Abstract:
A tamper-evident closure ( 10 ) for a container ( 20 ) is provided. The closure ( 10 ) comprises a first portion ( 25 ) including inner ( 35 ) and outer ( 45 ) parts, and a second portion ( 30 ). The outer part ( 45 ) is movable relative to the inner part ( 35 ) from a first position in which the outer part ( 45 ) is immediately adjacent the second portion ( 30 ) to a second position in which there is an empty unobstructed gap (G) therebetween. The inner ( 35 ) and outer ( 45 ) parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part ( 45 ) cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap (G). A combination of such a closure ( 110 ) with an in-bore filament ( 100 ) connectable to a container ( 120 ) is also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/577,575, filed Sep. 5, 2006, which is currently pending. U.S. application Ser. No. 10/577,575 is a 371 National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2004/012056, filed Oct. 26, 2004. International Application No. PCT/EP2004/012056 cites for priority European Patent Application No. 03257261.2, filed Oct. 31, 2003, which is currently pending. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates generally to a closure for a container and particularly to a closure with means for indicating that the closure has been opened at least once. 
     There is an increasing demand for tamper-indicating systems which ensure that a container is not re-filled with non-original contents. Whilst it is relatively easy to produce some form of tamper-evidence, it is much more difficult to provide tamper-evidence which cannot be either overcome without causing the tamper-evidence system to activate, or activated and then returned to a visually identical state so as to appear non-activated. 
     A particularly useful method of providing tamper-evidence is to use a system in which a closure is initially located in a first position, but once removed can only be returned to a second position which is visually distinct from the first position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,231 describes a closure with a part which is moved during the opening process so that following opening it cannot pass back over a projection on the container finish. The result is that the closure can only return to a position in which it is axially displaced with respect to its original position. Document WO 02/096771 describes a closure with a first portion with inner and outer parts, and a second portion. Initially a section of the inner part of the first portion protrudes below the level of the outer part and is held firmly by a region of the second portion which is formed so as to have a reduced circumference. When the first portion is removed the section of the inner part is pulled from under the area of reduced circumference on the second portion. After removal the inner part of the first portion and the area of reduced circumference on the second portion retain their original dimensions, so that if the first portion is reapplied the inner part can no longer pass under the area of reduced circumference. Accordingly a gap is produced between the outer part of the first portion and the second portion, because the section of the inner part which was previously trapped under the second portion is now trapped above the area of reduced circumference. 
     In both of the above prior art documents a gap is formed by trapping an obstructing member. The problem with such systems is that the obstruction member is easily accessible and could be removed, for example by cutting to defeat the tamper-evidence. 
     The present invention seeks to address the above problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention provides a tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising a first portion including inner and outer parts and a second portion, the outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position in which the outer part is immediately adjacent the second portion to a second position in which there is an unobstructed gap therebetween, the inner and outer parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap. 
     The present invention therefore does not rely on an obstructing member becoming trapped to form a gap therebetween. By forming an unobstructed gap it is not possible to defeat the tamper-evidence by a simple cutting operation. 
     The second portion may be connected to a container and the first portion may comprise a cap. Certain industries demand closures with a first portion comprising, a cap and a second portion comprising a sleeve which is connected to a container; for example the spirits industry. 
     The second portion may be permanently fixed in its position on the container. This prevents the second portion from being moved upwardly to close the gap. 
     The first portion may be adapted to engage an in-bore fitment associated with the container. Certain industries, in particular the spirits industry, demand additional measures to prevent tampering. In-bore fitments such as non-return fitments are often fitted to containers to prevent re-filling regardless of other tamper-evidence measures. 
     The first portion may include a ratchet arrangement for locking the inner and outer parts in the second position. A ratchet arrangement is a simple and efficient method of irreversibly locking the inner and outer parts together. 
     The first portion may include formations, such as screw threads, for engaging the container or in-bore fitment as appropriate. In such cases the ratchet arrangement or other locking mechanism may be located above the formations so as to increase the difficulty in accessing and tampering with the locking arrangement. 
     The gap formed in the closure may be at the respective adjacent peripheries of the portions. By forming the gap at the peripheries the gap is more visually obvious. 
     The inner part may include a part which extends beyond the outer part towards the second portion in the second position. Whilst the part is in no way an obstruction member and is in no way required for formation of the unobstructed gap, the part is visible through the gap. The part could be, for example, a brightly coloured band to accentuate the presence of the gap. 
     The present invention also provides, in combination a container and a tamper-evident closure, the closure comprising a first portion including inner and outer parts, and a second portion, the second portion is connected to the container and the first portion is the removable top cap, the first portion outer part is movable relative to the inner part from a first position in which the outer part is immediately adjacent to the second portion to a second position in which there is an empty, unobstructed gap therebetween. Thereafter the first portion is removable and the inner and outer parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap when the first portion is replaced. 
     The combination may further comprise an in-bore fitment connectable to the container, the first portion being adapted to engage the fitment. 
     The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a section of a closure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, shown attached to a container and being in a first position; 
         FIG. 2  shows the closure of  FIG. 1  in a second position prior to removal from the container; 
         FIG. 3  shows a diagrammatic section along line III-III of  FIG. 2  illustrating a ratchet arrangement for locking the closure in the second position; 
         FIG. 4  shows the closure of  FIG. 3  following removal from the container; 
         FIG. 5  shows the closure of  FIG. 4  following re-attachment to the container following first opening; 
         FIG. 6  is a section of a tamper-evident closure according to an alternative embodiment, shown forming part of a tamper-evident arrangement on a container neck and being in a first position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a shell forming part of the closure of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a ratchet member forming part of the closure of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a liner part forming part of the closure of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pouring part forming part of the non-return fitment of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective section of a basket part forming part of the non-return fitment of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a float forming part of the non-return fitment of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the neck finish of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is section of the closure of  FIG. 6  with the closure shown in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  there is shown a tamper-evident closure generally indicated  10  attached to a container generally indicated  20 . The container  20  includes a neck portion  21  with external screw threads  22 . At the lower end of the neck  21  is an annular retention ring  23 , the purpose of which is described in more detail below. 
     The closure comprises a first portion  25  and a second portion  30 . The first portion  25  includes inner  35  and outer  45  parts. 
     The inner part  35  comprises a disk-shape top plate  36  with a cylindrical skirt  37  depending from its periphery. 
     The outer surface of the skirt  37  has screw threads  38  for engaging corresponding threads on the outer part  45 . 
     The inner surface of the skirt  37  has screw threads  39  for engaging corresponding threads  22  on the container  20 . 
     Approximately half way along its length, the outer surface of the skirt  37  also includes two diametrically opposed wedge-shape ratchet members  40  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The outer part  45  comprises a disk-shape top plate  46  with a cylindrical skirt  47  depending from its periphery. 
     The inner surface of the skirt  47  has screw threads  48  for engaging the threads  38  on the inner part  35 . 
     At its open end, the inner surface of the skirt also includes two dimensionally opposed, wedge-shape ratchet members  49  (best shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The second portion  30  comprises an annular tamper-evident band and is connected to the open end of the outer part skirt  47  by frangible bridges  48 . At the other end of the second portion  30 , a plurality of flaps  31  project radially inwardly and upwardly. The flaps  31  are positioned to engage beneath the annular retention ring  23  on the container  20 . 
     The operation of the closure will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 5 . 
     In order to open the closure  10  the outer part  45  is grasped and turned. The tightness of fit between the inner part  35  and the neck portion  21  is designed to be greater than that between the inner part  35  and the outer part  45 , which means that there is greater friction. Accordingly when the outer part  45  is initially turned it is the outer part  45  which moves axially upwards relative to the inner part  35 ; the inner part remains stationary. 
     As the outer part  45  moves upwards the flaps  31  prevent the second portion  30  from moving by virtue of their engagement under the retention ring  23 . As a result the frangible bridges  48  break and the second portion  30  remains in position. 
     Continued turning of the outer part  45  eventually leads to the ratchet members  40 ,  49  passing each other and locking in the position shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The outer and inner parts  45 ,  35  are now irreversibly locked in this second position. It will be seen that there now exists a gap (G) between the open end of the outer part skirt  47  and the second portion  30 . The gap (G) is empty and unobstructed; that is, the gap (G) is not created by an obstruction structure which braces between the skirt  47  and the second portion  30 . 
     With the outer  45  and inner  35  parts locked together as shown in  FIG. 2 , continued turning of the outer part  45  now acts to unscrew the inner part  35  from the container neck  21 . In  FIG. 4  the closure  10  is shown removed completely from the container neck  21  to allow access to the container  20 . 
     When the closure  10  is replaced on the container neck  21  it cannot be returned to its first position because the inner and outer parts  35 ,  45  are still locked together. Instead the closure can only be returned to the position shown in  FIG. 5 , in which the gap (G) remains. 
     In this embodiment it will be noted that the length of the inner part skirt  37  is such that it protrudes below the level of the outer part skirt  47  in the second position. As a result, the skirt  37  can be seen through the gap (G). The skirt  37  could, for example, be brightly coloured or include a message in the area visible through the gap (G) to accentuate the fact that the gap (G) is there and warn of potential tampering. 
       FIGS. 6 to 13  show an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the closure  110  forms part of a tamper-evident arrangement for a container  120  having a neck  121  with an associated in-bore non-return fitment generally indicated  100 . 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 6 , the components of the tamper-evident arrangement are as follows: the closure  110  comprises a shell  155 , a ratchet part  160  and a liner part  165 ; the non-return fitment  100  comprises a pouring part  175 , a ball  200 , a float valve  186  and a basket part  190 . 
     The components of the tamper-evident-arrangement will now be described in more detail. 
     The closure shell  155  is shown in  FIG. 7  and is a metal closure of the well-known “roll-on pilfer-proof” type. The shell comprises a disk-shape top plate  156  with a side wall  157  depending from its periphery. The shell  155  includes upper  155   a  and lower  155   b  sections. The shape of the side wall  157  is determined at least in part after the shell is applied because a series of rollers and cutters are used to form a frangible line  159  and first  158   a  and second  158   b  rolled-in regions, as is described in more detail below. 
     The ratchet part  160  is shown in  FIG. 8  and comprises a tubular body part. The inner surface of the part  160  includes screw threads  161 . The inner surface also includes a ratchet member  162  for engaging a corresponding notch in the liner part  165 . The inner surface also includes a ratchet step  163  formed by a band of thicker material at the opposite end of the part  160  to the ratchet member  162 . The outer surface includes an annular groove  164  which is used to hold the part  160  in the shell  155  by virtue of a first crimped-in region  158  of the shell  155  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The liner part  165  is shown in  FIG. 9  and comprises a disk-shape top plate  166  with a cylindrical skirt  167  depending from its periphery. The upper part  167   a  of the surface of the skirt  167  includes screw threads  168  for engaging the threads  161  of the ratchet part. The inner surface of the skirt  167  includes screw threads  169  (shown in phantom on  FIG. 9 ) for engaging corresponding threads on the pouring part  175 . Below the thread start of the external screw thread  168  is a notch  174  for receiving the ratchet member  162  of the ratchet part  160 . Below the thread start of the internal screw thread  169  is a ratchet tooth  174   a  (see  6 ) for engaging a corresponding tooth  180   a  on the outer surface of the pouring part  175  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The top plate  166  is surrounded by an annular upturned flap  170 . The skirt  167  includes an annular extension portion  171  below an annular flange  172  at the lower end of the skirt  167 . 
     As shown best in  FIG. 6 , an annular plug band  173  depends from the inner surface of the top plate  166  and is adapted to engage in the pouring part  175 . 
     The pouring part  175  is shown in  FIG. 10  and comprises a generally frusto-conical hollow body with an upper thread-bearing portion  176  having external screw threads  177  for engaging the internal screw threads  169  on the liner  165 . Within the thread bearing portion  176  is positioned a dome-shape flow regulator  178 . The regulator  178  is attached by three axial spokes  179  to the inner wall of the portion  176  to provide a flow path around the regulator  178 . 
     A ball chamber  180  depends from the portion  176  and is sized to accommodate the ball  200  in such a way that it can move freely. The outer surface of the ball chamber  180  includes the ratchet tooth  180   a  for engaging the ratchet tooth  174   a  of the liner part  165 , 
     A basket-retaining part  181  depends from the ball chamber  180 . The internal bore of the basket-retaining part  181  is increased by a step  182  at the bottom of the hall chamber  180 . The increased bore is sized to accommodate the basket  190  as described below. 
     A neck-engaging part  183  depends from the basket retaining part  181 . The neck-engaging part  183  begins with an external annular groove  184   a  which is used to help hold the fitment  175  on the container neck  121  by virtue of the second rolled-in region  158   b  of the shell (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Below the groove  184   a , the internal surface of the part  183  includes a plurality of axial ribs  185  for engaging ribs  125  on the container neck  121 , as described below. The ribs  185  are visible in  FIG. 10  through a window  186  in the basket-retaining part. An identical window is present diametrically opposite (not shown). The windows  186  are present so that a sharp retention edge  184   c  can be formed in a molding production process. The edge  184   c  provides a very strong connection under the lip  123  of the container neck  121 . 
     Opposite the external groove  184   a  is an internal step  184   b.    
     The basket part  190  is shown in  FIG. 11  and includes an annular upper part  191  sized so that it has an interference sealing fit within the basket-retaining part  181  of the pouring part  175 . The seal is improved with the presence of a bead  192  approximately half way along the outer surface of the part  191 . The internal diameter of the part  190  decreases at the lower end of the upper part  191  with a curved step  193  and continues to form an annular plug part  194  sized to fit sealingly into the internal bore of the container neck  121 . Approximately half way along the external surface of the plug part  194  is a bead  195  for improving the seal against the container neck  121 . 
     At the intersection of the step  193  and the plug part  192  a valve seat comprising a circular groove  194  extends radially inwardly and connects to a non-return valve comprising an upstanding hoop  195  with the three internal spokes  196  forming three generally triangular orifices  197 . At the bottom of the annular upper part  191  an inwardly curved sealing member  198  depends. The sealing member  198  can flex upwardly towards the underside of the step  193  and is positioned to seal against the upper surface  122  of the container neck. 
     Also at the bottom of the annular upper part  191  a circumferential flange  199  extends radially outwards. 
     The float valve  186  is shown in  FIG. 12  and comprises a disk-shape top plate  187  with a cylindrical skirt  188  depending from its periphery. The skirt  188  is sized so that its open end fits into the groove  194  of the basket part  190 . 
     The neck finish  121  is shown in  FIG. 13  and comprises an upper lip  123  below which is a lower portion  124  of reduced diameter. The lower portion has a plurality of spaced axial ribs  125  around its periphery. A shoulder emerges from the lower end of the lower portion  124 . 
     The tamper-evident arrangement shown in  FIG. 6  is assembled as follows. 
     The ball  200  is placed in the ball chamber  182 . The float  186  is placed on the basket  190  and sits in the groove  194 . The upper part  191  of the basket is pushed into the basket-retaining part  181  of the pouring part  175 ; the insertion extent is limited by the step  182 . The liner part  165  is screwed onto the pouring part  175  using the corresponding screw threads  169 ,  177 . The plug part  173  enters the inner bore of the thread bearing portion  176 . The ratchet part  160  is connected to the pouring part by opening the tubular body part at the split line  160   a . The part  160  is then fitted around the upper part  167   a  of the pouring part before allowing the part  160  to close with the threads  161 ,  168  now engaged and the lower edge of the ratchet resting on the liner flange  172 . 
     The ratchet part  160 , liner part  165 , pouring part  175 , ball  200 , float valve  186  and basket part  190  are then added to the container neck  121  by pressing the neck-engaging part  183  of the pouring part  175  over the lip  123 . The plug part  192  of the basket  190  enters the inner bore of the container neck  121  until the sealing member  198  contacts the upper surface  122  of the container neck  121  and the step  184   b  clips under the lip  123 . At this point the ribs  125 ,  185  on the neck  121  and pouring part  175  engage to prevent relative rotation. 
     The shell  155  is now added. The shell side wall  157   b  is initially straight. Following placement over the rest of the tamper-evident arrangement the side wall is crimped into the groove  164  of the ratchet part and the groove  184  of the pouring part at points  158   a  and  158   b  respectively. 
     A frangible line  159  is created approximately half way down the side wall  157  by slitting to leave thin bridges (not shown). 
     The operation of the closure is as follows. 
     Initially the upper section  155   a  of the shell  155  is grasped above the frangible line  159  and twisted. The pouring part  175  cannot turn by virtue of the ribs  125 ,  185  on the container neck  121  and the neck-engaging part  183 . The lower section  155   b  of the section of shell below the frangible line is firmly connected to the pouring part by crimped-in region  158   b , and also cannot turn. The liner part  165  is prevented from turning relative to the pouring part  175  at this stage because of the interaction of the ratchet teeth  174   a ,  180   a.    
     The upper section  155   a  of the shell turns and the frangible line  159  breaks. The turning of the upper section  155   a  turns the ratchet part  160  by virtue of the firm connection provided by the region  158   a  in the groove  164 . 
     The ratchet part  160  continues to rise in the upper shell section  155   a  until the step  163  passes over the flap  170  and the ratchet member  162  enters the notch  174  on the liner part  165 . The flap  170  prevents the upper-shell section  155   a  from moving back down by its engagement with the step  163  and the ratchet member  162  prevents relative rotation between the ratchet part  160  and the liner part  165 . Because the step  163  and flap  170  are located above the respective screw threads, access to this part of the closure is made difficult. Re-setting of the ratchet arrangement is thereby made more difficult. 
     The tamper-evident arrangement is now shown in the position shown in  FIG. 14 . A gap (G 1 ) is formed in the shell  155  between the upper  155   a  and lower  155   b  shell sections. The gap (G 1 ) is unobstructed; there is no obstacle at the point of dislocation to prevent closing of the gap (G 1 ). Continued turning of the upper shell section  155   a  now turns the liner  165  with respect to the pouring part  175 ; again the pouring part  175  remains stationary. 
     The action of twisting the liner part  165  off the pouring part  175  may break one or both of the ratchet teeth  174   a ,  180   a , and may make a ‘crack’ sound to reinforce the tamper-proof nature of the closure. Therefore the interaction of the ratchet teeth  174   a ,  180   a  must be strong enough to counter the force of the ratchet part  160  turning relative to the liner part  165 . In particular the interaction must be strong enough to remain intact as the ratchet part step  163  passes over the liner flap  170 . However, the ratchet teeth  174   a ,  180   a  interaction is such that it can be overcome once the ratchet part  160  and liner part  165  are locked in place. Other types of semi-permanent locking arrangements could be used between the liner part  165  and the pouring part  175 . For example the parts could be glued together. Preferably the locking arrangement is destroyed during the opening operation to prevent the tamper-evident arrangement from being re-set. 
     The non-return fitment  100 , of which the pouring part  175  forms part, will be well known to those skilled in the art and its operation will not be described in detail. 
     The upper shell section  155   a , the ratchet part  160  and the liner part  165  are then removed to expose the pouring part  175 . 
     When the upper shell section  155   a  is replaced and the liner part  165  is screwed back onto the pouring part  175 , the gap (G 1 ) cannot be re-closed because the ratchet part  160  prevents the upper shell section  155   a  moving down further than is shown in  FIG. 14 . It will be noted that the annular extension portion  171  of the liner  165  is visible through gap (G 1 ) in the position shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The upper shell section  155   a  constitutes the first portion outer part of the closure. The liner  165  constitutes the first portion inner part. The lower shell section  155   b  constitutes the second portion. The ratchet part  160  locks the inner and outer parts together.