282 terminates at a horizontally 
disposed latch surface 286 (FIG. 11). When the lid 250 is fully seated in 
the closed position, the lever 270 returns to its normal, undeflected 
position owing to the inherent resiliency of the lever material. When the 
locking lever 270 has returned to the normal, unstressed position 
illustrated in FIG. 11, the locking lever shoulder 272 overlies the lid 
latch surface 286 and prevents the lid 250 from being pivoted upwardly 
unless the locking lever 270 is first pivoted rearwardly. 
Preferably, the lid defines a finger access recess around the lever 270 to 
facilitate opening of the closure by an adult user. This can include a 
recess having substantially the same shape as the recess in the closure 
lid 50 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 wherein the recess 
is defined in part by two curved surfaces 90A and 90B (FIG. 6). Also, the 
shape of the peripheral region at the front of the lid skirt may include 
finger-engaging surfaces or indentations 292 (FIG. 10) to facilitate the 
lifting of the lid 250. 
The shape, configuration, and orientation of the surfaces of the lid 250 
and lever 270 may be substantially similar to the shape, configuration, 
and orientation of the surfaces of the corresponding portions of the first 
embodiment of the closure 20 discussed above in detail with reference to 
FIGS. 1-9. However, a variety of surface configurations may be employed. 
Indeed, child-resistant shapes need not be employed with the present 
invention tamper-indicating element closure if child resistance is not 
required. 
In order to prevent initial operation of the lever 270, the 
tamper-indicating element 254 is mounted to the lid 250. A portion of the 
element 254 must be torn away to permit operation of the lever 270. The 
element 254 includes a plate 206 which is mounted to the lid 250 with two 
front anchor portions 302 (FIG. 14) and one rear anchor portion 304 (FIG. 
14). These anchor portions remain on the lid deck 258 after the removable 
portion of the element 254 is removed. The anchor portions 302 and 304 are 
received in the lid holes 255. The structure of the anchor portions 302 
and 304 is identical with the structure of the first embodiment anchor 
portions 102 and 104 described above in detail with reference to FIGS. 
1-9. 
The anchor portions 302 and 304 are connected to the plate 206 with 
frangible connections having a structure that may be identical with the 
corresponding connections of the anchor portions 102 and 104 in the first 
embodiment of the tamper-indicating element 54 described above in detail. 
Further, the manner in which the anchor portions 302 and 304 are retained 
within the lid holes 255 may be the same as the manner in which the first 
embodiment anchor portions 102 and 104 are retained within the lid holes 
55 as discussed above in detail with reference to FIGS. 1-9. 
The tamper-indicating element plate 206 has a lift tab 208 (FIGS. 12 and 
14) at a rear area of the plate 206. The element 254 can be pulled away 
from the lid 250 by pulling sufficiently hard on the lift tab 208. The 
plate 206 breaks away above the anchor portions 302 and 304 which remain 
in the lid 250. 
The front of the plate 206 differs from the front of the first embodiment 
plate 106 described above in that the front of the plate 206 does not have 
a latch guard (such as the first embodiment latch guard 110 illustrated in 
FIGS. 1 and 2). Rather, the second embodiment plate 206 includes a 
downwardly angled tang or tab 380 (FIGS. 12 and 14). 
As illustrated in FIG. 14, the tab 380 has a first, slanted portion 382 and 
a second, generally vertical portion 384. Also, as can be seen in FIG. 12, 
a rib 386 projects outwardly from the first, slanted portion 382. As can 
be seen in FIG. 11, the rib 386 has a downwardly angled top surface 388 
and a generally vertically oriented surface 390 which terminates in a 
generally horizontally disposed, downwardly facing, bottom surface 392. 
The tang or tab 380 and rib 386 are located at the rear surface of the 
locking lever 270 to inhibit substantial rearward movement of the locking 
lever 270 and to thus prevent opening of the lid 250. To this end, the 
tang 380 extends down into the lid aperture behind the locking lever 270 
when the lid is in the closed position and the tamper-indicating element 
254 is properly assembled on the lid 250. The rib 386 provides structural 
support and rigidity for the tab 380. 
The tang 380 has a shape which accommodates insertion of the tang 380 
behind the locking lever 270. Preferably, the transition from the top of 
the tamper-indicating element plate 206 to the tang 380 is relatively 
smooth and inhibits prying actions that might be effected by an individual 
attempting to dislodge the tang 380 from its position behind the locking 
tab 270. 
The width of the tang 380 is generally less than the width of the locking 
lever 270. Some small amount of clearance is preferably provided so as to 
permit the tamper-indicating element 254 to freely fall away from the lid 
when the frangible attachment regions are broken as the tamper-indicating 
element lift tab 208 is lifted. 
The tang 380 and rib 386 occupy substantially the entire free space behind 
the locking lever 70 so as to inhibit movement of the tang in an attempt 
to dislodge the tang from its position. Further, any substantial rearward 
(radially inward) movement of the locking lever 270 is inhibited by the 
rib 386. Preferably, however, a minimum amount of space is provided 
between the locking lever 270 and the tang 380. Although 
surface-to-surface contact is preferably established between the adjacent 
portion of the lid 250 and the rear surface of the tang 380, there is 
preferably a small amount of clearance between the rear surface of the 
locking lever 270 and the rib front surface 390 so as to prevent friction 
forces from holding the rib 386 in position when plate 206 is broken away 
from the anchor portions 302 and 304. Thus, if the tamper-indicating 
element 254 is broken at the anchor portions 302 and 304 and removed, 
attempts to recreate the originally assembled condition will not be 
successful. Specifically, if the removed element 254 is repositioned in 
its original location, the clearance between the front of the rib 386 and 
the rear surface of the locking lever 270 will prevent the establishment 
of a frictional engagement. Thus, the broken element 254 will readily 
shift out of position when subjected to the slightest movement. This will 
provide a clear indication that the element 254 has previously been 
removed. 
It will be appreciated that, if desired, the tang 380 may be incorporated 
with a latch guard or shroud 110 as employed in the first embodiment of 
the closure illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. 
The tamper-indicating plate 206 also preferably includes a peripheral 
flange 396 and a pair of spaced-apart, parallel ribs 398. The structures 
rigidify the tamper-indicating element. 
Because the element 54 (FIG. 4) or 254 (FIG. 14) can be molded as a piece 
separate from the closure lid and body, the element can be molded from a 
material that is different than the material employed for the closure lid 
and body. This permits the use of materials that may be better suited to 
forming frangible connections or that may provide contrasting colors 
and/or textures. 
The illustrated embodiments of the closure of the present invention 
accommodate product flexibility. Only one lid and body unit need be 
manufactured with the element post receiving holes (e.g., holes 55 in FIG. 
5). In those applications where a tamper-evident element is not needed or 
desired, the closure lid and body may be used without the element 
installed. If the receiving holes would not be acceptable in such 
non-tamper-evident closure, a relatively simple modification of the mold 
parts would permit the lid to be molded without the holes. An adjustable 
mold assembly, which could accommodate molding the lid with or without the 
element-receiving holes, would thus provide manufacturing flexibility at a 
reduced cost. 
It will be appreciated that other modifications may be made to the closure 
body, lid, and tamper-indicating element. For example, the locking lever 
(e.g., 70 in FIG. 3) may be replaced with some other suitable latching 
structure, operation of which would be effectively prevented by the 
tamper-indicating element (e.g., 54 in FIGS. 1 and 2). Further, the 
element 54 or 254 may have a shape other than the shapes disclosed in the 
figures. Also, the element 54 or 254 may be anchored to the lid with less 
than three anchor portions or more than three anchor portions. Further, 
the structure of the anchor portions may be changed from that shown in the 
figures. 
It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the 
invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerous variations and 
modifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit and 
scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention.