Abstract:
A package includes a container, a seal, and a closure. The container is formed to include an interior region and an opening into the interior region. The seal is coupled to the container to close the opening. The closure is coupled to the container to cover the seal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/146,654, filed on Jun. 6, 2005 now abandoned, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally regards packages and containers. More particularly, the present invention regards a method and device for providing a composite two-piece tamper-evident closure with a seal-delay-release feature. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Tamper evident seal may be used to increase consumer safety by showing whether a package has been opened after being produced. Tamper evident indicators may include a pop-up button in the center of a package and a break-away seal connected to the lower edge of a lid. The pop-up button has the disadvantage that it may be difficult to ascertain whether the seal has been broken. The break-away lower lid section may be too sensitive and may break away inadvertently during normal jostling. Alternatively, the break-away lower lid section may be insensitive to tampering or pilfering, and may not break away until after the seal between the closure and the container has been breached. The latter situation raises the possibility that the container may be accessed and resealed without breaking the tamper evident seal. This possibility undermines the purpose behind the tamper evident seal, thereby reducing consumer confidence in a product sealed in this manner. 
     The following patents are believed discuss tamper evident seals. U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,482 is believed to describes a safety closure for containers including first and second relatively rotatable and axially movable members, and engageable and disengageable clutch means which are operable respectively to disable and enable relative rotation of the members. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,438,528 is believed to describe a cap having a tamper indicating skirt joined to the lower end of the cap sidewall by frangible bridges of plastic and a sealing disc which seals against the rim of the bottle neck. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,770 is believed to describe a tamper evident, vacuum indicating closure for a container for the packaging of a vacuum-packed product. The closure is of two-piece construction and has a metal lid portion which is retained in sealing engagement with the rim of a container by a plastic ring portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,787 is believed to describe a closure having an axially movable insert disk which is lifted by a bead around the inside of the closure shell to open a sealed container. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,788 is believed to describe a tamper-indicating closure for a container which includes a cap with removable panels of a top wall of the cap. Each removable panel is connected to a tab on the inside of the cap. The top wall includes inner and outer cams on an inside surface and the tabs underlie the cams. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,124 is believed to describe a pilfer-proof cap made of synthetic resins capable of preventing at least a rotation of a packing together with a cap in a simple construction when the cap is removed. The cap holds a sealed-up tightness of a container until a bridge is broken is provided. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,382,444 is believed to describe a tamper evident closure for containers having a finish with thread means and a radially outwardly circumferentially extending bead below the threads. The closure includes a cap portion, a retainer ring, and a tamper evident band. The cap portion is of cup-like form and has internal threads for cooperatively engaging the threads on a container to apply and remove the cap portion. The retainer ring depends from the lower edge of the skirt portion of the cap and is connected thereto by a series of circumferentially spaced bridge connections. The tamper evident band has means for rotatably mounting on the retaining ring, is rotatable thereto, and includes a series of spring fingers for engaging under the retainer bead on the container when the closure is fully seated. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0144971 is believed to describe a closure for a container consisting of a top wall and a sealing disc with flexible annular ring. 
     However, none of the foregoing patents or publications is believed to describe a two-piece, tamper-evident closure that includes a delay-release mechanism, which may maintain a sealing disk on a container until the tamper-evident device shows evidence of tampering. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an outer threaded tamper-evident closure is provided with an open center top panel, engaging axially extended lugs and a sealing disk pressure ring. An inner sealing disk is provided with axially extended lugs, a peripheral beveled lip and a container sealing area. The two-piece assembly provides a tamper-evident closure with a delay-release feature that maintains the sealing disk on the container until the tamper-evident device has shown evidence of tampering. The delay-release feature includes axially extended lugs of the outer closure and the sealing disk that cooperates as positive-on application lugs and sealing release lugs. The timing of the delay-release mechanism depends on the helix angle of the outer closure thread design and the inclined plane of the inner sealing disk lug. The angle of the inclined plane of the inner sealing disk lug may be greater than or equal to the helix angle of the outer closure thread. The inclined plane of the sealing disk lug may also reduce the backing-off of the threaded closure and releasing its seal upon the container. The freedom of the inner sealing disk to rotate within the threaded closure may permit the engagement of the cooperating lugs for a positive-on application on the container. 
     An apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention may include an outer closure including a closure plane and a circumferentially depending outer skirt extending in a first direction from the closure plane. The closure plane has a plurality of first ramped lugs equi-spaced around a circumference of the closure plane. The first ramped lugs extend axially in the first direction. The outer skirt has screw threads on a radially inward side and a tamper-evident arrangement frangibly connected to a lower edge of the outer skirt. A first ramp of each of the first ramped lugs is substantially parallel to the screw threads on a same radius. The apparatus also includes an inner sealing disk adapted to nest rotatably and axially movably against a side of the closure plane facing the first direction. The inner sealing disk is enclosed by the outer skirt and an axial movement of the inner sealing disk is limited by a retaining arrangement of the outer closure. The inner sealing disk includes a plurality of second ramped lugs extending axially in a second direction opposite the first direction. Each of the second ramped lugs corresponds to one of the first ramped lugs. A second ramp of each of the second ramped lugs is substantially parallel to the first ramp for each radial position. 
     In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a container includes a sidewall having further screw threads on a radially outward side adapted to engage the screw threads on the outer closure and an upper edge adapted to engage a container sealing area of the inner sealing disk. The upper edge is arranged around an opening of the container. The sidewall has an arrangement adapted to engage the tamper-evident arrangement of the outer closure. The container also includes a base opposite the opening. 
     The outer closure and the inner sealing disk cooperate to provide a tamper-evident closure with the container. The tamper-evident closure maintains the inner sealing disk on the container while the outer closure is unthreaded from the container for a first time until the tamper-evident arrangement shows evidence of tampering. 
     The outer closure and the inner sealing disk may cooperate to provide a delay-release mechanism. The delay-release feature may include the plurality of first ramped lugs and the plurality of second ramped lugs. A timing of the delay-release mechanism may be a function of a helix angle of the further screw threads and an inclined plane of the second ramp. The angle of the inclined plane may be greater than or equal to the helix angle. The container sealing area may be arranged around a radially outward edge of the inner sealing disk. The container sealing area may include a peripheral beveled lip arranged on an outer circumference of the inner sealing disk. The peripheral beveled lip may be adapted to engage the upper edge of the sidewall of the container. A mutual engagement between each of the first ramped lugs and a corresponding one of the second ramped lugs may delay a releasing of a seal between the inner sealing disk and the container when the outer closure is unthreaded from the container. A rotatability of the inner sealing disk within the threaded closure may permit a mutual engagement of the plurality of first ramped lugs and the plurality of second ramped lugs, the mutual engagement being configured to cause a positive-on application on the container. The closure plane may include an annular opening. 
     In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, a method is for sealing a closure on a container in a tamper-evident manner. The method includes providing an outer closure, providing an inner sealing disk, and providing a container. The method also includes tightening the outer closure onto the container until the container sealing area contacts the upper edge of the container and the tamper evident arrangement engages an arrangement adapted to engage the tamper-evident arrangement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an inner sealing disk according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an outer closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which is configured to engage with the inner sealing disk illustrated in  FIG. 1  and the outer closure illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of an inner sealing disk and a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a plan view of an outer closure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of the outer closure shown in  FIG. 5  taken along the line VI-VI, the outer closure engaging with an inner sealing disk and a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the outer closure and the inner sealing disk shown in  FIG. 6  taken along the line VII-VII. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows inner sealing disk  10  having closure surface  11  and sealing area  12  arranged around a circumference of closure surface  11 . Four equi-spaced ramped lugs  13  are shown as being arranged around the circumference of closure surface  11 , although it should be understood that more or fewer lugs may be provided. Each of ramped lugs  13  includes ramp  14  which are all arranged in the same angle. In other words, traveling around the circumference in one direction (e.g., clockwise), each successive ramped lug  13  is encountered with the same orientation. For example, traveling clockwise around the circumference in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , each ramped lug  13  is encountered at the beginning of the ramp, then rising up to the top of the ramp, then dropping off to the closure plane, and then proceeding to the next successive ramped lug  13 . An angle  15  is provided at each ramped lug  13  between ramp  14  and closure surface  11 . Each angle  15  for each ramped lug  13  is substantially equal to each other angle  15 . 
       FIG. 2  shows outer closure  20  having closure plane  21  and outer skirt  23 . Closure plane  21  includes annular opening  22  positioned centrally in closure plane  21  and symmetrical around an axis of closure plane  21 . On an inner sidewall of outer skirt  23  are arranged screw threads  24 . Screw threads  24  form angle  25  between an inclined plane passing through screw threads  24  and a plane parallel to closure plane  21 . Arranged around the circumference of closure plane  21  are additional ramped lugs  26 . Additional ramped lugs  26  are positioned to cooperate with inner sealing disk  10  when inner sealing disk  10  is nested in outer skirt  20 . Additional ramped lugs  26  include additional ramps  27 . Additional ramps  27  form angle  28  with closure plane  21 . Angle  28  may be substantially greater than or equal to angle  25 . Locking bead  29  is arranged on the interior of outer skirt  23  and defines a diameter smaller than the diameter of inner sealing disk  10 . Therefore, inner sealing disk  10  can be arranged between closure plane  21  and locking bead  29  to nest inner sealing disk  10  in outer closure  20 . When nested in closure  20 , inner sealing disk  10  is rotatable and movable axially. On the edge of outer skirt  23  away from closure plane  21  is tamper evident breakable ring  30 . Tamper evident breakable ring  30  is connected to outer skirt  23  by frangible connectors  31 , which may consist of a plurality of equi-spaced bridges between tamper evident breakable ring  30  and outer skirt  23 , and which may be scored to facilitate breaking. 
       FIG. 3  shows container  32  having sidewall  33  and base  34 . Container screw threads  35  are arranged around an exterior of sidewall  33  and form an angle  36  between the inclined plane of container screw threads  35  and a plane parallel to base  34 . Angle  36  is substantially equal to angle  25  of outer skirt  20 . Opposite base  34  is opening  37 , which is defined by upper edge  38  of sidewall  33  of container  32 . Continuous bead  39  is arranged below container screw threads  35  and is configured to cooperate with tamper evident breakable ring  30 . Keeper bead  40  is arranged below continuous bead  39  and may or may not be a continuous bead around container  32 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a close-up, cross-sectional view of the seal between inner sealing disk  10  and container  32 . Closure surface  11  has ramped lug  13  near a circumference of closure surface  11 . Beveled edge  41  fits over upper edge  38  to form a seal of the interior of container  32  over opening  37 . 
     Operation of the closure including outer closure  20  and inner sealing disk  10  with container  32  is described in the following. Inner sealing disk  10  is nested within outer closure  20  between locking bead  29  and closure plane  21 . Each ramped lug  13  is arranged adjacent to a corresponding additional ramped lug  26  so that each ramp  14  of each ramped lug  13  rests against a corresponding additional ramp  27 . Screw threads  24  of outer closure  20  are threaded onto container-screw threads  35  with sufficient tightness to cause beveled edge  41  to form an airtight seal with upper edge  38  of container  32 . The closure is sealed on container  32  in this manner during production, thereby securing the contents of container  32 . A tamper evident indicator includes tamper evident breakable ring  30  on outer skirt  23  of outer closure  20 . The tamper evident breakable ring  30  surrounds container  32  below continuous bead element  39 . Tamper evident breakable ring  30  includes an engaging member (for example, lower lip member  51  shown in  FIG. 6 ) which, though allowing the passage of tamper evident breakable ring  30  over continuous bead element  39  in a closing direction, does not allow the passage of tamper evident breakable ring  30  over continuous bead element  39  in an opening direction. Continuous bead element  39  is adapted to engage member  51  of the tamper-evident indicator when outer closure  20  is rotated in a closing direction to thread the closure  20  onto the container  32  as shown in  FIG. 6 . When outer closure  20  is rotated for removal (for example, in a clockwise direction in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures), the engaging arrangement of tamper evident breakable ring  30  contacts continuous bead element  39 . Continuing rotation of outer closure  20  continues to unthread outer closure  20  and to cause the breaking of frangible connectors  31 . When frangible connectors  31  are all broken, tamper evident breakable ring  30  is disconnected from outer skirt  23  of outer closure  20 . Tamper evident breakable ring  30  is held around container  32  between continuous bead element  39  and keeper bead  40  and functions as an indicator that container  32  has been opened and may no longer be in an unadulterated condition. 
     Inner sealing disk  10  operates with outer closure  20  to maintain a seal with container  32  until all frangible connectors  31  have broken and tamper evident breakable ring  30  is disconnected from outer skirt  23 . Therefore, inner sealing disk  10  may cooperate with outer closure  20  to maintain a downward pressure against upper edge  38  of sidewall  33  of container  32  even as outer closure  20  is rising away from upper edge  38 . This downward force on inner sealing disk  10  is caused by the mutual action of ramped lug  13  and additional ramped lug  26 . Specifically, each ramp  14  of each ramped lug  13  rests against a corresponding additional ramp  27  of additional ramped lug  26 . Rotating outer closure  20  to unscrew screw threads  24  from container screw threads  35  causes ramp  14  to engage additional ramp  27  in an increasing fashion as the ramps slide against each other towards their respective highest points. This opposing force caused by the mutual interaction between ramps  14  and additional ramps  27  presses inner sealing disk  10  down towards container  32  and thereby maintains the airtight seal of container  32  as outer closure  20  rises. Therefore, the rising of outer closure  20  will cause the breaking of frangible connectors  31  prior to losing the seal. In this manner, tamper evident breakable ring  30  will reliably indicate that the seal of container  32  has been breached. 
       FIG. 5  shows a plan view of outer closure  20  including closure plane  21  and annular opening  22 . Additional ramped lugs  26  are shown in silhouette through a portion of closure plane  21  and are arranged in this exemplary embodiment on an inside circumference of closure plane  21 , adjacent to annular opening  22 . Alternative positions for additional ramped lugs  26  on a larger circumference are also possible. Alternatively, annular opening  22  may be smaller or non-existent and additional ramped lugs  26  may be on a smaller circumference.  FIG. 5  shows a silhouette of outer skirt  23  on an outside circumference of closure plane  21 .  FIG. 5  also shows a silhouette of sealing lug  50 , which is arranged on a circumference between additional ramped lugs  26  and outer skirt  23 . Sealing lug  50  may press on inner sealing disk  10  to create an airtight seal with container  32  when outer closure  20  is in a tight, sealed position. 
       FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 6  shows outer closure  20  in a tight, sealed position on inner sealing disk  10  which is on container  32 . Outer closure  20  includes closure plane  21  and annular opening  22 . Additional ramped lugs  26  and sealing lug  50  are shown in  FIG. 6  from an edge on perspective. Outer skirt  23  having screw threads  24  is also visible. On the lower edge of outer skirt  23  is tamper evident breakable ring  30 , which is attached to outer skirt  23  by frangible connectors  31 . Since frangible connectors  32  are still connected to outer skirt  23 , container  32  is in an unadulterated state. Since tamper evident breakable ring  30  is attached to outer skirt  23 , a user may be assured that the contents of container  32  have not been contaminated or pilfered by removal of inner sealing disk  10 . Unscrewing outer closure  20  from container  32  by sliding screw thread  24  adjacent to container screw threads  35  causes outer closure  20  to move away from sidewall  33 . As outer skirt  23  moves up, tamper evident breakable ring  30  engages continuous bead  39  causing frangible connectors  31  to break, disconnecting tamper evident breakable ring  30  from outer skirt  23 . Tamper evident breakable ring  30  falls when disconnected from outer skirt  23  and is held on container  32  between continuous bead  39  and keeper bead  40 . When tamper evident breakable ring  30  is disconnected, a user is provided with a visual indication that the container has been tampered with. Inner sealing disk  10  is held against upper edge  38  of sidewall  33  by sealing lug  50  of outer closure  20  pressing downwards on closure surface  11  opposite upper edge  38 . Also pressing downwards on closure surface  11  is the mutual engagement of ramped lugs  13  and additional ramped lugs  26 . The mutual engagement of of ramped lugs  13  and additional ramped lugs  26  continues and may even increase when outer closure  20  is rotated and therefore moves up away from sidewall  33 . The continuing downward pressure caused by the mutual engagement of ramped lugs  13  and additional ramped lugs  26  maintains the seal between inner sealing disk  10  and upper edge  38  at least until frangible connectors  31  of tamper evident breakable ring  30  are broken. Therefore, the seal between inner sealing disk  10  and container  32  is maintained until the visual indicator of the separated tamper evident breakable ring  30  communicates to a user that the seal has been broken. 
     The tamper evident breakable ring  30  may include features similar to features included in the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,317, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. For example, the tamper evident breakable ring  30  may include, for example, the tabs described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,317. 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 6  taken along the line VII-VII.  FIG. 7  shows closure plane  21  arranged on top of closure surface  11 . Ramped lug  13  is shown having ramp  14 , which rests against corresponding additional ramp  27  of additional ramped lug  26 . Rotation of the outer closure in an “off” direction causes closure plane  21  to move to the left relative to closure surface  11 . This movement causes the engagement of ramp  14  and corresponding additional ramp  27  to counteract the movement upwards for closure plane  21 . This causes the closure surface to maintain the vertical position and to thereby maintain a seal on the container.