Abstract:
A tamper-evident closure for a container. The closure comprises a first portion including inner and outer parts, and a second portion. The outer part is rotatable relative to the inner part from a first position in which at least part of the first and second portions are adjacent each other to a second position in which there is a gap therebetween. The first portion comprises locking means for irreversibly locking the closure in the second position upon first opening so that the gap cannot be closed, in which the first portion comprises a compressible stopper for sealing the second portion and/or the container. A tamper-evident closure in combination with a container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a closure for a container and particularly to a closure with means for indicating that a closure has been opened at least once. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    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 activate and then return to a virtually visually identical state so as to appear non-activated. 
         [0003]    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. 
         [0004]    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 projection on a container finish. The result is that the closure can only return to position which is axially displaced with respect to its original position. 
         [0005]    WO 02/096771 describes a closure in which two parts are initially adjacent each other and during the opening process the structure of the closure is changed so that a gap is generated between the two parts as a visual indication that the closure has been opened at least once. 
         [0006]    WO 2005/049443 and WO 2006/117505 also describe closures which generate a gap to indicate they have been opened at least once. In this case the gap is unobstructed. In other words, two parts of the closure are held apart without the requirement an obstruction. 
         [0007]    Such tamper-evident systems are only effective if they cannot be reversed. For example, in systems which use an obstructing member to hold two parts apart it is possible to cut the obstruction member to allow a gap to be closed. WO 2005/049443 and WO 2006/117505 describe closures which generate unobstructed gaps following relative rotation of one part with respect to another. The closures are provided with some internal mechanism for preventing the two parts from being rotated back to their original relative positions. For example, ratchet arrangements present on the side walls of the parts can be used to prevent unwanted rotation. Such “lateral” ratchet arrangements have been found to be defeatable if sufficient reverse turning torque is applied. 
         [0008]    An additional requirement for some closures is to provide a seal to preserve the contents of an associated container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to the present invention there is provided 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 rotatable relative to the inner part from a first position in which at least part of the first and second portions are adjacent each other to a second position in which there is a gap therebetween, the first portion comprises locking means for irreversibly locking the closure in the second position upon first opening so that the gap cannot be closed, in which the first portion comprises a compressible stopper for sealing the second portion and/or the container. 
         [0010]    By combining gap generator closure with a compressible stopper an improved seal can be provided. 
         [0011]    The stopper may be formed, for example, from natural and/or synthetic material such as cork and/or a synthetic cork-like material. 
         [0012]    The inner part may include a line of weakness which breaks if the outer part is reverse rotated relative to the inner part. 
         [0013]    The line of weakness may consist of a plurality of frangible bridges. 
         [0014]    The line of weakness may transversely split the inner part. 
         [0015]    The inner part and/or outer part may include a top plate and part of the locking means may be carried on or by the plate/s. 
         [0016]    The locking means may comprise or include a ratchet arrangement. 
         [0017]    The second portion may incorporate a pourer. 
         [0018]    The closure may further comprise an outer shell. 
         [0019]    The stopper may extend through the second portion and into the bore of a container neck. 
         [0020]    The stopper may depend from a top region of the first portion. 
         [0021]    The first portion may include a top plate region and the stopper depends and/or extends from and/or through the region. 
         [0022]    The stopper may extend into the inner and/or outer part of the first portion. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment both inner and outer parts of a first portion have respective top plates which include corresponding ratchet parts that engage to prevent relative rotation of the parts. This type of ratchet arrangement may be referred to as a longitudinal ratchet arrangement, as opposed to known lateral arrangements which are positioned on side walls. 
         [0024]    The second portion may be adapted to be connected to a container and the first portion may comprise a cap. Certain industries demand closures with a first potion comprising a cap and a second portion comprising a sleeve which is connected to a container; for example the spirits industry. 
         [0025]    The closure may further comprise a fitment such as a non-return fitment, for example a ball and float. Alternatively the first portion may be adapted to engage a 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-proofing measures. 
         [0026]    The closure may include means for preventing the inner part from moving relative to the second portion until it has reached the second position. 
         [0027]    The gap may be unobstructed. This means that the closure would not have to rely on an obstructing member becoming trapped. By forming an unobstructed gap it is not possible to defeat the tamper-evidence by a simple cutting operation. The gap may be formed at the respective adjacent peripheries of the portions. The inner part may include a section which extends beyond the outer part towards the second portion in the second position; the part may be positioned so as to be visible through the gap. 
         [0028]    The second portion may be permanently fixed in its position on the container. This can be used to prevent the second portion from being moved to close the gap. 
         [0029]    The first portion may further include a lateral ratchet arrangement for locking the inner and outer parts in the second position. This provides increased resistance to re-setting. 
         [0030]    The first portion may include engagement formations and the lateral ratchet arrangement is located above the formations. The first portion may include formations, such as screw threads, for engaging the container or in-bore fitment. 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. 
         [0031]    Different aspects of the invention may be used separately or together. 
         [0032]    Further particular and preferred aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with the features of the independent claims as appropriate, and in combination other than those explicitly set out in the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a section of a closure formed according to the present invention in a first, unopened position and shown attached to a container neck; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the closure of  FIG. 1  shown prior to attachment to a container neck; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  shows the closure of  FIG. 1  after a first opening stage; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  shows the closure of  FIG. 2  after a first opening stage; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  shows the closure of  FIG. 4  after a second opening stage; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  shows the closure of  FIG. 5  after a top cap has been re-fitted; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  shows the closure of  FIG. 1  following an attempt at reverse opening; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the closure of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation of a closure formed according to the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 10  is a section of the closure of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 11  is a side elevation of the closure of  FIGS. 9 and 10  shown following an opening event; 
           [0045]      FIG. 12  is a perspective section view of a top cap component of the closure of  FIGS. 9 to 11 ; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation of the closure of  FIG. 11  when re-closed. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0047]    In  FIGS. 1 to 8  a gap generation principle is first described. The principle is applicable to the present invention although it will be appreciated that incorporation of a compressible stopper feature would be required in order to form part of the present invention. 
         [0048]    Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is shown a closure generally indicated  10 . In  FIG. 1  the closure  10  is shown secured onto a container neck  15 . The structure and arrangement is similar to that described in WO2009/010722. 
         [0049]    The closure  10  comprises a main pourer body  20 , an inner part  25  and an outer part  30 . A metal shell  35  forms an outer casing to the closure and is divided into a cylindrical lower part  36  and a cup-shape second part  37 . The parts  36 ,  37  are separated at a split line  40  formed by a cutting process once the shell  35  has been applied to the first and second portions of the closure. 
         [0050]    Together the body  20  and the shell part  36  comprise a second portion and the inner and outer parts plus the shell part  37  comprises a cap-like first portion. 
         [0051]    In this embodiment the upper and lower shell parts  36 ,  37  are initially joined along the split line  40  by a plurality of frangible bridges which will break if either: i) the lower shell part  36  is rotated before initial opening; or ii) an attempt is made to pull the top part of the closure off without unscrewing. 
         [0052]    The inner part  25  of the closure extends beyond the split line  40  and the open end of the outer part to provide a dog-leg shape terminal portion  90  which rests on a shoulder  20   a  on the main body  20  so that one half  92  of the terminal portion fits beneath the upper end of the lower shell part  36  and the other half  94  fits in the upper shell part  37 . Above the shell split line  40  a plurality of frangible bridges (not shown) are formed in the inner part  25  to form a split line  85 . 
         [0053]    The inner part  25  also has a line of weakness  26  provided approximately half way along its side skirt formed by a plurality of frangible bridges  27 . This divides the part into a first portion  28  and a second portion  29 . 
         [0054]    The main body  20  is fixed onto the container neck  15  by clips  45  which project inwardly and engage under a shoulder  50 . 
         [0055]    A valve housing  55  is clipped into the main body  20  and includes a sealing lip  57  which seals against the top surface  16  of the container neck  15 . 
         [0056]    A float valve  65  is housed in the housing  55  and can seal against a valve seat  60  to prevent re-filling of the container. A valve control ball  70  is located on top of the float valve  65 . 
         [0057]    In normal operation the second part  37  of the shell  35  is rotated anti-clockwise and the unscrewing action breaks the bridges on the split line  40 . 
         [0058]    The outer part unscrews together with the second part  37  whilst the inner part remains held on the main body. The unscrewing continues to the position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  until a ratchet locking mechanism locks the outer part to the inner part  25 . 
         [0059]    With the outer and inner parts locked together the inner part  25  can then be unscrewed from the main body  20 . Because the terminal portion  92  is held under the shell part  36 , when the inner part rotates it breaks along the split line  85 . The result is that the terminal portion  90  of the inner part remains held on the body so that the half  94  produces a visible upstanding band as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0060]    When the cap (shell part  37 , outer part  30 , inner part  25 ) is screwed back onto the main body  20 , a gap G is formed between the first and second shell parts  36 ,  37 . This is because the outer part  30  cannot be screwed completely back down onto the inner part  25  by virtue of the locking mechanism. In addition, the band  94  of the inner part  25  projects above the shell part  36  so as to be visible in the gap G as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0061]    The gap G formed between the shell parts  36 ,  37  is unobstructed in the sense that there is no obstruction member trapped between the parts  36 ,  37 . 
         [0062]    In  FIGS. 7 and 8  the closure of  FIGS. 1 and 2  is shown following an attempt to overcome the tamper evidence by reverse opening. 
         [0063]    If the shell part  37  is rotated clockwise the inner part first portion  28  is caused to rotate relative the second portion  29 , which causes the bridges  27  to break. The inner part  25  splits along the line  26  and the shell part can be removed with the outer part and the inner part first portion. In other words, if the closure is deliberately (or accidentally) rotated in the direction opposition to that required for normal operation, in which the gap is generated, then the inner part is caused to break so that thereafter normal operation of the closure is not possible. 
         [0064]    There are no internal screw threads on the first portion  28  so the top cap cannot be screwed back on the main body  20 . 
         [0065]    The break will occur if reverse opening is attempted (deliberately or accidentally) either before or after the gap is generated. 
         [0066]    Other gap generation mechanisms are possible in conjunction with the stopper feature of the present invention. 
         [0067]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10  there is shown a closure  110  formed according to the present invention. 
         [0068]    The closure  110  is similar to the closure  10  shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . Accordingly, an outer shell  135  houses a pourer body  120  and inner  125  and outer parts  130 . 
         [0069]    In this embodiment the pourer  120  is a through bore leading directly to the container neck  115  (as opposed to the pourer body  20  which includes a flow regulation feature). In addition, a generally cylindrical stopper  105  is provided on the top cap component, in this embodiment depending from the top plate  134  of the upper shell part  137 . In  FIG. 10  the stopper  105  is shown to extend through the bore of the pourer  120  and into the mouth of the neck  115  so as to seal the contents of the container. 
         [0070]    In  FIG. 12  the stopper  105  is shown forming part of the top cap and extending from the shell top plate  134  and through the top plate  130  of the outer part  130 . The inner part  125  is not shown for clarity. The top plate  131  of the outer part  130  is formed with a central opening  132  for receiving the head  133  of the stopper, with the stopper shank  138  extending away from the head. In some embodiments the outer part may comprise a holding feature (such as a rib or clip) for locating the stopper. The outer part and stopper can then together be assembled into the shell and, for example, secured using adhesive. 
         [0071]    In use, the top cap, including the stopper  105  is grasped and turned. This activates the gap generation mechanism already described in relation to  FIGS. 1-8  so that the cap can be removed as shown in  FIG. 11 . When the cap is subsequently replaced the gap G is generated and the band  194  of the inner part  125  projects so as to be visible in the gap, as shown in  FIG. 13 . In this position the stopper  105  has re-engaged into the mouth of the neck  115 . Because the stopper  105  is formed from a compressible material, such as cork, an effective seal of the contents of the container is provided. 
         [0072]    Other gap generator mechanisms may be used in conjunction with the compressible stopper feature, for example a mechanism as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,231, WO 2005/049443 or WO 2006/117505. 
         [0073]    Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.