Patent Publication Number: US-9409682-B2

Title: Non-removable container neck ring

Description:
The present disclosure is directed to containers and, more particularly, to container attachments. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Many containers are provided with tamper-resistant devices to resist refilling of contents in the containers. For example, a beverage container can include a fitment that renders the container non-refillable, so as to impede efforts to refill the container with inferior products. U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,811 illustrates a container of this type. 
     A general object of the present disclosure, in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, is to provide a container including an attachment ring for a container that may be used as an anchor to non-removably secure a fitment to the container, as a use-evident indicator carried by the container to indicate that the container has been opened and/or that original liquid product has been dispensed from the container, and/or as a tamper-indicator to evidence efforts to tamper with the package via breakage of the container. 
     The present disclosure embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or in combination with each other. 
     A product in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure includes a container including a neck having an interior passage, and a ring non-removably coupled to the container neck. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of producing a product that includes (a) flowing liquid into a container having a neck, and (b) non-removably coupling a fitment into the neck of the container via an attachment ring to render the product tamper-evident. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure, together with additional objects, features, advantages and aspects thereof, will be best understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, elevational, sectional view of a package in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure and including a container, a closure coupled to the container, a fitment coupled to the container to render the container non-refillable, and an attachment ring for the container which may be used as an anchor for coupling the fitment to the container, as a use-evident feature, and/or as a tamper-evident feature; 
         FIG. 1A  is a fragmentary, elevational, sectional view of a package in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, similar to that of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the package of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary elevational view of a package in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and including a container, a closure coupled to the container, and an attachment ring for the container which may be used as an anchor for coupling a fitment to the container, as a use-evident feature, and/or as a tamper-evident feature; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary elevational view of the package of  FIG. 3 , with the closure removed, and illustrating the attachment ring in its use-evident state; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary elevational view of a package in accordance with a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure and including a container, and an attachment ring for the container which may be used as an anchor for coupling a fitment to the container, as a use-evident feature, and/or as a tamper-evident feature; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, elevational, cross-sectional view of a product in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and including a container, and an attachment ring for the container; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the product of  FIG. 6 , taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, perspective, cross-sectional view of a product in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and including a container, an anti-refill fitment coupled to the container, and an attachment ring coupling the fitment to the container; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary, exploded, cross-sectional view of the product of  FIG. 8 , illustrating the fitment and the attachment ring being assembled into the container; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the product of  FIG. 8 , illustrating the fitment and the attachment ring further being assembled into the container; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the product of  FIG. 8 , illustrating the fitment and the attachment ring assembled to the container; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of a valve seat member of the fitment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of a dispensing member of the fitment of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the attachment ring illustrated in  FIG. 11 , taken from circle  14  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a fragmentary, elevational, exploded, cross-sectional view of a product in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and including a container, an anti-refill fitment being assembled to the container, and an attachment ring coupling the fitment to the container; 
         FIG. 16  is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the product of  FIG. 15 , illustrating the ring being bonded to the container of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary, elevational, cross-sectional view of a product in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and including a container, an anti-refill fitment assembled to the container, and an external attachment ring between the fitment and the container to couple the fitment to the container; and 
         FIG. 18  is a fragmentary, elevational, cross-sectional view of a product in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, and including a container, an anti-refill fitment assembled to the container, and an external attachment ring around the fitment to couple the fitment to the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a package  10  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the disclosure as including a container  12  to hold an original product therein, a closure  13  to close the container  12 , a dispensing fitment  14  coupled to the container  12  for non-refillable dispensing of the product out of the container  12 , and a ring  16  attached to the container  12  for one or more purposes. For example, and as will be described in further detail below, the ring  16  may be used as a fitment anchor or coupler to attach the fitment  14  to the container  12 , as a use-evident indicator for indicating that the container  12  has been opened and/or that the product has been dispensed from the container  12 , and/or as a tamper-indicator for evidencing efforts to tamper with the package  10 . Although not illustrated, the package  10  also may include any suitable seals between the fitment  14  and the container  12 , and/or at least a portion of the fitment  14  may be interference fit within the container  12  for integral sealing therebetween. 
     The container  12  may be, for example, a jug, a jar, or a bottle, for instance, a wine or spirits bottle, or any other suitable type of food or beverage container, and may be composed of glass or ceramic, or any other suitable material(s). The original product may include beer, wine, liquor, soda, other beverage, or any other suitable liquid, or food. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the container  12  may include a bottom or base, a body that may extend in a direction axially away from the base along a central longitudinal axis A, a shoulder extending in a direction axially away from the body, and a neck  18  extending in a direction axially away from the shoulder and including a neck finish  20 . As used herein, directional words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, radial, circumferential, lateral, longitudinal, transverse, vertical, horizontal, and the like are employed by way of description and not limitation. Although not shown, the neck finish  20  may include one or more closure engagement elements, for example, helical threads, capping flange, and/or any other suitable feature(s), for coupling of the closure  13  to the container  12 . 
     The container neck  18  may include an interior passage  22  to carry the fitment  14  and to communicate liquid out of the container body and through and out of the neck  18 . The passage  22  may include a radially inner surface  24 , and an internal annular recess  26  in the inner surface  24  for receiving at least a portion of the ring  16 . The interior passage  22  may be of cylindrical shape or of any other suitable geometry. The recess  26  may be a circumferentially continuous groove that may be rectangular in transverse cross section, per the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , or may be of any other suitable shape and configuration. 
     The closure  13  may include a cover, for example, a metal foil, plastic cup, wax seal, or any other suitable cover. Although not illustrated in the drawings, in other embodiments, the closure  13  also or instead may include a threaded closure, crown closure, or the like, or a cork, plug, or any other suitable closure. In the latter embodiments, artisans of ordinary skill will recognize that the fitment  14  would be located further down into the container neck  18  to accommodate such an internal closure. 
     The fitment  14  may include a first end  28 , a second end  30  disposed axially oppositely of the first end  28 , and an axially extending circumferential outer wall  32  that may be disposed between the ends  28 ,  30  and in contact with the interior surface  24  in the passage  22  of the container  12 . The outer wall  32  may be of cylindrical shape, or of any other suitable shape corresponding to the shape of the interior surface  24  of the container neck  18 . The fitment  14  also may include an external annular recess  34  in the outer wall  32  corresponding to the internal annular recess  26  of the container  12  and for receiving at least a portion of the ring  16 . Accordingly, the fitment recess  34  may be axially aligned with and overlapping the container recess  26 . The fitment recess  34  may be a circumferentially continuous groove that may be rectangular in transverse cross section, per the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1 , or may be of any other suitable shape and configuration. As used herein, the term transverse may mean disposed at some non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the container  12  and along any direction intersecting the container  12  and may include but is not limited to a radial direction. The fitment  14  also may include a chamfer  36  between the first end  28  and the outer wall  32 . Various features of the fitment  14  illustrated in the drawing figures are illustrative only, and may be of any other suitable type or construction. 
     The fitment  14  further may include any suitable features to impede or prevent refilling of the container  12 . For example, the fitment  14  may include a check valve  38  that may be carried within the outer wall  32 . The check valve  38  may include a check ball  40  and a valve seat  42 , and/or any other suitable elements to permit flow of product out of the container  12  but prevent or retard flow of product into the container  12 . Non-refillable fitments are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and any suitable type of non-refillable fitment may be used, whether a check valve type of fitment, an air trap type of fitment, or any other suitable type of refill-resistant fitment. 
     The fitment  14  may be non-removably secured to the container  12 . The terminology “non-removably secured” includes a manner in which the fitment  14  is, by design-intent, not intended to be removed from the container  12  without damaging the container  12  and/or the fitment  14 , or otherwise visibly compromising the structural and/or functional integrity of either or both. Also, the fitment  14  may render the container  12  non-refillable. In other words, the fitment  14  may prevent or at least impede efforts to refill the container  12 , for example, with counterfeit products. The terminology “non-refillable” is used interchangeably herein with the terms refill-resistant and anti-refill, and includes a characteristic of the fitment  14  which, by design intent, is not intended to be refilled without damaging the container  12  and/or fitment  14  or otherwise visibly compromising the structural and/or functional integrity of either or both. 
     The ring  16  is at least partially radially disposed in the container recess  26  and in the fitment recess  34  so as to radially overlap both the container  12  and the fitment  14  to secure the fitment  14  to the container  12 . More specifically, the ring  16  may be axially trapped by corresponding axially facing shoulders of the container  12  and the fitment  14  located adjacent the corresponding recesses  26 ,  34 . The ring  16  may be rectangular in transverse cross section, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or may of any other suitable shape. The ring  16  may be composed of glass, metal, or any other suitable material. For instance, the ring  16  may be composed of a ferrous metal, for instance, iron or steel, to facilitate separation (via magnets or the like) of the ring  16  from container material during recycling. In other embodiments, the ring  16  may be composed of aluminum, copper, titanium, stainless steel, or non-metal. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the ring  16  may be a split ring, in other words, extending less than 360 angular degrees such that the ring  16  includes circumferential ends  17  ( FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the ring  16  may be resilient or spring-like, such that a radial force may be imposed on the ring  16  to radially inwardly deflect the ring  16  from a rest state toward a radially compressed state, but wherein the ring  16  returns toward its rest state upon removal of the force. Accordingly, the ring  16  may be radially resiliently compressible, for example, to facilitate assembly of the ring  16  to the container  12  and to facilitate assembly of the fitment  14  to the container  12 . 
     The resilient ring  16  is illustrated in a rest state, but when the fitment  14  is assembled to the container  12 , the resilient ring  16  is compressible in a radially inward direction to a compressed state to allow the fitment  14  to be inserted into the container neck  18 . For example, the ring  16  may be C-shaped or semi-circumferential, having circumferential ends, circumferentially spaced apart from one another. The ring  16  may include an annular chamfer  35  to facilitate insertion of the fitment  14  into the container neck  18  under a force greater than that supplied by the weight of the fitment  14  alone. The ring  16  is resiliently expandable from the compressed state back to the rest state when the ring  16  axially traverses or clears an internal feature of the container  12 . For example, the ring  16  may axially clear the internal surface  24  of the neck  18  and expand resiliently back to its rest state into the groove  26  where a trailing surface or edge  37  of the ring  16  is engageable with an axially facing shoulder of the container  12 , for example, at an axial side of the groove  26 . At that point, the fitment  14  becomes non-removably secured within the container  12 . 
     In production of the container  12 , the recess  26  may be produced by forming or machining. In one embodiment, the recess  26  may be formed during blank molding or blow molding of the container  12 . For example, the recess  26  may be formed by a blank mold or finish mold plunger having an expandable annular portion. During blank forming or finish forming, the plunger would extend into a blank or container neck, the expandable annular portion of the plunger would expand radially outwardly to form the recess  26 , and then the expandable annular portion would retract radially inwardly to allow retraction of the plunger. Then, the container  12  may be annealed and, thereafter, the ring  16  may be assembled into the formed recess  26 . 
     In another embodiment, the ring  16  may be coupled to the container  12  during molding of the container  12  or after the container  12  is molded. For example, the ring  16  may be insert-molded within a blank mold or a blow mold of a container manufacturing process. 
     In a further embodiment, after forming of the container  12 , the container neck  18  may be machined to produce the recess  26 , for example, via grinding, milling, turning, or the like. More specifically, a milling cutter or trepan tool may be inserted into the container neck  18  and spun at high velocity to remove material of the container neck  18  to define the recess  26 . Accordingly, the recess  26  would be well-defined and would accommodate assembly of the ring  16  thereto after machining. In this embodiment, the machined recess  26  may require stress relieving via heat treatment before assembly of the ring  16  to avoid weakness in the region of the recess  26 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , during packaging, the original product may be flowed into the container  12  in any suitable manner, and then the fitment  14  may be coupled into the neck  18  of the container  12  via the ring  16  to render the product  10  tamper-evident. For example, the ring  16  may be compressed radially until its radially outer diameter is smaller than the radially inner diameter of the passage  22  of the container neck  18 , and then the ring  16  may be inserted into the passage  22  of the container neck  18  and into axial alignment with the container recess  26 . Thereafter, the ring  16  may be released to allow the ring  16  to expand into the container recess  26 . Next, the fitment  14  may be inserted into the passage  22  of the container neck  18  wherein the fitment chamfer  36  engages a radially inner surface or edge of the ring  16  and continued insertion of the fitment  14  causes radially outward displacement or expansion of the ring  16 . Finally, when the fitment  14  has been inserted such that the external recess  34  axially aligns with the internal annular recess  26  of the container  12 , the ring  16  snaps back or expands back toward its rest state and radially overlaps the recesses  26 ,  34  to axially restrain the fitment  14  relative to the container  12 . The engagement between the ring  16  and the container  12  and the fitment  14  is such that the fitment  14  cannot be removed without causing visible damage to the container  12  and/or to the fitment  14 . 
     Although the groove  26  is illustrated as an example of the container internal feature, any other suitable internal feature(s) could be used. For example, the ring  16  could be retained axially between axially spaced internal embossments or shoulders of the container neck  18 , by separate components installed in the neck  18 , or by any other suitable feature(s) to retain the ring  16 . More specifically, the ring  16  may be coupled between radially inwardly extending portions of the container neck  18 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , for example, a package  10 ′ may include a container  12 ′, which may be formed to include a first annular detent  25 ′ extending radially inwardly from an inner surface  24 ′ of a container neck  18 ′. The container  12 ′ also may be formed to include a second annular detent  27 ′ spaced axially from the first annular detent  25 ′ and which may establish a groove  26 ′ therebetween. In any case, the fitment  30  carrying the ring  16 ′ may be inserted into a neck  18 ′ of the container  12 ′, wherein the ring  16 ′ may be compressed radially inwardly, until the ring  16 ′ snaps past the first annular detent  25 ′ and into the groove  26 ′. At that point, the ring  16 ′ may relax or be uncompressed wherein the ring  16 ′ is axially trapped between the detents  25 ′,  27 ′. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a package  110  including a container  112  and a ring  116  non-removably coupled to the container  112 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     The indicator ring  116  may be the same as or similar to an indicator disclosed and shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/832,589 filed Mar. 15, 2013 (entitled CONTAINER HAVING A USE INDICATOR), which was filed on the same date as the present application and is assigned to the assignee hereof and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The container  112  includes a neck  118  and an internal annular recess  126  for receiving the ring  116 . In this embodiment the ring  116  may be in diametric contact with the container  112  within the recess  126 . The ring  116  may facilitate evidencing of efforts to tamper with the package  110 , for example, via breakage of the container  112  when someone attempts to remove or defeat a non-refillable fitment and refill the container  112 . In this regard, and although not shown, the package  110  also may include a fitment that may be inserted into the container neck  118  and non-removably secured thereto, for example, by being snap fit to the ring  116  in any suitable manner. For example, the fitment may be inserted into the container neck  118  wherein a fitment chamfer engages a radially inner surface or edge of the ring  116  and continued insertion of the fitment causes radially inward displacement or contraction of a resiliently radially compressible portion of the fitment. As used herein, the terminology “snap fit” includes abrupt engagement of two members (with or without audible or tactile feedback) via spring-like or resilient deflection of at least a portion of one of the members and, once installed, the deflected portion may return to or toward its original shape. When the fitment has been inserted such that an external annular recess axially aligns with an internal annular recess of the container  112 , the compressible portion of the fitment snaps back or expands back toward its rest state such that one or more axially facing shoulders of the fitment engage against the ring  116  to axially restrain the fitment relative to the container  112  so that the fitment cannot be removed without causing visible damage to the container  112 . 
     The ring  116  may function as a heat concentrator, wherein the ring  116  may be composed of a material that expands at a faster rate and to a greater degree than the material of the container  112 . For example, the ring  116  may be composed of metal, for instance, steel, when the container  112  is composed of glass or ceramic. Then, if counterfeiters attempt to melt a plastic portion of the fitment by applying heat to the fitment, the ring  116  will expand radially and axially and, thus, break the container neck  118 , thereby facilitating evidence of tampering with the container  112  and likely rendering the container  112  unusable. In this embodiment, the container  112  would break because the ring  116  expands radially and/or axially to a greater extent than a corresponding portion of the container  112  for a given temperature and, thus, the expanding ring  116  would stress the container  112  beyond its breaking point. 
     Furthermore, an outer surface of the ring  116  may carry indicia  150 , for example, brand name indicia, package serial number indicia, a logo, a slogan, or the like. The indicia  150  may be recessed in a radially outer surface of the ring  116  wherein the indicia  150  may be formed, machined, lasered, etched, or produced in any other suitable manner. Accordingly, the indicia  150  are positioned on the inside of the container  112  but are visible therethrough. 
     Moreover, the ring  116  may evidence opening or dispensing of original product from the container  112  for example, via a state change of the ring  116  after the package  110  has been opened and/or original product has been dispensed from the container  112 . The ring  116  may be of any suitable composition(s) and constructed in any suitable manner to enable the ring  116  to exhibit different visual characteristics. For example, the ring  116  may be composed of a base material, and an oxidizable coating carried by the base material. The base material may include a metal, and the coating may include a reactive material that reacts with any one or more of the constituents of air so as to visibly change appearance of the material. For example, the air-reactive material may include an oxygen-reactive material or a nitrogen-reactive material. More specifically, the air-reactive material may include oxygen-reactive metals, polymers, or dyes. For instance, the air-reactive material may include copper, iron, potassium, sodium, PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), polycarbonate, or one or more flavonoids, for example, flavanones, flavanoles and dihydrochalcones, chalcones, aurones, or anthocyanidins, depending on the reaction and desired color. 
     During product packaging, the ring  116  may be assembled to the container  112  in an inert environment in any suitable manner, and the closure  13  may be sealingly applied to the container  112  to prevent oxidation of the ring  116 . Accordingly, in the sealed package  110 , the ring  116  may exhibit a first visual characteristic, for example, a first color. 
     But, referring now to  FIG. 4 , upon contact with air, for example, when the package  110  is opened, the ring  116  is adapted irreversibly to change a characteristic of the ring  116  that is visible from outside of the container  112  to advise a user that the package  110  has been opened. Accordingly, the ring  116  will exhibit the second visual characteristic different from the first visual characteristic. For example, the ring  116  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  in a state different from that shown in  FIG. 3 . In particular, the ring  116  may be a different color after the package  110  has been opened. 
     Therefore, the ring  116  may provide a security feature. The package  110  may be opened and, thereafter, if counterfeiters attempt to refill the emptied container  112  with counterfeit liquid product and repackage the package  110  with a closure, the refilled and repackaged package will include the state changed ring  116  as evidence of product refilling and repackaging. In other words, the package  110  is permanently or irreversibly identifiable as being a once-fillable package. Over time, purchasers will become educated to spot refilled counterfeit packages. Thus, counterfeiters will be deterred from offering counterfeit packages to such educated purchasers. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a package  210  including a container  212  and a ring  216  non-removably coupled to the container  212 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-4  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     The container  212  includes a neck  218  and an interior surface  224  for receiving the ring  216 . In this embodiment, however, the ring  216  may be circumferentially continuous and coupled to the surface  224  with a bonding material  260  between an outer surface of the ring  216  and a corresponding inner portion of the interior surface  224 . The ring  216  also may carry indicia  250 . The bonding material  260  may include room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone, heat-activated ceramic or glass bonding compound, a solder glass, a ring of soda lime glass, an adhesive, an epoxy, or a sol-gel adhesive, or the like. 
     This embodiment is particularly adapted for use with a ceramic or glass ring  216  that may not be easily attachable to the containers of the previous embodiments. 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package  310  including a container  312  and an attachment ring  316  non-removably coupled to the container  312 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the container  312  includes an annular relief  326  to receive the attachment ring  316 . The annular relief  326  may be established by a radially outwardly extending bulge  318   a , which may be formed in the wall of the container neck  318  and may have an internal diameter larger than that of axially adjacent portions of an internal surface  324  of the container neck  318 . The bulge  318   a  may be formed during forming of a blank or parison for the container  312  and/or during forming of the container  312  itself. In other embodiments, the annular relief  326  may be a machined groove or a formed groove, or a space between radially inwardly projecting portions of the container neck  318 . 
     In any case, the attachment ring  316  includes a substrate  316   a  and a coating  316   b  carried by the substrate  316   a . The substrate  316   a  may include a metal and the coating may include a polymer. In one example, the metal may include stainless steel, and the polymer may include polyethylene, polypropylene, and/or any other suitable material. 
     In one embodiment, the attachment ring  316  may be C-shaped and may be assembled to the container  312  by radially compressing the ring  316  and inserting the ring  316  into the container neck  318  until the ring  316  is axially aligned with the relief  326 . At that point, the ring  316  is allowed to expand into registration with the relief  326  in contact with the container neck  318 . 
     In another embodiment, the attachment ring  316  may be assembled to the container  312  using a shrink fit. For example, the ring  316  may be frozen to reduce the diameter of the ring  316 , and inserted into the container neck  318  until the ring  316  is axially aligned with the relief  326 . At that point, the ring  316  may be warmed, or allowed to warm, to expand into registration with the relief  326  in contact with the container neck  318 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the ring  316  may be C-shaped, having circumferential ends  317  spaced apart circumferentially. In other embodiments, the ring  316  may be circumferentially continuous. 
     In any case, if a counterfeiter attempts to apply heat to the attachment ring  316 , for example, in an effort to melt the ring  316  and an anti-refill fitment (not shown), the metal ring  316  will expand at a faster rate and to a larger degree relative to the glass wall of the neck  318 . Such expansion of the metal ring  316  will crack or otherwise break the container neck  318 , thereby providing an indication or evidence of tampering with the container  312 . 
       FIGS. 8-14  illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a package  410  including a container  412 , a fitment  414  non-removably coupled to the container  412 , and an attachment ring  416  attached to the container  412  and to the fitment  414 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-7  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the fitment  414  may include a dispensing member  444  carried in the container neck  418 , a valve seat member  441  coupled to the dispensing member  444 , and a check valve  438  also carried in the container neck  418  and which may be coupled to the dispensing member  444 . The fitment  414  may include a first end  428 , a second end  430  disposed axially oppositely of the first end  428 , and an axially extending circumferential outer wall  432  (in the dispensing member  444 , for example) between the ends  428 ,  430  and in contact with an interior surface  424  in a passage  422  of the container  412 . The fitment  414  also may include an external annular recess  434  in the outer wall  432  corresponding to an internal annular recess  426  of the container  412  and for receiving at least a portion of an attachment ring  416  ( FIG. 14 ). The fitment check valve  438  may be carried radially inwardly or within the outer wall  432 . The check valve  438  may include a check ball  440 , the valve seat member  441  carrying the ball  440  and forming a valve seat  442  for the ball  440 . The ball  440  may include a pocket  446  therein that may extend partially but not all of the way through the ball  440 . For example, the pocket  446  may extend over 50% of the diameter of the ball  440 . The pocket  446  may be frustoconical in shape. 
     With reference also to  FIG. 12 , the valve seat member  441  may include a radial or transverse wall  448 , which may include integral and annular seal elements  450  extending therefrom for sealing against the inside surface  424  of the container neck  418  ( FIG. 8 ). The valve seat member  441  also may include a longitudinal wall  452  extending from a radially inward portion of the transverse wall  448  and which may include a coupling portion  454  coupled to the dispensing member  444  ( FIG. 8 ). The coupling portion  454  may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced leaves  456 . The leaves  456  may be bayonet shaped for interlocking with corresponding portions of the dispensing member  444  ( FIG. 8 ). A radially inward portion of the longitudinal wall  452  may be frustoconical in shape to establish the valve seat  442 . The fitment  414  also may include a chamfer  436  between the first end  428  and the outer wall  432 . ( FIG. 8 ) 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 and 13 , the dispensing member  444  may include a base wall  458 , which may extend transversely or radially, and may include dispensing apertures  459 , and a radially outward portion  460  for overlapping the lip of the container  412  ( FIG. 8 ). The member  444  also may include a ball guide  462  extending longitudinally from the base wall  458  and into the passage  446  of the check ball  440  ( FIG. 8 ). The ball guide  462  may be frustoconical in shape to correspond to the check ball passage  446  ( FIG. 8 ). The member  444  further may include a radially outer wall  464  extending longitudinally from the base wall  458 . The outer wall  464  may include an internal shoulder  466  for cooperating with the coupling portion  454  of the valve seat member  441  ( FIG. 8 ), and also may include a portion of the outer wall  432  and the external annular recess  434  in the outer wall  432 . The dispensing member  444  may be composed of glass, or any other suitable material, for example, that may have melting temperature greater than or equal to 650 degrees Celsius. Although not shown, the dispensing member  444  may carry indicia (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ) on the outer wall  432 , for instance. The indicia may be created with a femto-second laser engraver, or any other suitable apparatus. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the ring  416  may be composed of metal, for example, steel and may include an oxidizable coating. The ring  416  may be installed to the container  412  under inert gas conditions and sealed thereto with a closure or the like. If the member  444  is broken by counterfeiters, then air will contact and oxidize the ring  416 , thereby providing visible evidence of attempted counterfeiting, for instance, as described above with respect to  FIGS. 3-4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the fitment  414  may be assembled into the container  412  wherein the ring  416  may be radially compressed in any suitable manner so as to fit in the container neck  418 . For example, the ring  416  may be compressed by hand or by any suitable tooling, for example, an assembly sleeve, a radial clamp, or the like. In another embodiment, the ring  416  may be provided with a lead in chamfer to facilitate press fit of the fitment  414  and ring  416  to the container  412 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , once the ring  416  is compressed and inserted into the container neck  418 , the fitment  414  and ring  416  are further displaced down into the container neck  418  until, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the ring  416  resiliently expands into registration with the recess  426  of the container neck  418  to non-removably secure the fitment  414  to the container  412 . 
       FIGS. 15-16  illustrate another illustrative embodiment of a product  511  including a container  512 , a fitment  514  coupled to the container  512 , and an attachment ring  516  non-removably coupled to the container  512 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-14  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     The product  511  includes the container  512  to hold an original product therein, and the dispensing fitment  514  for coupling to the container  512  for non-refillable dispensing of the product out of the container  512 , and the ring  516  initially carried by the fitment  514 , for example, in an external annular recess  534  thereof. The fitment  514  and ring  516  are inserted into the container  512  until the ring  516  snaps into engagement with an internal recess  526  in an interior surface  524  of a neck  518  of the container  512 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 16 , a heat source  580  may be used to fuse at least a portion of the ring  516  to the container  512 . For example, the heat source  580  may include a focused beam to melt a radially outer surface of the ring  516 , an axial end surface of the ring  516 , or the like, and corresponding portions of the container neck  518  to bond the ring  516  to the container neck  518 . In this example, any suitable apparatus may produce any suitable type of focused beam, for instance, light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation (laser) beam, focused ion beam, or the like. In another example, the heat source  580  may include a torch flame, induction coil, or any other suitable heater. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a product  611  including a container  612 , a fitment  614  coupled to the container  612 , and an attachment ring  616  non-removably coupled to the container  612  between the fitment  614  and the container  612 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-16  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     The product  611  includes the ring  616 , which may be initially assembled to and carried by the container  612 . For example, the ring  616  may be snap fit into an external annular recess  626  of the container  612 . The external recess  626  may be defined by axially spaced facing shoulders, beads, or the like of the container  612 . The fitment  614  includes a transversely extending base wall  614   a , an axially extending internal portion  614   b  carrying a check valve  638  (shown schematically), and an axially extending outer annular skirt  614   c  having an annular recess  634  in an internal surface thereof. The fitment  614  is assembled into and over the container  612  until the ring  616  snaps into engagement with the recess  634  in the fitment skirt  614   c . Accordingly, the ring  616  is non-removably secured to the container  612  and the fitment  614  is non-removably secured to the container  612  via the ring  616 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that sizes, shapes, and configurations of the cooperating portions of the ring  616 , the container  612 , and the fitment  614  are application specific to achieve engagement according to desired forces, fits, and the like. Attempts to remove the fitment  614  will visibly damage the fitment  614 , particularly when the fitment  614  is composed of glass, ceramic, or any other relatively brittle materials. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates another illustrative embodiment of a product  711  including a container  712 , a fitment  714  coupled to the container  712 , and an attachment ring  716  non-removably coupled to the container  712  around the fitment  714 . This embodiment is similar in many respects to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-17  and like numerals between the embodiments generally designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views of the drawing figures. Accordingly, the descriptions of the embodiments are incorporated into one another. Additionally, the description of the common subject matter generally may not be repeated here. 
     The fitment  714  includes a transversely extending base wall  714   a , an axially extending internal portion  714   b  carrying a check valve  738  (shown schematically), and an axially extending outer annular skirt  714   c . The skirt  714   c  includes a radially inwardly extending annular projection  714   d  non-removably secured within an external annular recess  726  in the container  712 , and also includes an external annular recess  714   e  in an external surface thereof. The fitment  714  is assembled into and over the container  712  so that the projection  714   d  interlocks into the container recess  726 . For example, the projection  714   d  may be snap fit, rolled, heat-formed, or the like into engagement with the recess  726 . Also, the ring  716  may be carried by the container  712  via the fitment  714 . For example, the ring  716  may be snap fit, rolled, heat-formed, or the like into the external annular recess  714   e  of the fitment  714 . In any event, the ring  716  is non-removably secured to the container  712  with a portion of the fitment  714  positioned therebetween. Attempts to remove the fitment  714  will visibly damage the fitment  714 , particularly when the fitment  714  is composed of glass, ceramic, or any other relatively brittle materials. 
     There thus has been disclosed an attachment ring for a container that may be used as an anchor, a use-evident indicator, and/or as a tamper-indicator, and that fully satisfies all of the objects and aims previously set forth. The disclosure has been presented in conjunction with several illustrative embodiments, and additional modifications and variations have been discussed. Other modifications and variations readily will suggest themselves to persons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the foregoing discussion. The disclosure is intended to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.