Patent Publication Number: US-6908013-B2

Title: Tamper-evident device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of International application PCT/GB02/02404 filed May 22, 2002, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a tamper-evident device or a closure assembly adapted to be applied to a mouth of a container, for example, a neck of a bottle. The invention particularly, thought not exclusively, relates to a tamper-evident non-refillable snap-on fitment. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   For various reasons, it may be desirable to ensure that a used container, such as a bottle intended to contain a liquid (e.g., spirits such as alcoholic beverages), is not re-filled with a replacement quantity of another liquid, the characteristics and quality of which may differ from the original contents. Attempts to provide closures which make such re-filling difficult are not always proof against determined tampering. While it is considered advantageous to provide a tamper-indicating means which provides evidence that the bottle and its original contents are intact, if the bottle is resealable with a substitute cap or closure, there may be little to indicate to a purchaser that the bottle has been tampered with and that the contents may be inferior to the original contents. 
   It has, therefore, been found desirable to provide a closure which cannot be removed without an extreme level of effort, or breakage being caused to the bottle. Such an arrangement is shown, for example, in GB Patent application No. 2 274 837 also by the present applicant, selected merely by way of illustration. 
   While it is very important that an original closure cannot be removed without visible damage or breakage being caused either to the closure and/or to the bottle, it has been found that a closure that cannot readily be removed will become the target of attempts to re-fill the container by overcoming the feature provided in the closure intended to hinder or prevent such refilling. Therefore, in addition to providing devices to prevent re-filling of bottles, there is a need to provide such devices with further tamper-indicating features which, while not acting in any preventive role, give a clear irremovable and/or irreversible indication that a bottle has been opened since being originally filled with the genuine contents. Such clear indicators have been somewhat lacking in previous closure designs. 
   Furthermore, there is a need for simple designs of closure assemblies allowing easy and reliable manufacture, assembly and fitting to bottle necks. Such simplicity has been somewhat lacking in previous closure designs. 
   The present invention now obviates or at least mitigates at least one of the aforementioned problems/disadvantages in the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an improved tamper-evident device which does not have any parts which are removed upon initial opening and which are liable to be reattached by counterfeiters or the like. 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tamper-evident device comprising a sleeve member which comprises a first portion associated with a second portion by means of a frangible portion therebetween, and wherein said first portion is adapted to be applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container, and said second portion is associated with a container closure member, and wherein an initial container opening operation causes said frangible portion to fracture or break such that when the container is reclosed said first and second portions are located in a spaced apart relationship to one another. 
   Preferably the frangible portion is provided adjacent respective circumferential edges of the first and second portions. Also, either or both of the respective circumferential edges may retract or recoil away from the other during a container opening operation when the frangible portion fractures or breaks. The retraction or recoil is preferably accompanied by a concomitant circumferential contraction of at least one of the edges inwardly of the respective first or second portion to provide at least one edge having a smaller circumference or diameter than an adjacent portion of the respective first or second portion. 
   The retraction or recoil movement is important as it advantageously results in a permanent deformation of the first and/or second portions such that when the container is reclosed the circumferential edges do not abut together thus revealing a void or gap located between the first and second portions. This visual indicator evidences that the container (and tamper-evident device) has been opened. 
   Preferably, the container closure member includes a circumferential groove, which may further provide a circumferential lip portion located below and adjacent to the circumferential groove. 
   Preferably, during an initial container opening operation, the first circumferential edge recoils/retracts and circumferentially contracts into the circumferential groove to become positioned circumferentially behind the circumferential lip. This action positions the circumferential lip between the first and second circumferential edges in an obstructive manner such that when the container is reclosed by re-applying the closure member, the first and second portions of the first sleeve member are spaced apart by the circumferential lip portion located therebetween. 
   The frangible portion is generally located in a further circumferential groove provided between or adjacent the first and second portions of the sleeve member. 
   Preferably the frangible portion is located substantially at an apex or base of the further circumferential groove. 
   The frangible portion may be provided as a continuous weakened portion such as a circumferential scored line or alternatively the frangible portion may comprise intermittent shearable links which join the first portion to the second portion or a combination of these. 
   The edge of the first portion may provide a circumferential first beaded portion on the first portion, and in a same manner the edge of the second portion may provide a circumferential second beaded portion on the portion. 
   The first sleeve member may comprise any suitable material, and preferably this material comprises a metal, or metallic based material. 
   Preferably the metal or metallic based material substantially comprises aluminum, or an alloy thereof, particularly rolled aluminum. 
   Without wishing to be bound by theory, when the first sleeve member comprises rolled aluminum, the retraction, recoil and/or contraction on breakage of the frangible portion is believed to be due to release of a tension introduced into the aluminum during forming of the sleeve member. 
   Also, advantageously, aluminum provides a good medium for application of printing dyes, inks, paints or the like such that messages, logos, images, names, and other information may be carried by the sleeve member. 
   The container closure member may be a cap which desirably includes a threaded portion which allows a rotational movement of the cap during a container opening operation. 
   The tamper-evident device may include a pouring outlet device adapted to be secured to the mouth of a container for liquid, the container closure member may be a cap adapted to close an outlet of the pouring outlet device, and the sleeve member may be adapted to receive at least part of the pouring outlet device. 
   Preferably the second portion of the sleeve member is adapted to receive at least part of the cap. The cap is generally received in a tight interference fit to the second portion, but may be optionally rotatable with respect to the second portion of the sleeve member upon application of sufficient force. 
   The pouring outlet device is desirably a non-refillable and/or a non-removable device. Desirably the pouring outlet device comprises a further sleeve member which is adapted to lie around the mouth and neck portion of the container, and further comprises a valve seat body which is at least partially receivable within at least part of the neck portion of the container, and wherein the valve seat body is at least partially surrounded by the further sleeve member. 
   At least the first portion of the sleeve member is preferably adapted to receive at least part of the further sleeve member, preferably in a tight interference fit but optionally rotatable with respect to the further sleeve member upon application of sufficient force. 
   Preferably the further circumferential groove of the sleeve member is located within the circumferential groove provided on the container closure member (cap). This positioning ensures that when the container is opened by twisting the cap, and fracturing or breaking the shearable links, the edge of the second portion of the sleeve member remains within the groove provided on the cap, and the edge of the first portion of the sleeve member progressively moves out of the groove provided on the cap as the cap is removed away from the pouring outlet device and the first portion. On removing the contact between the cap and the first portion of the first sleeve member, the first edge retracts to cause a contraction of circumference such that the resulting circumference is less than that of a cap portion which is located below the groove therein. This cap portion is preferably provided as a circumferential lip on the cap. 
   When the cap is re-applied to the pouring outlet device, a stop position is reached when the circumferential lip of the cap rests or sits upon the edge of the first portion of the sleeve member, thus preventing the cap being returned to its original starting position. A gap or void remains between the first and second portions of the sleeve member thus exposing the circumferential portion of the cap, which includes the circumferential lip which was originally encased or enclosed within the first sleeve member. A void may also exist between the lower edge of the cap and a cap seating surface of the device. 
   Advantageously the exposed circumferential portion of the cap may be distinctly colored and/or printed with information, promotional messages or the like. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container including a tamper-evident device according to the first aspect. 
   The container is preferably a container for liquid. 
   The container is preferably a bottle. 
   The container may be a glass bottle, and may be adapted for containment of liquid, such as alcoholic drinks or beverages, e.g., spirits such as vodka, whisky, brandy, gin or the like. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination of a container and a tamper-evident device according to the first aspect. 
   According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an alcoholic drinks product comprising an alcoholic substance packaged in the combination according to the third aspect. 
   According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident device comprising the steps of
         (a) providing a sleeve member;   (b) providing a pouring outlet device comprising a further sleeve member adapted to be secured to a mouth or neck portion of a container for liquid, and a container closure member releasable securable to the further sleeve member;   (c) disposing-the pouring outlet device at least partly within the sleeve member;   (d) forming a substantially circumferential frangible portion around the sleeve member.       

   This method is particularly advantageous in mass production. 
   Preferably, the method includes the further step of securing the sleeve member and pouring outlet device one to the other by forming a lip on an open end of the sleeve member so as to entrap the pouring outlet device within the sleeve member. 
   The tamper-evident device so formed may comprise a unitary assembly for snap-on application to a mouth and neck portion of a container. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are: 
     FIG.  1 ( a ) a partially cut-away side view of a tamper-evident device according to a first embodiment of the present invention prior to initial opening including a pouring outlet device and in combination with a bottle neck shown in phantom lines; 
     FIG.  1 ( b ) an enlarged view of the circled part of the tamper-evident device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  a partially cut-away side view of the tamper-evident device of FIG.  1 ( a ) in use with a closure member thereof removed; 
     FIG.  3 ( a ) a partially cut-away side view of the tamper-evident device of FIG.  1 ( a ) with the closure member re-applied; 
     FIG.  3 ( b ) an enlarged view of the circled part of the tamper-evident device of FIG.  3 ( a ); 
       FIG. 4  an exploded perspective view of the tamper-evident device of  FIG. 1  including a pouring outlet device and in combination with a bottle having a mouth and neck; 
     FIG.  5 ( a ) a partially cut-away side view of a tamper-evident device according to a second embodiment of the present invention including a pouring outlet device and in combination with a bottle neck shown in phantom lines; 
     FIG.  5 ( b ) an enlarged view of the circled cut-away view of FIG.  5 ( a ). 
       FIG. 6  a partially cut-away view of the tamper-evident device of FIG.  5 ( a ) in use with a closure member thereof removed; 
     FIG.  7 ( a ) a partially cut-away side view of the tamper-evident device of FIG.  5 ( a ) with the closure member re-applied; 
     FIG.  7 ( b ) an enlarged view of the circled part of the tamper-evident device of FIG.  7 ( a ); 
       FIG. 8  a cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident device according to a third embodiment of the present invention during initial steps of manufacture; 
       FIG. 9  a cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident device of  FIG. 8  during an intermediate step of manufacture; and 
       FIG. 10  a cross-sectional view of the tamper-evident device of  FIG. 8  after manufacture and prior to initial opening. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The device of the invention has been named the “ALUsnap” (Trade Mark) tamper-evident device. 
   With reference initially to FIG.  1 ( a ), there is illustrated a tamper-evident device, generally designated by reference numeral  1 , according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The device  1  comprises a sleeve member  5  which comprises a first portion  10  associated with a second portion  15  by means of a frangible portion  20  therebetween. The sleeve member  5  has a closed distal end and an open proximal end. The first portion  10  is adapted to receive a further sleeve member  30  which is part of a pouring outlet device  25  which in this embodiment is a non-refillable and non-removable device. A lower section of the further sleeve member  30  fits within the first portion  10  in a tight interference fit but rotatable with respect to the first portion  10 . 
   The second portion  15  is associated with a container closure member, shown as cap  35 , which is received within the second portion  15  in a tight interference fit but rotatable with respect to the second portion  15 . 
   Referring to FIG.  1 ( b ), the first portion  10  of the sleeve member  5  is shown associated with the second portion  15  of the first sleeve member  5  by means of the frangible portion  20 . The first and second portions  10 ,  15  are in a close interference fit with the further sleeve member  30  and the cap  35 , respectively. 
   The frangible portion  20  is located within groove  40  on the sleeve member  5 , which is provided between the first and second portions  10 ,  15 . Groove  40  is shown located within a further groove  60  provided on cap  35 . Also shown is a threaded portion  45  on cap  35  which engages with a corresponding threaded portion  50  provided on the pouring outlet device  25 . 
   In use, the cap  35  is rotated (normally anticlockwise) in an initial container opening operation which causes the frangible portion  20  to break as described below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cap  35  and second portion  15  associated therewith are shown in a removed or open position away from the pouring outlet device  25  which clearly shows the first portion  10  still associated with the further sleeve  30 . 
   Referring to FIG.  3 ( a ) the cap  35  and second portion  15  associated therewith are shown re-applied or reclosed to pouring outlet device  25 , and the first and second portions  10 ,  15  respectively are clearly shown in a spaced apart relationship to one another due to the appearance of gap  55 . 
   Referring to FIG.  3 ( b ), there is shown groove  60  provided on cap  35  and an edge  80  of the second portion  15  remaining within groove  60 . An edge  75  of first portion  10  is shown in a circumferentially contracted state having moved out of groove  60  upon removal of cap  35  from pouring outlet device  25 . A portion of the cap  35  which is located below groove  60 , shown as lip  65 , rests upon the edge  75  of the first portion  10  resulting in a void  70  which remains between a lower edge  85  of cap  35  and a cap seating surface  90  of second sleeve member  30 . Lip  65  is clearly visible to an observer as it is positioned in gap  55  between the first and second portions  10 ,  15 . 
   In this embodiment the first sleeve member  5  is made from rolled aluminum, and the frangible portion  20  is formed from nine shearable links (not shown) which shear on relative twisting of the cap  35  (and associated second portion  15 ) and the pouring outlet device  25  (and associated first portion  10 ). 
   Furthermore the aluminum sleeve  5  may be coated with inks, paint or the like, and may be further provided with printed matter and advantageously good reproducibility of colors is obtained when using colored printed matter. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of tamper-evident device  1  comprising sleeve member  5 , cap  35 , pouring outlet device  25 . Also shown is a mouth and neck portion  4  of a container or bottle  3 . 
   The pouring outlet device  25  comprises further sleeve member  30  having apertures  27   a ,  27   b  and  27   c  ( 27   c  not shown) with projection means  33   a ,  33   b  and  33   c  ( 33   c  not shown) located on lower edges of the apertures  27   a ,  27   b  and  27   c , respectively. The further sleeve member  30  further has a pouring lip  34 , inner surface ribs  37  and a thread portion  50 . 
   The projection means  33   a ,  33   b  and  33   c  are movable radially of the further sleeve member  30  in a stiffly resilient manner, and are resiliently engagable with an outer lip portion of the container  3 , which in this embodiment is shown as shoulder  6  of the neck portion  4 . 
   In this embodiment twenty-four ribs  37  are formed and arranged circumferentially on an inner surface of the second sleeve member  30 . When the pouring outlet device  25  is applied to bottle neck  4 , in use, these ribs  37  co-act with raised ridges  7  on the outer surface of the neck  4  portion to help prevent undesired rotational movement of the further sleeve member  30 . Some minor rotational play in either a clockwise or anticlockwise direction may occur until a stop position is found by a rib or ribs  37  acting against a raised ridge or ridges  7 . However, continued application of force will cause the first portion  10  and/or second portion  15 , to rotate relative to the further sleeve member  30  and/or cap  35 , respectively. 
   A valve seat body  42  and a valve member  44  are also shown. A tubular portion  43  of the valve seat body  42  is adapted to be received within the mouth portion  6  of the bottle. 
   The first portion  10  and second portion  15  of the first sleeve member  5  are attached by a frangible portion  20  which breaks and allows the cap  35  to be removed with the second portion  15  when it is twisted away from the pouring outlet device  25  by a user in an opening operation. 
   The sleeve member  5 , cap  35  and pouring outlet device  25  are conveniently assembled to give a single unit ready for simple application to a bottle neck, thus enhancing the efficiency of manufacture, bottle filling and assembly process. The valve seat body  42  is held in association with the further sleeve member  30  by resilient rib  91  on the valve seat body  42  co-acting with inner facing detect means carried within the further sleeve member  30 , e.g. an annular rib, not shown. 
   Typically, the bottle  3  is made from glass or alternatively a plastics material, the first sleeve member  5  from aluminum, the cap  35  from low density polyethylene, the further sleeve member  30  from a stiffly resilient plastics material such as polypropylene or polystyrene (and which in this embodiment is a polystyrene obtainable under the trade name, Styrolux), the valve member  44  from crystal polystyrene, and the valve seat body  42  from low density polyethylene. 
   A non-return valve is formed from the valve seat body  42  and valve member  44  which is closed in a normally upright position of the bottle  3 , which while allowing liquids to flow from the bottle  3  in a pouring operation, restricts in-flow of liquid into the bottle  3  by rudimentary unauthorized filling operations or even more sophisticated methods which may involve insertion of objects, tubes or the like into a mouth of the bottle. 
   Referring now to FIG.  5 ( a ), there is shown a tamper-evident device generally designated  101 , according to second embodiment of the present invention. The device  101  is similar in many respects to the device  1  of the first embodiment, like parts being identified by like numerals but increased by  100 . 
   Device  101  comprises a first sleeve member  105  having a first portion  110  and a second portion  115  associated by means of frangible portion  120 . 
   FIG.  5 ( b ) clearly shows a first beaded portion  130  provided on the first portion  110  and a second beaded portion  135  provided on the second portion  115 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the same manner as described hereinbefore regarding the first embodiment, cap  135  and associated second portion  115  may be removed by twisting away from the pouring outlet device  125  and first portion  110  associated therewith. 
   Referring to FIG.  7 ( a ), cap  35  and second portion  115  are shown reapplied (reclosed) to the pouring outlet device  125  and a gap  140  remains between the first and second portions  110  and  115 . 
   Referring now to FIG.  7 ( b ) in the same manner as hereinbefore described regarding the first embodiment, edge  150  remains in groove  160  of cap  135 , and lip  165  rests upon edge  145  of the first beaded portion  130  of the first portion  110 , resulting in void  155  formed between lower edge  185  of cap  135  and the cap seating surface  190 . 
   Referring finally to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 , there are illustrated sequential steps in a method of manufacturing a tamper-evident device  201  according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The device  201  may be the same as or similar to the device  1  or the device  101  of the first or second embodiments, respectively, like parts being identified by like numerals but increased by  100  or  200 , respectively. 
   The method comprises:
         (a) providing sleeve member  205 ;   (b) providing pouring outlet device  225  comprising further sleeve member  230  adapted to be secured to a mouth and neck portion of a bottle (not shown), and container closure member  233  releasably securable to further sleeve member  230  (see FIG.  8 );   (c) disposing the pouring outlet device  225  within the sleeve member  205  (see FIG.  9 ); and   (d) forming substantially circumferential frangible portion  220  around sleeve member  205  (see FIG.  10 ).       

   Further, either before or after step (d), but preferably substantially simultaneously with step (d) the method further comprises:
         (e) forming an annular lip  297  at an open end  298  of the sleeve member  205  so as to entrap the pouring outlet device  225  within the sleeve member  205 .       

   It will be appreciated that other end  299  of the sleeve member  205  is closed. 
   The frangible portion  220  and annular lip  297  may be formed using respective blades on a machine tool. 
   It will be understood that modifications may be made to the embodiments hereinbefore described without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example, the sleeve member  5 ,  105 ,  205  may be applied to various different designs of pouring outlet device adapted to be applied to a variety of containers including bottles. 
   In a modification, for example, the second portion  15 ,  115  and/or the first portion  10 ,  110  may include knurred surfaces to assist in gripping in opening and reopening of the device  1 ,  101 . 
   It will further appreciated that the present invention provides a particularly desirable one piece snap on fitment have functional advantages over the prior art as well as enhanced aesthetic appeal.