There is disclosed a tamper-evident device for a closure assembly adapted to be applied to a mouth of a container, for example, a neck of a bottle. There has been identified a need for an improved tamper-evident device which does not have any parts which are removed upon initial opening and which are liable to be reattached by counterfeits or the like. Accordingly the present invention provides a tamper-evident device comprising a sleeve member which comprises a first portion associated with a second portion by a frangible portion therebetween, and wherein said first portion is adapted to be applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container, and said second portion is associated with a container closure member, and wherein an initial container opening operation causes said frangible portion to fracture or break such that when the container is reclosed said first and second portions are located in a spaced apart relationship to one another.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tamper-evident device or a closure assembly adapted to be applied to a mouth of a container, for example, a neck of a bottle. The invention particularly, thought not exclusively, relates to a tamper-evident non-refillable snap-on fitment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For various reasons, it may be desirable to ensure that a used container, such as a bottle intended to contain a liquid (e.g., spirits such as alcoholic beverages), is not re-filled with a replacement quantity of another liquid, the characteristics and quality of which may differ from the original contents. Attempts to provide closures which make such re-filling difficult are not always proof against determined tampering. While it is considered advantageous to provide a tamper-indicating means which provides evidence that the bottle and its original contents are intact, if the bottle is resealable with a substitute cap or closure, there may be little to indicate to a purchaser that the bottle has been tampered with and that the contents may be inferior to the original contents.

It has, therefore, been found desirable to provide a closure which cannot be removed without an extreme level of effort, or breakage being caused to the bottle. Such an arrangement is shown, for example, in GB Patent application No. 2 274 837 also by the present applicant, selected merely by way of illustration.

While it is very important that an original closure cannot be removed without visible damage or breakage being caused either to the closure and/or to the bottle, it has been found that a closure that cannot readily be removed will become the target of attempts to re-fill the container by overcoming the feature provided in the closure intended to hinder or prevent such refilling. Therefore, in addition to providing devices to prevent re-filling of bottles, there is a need to provide such devices with further tamper-indicating features which, while not acting in any preventive role, give a clear irremovable and/or irreversible indication that a bottle has been opened since being originally filled with the genuine contents. Such clear indicators have been somewhat lacking in previous closure designs.

Furthermore, there is a need for simple designs of closure assemblies allowing easy and reliable manufacture, assembly and fitting to bottle necks. Such simplicity has been somewhat lacking in previous closure designs.

The present invention now obviates or at least mitigates at least one of the aforementioned problems/disadvantages in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved tamper-evident device which does not have any parts which are removed upon initial opening and which are liable to be reattached by counterfeiters or the like.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tamper-evident device comprising a sleeve member which comprises a first portion associated with a second portion by means of a frangible portion therebetween, and wherein said first portion is adapted to be applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container, and said second portion is associated with a container closure member, and wherein an initial container opening operation causes said frangible portion to fracture or break such that when the container is reclosed said first and second portions are located in a spaced apart relationship to one another.

Preferably the frangible portion is provided adjacent respective circumferential edges of the first and second portions. Also, either or both of the respective circumferential edges may retract or recoil away from the other during a container opening operation when the frangible portion fractures or breaks. The retraction or recoil is preferably accompanied by a concomitant circumferential contraction of at least one of the edges inwardly of the respective first or second portion to provide at least one edge having a smaller circumference or diameter than an adjacent portion of the respective first or second portion.

The retraction or recoil movement is important as it advantageously results in a permanent deformation of the first and/or second portions such that when the container is reclosed the circumferential edges do not abut together thus revealing a void or gap located between the first and second portions. This visual indicator evidences that the container (and tamper-evident device) has been opened.

Preferably, the container closure member includes a circumferential groove, which may further provide a circumferential lip portion located below and adjacent to the circumferential groove.

Preferably, during an initial container opening operation, the first circumferential edge recoils/retracts and circumferentially contracts into the circumferential groove to become positioned circumferentially behind the circumferential lip. This action positions the circumferential lip between the first and second circumferential edges in an obstructive manner such that when the container is reclosed by re-applying the closure member, the first and second portions of the first sleeve member are spaced apart by the circumferential lip portion located therebetween.

The frangible portion is generally located in a further circumferential groove provided between or adjacent the first and second portions of the sleeve member.

Preferably the frangible portion is located substantially at an apex or base of the further circumferential groove.

The frangible portion may be provided as a continuous weakened portion such as a circumferential scored line or alternatively the frangible portion may comprise intermittent shearable links which join the first portion to the second portion or a combination of these.

The edge of the first portion may provide a circumferential first beaded portion on the first portion, and in a same manner the edge of the second portion may provide a circumferential second beaded portion on the portion.

The first sleeve member may comprise any suitable material, and preferably this material comprises a metal, or metallic based material.

Preferably the metal or metallic based material substantially comprises aluminum, or an alloy thereof, particularly rolled aluminum.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, when the first sleeve member comprises rolled aluminum, the retraction, recoil and/or contraction on breakage of the frangible portion is believed to be due to release of a tension introduced into the aluminum during forming of the sleeve member.

Also, advantageously, aluminum provides a good medium for application of printing dyes, inks, paints or the like such that messages, logos, images, names, and other information may be carried by the sleeve member.

The container closure member may be a cap which desirably includes a threaded portion which allows a rotational movement of the cap during a container opening operation.

The tamper-evident device may include a pouring outlet device adapted to be secured to the mouth of a container for liquid, the container closure member may be a cap adapted to close an outlet of the pouring outlet device, and the sleeve member may be adapted to receive at least part of the pouring outlet device.

Preferably the second portion of the sleeve member is adapted to receive at least part of the cap. The cap is generally received in a tight interference fit to the second portion, but may be optionally rotatable with respect to the second portion of the sleeve member upon application of sufficient force.

The pouring outlet device is desirably a non-refillable and/or a non-removable device. Desirably the pouring outlet device comprises a further sleeve member which is adapted to lie around the mouth and neck portion of the container, and further comprises a valve seat body which is at least partially receivable within at least part of the neck portion of the container, and wherein the valve seat body is at least partially surrounded by the further sleeve member.

At least the first portion of the sleeve member is preferably adapted to receive at least part of the further sleeve member, preferably in a tight interference fit but optionally rotatable with respect to the further sleeve member upon application of sufficient force.

Preferably the further circumferential groove of the sleeve member is located within the circumferential groove provided on the container closure member (cap). This positioning ensures that when the container is opened by twisting the cap, and fracturing or breaking the shearable links, the edge of the second portion of the sleeve member remains within the groove provided on the cap, and the edge of the first portion of the sleeve member progressively moves out of the groove provided on the cap as the cap is removed away from the pouring outlet device and the first portion. On removing the contact between the cap and the first portion of the first sleeve member, the first edge retracts to cause a contraction of circumference such that the resulting circumference is less than that of a cap portion which is located below the groove therein. This cap portion is preferably provided as a circumferential lip on the cap.

When the cap is re-applied to the pouring outlet device, a stop position is reached when the circumferential lip of the cap rests or sits upon the edge of the first portion of the sleeve member, thus preventing the cap being returned to its original starting position. A gap or void remains between the first and second portions of the sleeve member thus exposing the circumferential portion of the cap, which includes the circumferential lip which was originally encased or enclosed within the first sleeve member. A void may also exist between the lower edge of the cap and a cap seating surface of the device.

Advantageously the exposed circumferential portion of the cap may be distinctly colored and/or printed with information, promotional messages or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container including a tamper-evident device according to the first aspect.

The container is preferably a container for liquid.

The container is preferably a bottle.

The container may be a glass bottle, and may be adapted for containment of liquid, such as alcoholic drinks or beverages, e.g., spirits such as vodka, whisky, brandy, gin or the like.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a container and a tamper-evident device according to the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an alcoholic drinks product comprising an alcoholic substance packaged in the combination according to the third aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident device comprising the steps of(a) providing a sleeve member;(b) providing a pouring outlet device comprising a further sleeve member adapted to be secured to a mouth or neck portion of a container for liquid, and a container closure member releasable securable to the further sleeve member;(c) disposing-the pouring outlet device at least partly within the sleeve member;(d) forming a substantially circumferential frangible portion around the sleeve member.

This method is particularly advantageous in mass production.

Preferably, the method includes the further step of securing the sleeve member and pouring outlet device one to the other by forming a lip on an open end of the sleeve member so as to entrap the pouring outlet device within the sleeve member.

The tamper-evident device so formed may comprise a unitary assembly for snap-on application to a mouth and neck portion of a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The device of the invention has been named the “ALUsnap” (Trade Mark) tamper-evident device.

With reference initially to FIG.1(a), there is illustrated a tamper-evident device, generally designated by reference numeral1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The device1comprises a sleeve member5which comprises a first portion10associated with a second portion15by means of a frangible portion20therebetween. The sleeve member5has a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The first portion10is adapted to receive a further sleeve member30which is part of a pouring outlet device25which in this embodiment is a non-refillable and non-removable device. A lower section of the further sleeve member30fits within the first portion10in a tight interference fit but rotatable with respect to the first portion10.

The second portion15is associated with a container closure member, shown as cap35, which is received within the second portion15in a tight interference fit but rotatable with respect to the second portion15.

Referring to FIG.1(b), the first portion10of the sleeve member5is shown associated with the second portion15of the first sleeve member5by means of the frangible portion20. The first and second portions10,15are in a close interference fit with the further sleeve member30and the cap35, respectively.

The frangible portion20is located within groove40on the sleeve member5, which is provided between the first and second portions10,15. Groove40is shown located within a further groove60provided on cap35. Also shown is a threaded portion45on cap35which engages with a corresponding threaded portion50provided on the pouring outlet device25.

In use, the cap35is rotated (normally anticlockwise) in an initial container opening operation which causes the frangible portion20to break as described below.

Referring toFIG. 2, the cap35and second portion15associated therewith are shown in a removed or open position away from the pouring outlet device25which clearly shows the first portion10still associated with the further sleeve30.

Referring to FIG.3(a) the cap35and second portion15associated therewith are shown re-applied or reclosed to pouring outlet device25, and the first and second portions10,15respectively are clearly shown in a spaced apart relationship to one another due to the appearance of gap55.

Referring to FIG.3(b), there is shown groove60provided on cap35and an edge80of the second portion15remaining within groove60. An edge75of first portion10is shown in a circumferentially contracted state having moved out of groove60upon removal of cap35from pouring outlet device25. A portion of the cap35which is located below groove60, shown as lip65, rests upon the edge75of the first portion10resulting in a void70which remains between a lower edge85of cap35and a cap seating surface90of second sleeve member30. Lip65is clearly visible to an observer as it is positioned in gap55between the first and second portions10,15.

In this embodiment the first sleeve member5is made from rolled aluminum, and the frangible portion20is formed from nine shearable links (not shown) which shear on relative twisting of the cap35(and associated second portion15) and the pouring outlet device25(and associated first portion10).

Furthermore the aluminum sleeve5may be coated with inks, paint or the like, and may be further provided with printed matter and advantageously good reproducibility of colors is obtained when using colored printed matter.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown an exploded perspective view of tamper-evident device1comprising sleeve member5, cap35, pouring outlet device25. Also shown is a mouth and neck portion4of a container or bottle3.

The pouring outlet device25comprises further sleeve member30having apertures27a,27band27c(27cnot shown) with projection means33a,33band33c(33cnot shown) located on lower edges of the apertures27a,27band27c, respectively. The further sleeve member30further has a pouring lip34, inner surface ribs37and a thread portion50.

The projection means33a,33band33care movable radially of the further sleeve member30in a stiffly resilient manner, and are resiliently engagable with an outer lip portion of the container3, which in this embodiment is shown as shoulder6of the neck portion4.

In this embodiment twenty-four ribs37are formed and arranged circumferentially on an inner surface of the second sleeve member30. When the pouring outlet device25is applied to bottle neck4, in use, these ribs37co-act with raised ridges7on the outer surface of the neck4portion to help prevent undesired rotational movement of the further sleeve member30. Some minor rotational play in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction may occur until a stop position is found by a rib or ribs37acting against a raised ridge or ridges7. However, continued application of force will cause the first portion10and/or second portion15, to rotate relative to the further sleeve member30and/or cap35, respectively.

A valve seat body42and a valve member44are also shown. A tubular portion43of the valve seat body42is adapted to be received within the mouth portion6of the bottle.

The first portion10and second portion15of the first sleeve member5are attached by a frangible portion20which breaks and allows the cap35to be removed with the second portion15when it is twisted away from the pouring outlet device25by a user in an opening operation.

The sleeve member5, cap35and pouring outlet device25are conveniently assembled to give a single unit ready for simple application to a bottle neck, thus enhancing the efficiency of manufacture, bottle filling and assembly process. The valve seat body42is held in association with the further sleeve member30by resilient rib91on the valve seat body42co-acting with inner facing detect means carried within the further sleeve member30, e.g. an annular rib, not shown.

Typically, the bottle3is made from glass or alternatively a plastics material, the first sleeve member5from aluminum, the cap35from low density polyethylene, the further sleeve member30from a stiffly resilient plastics material such as polypropylene or polystyrene (and which in this embodiment is a polystyrene obtainable under the trade name, Styrolux), the valve member44from crystal polystyrene, and the valve seat body42from low density polyethylene.

A non-return valve is formed from the valve seat body42and valve member44which is closed in a normally upright position of the bottle3, which while allowing liquids to flow from the bottle3in a pouring operation, restricts in-flow of liquid into the bottle3by rudimentary unauthorized filling operations or even more sophisticated methods which may involve insertion of objects, tubes or the like into a mouth of the bottle.

Referring now to FIG.5(a), there is shown a tamper-evident device generally designated101, according to second embodiment of the present invention. The device101is similar in many respects to the device1of the first embodiment, like parts being identified by like numerals but increased by100.

Device101comprises a first sleeve member105having a first portion110and a second portion115associated by means of frangible portion120.

FIG.5(b) clearly shows a first beaded portion130provided on the first portion110and a second beaded portion135provided on the second portion115.

Referring toFIG. 6, in the same manner as described hereinbefore regarding the first embodiment, cap135and associated second portion115may be removed by twisting away from the pouring outlet device125and first portion110associated therewith.

Referring to FIG.7(a), cap35and second portion115are shown reapplied (reclosed) to the pouring outlet device125and a gap140remains between the first and second portions110and115.

Referring now to FIG.7(b) in the same manner as hereinbefore described regarding the first embodiment, edge150remains in groove160of cap135, and lip165rests upon edge145of the first beaded portion130of the first portion110, resulting in void155formed between lower edge185of cap135and the cap seating surface190.

Referring finally toFIGS. 8,9and10, there are illustrated sequential steps in a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident device201according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The device201may be the same as or similar to the device1or the device101of the first or second embodiments, respectively, like parts being identified by like numerals but increased by100or200, respectively.

The method comprises:(a) providing sleeve member205;(b) providing pouring outlet device225comprising further sleeve member230adapted to be secured to a mouth and neck portion of a bottle (not shown), and container closure member233releasably securable to further sleeve member230(see FIG.8);(c) disposing the pouring outlet device225within the sleeve member205(see FIG.9); and(d) forming substantially circumferential frangible portion220around sleeve member205(see FIG.10).

Further, either before or after step (d), but preferably substantially simultaneously with step (d) the method further comprises:(e) forming an annular lip297at an open end298of the sleeve member205so as to entrap the pouring outlet device225within the sleeve member205.

It will be appreciated that other end299of the sleeve member205is closed.

The frangible portion220and annular lip297may be formed using respective blades on a machine tool.

It will be understood that modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the sleeve member5,105,205may be applied to various different designs of pouring outlet device adapted to be applied to a variety of containers including bottles.

In a modification, for example, the second portion15,115and/or the first portion10,110may include knurred surfaces to assist in gripping in opening and reopening of the device1,101.

It will further appreciated that the present invention provides a particularly desirable one piece snap on fitment have functional advantages over the prior art as well as enhanced aesthetic appeal.