TAMPER-EVIDENT SECURITY CLOSURE

Abstract: A tamper-evident security device (which may form a child-resistant closure for a container) comprises a cap member (12) formed with at least one window (13), and an inner member (10) arranged for screw-threaded engagement with a container or other member and co-operable with the cap member (12) for rotation thereby: the inner member (10) carries at least one active element (11) arranged to displace outwardly and penetrate at least partially through the window (13) upon rotating the cap member (12) through a predetermined angle in the direction to loosen the inner member. In alternative arrangements, the cap member may be screw-threaded onto the inner member.

Description: TAMPER-EVIDENT SECURITY CLOSURE The present invention relates to tamper-evident security devices and has a wide variety of applications, particularly but not solely for the closures of containers of liquids, gases or other materials. There are a number of situations where containers are liable to tampering, for example in the case of unauthorised use of the contents. Also, in the case of closures, particularly child-resistant • closures for medicine or drug containers, it is desirable to provide a tamper-evident seal. However, tamper-evident seals which have been proposed to-date are of complex construction and/or limited effectiveness. In accordance with this invention as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a tamper evident security device which comprises a cap member formed with at least one window, and an inner member, the cap being arranged for screw-threaded engagement with the inner member or the inner member being arranged for screw-threaded engagement with a further member and co-operable with the cap member for rotation thereby, and the inner member or further member carrying at least one active element arranged to displace outwardly and penetrate at least partially through said window upon rotating said cap member through a predetermined angle in the direction to loosen said screw-threaded engagement. The window or windows may be formed in the top of the cap member, particularly in the case of relatively large- diameter devices. Instead, the window or windows may be formed in the tubular or skirt portion of the cap, particularly in the case of relatively small-diameter applications e.g. bottle caps or child-resistant closures. The window or windows may comprise a relatively thin portion of the cap wall, arranged to be punctured by the active element or elements. Instead, each window may comprise an opening preformed in the cap wall, and a frangible member is positioned between the inner member and the cap wall, so as to be punctured by the active element or elements of the inner member: in the latter case, the security device can be re-used once the frangible member has been replaced. In another arrangement, a frangible membrane may be secured around its edges to the periphery of the or each window opening in the cap wall. The or each window of the cap member may be formed with an edge arranged to engage the or a said active element, upon rotation of the cap member through its predetermined angle, and displace that active element outwardly and at least partially through the window. Preferably the or each active element is formed integrally with, and is flexible relative to, the inner member or a component carried by the inner member. The inner member of the security device may be in the form of an inner cap or otherwise comprise a tubular element arranged for screw-threading onto a container neck or other tubular structure. Alternatively the inner cap or tubular element of the inner member may be arranged for fixing non- rotatably to the neck of a container or other structure, the outer cap being screw-threaded onto the inner member. The security device may in particular comprise a tamper-evident closure for a container, for example for medicine or drugs. In another form the device may form a cap for a container outlet, which is provided with a valve or alternative closure, the security device preventing contamination of the container outlet and/or guarding against unauthorised use of the contents of the container. The outer cap will require rotation through a significant angle to activate the tamper-evident feature. In general this angle will be less than 360° and can be different for different applications; often it may be desirable to allow rotation of the outer cap through a maximum angle of 90° to 180°; . in other cases it may be required that the tamper- evident feature is activated whenever the outer cap is turned through as little as 5° for example. A problem often associated with child-resistant closures is that they are too difficult for the infirm, disabled or elderly to open. We have now devised an arrangement which alleviates this problem. Thus also in accordance with this invention, there is provided a closure for a container, the closure having a cap which is to be turned in order to remove the closure from the container, in combination with an adaptor engaged with or arranged to be engaged with said cap in a retained manner, the adaptor having a head portion of shape and size suited to a particular user's restricted ability. Thus, the adaptor head may be of an enlarged shape, whether elongate or otherwise, but suited to the particular user so that, despite his or her limitations, the user is nevertheless able to unscrew the closure cap from the container. The closure is retained by the adaptor, so that the closure can subsequently be re-applied to the container by the same user. The adaptor may have a cap-shaped portion, which fits over the closure cap. In this case the adaptor may clip under the lower rim of the closure cap. Instead the adaptor may have a plurality of projections which snap-fit into sockets formed on the top of the cap. Typically the cap with which the adaptor engages is an outer cap which drives an inner cap screw-threaded on the container. In one arrangement, the outer cap can only spin freely relative to the inner cap, until the adaptor is fitted to the outer cap: preferably the adaptor has at least one projection which serves to engage drive teeth or other elements on the inner cap, when the adaptor is fitted. Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view through a security device which includes a tamper-evident feature in accordance with this invention; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view through a portion of the device of Figure 1, illustrating components forming the tamper- evident feature of the device; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view illustrating an annunciator ring forming part of the tamper-evident feature; FIGURE 4 is a view, part in section and part in elevation, of a child-resistant tamper-evident closure; FIGURE 5 is a schematic view showing portions of the co-operating surfaces of the inner and outer members of the closure of Figure 4; FIGURE 6 is a cross-section through the closure of Figures 4 and 5, showing successive positions of a puncturing profile of the tamper-evident feature as the closure is unscrewed; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view showing parts of the tamper-evident feature of the closure of Figures 4 to 6; FIGURE 8 is a partial section through a modified child resistant closure and adaptor for use therewith; FIGURE 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view of another embodiment of child-resistant tamper-evident closure; and FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a further embodiment of tamper-evident closure. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a security device in diagrammatic form. The device comprises an outer cap member 32 which is screw-threaded onto an inner member 42. A tamper- evident arrangement is included, to show if the outer cap member is unscrewed (at least through a predetermined angle) . Thus, the top of the inner member 42 is formed with an annular channel 30, which received a plastics tamper annunciator ring 31. The outer cap 32 has two projecting, concentric distance rings 33 on the underside of its top to ensure that the cap 32 will be screwed down to a precise position over the tamper annunciator ring 31. The cap 32 may incorporate a thinning of the plastics at its top to form a number of windows which will be punctured by the operation of the tamper annunciator ring 31, in which case the cap will need to be replaced upon recycling. Alternatively, a frangible ring 34 may be positioned over the tamper annunciator ring 31 and is destroyed upon operation of the tamper annunciator ring: this arrangement allows the cap to be reused. The operation of the tamper annunciator ring will be described below. The annunciator ring 31 and optional frangible ring 34 are placed upon the inner member 42. The cap 32 is screwed down and in so doing engages the optional frangible ring 34. As the cap begins to bear down upon the frangible ring 34, it is marginally deflected downwards by teeth 35, 36 (at this stage disengaged) of both the cap 32 and the frangible ring 34 (Figure 2) . The cap 32 is prevented from distorting the frangible ring 34 and annunciator ring 31 by the distance rings 33 moulded into the underside of the cap 32 and which contact the top of the inner member 42. The annunciator ring 31 may be rotated upon screwing up the cap 32 (by engagement of the teeth 35,36 turning the frangible ring 34 and by inter-engaging teeth 39 and corresponding recesses 40 of the frangible ring 34 and annunciator ring 31) : if so this rotation is terminated by hinged parts or profiles 37 of the ring 31 abutting stops 38 on the inner member 42 (see also Figure 3). Unscrewing the cap 32 causes the teeth 35,36 of both the cap 32 and frangible ring 34 to engage which in turn causes the annunciator ring 31 to rotate via the teeth 39 and recesses 40 in the frangible ring and annunciator ring respectively. When the annunciator profiles 37 contact the stops 38, the profiles of these cause the annunciator profile 37 to rise and puncture the frangible ring 34 through windows 41 in the cap 32. If the cap 32 is not required to be recycled, then the cap windows 41 may be formed as a thinning of the top of the cap to provide a frangible area or may have a metal foil bonded to the underside. The annunciator ring 31 is then made of shape-memory plastics with the puncturing profiles 37 cast so as to project out from the face of the ring. The leading edge of each cap window 31 is then modified to form a hard catching blade, effective in one direction only, which contacts the puncturing profile 37 and lifts it through the frangible window. The construction and nature of the inner member 42 may vary considerably, depending on the application of the tamper- evident security device. For example, the inner member 42 may comprise a tubular neck or outlet of a container. The member 42 may instead form part of or be secured to a structure shown diagra matically at 44; in any event the tamper-evident feature provides indication if the cap 32 has been removed in order to gain access to the inner member 42 or the structure to which it is secured. Existing child resistant, tamper evident closures generally rely upon a 'push down' mechanism to puncture a frangible area of the outer cap. The cap can therefore falsely show evidence of tamper through operation of a downforce although the cap may not have been rotated and therefore opened. Also, the frangible zone can be formed by a simple thinning profile intended to lift a section of the whole cap thickness. Often the thinning profile simply stretches so that the only evidence of previous cap removal is by a slight projection of the profiled cap section. We have now devised a child resistant closure which shows clear evidence of tamper after the cap has been both depressed and rotated through a predetermined angle. This closure is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows the neck 90 of a plastics container for the containment of liquids or solids, and including an encircling step 91 to prevent an annunciator ring 93 from downwards movement. A small lip 95 on the container neck above the annunciator ring 93 is segmented to correspond with serrations on the annunciator ring 93 and therefore enables the ring's installation upon the container. The segmented lip 95 also provides a location for a securing ring 94 which is distorted over the segmented lip 95 and acts as a second step to prevent upwards movement of the annunciator ring 93. The annunciator ring is constructed of shape-memory plastics. The top of the container is screw threaded to receive an inner cap which incorporates a bevelled lip 97 allowing the outer cap to pass over, under distortion, but resist dismantling. The outer face of the inner cap also incorporates triangular-shaped anti-clockwise drivers 98 and semi-hinged wedge-shaped clockwise drivers 99 which normally project outwards but can be depressed into recesses formed behind them in the inner cap surface. The top of the inner cap incorporates a socket 101 for receiving a projecting part 102 of the outer cap, arranged to maintain centring when the outer cap is depressed, and a 'spring' profile 100 to resist downward movement of the outer cap. The spring profile 100 may take the form of a raised flange or washer for smaller diameter container openings or spring profile tabs to reduce the downward force necessary on larger diameter container openings. Referring to both Figures 4 and 5, the outer cap has, on its inner face, semi-triangular profiled clockwise drivers 99a which, when the cap is turned in an anti-clockwise direction, will bear on the inner cap clockwise drivers 99 and depress them into their respective recesses and pass accordingly. The outer cap also has anti-clockwise drivers 98a, positioned such that when the cap is rotated in a clockwise direction, but not depressed, they do not engage the anti-clockwise drivers 98 of the inner cap: their shape also ensures that positive driving in the anti-clockwise direction is only possible at full depression of the outer cap. If the outer cap is depressed and at the same time rotated in a clockwise direction, the clockwise drivers 99,99a will not engage but the anti-clockwise drivers 98,98a will engage and thereby fulfil the task of the clockwise drivers. This will not activate the tamper evident annunciator ring as the window blade will be rendered ineffective by the direction of rotation. In Figure 5, A indicates one quarter of the circumference of the inner member and outer cap. The outer cap has a segmented and bevelled lip 96 allowing the outer cap to pass over the inner cap lip 97 under distortion as previously described. The gaps between the segments coincide with the projections on the inner cap thereby eliminating any obstruction when the two caps are assembled together. The bottom of the outer cap is provided with a splayed lip 120 to facilitate the outer cap passing over and distorting inwards the projecting profile of the annunciator ring if this operation is carried out away from automated factory conditions. The operation of the outer cap relative to the annunciator ring will now be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7: it will however be appreciated that the position of the outer cap before depression prevents the annunciator ring from functioning whether the cap is turned in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction; only when the cap is fully depressed will it activate the annunciator ring upon rotation in the anti-clockwise direction. Thus, referring to Figures 6 and 7, the annunciator ring 93 has serrations on its inner side, to engage with complementary serrations 82 formed around the neck 90 of the container and prevent the annunciator ring turning. When the outer cap is depressed and turned in the loosening direction, inner edges on its windows pick up integral puncturing profiles 83 on the outer face of the annunciator ring, to force these outwards to puncture the windows 84 in the outer cap. Figure 8 shows a modified child resistant, or child¬ proof, closure arrangement but providing easier use for the infirm, disabled or elderly. This modified closure comprises inner and outer caps generally as the closure of Figures 4 and 5 (the inner cap being omitted from the drawing) , but the outer cap no longer has its clockwise or anti-clockwise drivers 99a, 98a. Instead, the outer cap has two diametrically-opposed openings in its side wall (one shown) to receive projections 110 (one shown) carried on the inner wall of a cap-shaped portion 112 of an adaptor. The adaptor has a head portion 114 which may be of any selected shape, suited to the particular user according to his or her restricted ability, such that the particular user is able to turn the adaptor and thus turn the outer cap of the closure. The projections 110 are provided with clockwise and anti-clockwise drivers 109a, 108a corresponding to the drivers 99a, 98a of the outer cap of the closure shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the example shown, the adaptor is a snap-fit onto the outer cap: before the adaptor is fitted onto the outer cap, the latter spins freely relative to the inner cap; however, once the adaptor is fitted, its drivers 109a, 108a will engage the corresponding drivers of the inner cap for clockwise or anticlockwise rotation of the inner cap relative to the container to which the closure is fitted. In the example shown, it is not necessary to depress the outer cap before it will turn the inner cap anti-clockwise (and thus activate the tamper-evident feature) . It will be appreciated that once the closure has been unscrewed from the container using the adaptor, the closure can be lifted free from the container still using the adaptor, and similarly returned subsequently to the container. Should it be desired to remove the adaptor from the closure, this can be accomplished by squeezing the adaptor across an enlarged diameter at right angles to the diameter on which the two projections 110 lie, so expanding the adaptor along the latter diameter so that the projections 110 emerge from their openings in the outer cap. The adaptor may instead be arranged to fit onto the outer cap of the closure of Figures 4 and 5, without altering the manner in which the inner and outer caps co-operate. In this case, the adaptor may be arranged simply to clip over the outer cap, but with the outer cap having a pronounced knurling on its outer periphery so that depending clips of the adaptor will engage the outer cap to cause the two to turn together. Preferably the adaptor is of enlarged diameter between the clips, so again it can be squeezed to release the adaptor from the closure when desired. The adaptor may instead have projecting clips or claws which snap-fit into sockets formed in the top of the outer cap, to retain the adaptor to the outer cap. Depending on the diameter of the closure, the tamper- evident feature may be provided on the top of the outer cap (in which case the adaptor is preferably transparent) or on the side of the outer cap. Figure 9 shows diagrammatically another form of child- resistant closure in accordance with this invention, comprising an inner member 10 having an internal screw-thread for engaging the screw-threaded neck of a bottle or other container, and an outer cap 12. The closure is assembled by inserting the inner member into the open bottom of the outer cap, the external rim on the bottom edge of the inner member snapping past the internal rim on the bottom edge of the outer cap. An extension on the top of the inner member 10 is formed with integral puncturing profiles 11 (two in the example shown) , and the outer cap 12 is formed with windows 13 (being reduced-thickness portions of the wall) adjacent its top. The outer surface of the inner member skirt and the inner surface of the outer member skirt are formed with integral, co-operating projections at 15 (not shown in detail) , enabling the outer cap to rotate the inner member in the clockwise or tightening direction, and also enabling the outer cap to turn the inner member in the loosening direction once the outer cap has been pushed down against the bias of spring fingers (not shown) provided integrally on the inner member top or on the underside of the outer cap top. This push-down action brings the two parts to the position shown in the right-hand side of Figure 9: it is necessary to turn the outer cap through a significant angle before the co-operating projections at 15 engage for turning the inner member in the loosening direction, but during this rotation inner edges of the windows 13 pick up the puncturing profiles 11 of the inner member, and cause these to puncture through the windows. Figure 10 shows a modification of the closure of Figure 9, in which the inner member 20 has an externally screw- threaded extension 24 from the underside of its top, for engagement within the internally screw-threaded neck of a container. The outer cap 22 is not axially displaceable relative to the inner member, so that the closure is not child- resistant. The outer surface of the inner member skirt and the inner surface of the outer member skirt are formed with co¬ operating projections at 25 (not shown in detail) , enabling rotation of the outer cap to turn the inner member in either the clockwise or anticlockwise direction. However, once the closure has been screwed onto the container neck, the outer cap must be turned through a predetermined angle before the co¬ operating projections at 25 engage for turning the inner member: during this rotation, inner edges of the windows 23 pick up puncturing profiles 21 of the inner member, and cause these to puncture through the windows 23. In the examples shown in Figures 9 and 10, there are two windows in the outer cap and two puncturing profiles on the inner member, such that rotation of the outer cap through a maximum of 180° is required in order to activate the tamper evident feature. However, in general any number of windows and puncturing profiles may be provided (not necessarily equal in number) , arranged for the tamper-evident feature to be activated upon rotation of the outer cap through an angle less than 360°. It will be appreciated that the closures of Figures 9 and 10 may be modified for operation by an adaptor such as shown in Figure 8, with appropriate modification of that adaptor. The tamper-evident security devices of this invention may be arranged for a wide variety of different uses. In one form, not previously mentioned, the device may forma dust cap for the screw-threaded, valved outlet of a gas container, the device having an inner member which screws onto this outlet, and an outer cap for driving the inner member, and the device incorporating a tamper-evident feature as described above. The dust cap then protects the gas container outlet against contamination, and also protects against unauthorised use of the contents of the container.

Claims: CLAIMS 1) A tamper evident security device which comprises a cap member formed with at least one window, and an inner member, the cap being arranged for screw-threaded engagement with the inner member or the inner member being arranged for screw- threaded engagement with a further member and co-operable with the cap member for rotation thereby, and the inner member or further member carrying at least one active element arranged to displace outwardly and penetrate at least partially through said window upon rotating said cap member through a predetermined angle in the direction to loosen said screw- threaded engagement. 2) A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the window or windows are formed in the top of the cap member. 3) A security device as claimed in claim 1, in which the window or windows are formed in a tubular skirt portion of the cap member. 4) A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each window comprises a relatively thin portion of the wall of the cap member, arranged to be punctured by the or a said active element. 5) A security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the or each window comprises an opening in the wall of the cap member, and a frangible member is positioned so as to be punctured by the or a said active element. 6) A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each window of the cap member is formed with an edge arranged to engage the or a said active element, upon rotation of said cap member through said predetermined angle, and displace that active element outwardly and at least partially through said window. 7) A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each said active element is formed integrally with, and is flexible relative to, said inner or further member or a component carried by said inner or further member. 8) A security device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a component which carries said active element or elements and is rotated by said cap member in the loosening direction until the or a said active element abuts a stop formed on the inner member, to displace that active element at least partially through the or a said window. 9) A security device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which said component comprises a ring-shaped component. 10) A security device as claimed in any preceding claim, in the form of a closure for a bottle or other container having a screw-threaded outlet. 11) A closure as claimed in claim 10, arranged for said cap member to be depressed axially relative to said inner member, to a position at which rotation of said cap member in the loosening direction serves to turn said inner member. 12) A closure for a container, the closure having a cap which is to be turned in order to remove the closure from the container, in combination with an adaptor engaged with or arranged to be engaged with said cap in a retained manner, the adaptor having a head portion of shape and size suited to a particular user's restricted ability. 13) A combination as claimed in claim 12, in which the adaptor has a cap-shaped portion which fits over the closure cap. 14) A combination as claimed in claim 13, in which the adaptor is arranged to clip under the lower rim of the closure cap. 15) A combination as claimed in claim 13, in which the adaptor comprises a plurality of projections which snap-fit into sockets formed in the top of the cap. 16) A combination as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, in which the closure comprises an inner member for screw- threading onto the container, the cap being normally free to turn relative to the inner member, until the adaptor is fitted to the cap. 17) A combination as claimed in claim 16, in which the adaptor has at least one projection which serves to engage drive elements on the inner member, when the adaptor is fitted.

Inventors: CASEY JOHN DAVID, NORRIS STEPHEN EDGAR, CASEY, JOHN, DAVID, NORRIS, STEPHEN, EDGAR
Applicants: CASEY JOHN DAVID, NORRIS STEPHEN EDGAR, CASEY, JOHN, DAVID, NORRIS, STEPHEN, EDGAR
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B65D55
IPC codes: B65D41, B65D50, B65D55