Abstract:
A lid for a medical container including a body portion including a locating element, a tamper evident security connector integrally formed with the body portion, the tamper evident security connector including an anchor portion and a frangible portion. The anchor portion can attach to and be retained by an engagement portion fixed in at least one direction relative to the medical container, thereby positioning the frangible portion between the locating element and engagement portion. The frangible portion is adapted to break on relative movement between the lid and the medical container. The lid can be suitable for use in an autoclave, and can be formed from a material or materials that are capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 140° C.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a lid for a medical container, the lid including a tamper evident security connector. 
       Description of the Related Art 
       [0002]    Medical containers may be used to store medical equipment, medicines, or other biological materials. Depending on their intended use, medical containers may also be used to treat the contents that are retained therein, for example the container may be used for sterilizing medical equipment in an autoclave or by chemical treatment. 
         [0003]    The containers may be provided in a two-piece form, e.g., including a container portion such as a bowl, tray, tub or other storage element and a top lid. Alternatively, these containers may be provided in a one-piece form wherein the container portion and lid are connected via, for example, a hinge. These types of containers are typically made by thermoforming or blow molding plastics, such as polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and the like. 
         [0004]    A range of different closure mechanisms are possible, depending on whether the container is provided in a two-piece form, or a one-piece form. Such closure mechanism may include use of a screw cap, snap on cap, friction fit cap, or a variety of other closure mechanisms which are known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0005]    Because these containers typically contain items such as medicines, sterilized equipment, or biological materials, attempts have been made to provide a tamper evident lid so that a user can determine or detect when the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with. However, there is a need to provide new tamper evident security connectors that can be used with medical containers. For example, it is desirable to provide tamper evident lids that are inexpensive and easy to produce, as well as being easy and convenient for use by the skilled addressee. 
         [0006]    Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In one aspect of the invention there is provided a lid for a medical container, the lid including:
       a body portion including a locating element,   a tamper evident security connector integrally formed with the body portion, the tamper evident security connector including:
           an anchor portion, and   a frangible portion;   
           wherein the anchor portion is configured to attach to and be retained by an engagement portion fixed in at least one direction relative to the medical container, thereby positioning the frangible portion between the locating element and engagement portion, the frangible portion being adapted to break on relative movement between the lid and the medical container; and   wherein the lid is suitable for use in an autoclave, the lid being formed from a material or materials that are capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 140° C.       
 
         [0014]    The invention is particularly applicable to medical sterilization containers, such as medical containers for sterilizing an object and storing the sterilized object therein. It is preferred that the container and lid, when assembled, are permeable to sterilization agent to allow the passage of the sterilization agent into and out of the assembled container, so that the sterilization agent can contact an instrument held therein. Thus, in one embodiment, the lid further includes a permeable portion that allows transmission of a sterilization agent (preferably steam). 
         [0015]    The skilled addressee is readily able to assess whether a container having the lid attached has been opened or tampered with by assessing whether the frangible portion has been broken or not. Furthermore, in such instances, the skilled addressee may also inspect the engagement portion of the container to ascertain whether the anchor portion of the broken tamper evident security connector has been retained therein. 
         [0016]    Preferably the body portion and the tamper evident security connector are unitary. The term “unitary,” as used here, is intended to define that these constituent components of the lid are a single unit. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the engagement portion is fixed to the container collar. In an alternative embodiment, the engagement portion is part of a collar that is attached to the container, for example to a neck of the container. In such instances, the collar may be rotatable about the neck of the collar in one direction but not in the other. For example, if the lid is connectable to the container via a right-handed thread, then the collar may be rotatable about the container in the clockwise direction but not in the counter-clockwise direction. Thus, the engagement portion, attached to the collar, is fixed relative to the container in the counter-clockwise direction. A suitable mechanism to permit rotation in one direction and not the other may be through use of ratchet arrangement between the collar and the container. In still further embodiments, the medical container includes the engagement portion as an integrally formed component. 
         [0018]    As discussed above, the lid is suitable for sterilization procedures, such as in an autoclave. In one or more embodiments, the container is adapted to receive a medical instrument therein so that the medical instrument can be sterilized in the autoclave. The lid is formed from a material or materials that are capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 140° C., preferably at least 150° C., and more preferably at least 160° C. It is further preferred that the lid is formed from a material or materials that is capable of withstanding pressures of up to 100 kPa gauge, such as usual in an autoclave. By withstanding a temperature and/or pressure it is meant that the material does not deform, degrade, or melt at that temperature and/or pressure. This is particularly preferable for situations in which the lid is used to seal a container that used for sterilization of medical equipment. In such cases, the lid may additionally include other components such as permeable portion, such as a vapor permeable membrane, which permits the passage of steam into and out of the container. The vapor permeable membrane permits the passage of vapor, which is preferably steam, into and out of the internal cavity to sterilize the medical instrument. Preferably the vapor permeable membrane is hydrophobic. The hydrophobic nature of the membrane prevents surfaces of the membrane from being wetted by water, thus avoiding strikethrough and potentially allowing pathogens to pass through the membrane. It is preferred that the vapor permeable membrane is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyester and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
         [0019]    Preferably the anchor portion is shaped in such a manner as to allow insertion of the anchor portion into the engagement portion and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion from the receiving portion after insertion. That is, the anchor portion is easily insertable into the engagement portion, but retention means within the engagement portion prevents the anchor portion from being withdrawn. The retention means ideally resists an applied force to remove the anchor portion that is greater than the force required to break the frangible portion. That is, the frangible portion is configured to break on application of a separation force that is less than the force required to separate the anchor portion from the engagement portion. In this way, attempting to remove the anchor portion, for example by pulling the anchor portion from the engagement portion causes the frangible portion to break rather than separation of the anchor portion and the engagement portion. 
         [0020]    It is preferred that the anchor portion is immediately adjacent to the frangible portion. This is so that a pulling force cannot be applied between the anchor portion and the frangible portion allowing the pulling force to by-pass the frangible portion. If frangible portion is immediately adjacent to the anchor portion, then any pulling force or tension applied to remove the anchor portion from the engagement portion will also be applied across the frangible portion. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the locating element is configured to locate with the engagement portion when the lid is attached to the medical container. Preferably, the locating element is configured to coaxially align with the engagement portion. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment, the locating element is configured to guide the anchor portion to the engagement portion. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment the locating element is an eyelet configured to allow passage of the anchor portion therethrough to attach and be retained by the engagement portion of the medical container. 
         [0024]    Preferably the eyelet is a plastic ring that is integrally formed with the lid body, such as an outer perimeter of the lid body wherein the outer perimeter of the lid is in a plane that is parallel with an opening of the container. More preferably, the eyelet is configured to frictionally engage with the tamper evident security connector, and to substantially retain the tamper evident security connector in position relative to the body portion of the lid. 
         [0025]    Preferably the eyelet has an opening which is in a first plane and the engagement portion has an opening which is in a second plane, the first and second planes being substantially parallel. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the eyelet is configured to apply a separation force to the tamper evident security connector to break the frangible portion. For example, relative movement between the lid and the medical container causes the eyelet to apply the separation force to the tamper evident security connector to break the frangible portion. For example, for a screw-threaded lid, the act of turning the lid to de-thread the lid from the container causes the eyelet to press against a portion of the tamper evident security connector causing the frangible portion to break. Similarly, the removal process for other types of lids causes the eyelet to apply interact with the tamper evident security connector to break the frangible portion. 
         [0027]    Preferably, the eyelet is configured to coaxially align with the engagement portion so that the tamper evident security connector can be fed through the eyelet and into the engagement portion along a common shared axis. 
         [0028]    Preferably the eyelet has an eyelet opening with an eyelet axis passing through the center thereof, the eyelet opening being in a first plane, wherein the eyelet axis is perpendicular to the first plane; and the engagement portion has an engagement opening with an engagement axis passing through the center thereof, said engagement opening being in a second plane, wherein the engagement axis is perpendicular to the first plane; and the eyelet axis and the engagement axis are coaxial when the lid is in its connected state with the container. More preferably, the eyelet axis and the engagement axis are substantially aligned. 
         [0029]    This alignment between the openings of the eyelet and the engagement portion is advantageous as it allows the tamper evident security connector to be fed through the eyelet opening and into the engagement portion. More preferably, the frangible portion is configured to rest in a space between the eyelet and the engagement portion after attachment and retention of the anchor portion by the engagement portion. Preferably, the space between the eyelet and the engagement portion is less than about 1 cm. More preferably, less than about 0.8 cm. Most preferably, less than about 0.6 cm. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the eyelet is configured to frictionally engage with the tamper evident security connector, and to substantially retain the tamper evident security connector in position relative to the body portion of the lid after passage of the anchor portion therethrough. More preferably the diameter of an opening in the eyelet is sufficiently large to permit passage of the tamper evident security connector, but sufficiently narrow to frictionally engage with at least a portion of the tamper evident security connector. Even more preferably the diameter of the opening of the eyelet is from at least the width or diameter of a portion of the tamper evident security connector to be retained therein upon attachment and retention of the anchor portion with the engagement portion to twice that diameter or width. The diameter of the opening of the eyelet is less than 1.8 times that diameter or width. Preferably, the diameter of the opening of the eyelet is less than 1.6 times that diameter or width. More preferably, the diameter of the opening of the eyelet is less than  1 . 4  times that diameter or width. Most preferably, the diameter of the opening of the eyelet is less than 1.2 times that diameter or width. 
         [0031]    In an embodiment the tamper evident security connector further includes an elongate portion, wherein the elongate portion has a first end which is connected to the body portion and a second end adjacent to the frangible portion. 
         [0032]    Preferably, the elongate portion has a length of about one quarter to about one third of an outer perimeter of the lid. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the elongate portion is flexible. This allows the elongate portion to be manipulated so that at least the anchor portion and the frangible portion can be threaded through the eyelet. More preferably the at least part of the elongate portion is frictionally retained by an opening of the eyelet. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the elongate portion extends from the outer perimeter of the lid. 
         [0035]    Preferably, the frangible portion is an region of reduced thickness that is coaxially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment, the frangible portion is a region of reduced thickness of the tamper evident security connector. 
         [0037]    In an embodiment, the anchor portion is a male connector, and the engagement portion includes a female connector. 
         [0038]    Preferably, the female connector is a cavity that has a shape that corresponds to the anchor portion. 
         [0039]    Preferably, the anchor portion has a tapered shape widening from a tip of the anchor portion to a base of the anchor portion, the tapered shape of the anchor portion configured to displace side walls of the cavity to permit passage of the anchor portion therethrough, the displaced side walls configured to close over the base of the anchor portion to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion from the cavity. 
         [0040]    Preferably, the anchor portion is configured for attachment and retention with the engagement portion through a ratchet mechanism. 
         [0041]    In an embodiment, the anchor portion includes barbs to attach and retain the anchor portion within the engagement portion. 
         [0042]    In preferred embodiments, the tamper evident security connector is not a collar that is frangibly attached to the body portion of the lid. 
         [0043]    In another aspect of the invention there is provided a medical container including a lid as previously defined. 
         [0044]    In yet a further aspect of the invention there is provided a medical container for use with the lid according to any one of the preceding claims. 
         [0045]    The engagement portion may be part of the medical container, or may be mounted to the medical container, such as on a collar of the medical container. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment the engagement portion is integrally formed with a body of the medical container. This may be desirable where the container is a disposable container. After the removing the lid to open the container the anchor portion will remain retained within the engagement portion. Preferably, the anchor portion is not removable or disconnectable from the engagement portion. This prevents re-use of the container. Thus, where it is desired that the container is a single use container that must be disposed of after opening, it can be advantageous to have engagement portion that is integrally formed with the container. 
         [0047]    In an alternative embodiment the engagement portion is integrally formed on a collar that is separable from a body of the medical container. Preferably, the collar is separable from the body of the medical container only in the absence of a lid. That is, attachment of the lid to the container prevents removal of the collar. More preferably, to remove the collar, the lid first needs to be detached from the container. The detachment process causes the frangible portion of the tamper evident security connector to break. The lid can then be removed from the container, and the collar can be subsequently removed. A removable collar having the engagement portion integrally formed thereon may be advantageous where it is desired to provide a re-usable container. 
         [0048]    Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a container including a lid that has a tamper evident security connector in an unconnected state. 
           [0050]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a lid and security connector. 
           [0051]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a lid with a tamper evident security connector connected to a body of a container. 
           [0052]      FIG. 4  shows Detail  1  of  FIG. 3  illustrating the connection of the tamper evident security connector to the container. 
           [0053]      FIG. 5  shows an alternate embodiment of a lid and collar. 
           [0054]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view along lines B-B of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 7  shows Detail  2  of  FIG. 6  illustrating the connection of the tamper evident security connector to the collar. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0056]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a container  100  including a lid  102  that has a tamper evident security connector  104  according to the present invention, wherein the tamper evident security connector  104  in its disconnected state. 
         [0057]    In this embodiment the lid  102  is a screw cap lid. However, the skilled addressee will appreciate that other types of lids may be used. 
         [0058]    In this embodiment, the container  100  and lid  102  combine to form an assembly that is typically used for sterilization and storage of sterilized medical instruments. Broadly, a medical instrument is placed within the container  100 , and the lid  102  is then sealed to the container  100 . The sealed container  100  may then be placed within an autoclave to sterilize the medical instrument stored within. Once sterilized, the medical instrument can be stored within the container  100  until required. The container  100  and lid  102  includes a tamper evident security connector  104  which indicates whether the container  100  has been opened, and thus the sterility of the medical instrument therein. 
         [0059]    In order for the lid  102  to be suitable for use in an autoclave, the lid must be able to withstand the typical temperatures and pressures required within the autoclave during sterilization. Furthermore, in such cases, the lid  102  includes a vapor permeable sterility barrier  105  to allow the passage of vapor, preferably steam, into and out of the container  100 . This permeable sterility barrier  105  is preferably a non-wettable vapor permeable sterility barrier  105 . In such cases, it is also preferred that the non-wettable vapor permeable sterility barrier  105  is hydrophobic. A hydrophobic vapor sterility barrier  105  advantageously allows the passage of water and water vapor therethrough, but due to the hydrophobic nature prevents surfaces of the barrier from being wetted by water. As the barrier cannot be wetted, strikethrough does not occur. Strikethrough is a problem that occurs when a porous membrane (such as a permeable sterility barrier  105 ) becomes wetted. Wetting of the permeable sterility barrier  105  increases the risk of transfer of pathogens through the barrier  105 , compromising sterility. In this specific embodiment, the vapor permeable sterility barrier includes a microporous membrane formed from a hydrophobic polymeric material. A range of different materials may be used, provided that those materials are able to withstand autoclave conditions. Suitable materials include polypropylene, polyesters and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
         [0060]    The tamper evident security connector  104  is formed integrally with the lid  102 . That is, the lid  102  and the tamper evident security connector  104  are unitary. Suitable methods for forming a lid  102  that includes an integrally formed tamper evident security connector  104  may be through injection molding. In this case, the lid  102  and the tamper evident security connector  104  are formed through an injection molding process from the same material. 
         [0061]    The lid  102  is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment the lid  102  includes a tamper evident security connector  104  having an elongate portion  106  which extends from an outer perimeter of the lid  102 . The skilled addressee will appreciate that the tamper evident security connector  104  may conveniently extend from other portions of the lid  102  depending on the design and nature of the lid. The elongate portion  106  has a degree of flexibility such that it can be manipulated for connection with an engagement portion  108  of the container  100 . 
         [0062]    The engagement portion  108  may be formed integrally with the container  100 . That is the engagement portion  108  and the container are a unitary piece. Alternatively, the engagement portion  108  may instead be present on a collar  109  which is connected with the container  100 . In such embodiments, collar  109  may be physically attached to the container  100  for example via some form of non-removable connection means or mechanism, through direct physical attachment (such as via welding or the like), or further the collar  109  may be glued or otherwise adhered to the container  100 . For the purpose of the discussion in respect of  FIGS. 1 to 4  below, the collar  109  is connected to the container  100  via one of the aforementioned means and is not removable. Therefore, this discussion also generally applies to a container in which the engagement portions  108  are integrally formed with the container  100 . However, alternative embodiments in which the collar  109  is removable will also be discussed. 
         [0063]    The elongate portion  106  extends from the outer perimeter of the lid  102  and is substantially aligned with the circumference of the lid. Again, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the nature of the alignment of the elongate portion  106  with respect to the outer perimeter of the lid  102  will depend on the size, shape, and physical characteristics of the lid  102 . The elongate portion  106  is of sufficient length that it can engage with an engagement portion  108  of the container  100 . In the present embodiment, the elongate portion  106  is approximately one third the length of the outer circumference of the lid  102 . 
         [0064]    In the presently illustrated embodiment, the container  100  includes one engagement portions  108 . However, the skilled addressee will appreciate that the container may include more than one engagement portions, such as two engagement portions. This can be advantageous as it allows a user to connect the lid  102  to the container  100  without being concerned with the exact orientation of the lid  102 . Instead, the tamper evident security connector  104  will naturally be in sufficiently close proximity to one of the two engagement portions that the tamper evident security connector  104  can be connected to at least one of the engagement portions Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the container  100  may include multiple tamper evident security connectors corresponding with each of the engagement portions of the container. On connection of the lid to the container each of the tamper evident security connectors is in proximity to form a connection with a corresponding engagement portion of the container. 
         [0065]    In the presently illustrated embodiment, particularly with reference to  FIG. 2 , the lid  102  also includes a locating element  110 , which in this case is an eyelet. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , when the lid  102  is connected to the container  100 , a hole of the eyelet  111  (see  FIG. 2 ) is substantially coaxially aligned with the engagement portion  108  of the lid  102 , such that the tamper evident security connector  104  may be threaded through the hole of the eyelet  110  to be connected with the engagement portion  108 . Thus, on attachment of the lid  102 , locating element or eyelet  110  is configured to locate with the engagement portion  108 , to allow an anchor portion  112  to be easily inserted through the eyelet  110  and into the engagement portion  108 . The engagement portion  108  retains the anchor portion  112  therein to lock the security connector  104  in place. Attempting to remove the security connector  104  will cause the security connector  104  to break, leaving the anchor portion  112  within the engagement portion  108 . Thus for example, unscrewing the lid  102  to separate the lid  102  from the container  100  causes the security connector  104  to break, which indicates to the user that the container  100  has been accessed. 
         [0066]    As discussed above, the tamper evident security connector  104  is connected to the engagement portion  108  of the container  100  via an anchor portion  112 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the end of the security connector  104  retained within the engagement portion  108  of the lid  102  after insertion of the anchor portion  112 . The anchor portion  112  is shaped for engagement with a correspondingly shaped cavity  114  in the engagement portion  108 . This correspondingly shaped cavity  114  is configured to receive at least the anchor potion  112  of the tamper evident security connector  104 , to retain the anchor portion in place and to prevent its withdrawal after insertion. 
         [0067]    The use of the security connector in the context of the container  100  and lid  102  will now be discussed. As previously discussed,  FIG. 3 , illustrates an embodiment in which the tamper evident security connector  104  has been connected with the engagement portion  108  of the container  100 . As can be seen, the tamper evident security connector  104  is threaded through the hole of the eyelet  110  and the anchor portion  112  has been inserted into the engagement portion  108  of the container  100 , where the anchor portion  112  is retained within the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  of the engagement portion  108 . Once the lid  102  and container  100  have been connected in this manner, the lid  102  cannot be removed from the container  100  (for example by attempting to pull the anchor portion  112  from the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  or unthreading the lid  102  from the container  100 ) without breaking the tamper evident security connector  104  at a frangible portion  115  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the tamper evident security connector  104 . 
         [0068]      FIG. 4  shows further detail of the connection between the anchor portion  112  of the tamper evident security connector  104  within the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  of the engagement portion  108 . The correspondingly shaped cavity  114  is shaped to permit entry of the anchor portion  112  into the engagement portion  108  and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion  112  from the engagement portion  108  after insertion. A suitable type of connection may be interference connection in which the anchor portion  112  of the tamper evident security connector  104  is a male connector, and the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  of the engagement portion is a female connector. 
         [0069]    In this particular embodiment, the anchor portion  112  has a narrow tip  120  which widens out to form a tapered head from the tip  120  of the anchor portion  112  to a base  122  of the anchor portion  112 , wherein the base  122  of the anchor portion  112  adjoins the elongate portion  106  of the tamper evident security connector  104 . The base  122  of the anchor portion  112  presents a flanged surface which engages with a corresponding flanged surface of the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  to prevent withdrawal. On insertion of the anchor portion  112  into the correspondingly shaped cavity  114 , the tapered shape of the anchor portion  112  pushes narrowing side walls  124  of the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  apart permitting the anchor portion  112  to pass into the correspondingly shaped cavity  114 . Once the anchor portion  112  is inserted into the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  the narrowing side walls  124  close against the anchor portion  112  such that the flanged surface of the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  closes over the flanged surface of the base  122  to hold the anchor portion  112  in position, and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion  112 . Attempting to remove the anchor portion  112  from the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  causes the tamper evident security connector  104  to break at a frangible portion  115  of the tamper evident security connector  104 . In this case, the frangible portion  115  is structurally weakened region of reduced thickness. 
         [0070]    In alternative embodiments, the anchor portion may additionally include barbs which further act to retain the anchor portion within the correspondingly shaped cavity and to prevent withdrawal of the anchor portion from the correspondingly shaped cavity after insertion. 
         [0071]    When a user desires to open the container  100  the user rotates the lid  102  to de-thread the lid  102  from the container. As the user rotates the lid  102 , tension is applied across the frangible portion  115  of the tamper evident security connector  104 . In particular, during rotation of the lid  102 , an internal wall of the locating element, or in this embodiment eyelet  110  pushes against the tamper evident security connector  104  at a location that is near to, or adjacent, the frangible portion  115 . This assists in concentrating the tension force at the frangible portion  115 . The eyelet  110  also assists in breaking the frangible portion after only a small degree of rotation is applied to the lid  102 . In the absence of the eyelet  110 , the lid would undergo partial rotation, for example around a quarter turn of the lid  102 , until the elongate portion  106  had been fully extended. This could potentially allow a lid of a container to be lifted or disconnected, without breaking the frangible portion, for example this may arise where a lid has only a short thread for engagement with a container. 
         [0072]    In any event, once this tension force reaches a critical value, the tamper evident security connector  104  breaks at the frangible portion  115 , leaving the anchor portion  112  in the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  of the engagement portion  108 . The elongate portion is  106  is retained in place by the eyelet  110 . That is, in the absence of the eyelet  110 , the elongate portion would droop or jut-out becoming an encumbrance. Thus, the eyelet  110 , retains the elongate portion  108  in position relative to the lid  102  through frictional engagement. 
         [0073]    Once the tamper evident security connector  104  has broken, the tamper evident security connector  104  cannot be re-inserted into the engagement portion  108  as at least (i) the anchor portion  112  has been separated from the tamper evident security connector  104  and as such there is nothing to anchor the tamper evident security connector  104  into the engagement portion  108 , and (ii) the anchor portion  112  has been retained within the tamper evident security connector  104 , and this prevents insertion of a further such portion into the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  of the engagement portion  108 . 
         [0074]    Additionally, given the above, the skilled user can readily ascertain whether the container has been opened (or potentially tampered with) on a visual inspection of the state of the tamper evident security connector  104 . 
         [0075]    As discussed above, in some embodiments the collar  109  is separable from the container  100 . In such embodiments, while the collar  109  may be removed when the lid  102  is not connected to the container  100 , the collar  109  cannot be removed while the lid  102  is attached to the container  100 . That is, in order to remove the collar  109 , the lid  102  first needs to be detached from the container  100 . This ensures, that even though the collar  109  is removable, the lid  102  first needs to be decoupled from the container  100 , causing the tamper evident security connector  104  to break at the frangible portion  126 . 
         [0076]    The advantage of having a removable collar  109  is that the container  100  can be reused. That is, in certain embodiment where the engagement portion  108  are either integrally formed with the container  100  or reside on an irremovable collar  109 , the container is generally not reusable as the anchor portion  112  of the tamper evident security connector  104  is left jammed within the correspondingly shaped cavity  114  of the engagement portions  108 . Thus, in such embodiments the container must be disposed of after use. However, in embodiments which include a removable collar  109 , after use, the removable collar  109  having the anchor portion  112  of the tamper evident security connector  104  retained within the correspondingly shaped cavity  114 , can be removed from the container  100  and disposed of. A new collar  109  can then be applied and the container  100  re-used after appropriate treatment if required, such as a sterilization treatment. 
         [0077]    An alternative embodiment of a lid  200  connected to a collar  201  (for example, of a container) is illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 . In this embodiment, the lid  200  includes a locating element  202  and a security connector  206 . The security connector  206  may optionally be passed through the locating element  202  to connect with one of two corresponding engagement portions (one of which is not shown, the other of which is  212 ) of the collar  201 . The lid  200  and collar  201  are arranged such that at least one of the engagement portions are substantially aligned with the locating element  202 . 
         [0078]      FIG. 6  provides a cross-sectional view along line B-B of the lid  200  and collar  201  shown in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen, the lid  200  includes a screw thread  208  for connection with a container (not shown). The collar  201  is also shown as including two engagement portions  210  and  212 , wherein at least one of the engagement portions  210  or  212  is substantially aligned with the locating element  202  such that the security connector  206  can be passed through locating element  202  to be retained by one of engagement portions  210  or  212 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 7  shows Detail  2  of  FIG. 6 , illustrating the means of connection between the security connector  206  and the engagement portion  210 . This interaction is similar to that described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0080]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the lid  200  and collar  201  may be connected to a container such that the collar  201  is retained in place around the neck of the container. Suitable methods are known to those skilled in the art, but for example, the collar  201  and container may together interact through a ratchet type arrangement that permits the collar  201  to be rotationally fitted with the lid  200  to the container. However, removal of the lid  200  from the container by rotating in the reverse direction (for example to dethread the lid  200  from the container) causes the ratchet arrangement to prevent the reverse rotation of the collar  201  with respect to the container. Thus, a force is applied to the security connector  206  which breaks the frangible portion as generally described previously. 
         [0081]    It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 
         [0082]    It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 
         [0083]    The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0084]    These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.