Tamper-evident closure for bottles or the like

Abstract: A tamperproof closure (1) for a bottle (2) and the like, which comprises a cap-type stopper (3) adapted to be threaded over/off the bottle (2), a proofing band (6) connected to the stopper (3) by rupture bridge connections (11,12), and detents (13,14) formed on the band (6) for engagement with corresponding stops (17,18) formed on the bottle (2), has the advantage of providing enhanced evidence of the bottle (2) having been opened and positive removal of the band (6) from both the bottle (2)and the stopper (3), by virtue of the band (6) being divided into at least two arcuate sections (8), and of a respective one of said detents (13,14) being positioned close to each bridge connection (11,12) for rupturing the bridge connection (11,12) on the detent (13,14) becoming engaged with a respective one of said stops (17,18) while unscrewing the stopper (3) for the first time.

Description: This invention relates to combination of a bottle or the like having stops and a tamper evident closure for such a bottle or the like according to the preamble of Claim 1 (see EP-A-0225394 and EP-A-0475854, the latter published after the filing date of the present application). As is known, such closures, while being on the whole satisfactory and extensively utilized, still have the disadvantage of providing scant evidence of tampering, and on first use, they tend to behave in an uncertain, random fashion, that is to perform inconsistently. Where the tamper evident band, once separated from the screw cap, remains with the bottle, application of little skill is all that is required to re-attach it to the cap and disguise the tampering. In addition, the band is intrusive during the bottle use and may ultimately require removal for a possible recovery of the bottle for use. Also, this band may on occasions come apart from the bottle in pouring, which is obviously objectionable. It may also happen that the band refuses to stay bonded to the bottle and is dragged around with the cap due to some of its bridge connections failing to rupture. In this case, the band would remain unevenly attached to the cap and interfere every time that the cap is screwed back over the bottle neck, resulting in an untidy appearance and likely unexpected separation at some later time. The underlying problem of this invention is to provide a combination as indicated which has suitable structural and functional features to obviate the aforementioned drawbacks. This problem is solved by a combination as indicated being characterized as in the characterizing clause of Claim 1. Further features and the advantages of a combination according to the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, to be taken by way of non limitative example with reference to the accompamying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view in elevation of a closure according to the invention, taken along line I-I; Figure 2 is a sectional view through the closure in Figure 1, taken along the line II-II; and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views of the closure in Figures 1 and 2, drawn to a reduced scale and showing it at successive stages of its operation. With reference to the drawing figures, generally shown at 1 is a tamper evident closure for a bottle 2. This closure 1 comprises a screw cap 3 having an axis X-X. A threadway 4 is provided on the cap 3 inside, and a mating threadway 5 is provided on the bottle 2 outside. Thus, the cap 3 is capable of being screwed on and off the bottle 2 as required, by respectively turning it in the directions of arrows F and G. Closure 1 further comprises a tamper evident band 6 formed integrally with the cap 3 as by injection molding from a suitable plastics material. The band 6 can be separated from the cap 3 by the provision therebetween of a line of weakening 7 to be described. On this closure 1, the band 6 is divided into two equal arcuate sections, both referenced 8, each with an angular width which is slightly less than 180 degrees. Each arcuate section 8 has a leading end 9 and a trailing end 10 in the unscrewing direction. The ends 9 and 10 of either arcuate section 8 are contiguous to the ends 10 and 9, respectively, of the other arcuate section 8. Two breakable bridge connections 11 and 12 extend between each arcuate section 8 and the cap 3. It should be noted that the leading bridge connection 11 locates close to the leading end 9 of the arcuate section, whereas the trailing bridge connection 12 locates close to the trailing end 10 of that same arcuate section. Formed inwardly on each arcuate section 8 are two detents 13 and 14. It is notable that the- leading detent 13 is positioned close to the leading bridge connection 11, and the trailing detent 14 close to the trailing bridge connection 12. Detents 13 and 14 of each arcuate section 8 are set angularly apart by an angle A, e.g. of about 150 degrees. Preferably, an auxiliary breakable bridge connection 15 (16) extends between the detent 13 (14) and the stopper 3. Bridge connections 11 and 12, and auxiliary bridge connections 15 and 16, of either arcuate sections 8 jointly form the aforementioned line 7 of weakening. Formed on the bottle 2, for each arcuate section 8, are two stops 17 and 18 adapted for engagement by the respective detents 13 and 14 on the arcuate section upon the stopper being turned in the unscrewing direction of arrow F. Said stops 17 and 18 are set angularly apart by an angle B, e.g. of 130 degrees. Thus, angle A will exceed angle B by approximately 20 degrees in the example shown. Detents 13 and 14 are preferably sawtooth-shaped, with a back 13a, 14a and a front 13b, 14b. Likewise, stops 17 and 18 are sawtooth-shaped, with a back 17a, 18a and a front 17b, 18b. The fronts form equal acute angles G with their respective tangent lines t, thereby to facilitate engagement of each detent with its respective stop. It should be further noted that a thin breakable bridge connection 19 is extended between the end 9 of one arcuate section 8 and the end 10 of the other, contiguous arcuate section 8 and is sized to be ruptured readier than the combination of the trailing bridge connection 12 and auxiliary trailing bridge connection 16. The operation of the closure 1 according to the invention will be now described with reference to a starting condition, depicted in Figures 1 and 2, wherein the closure 1 has been installed on the bottle 2 after filling, such as by axial fitting or screwing on in the direction of arrow G. Under this condition, the detents and stops overlap each other by mutual compliant engagement of their backs. It is notable that in the starting condition, the detents 13 and 14 of each arcuate section 8 occupy positions angularly ahead of their respective stops 17 and 18. Opening is effected by unscrewing the cap 3, as by turning it in the direction of arrow F. Following rotation through a short distance, the leading detent 13 will engage the stop 17 front-to-front (see Figure 3). Continued rotation results in the bridge connection 19, leading bridge connection 11, and leading auxiliary bridge connection 15 of each arcuate section being immediately ruptured. Rupture of bridge connection 19 and bridge connections 11 and 15 occurs in a most positive manner on account of they being located close to the detent, thereby the force is concentrated directly on them as, after engaging the detent 13 with the stop 17, the cap is further unscrewed with sufficient force. On rupture, the leading end of each arcuate section will separate from the other section and the cap, and remain attached to the bottle at the location of the leading stop. As rotation is continued, there will occur front-to-front engagement of the trailing detent 14 with the stop 18, with an angular delay C equal to the angular difference between A and B of about 20 degrees. During this delay C, the trailing end 10 of the arcuate section is brought closer to the leading end 9. In performing this movement, the arcuate section will be compressed and elastic energy be stored threin. Further rotation will result in the trailing bridge connection 12 and auxiliary trailing bridge connection 16 being immediately ruptured. Once again, the rupture of bridge' connections 12 and 16 is a positive one, for the reasons set forth above. Following the rupture, the trailing end 10 of each arcuate section 8 will also separate from the cap. Being no longer held to the cap, and being compressed elastically between the stops 17 and 18, the arcuate section 8 will spring loose and release its stored elastic energy. Continued rotation results in the cap being fully unscrewed and removed, for later screwing on again according to necessity, with the band fully and positively separated. A major advantage of the closure according to this invention is that it can provide enhanced evidence of having been taken out and put back on. In fact, the band can in no way be brought back against the cap. A further advantage of the inventive closure is that the bottle and cap can be used more comfortably by virtue of the band having been positively moved away. Another advantage of the closure according to the invention comes from its dimensional stability, which will be retained for a long time by virtue of the thin breakable bridge connections and auxiliary bridge connections provided, effective to ensure that the arcuate sections are held in place to create the band. Understandably, the closure described in the foregoing may be altered and modified in a number of ways by the skilled one to meet specific and contingent demands, without departing from the invention scope as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims: Combination of a bottle (2) or the like having stops (17,18) and a tamper evident closure (1) for such a bottle (2) or the like, whereby the closure comprises a screw cap (3) which is capable of being screwed on and off the bottle (2), a tamper evident band (6) connected to the cap (3) by breakable bridge connections (11, 12), detents (13, 14) formed on the band (6) for engagement with said stops (17, 18), the band (6) being divided in at least two arcuate sections (8), each arcuate section (8) having a leading end (9) and a trailing end (10) in the unscrewing direction arranged to face the contiguous arcuate section (9) head on,whereby each arcuate section (8) is provided with only two detents (13,14), and a respective one of said detents (13, 14) being located close to each bridge connection (11, 12) for rupture of the bridge connection (11, 12) on the detent (13, 14) engaging a respctive one of said stops (17, 18) when first unscrewing the cap (3), characterized in that there are two bridge connections (11, 12) for each arcuate section (8), one positioned at the leading end (9) of the arcuate section (8) and the other at the trailing end (10) thereof, and in that said detents (13, 14) of each arcuate section (8) are set angularly apart a greater distance than the angular distance between the corresponding stops (17, 18), whereby upon initial unscrewing of the closure (1), the detent (13) at the leading end (9) of the arcuate section (8) engages its respective stop (17) and that the detent (14) of the arcuate section trailing end (10) will engage its respective stop (18) with a delay during which delay the arcuate section (8) is compressed elastically. A combination according to Claim 1, characterized in that the detent (13, 14) and stop (17, 18) are sawtooth-shaped. A combination according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary breakable bridge connection (15,16) extending between each detent (13, 14) and the cap (3). A combination according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a thin breakable bridge connection (19) extending between the contiguous ends (9, 10) of the arcuate sections (8) and being sized to break ahead of the combination of a bridge connection (11, 12) and an auxiliary bridge connection (15, 16).

Inventors: BATTEGAZZORE PIERO, BATTEGAZZORE, PIERO
Applicants: GUALA SPA, GUALA S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B65D41
IPC codes: B65D41