Abstract:
The present invention is a tamper evident closure for containers. The tamper evident closure is a perforated strip that is releasably attached to lids on the base. When the lid of the closure is opened, the strip is torn from the lids, thereby indicating that the item has been tampered with. The invention is manufactured to be employed on commonly available containers for food and personal care items.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Ser. No. 61/102,383 filed Oct. 3, 2008, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The invention relates to closures for containers, in particular, tamper evident closures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Dispensing plastic closures have come into widespread use by virtue of the convenience by which they permit consumers to readily manipulate the closure for dispensing contents from an associated container. This type of closure typically includes a closure body for fitment to the associated container, with the body defining one or more dispensing openings through which the contents of the container can be dispensed. This type of closure further includes a flip-top lid pivotally joined to the closure body, such as by a flexible hinge, so that the lid can be moved between open and closed positions with respect to the closure body, thereby opening and closing the dispensing opening. 
         [0004]    It is desirable to provide this type of dispensing closure with a tamper-indicating or tamper-evident feature, whereby consumers can readily visually discern whether the flip-top lid of the closure has been previously opened. While it is known to provide separate seal elements or the like applied to such closures for tamper-indication, the use of such additional sealing elements complicates closure manufacture. It is thus desirable to configure such a dispensing closure to include an integral tamper-indicating arrangement. At the same time, it is desirable that such a tamper-indicating arrangement functions without undue complexity, and avoid the need to separate one or more loose components of the closure during initial opening. 
         [0005]    The present invention is directed to a one-piece tamper-indicating dispensing closure which can be economically manufactured, is reliable in operation, is easily and conveniently manipulated by consumers, and avoids separation of any loose components during initial opening of the closure. Although prior art for similar closures exists, none of the prior art teaches the present invention. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,928 teaches a so-called tamperproof container having a wall member with a dispensing opening therein and a closure member which, as initially assembled on the wall member, is held in a position closing the dispensing opening by an element which must be torn away to release the closure member for service use but, if the tearing is by an unauthorized person, leaves visible evidence of the tampering. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,980 teaches a container cap comprising a cover member, at least one opening in the cover member, lid means including at least one lid to close said opening, flexible hinge means connecting the lid means to the cover member, and defining a free edge opposite said hinge means, and tamper evidencing means in the form of arrowhead locks positioned at opposite corners of said free edge secured to the cover member, including breakable webbing connecting said locks to said lid means. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,716 teaches a flip top closure has a tamper evident flap and is used on a container with a neck and an opening therein. The neck has an outer surface with retaining means for the closure thereon. The closure has two sections that are hinged to one another and with each section having a lip extending along an edge thereof. When the closures are in a closed position, the two lips form a continuous line of contact with one another and a flap extends across the line of contact. The flap is connected to one section by ultrasonic spot welding. The flap is severable from either or both sections. When the closure is opened the flap separates from one of the sections. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,480 teaches a tamper evidencing cap for use with containers for ingestibles, medicines, and the like. The cap comprises first and second cover members connected to each other. At least one lid is hinged to the second cover member for movement between open and closed positions. Tamper evidencing means is removably connected to and between the lid and one of the cover members to prevent the lid from opening until the tamper evidencing means is removed. The cap may additionally or alternatively include a further tamper evidencing means comprising a skirt that extends from the periphery of the first cover member for engaging a side surface of the container. The skirt has a plurality of spaced apart weakened zones around its periphery. 
         [0010]    US Publication 20060011573 teaches a tamper-indicating dispensing closure includes a closure body, and an associated flip-top lid pivotally connected to the closure body for movement between a closed position and an open position. The flip-top lid includes a tamper-indicating flange frangibly connected thereto, with the closure body including a pocket-like retention cavity within which the tamper-indicating flange is received during initial closing movement of the flip-top lid. During initial opening movement of the lid, the tamper-indicating flange is broken away from the flip-top lid, and thereafter permanently retained within the retention cavity to provide a clear, visual indication that the flip-top lid of the closure has been opened. 
         [0011]    The present invention is comprised of a closure which is easy and relatively to manufacture. The closure has a tamper-proof feature which is on the outside of the container lid, thereby making it more visible before purchase than tamper-proof devices which are inside a container lid. Additionally, if the tamper-proof feature is altered or removed from the closure, it is very evident upon visual inspection. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]    The present invention is an article of manufacture, a closure having a lid assembly and a base assembly. The base assembly has a base wall, the lid assembly has at least one hinged lid hinged to the base assembly. A tamper evident strip is breakably attached to the lid, where the tamper evident strip has a center strip and an angled tear strip secured to the center strip. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the invention to provide a lid with closure for food items. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tamper evident closure for food items. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tamper evident closure for personal care items. 
         [0017]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tamper evident closure for food and personal care items in which tampering is visually obvious, preferably before purchase. 
         [0018]    It is an object of the invention to provide a cost effective tamper evident closure for food and personal care items. 
         [0019]    It is an object of the invention to provide an easily manufactured tamper evident closure for food and personal care items. 
         [0020]    It is an object of the invention to provide a tamper evident closure that will adhere to plastic and metal containers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in both open and closed configurations, where the closures is adapted for use on a plastic container. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an open configuration. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the tamper evident strip portion of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the invention disposed on a plastic container in both open and closed configurations. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an exploded top perspective view showing the closure of the invention in use with a plastic container. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6 . is a top perspective view of the invention especially adapted for use with a metal container. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the invention disposed on a metal container. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a cross section of the closure being attached to a metal container. 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a cross section of the closure after being attached to a metal container. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the closure. This version of the closure is especially adapted for use with a plastic container.  FIG. 1  has two parts:  FIG. 1   a  is a top perspective view of the closure in the open configuration.  FIG. 1   b  is a top perspective view of the closure in the closed configuration. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1   a  shows the closure  100 , base assembly  110 , base assembly top surface  120 , base assembly top surface pouring hole  124 , base assembly top surface sprinkling hole  126 , base wall front  155 , base wall left  160 , base wall inside surface  170 , base wall reveal  175 , base support edge  180 , lid assembly  300 , lid pouring hole plug  310 , lid surface sprinkling hole plugs  320 , and barbed hook inlet  330 . 
         [0033]    Also shown in  FIG. 1   a  is first lid  350 , first lid right edge  352 , first lid left edge  354 , first lid capture lip  356 , first lid capture lip catch  357 , first lid hinge  360 , second lid  370 , second lid right edge  372 , second lid left edge  374 , second lid capture lip  376 , second lid capture lip catch  377 , and second lid hinge  380 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 1   a  shows tamper evident strip  400 , with tamper evident strip flex point  420 , tamper evident strip pull  430 , tamper evident strip first portion  440 , tamper evident strip second portion  445 , tamper evident strip back portion  450 , angled tear strip  460 , center strip  470 , angled tear strip perforation  480 , and center strip perforation  490 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 1   a  shows the tamper evident strip  400  in place on the opened closure. For a sealed closure  100  to be opened, the tamper evident strip  400  must be removed or the user will not be able to open the lids  350  and  370 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 1   b  shows the closure  100  in the closed configuration. Illustrated in  FIG. 1   b  is base wall  150 , base wall front  155 , first lid  350 , first lid hinge  360 , second lid  370 , and second lid hinge  380 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 1   b  also shows tamper evident strip  400 , with tamper evident strip flex point  420 , tamper evident strip pull  430 , tamper evident strip first portion  440 , tamper evident strip second portion  445 , tamper evident strip back portion  450 , angled tear strip  460 , center strip  470 , and center strip perforation  490 . 
         [0038]    The base assembly  110  has base assembly top surface  120 , with a pouring hole  124 , and sprinkling holes  126  for dispensing product. The pouring hole  124  may be any size or shape, and may be placed anywhere on the base. The sprinkling holes  126  may be any size or shape, and may be placed anywhere on the base. There may be any number of sprinkling or pouring holes, with a preferred embodiment being one pouring hole and at least two sprinkling holes, with one sprinkling hole about 30% larger than the other sprinkling holes. The width of the pouring and/or sprinkling holes may range from ½ millimeter to 30 centimeters, with a preferred width for a sprinkling hole of less than 3 mm. 
         [0039]    The base wall reveal  175  provides an easy access for a finger tip to flip open the lids. The base hooked edge  180  facilitates the base assembly  110  being sealed to a container such that the closure  100  may be securely fastened to a container. This feature of the invention will be discussed in more detail when describing  FIG. 4 . 
         [0040]    The lid assembly  300  has a pouring hole plug  310 , and sprinkling hole plugs  320  for keeping material inside a container contained when not in use. Although shown with two lids, the invention may be made with only one lid, or with any number of lids. 
         [0041]    The pouring hole plug  310  and sprinkling hole plugs  320  correspond to the pouring hole  124  and sprinkling holes  126 , such that they plug the holes when the lids  350  and  370  are closed onto the base assembly  110  of the closure  100 . As illustrated, each base hole has a corresponding plug; this may vary. There may be fewer plugs than holes, or there may be no plugs, and the inner lid surface of the closure may be flat. 
         [0042]    The first lid capture lip catch  357  conforms to the shape of the first lid capture lip  356 , and the second lid capture lip catch  377  conforms to the second lid capture lip  376 , such that when the lids are closed after their initial opening, the lids are releasabley held to the base assembly  100 . The capture lips and capture lip catches may be any size or shape, as long as they serve the purpose to keep the closure  100  from opening when they are engaged. 
         [0043]      FIG. 1  also shows the tamper evident strip  400 . The tamper evident strip  400  has a tamper evident strip flex point  420 , which allows the tamper evident strip first portion  440  and tamper evident strip second portion  445  to bend up and fold over the first lid  350  and second lid  370 , respectively. The lids can not be opened with the tamper evident strip in place, because one can not pull the tamper evident strip first portion  400  and/or tamper evident strip second portion  445  off of their respective lids, since they are held flush against the base wall inside surface  170 . 
         [0044]    When a user wishes to open the lids of the closure, the user grasps the tamper evident strip  400  by the tamper evident strip pull  430 , and pulls the tamper evident strip forward. This action rips apart the perforations, and the tamper evident strip tears away from the lids  350  and  370 , leaving behind torn spaces on the lids, thus warning a consumer that the closure has been tampered with. 
         [0045]    The angled tear strip perforations  480  and the center strip perforations  490  can be of any type or configuration consistent with the purposes of the invention. The tamper evident strip perforations tear away when a minimal amount of force is applied to the tamper evident strip pull  430 . Therefore, the tamper evident strip perforations can be any suitable shape or size. The number of perforations can range anywhere from 2 to 10 for each lid\tamper evident strip combination. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the each lid has four to eight perforations connecting it to the tamper evident strip  400 . The perforations may be spaced in any manner, for example, they may be placed in a pattern which alternates on either side of the tamper evident strip  400 . 
         [0046]    The tamper evident strip  400 , as shown in the figures is thin and linear in shape, and is parallel to the side of the container  210  and perpendicularly oriented to the front of the container  210 . It is preferably placed between two lids of the closure. However, the tamper evident strip  400  could have variations shape, such as an elongated triangle, or slightly rounded rather than perfectly straight edges. Also, tamper evident strip  400  may is shown with one tamper evident strip flex point  420 , but it may have one or more flex points, which allow it to bend. 
         [0047]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the closure in the opened configuration.  FIG. 2  shows the closure  100 , with base assembly  110 , base assembly top surface pouring hole  124 , base assembly top surface sprinkling hole  126 , lid assembly  300 , barbed hook inlet  330 , first lid  350 , and second lid  370 . Also shown is tamper evident strip  400  with tamper evident strip flex point  420 , tamper evident strip pull  430 , tamper evident strip first portion  440 , tamper evident strip second portion  445 , and tamper evident strip back portion  450 . 
         [0048]    Although the tamper evident strip pull  430  is shown on the tamper evident strip back portion  450  in the figures, it may also be disposed on the tamper evident strip front portion  440  or anywhere feasible on the tamper evident strip. 
         [0049]    The container may be any shape, with the closure  100  a complimentary shape so that the two elements may be securely fastened together. The container and closure  100  may be made of the same or differing materials. 
         [0050]    The closure of the present invention is preferably, but not necessarily, molded in one piece. The closure  100  may be injection molded, or may be manufactured using any suitable method. Preferably, the closure of the present invention is made of a hard, resilient plastic, such as polypropylene; the container may be made out of a metal, such as tin or aluminum, or plastic, such as polypropylene. The particular type of polypropylene used depends on many factors, such as elasticity, (needed for proper operation of hinges), hardness for strength, cost, etc. 
         [0051]    Although polypropylene plastic is preferred for the closure of the present invention, it may be manufactured from any material, including but not limited to, plastics, thermoplastics, elastomers, rubbers, paper or paper products, wood or wood products including but not limited to cardboard, glass or glass products, metals, composites, or any combination of these materials or suitable materials which may become available in the future. 
         [0052]    The tamper evident strip  400  is shown in  FIG. 3  with the tamper evident strip flex point  420 , the tamper evident strip pull  430 , tamper evident strip first portion  440 , tamper evident strip second portion  445 , tamper evident strip back portion  450 , angled tear strip  460 , and center strip  470 , angled tear strip perforations  480  and center strip perforations  490 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  illustrates how the tamper evident strip flex point  420  allows the angled tear strip  460  to flex to abut against an inside surface of the base wall. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  has two components;  FIG. 4   a  shows a front perspective view of an opened closure disposed on a container.  FIG. 4   b  is a front perspective view of a closed closure disposed on a container. The details of the closure in these configurations have been discussed in detail in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4   a  shows the closure disposed on a container  200 , the base assembly  110  with barbed hook inlet  330  joined with container barbed hook catch  265 . Also shown is container  210 , container front  220 , first lid  350 , second lid  370 , and tamper evident strip  400 . As noted before, the tamper evident strip is shown intact on the open closure for illustrative purposes only, and would not be intact on a closure opened by a consumer. 
         [0056]      FIG. 4   b  shows the closure disposed on a container  200 , with base wall front  155 , container  210 , container front  220 , the base assembly  110  with barbed hook inlet  330  joined with container barbed hook catch  265 , first lid  350 , second lid  370 , tamper evident strip pull  430 , tamper evident strip first portion  440 , and tamper evident strip second portion  445 . 
         [0057]    The container  210  as shown is a rectangular container typically used to contain spices, however, the container of the present invention can be of any suitable configuration such as but not limited to, cylindrical, square, or oval in nature. It can be a container used for spices or for any other product, such as but not limited to, medicines, any type of food or food product, personal care products, such as but not limited to, eye drops, contact lens solutions, shampoos, baby powders, etc. having various dimensions and the volumes of 2 to 32 oz. 
         [0058]    As can be seen in most of the figures, the base assembly has hooked edges, which adhere the base assembly to a container with a top edge that has conforming hooked edges. The configuration of this invention allows the closure to be used with containers made from plastic or metal, which is an advantage during manufacture, allowing less expensive materials to be used. This feature also adds versatility to the closure as different types of products may require containers of varying materials; i.e., a product may be impervious to plastic but may have some undesirable reaction with a metal container. 
         [0059]    The base assembly  110  fits onto the container  210 , and the lid assembly  300  snaps into the base assembly  110 . The closure  100  has a perforated tamper evident strip  400  which, when in place, joins the second lid right edge  372  to the first lid left edge  354 . The tamper evident strip may be attached to the two lid edges at the bottom of the lids, in the middle of the lids, at the top of the lids, or anywhere between the two lids. The tamper evident strip  400  attaches to the lid assembly  300  in a manner such that either or both lids cannot be opened without breaking that attachment. 
         [0060]    As can be seen from the figures, a consumer would pull on the tamper evident strip pull  430  to remove the tamper evident strip  400  and thus be able to open the closure  100 . It would be obvious if the tamper evident strip  400  were missing, because there would be torn perforations along the inner edges of the lids, and along the front of the lids where the strip had been torn off. 
         [0061]    In  FIG. 1 , first lid  350  and second lid  370  are shown attached to base assembly  110  by means of a “living hinge”  360  and  380 . This configuration is very economical, and as one factor in allowing closure tends to be molded as a single piece; however, other hinge configurations for such containers are known in the art, and any of these hinge configurations would be suitable for the present invention. 
         [0062]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded perspective view of the container  210  and closure  100 , in particular container  210 , inner container wall  212 , separating wall  215 , container front  220 , container rear  225 , container side  230 , container top  240 , container bottom  250 , container barbed hook catch  260 . It is especially preferred that if the container  210  is made out of plastic, that separating wall  215  be placed substantially as shown on inner wall  212  of container  210 . Separating  215  wall prevents deformation of the walls of container  210  if a user exerts too much force by squeezing container front  220  and container rear  225  too hard. In the case, the closure  100  could accidentally pop off the container. Separating wall  215  can extend from container bottom  250  up to container top  240 , but preferably does not extend completely up to container top  240 , as shown in the drawing. Separating wall  215  is preferably solid and molded integrally with the container, but may also be an insert slideably fitted to inner container wall  212 , or welded to inner container wall  212 . In the preferred embodiment, the separating wall  215  is made of the same material as the container  210 , but may also be made of a different material. Finally, the separating wall  215  may be solid, or have holes or cutouts. 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  also shows that container  210  has container barbed hook catch  260  at each top corner of the container. Barbed hook catch  260  is proximately located to mate with barbed hook inlet  330  of closure  100 . In this configuration, the container is also tamper evident; if an intruder takes off the closure  100 , then barbed hook inlet  330  of the closure will break, and the evidence of this break will alert the consumer that an intruder has attempted to take the closure off the container. 
         [0064]      FIG. 6  shows the closure adapted for use on a metal container. It has substantially the same parts as identified in  FIG. 1 , however, barbed hook inlet  330  is not necessary. In addition, the closure as adapted for a metal container preferably has barbed hook edge  190  (not shown). In another preferred embodiment, closure  100  has base support edge  180 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 7  shows the closure  100  of  FIG. 6  disposed on metal container  510 . Metal container  510 , metal container front  520 , metal container rear  525 , metal container side  530 , metal container top  540 , metal container bottom  550 , metal container hooked edge  560  (not shown). The metal container can be any dimension, but is likely to be  40  cm by  70  cm. The metal can be any metal, but is preferably tin or a tin alloy. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 8 and 9  show the metal container  510  and closure  100 . The closure  100  is adapted for the metal container and has base hooked edge  190 , which may extend around the entire inside of base assembly  110 , although, in other embodiments it may extend around portions thereof. Extending around the perimeter at metal top  540  is metal container hooked edge  560 . When closure  100  is placed on metal container  510 , metal container hooked edge  560  hooks into base hooked edge  190  and the closure  100  is secured to the metal container.  510 . It is understood that other methods of connecting closure  100  and metal container  510  are within the scope of this invention, and include any number of methods for joining the closure and container that are already known in the art. 
         [0067]    Of significance is the base support edge  180 . This feature is especially important for metal containers, as the support pushes against the metal container top  540 , and reduces the tendency of the container walls to collapse if too much pressure is applied by the consumer. 
         [0068]    The container and closure  100  may be assembled in any method. The closure  100  may be attached to the container  210  by, but not limited to, adhering the two together, joining them together by heat fusion, or joining them by mechanically bonding through, but not limited to, crimping or using a hook and eye or hook and groove type of feature (a hook on the closure fits a groove on the container as described above). 
         [0069]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.