US4494664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper evident closure
Assignee: Guala SpA
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Filing: 1983-02-28
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Granted: 1985-01-22
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Expires: 2003-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A tamper evident closure for bottles and containers includes a cap and a tamper-indicating lower ring or belt, those two parts are linked together by a weak breakable circumferential area, which will break at opening of the container leaving behind the lower ring. This closure is the result of a simplified manufacturing process that forms the breakable circumferential area by forming misaligned cuts about the circumference of the closure between the upper cap and lower ring. Upon opening, the lower ring moves down on the neck of the container. Upon reclosing, the space between the cap and ring makes the prior opening of the bottle very evident.
Inventors
- 👤 Piergiacomo Guala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/3404; B65D41/3409; B65D41/02; B65D41/04; B65D41/0407; B65D41/0414
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A tamper evident closure and container combination including a closure having an upper cap portion, a lower ring portion, and an intermediate weakened area, the weakened area being defined by nonaligned cuts separated by unsevered locations, the combination further comprising interacting means on the ring and container for blocking movement of the ring in a closure opening direction, the interacting means for blocking movement comprising inwardly projecting means on the ring and outwardly projecting means on the container, the inwardly and outwardly projecting means being axially located to be in abutting relationship when the closure is in place on the container, the cuts and unsevered locations defining cam surfaces upon separation of the cap and ring effective to cam the ring downward until the inwardly projecting means on the ring is below the outwardly projecting means on the container; whereby the ring and cap separate the weakened area to leave behind the ring and, the ring is held captive on the container at a lower location than its previous, unseparated position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A tamper evident closure and container combination including a closure having an upper cap portion, a lower ring portion, and an intermediate weakened area, the weakened area being defined by nonaligned cuts separated by unsevered locations, the combination further comprising interacting means on the ring and container for blocking movement of the ring in a closure opening direction, the interacting means for blocking movement comprising inwardly projecting means on the ring and outwardly projecting means on the container, the inwardly and outwardly projecting means being axially located to be in abutting relationship when the closure is in place on the container, the cuts and unsevered locations defining cam surfaces upon separation of the cap and ring effective to cam the ring downward until the inwardly projecting means on the ring is below the outwardly projecting means on the container; whereby the ring and cap separate the weakened area to leave behind the ring and, the ring is held captive on the container at a lower location than its previous, unseparated position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the interacting means for blocking movement comprises means on the container in interference relation to a part of the ring and preventing upward movement of the ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein the means on the container in interference relation comprises an outwardly projecting boss interfering with upward movement of the ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein the cap and container are threaded to screw the closure in place and the interacting means comprises means for preventing rotational movement in the cap-unscrewing direction; whereby both upward and rotational movement of the ring is blocked when the cap is unscrewed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the cap and container are threaded to screw the closure in place and the interacting means comprises means for preventing rotational movement of the ring in the cap-unscrewing direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the cuts are defined with engaging upper and lower surfaces and absent spacing between those surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the cuts are defined on two axially displaced circumferences.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein each cut is closer to another cut at one of its ends than at the other of its ends.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein the neck of the container below the outwardly projecting means has a diameter allowing the ring to drop further downward on the container away from its previous, unseparated position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tamper evident closure comprising an upper cap portion, a lower ring portion, and an intermediate weakened circumferential area interconnecting the cap and ring, said weakened area having nonaligned cuts proceeding generally circumferentially about the closure and defining therebetween unsevered areas, the cuts and unsevered areas in the weakened area defining cam surfaces upon separation of the cap and ring effective to cam the ring downward away from the cap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tamper evident closure comprising an upper cap portion, a lower ring portion, and an intermediate weakened circumferential area interconnecting the cap and ring, said weakened area having nonaligned cuts proceeding generally circumferentially about the closure and defining therebetween unsevered areas, the cuts and unsevered areas in the weakened area defining cam surfaces upon separation of the cap and ring effective to cam the ring downward away from the cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The closure according to claim 10 further comprising removal inhibiting means on the ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The closure according to claim 11 wherein the removal inhibiting means on the ring comprises inwardly projecting means within the ring for inhibiting upward movement of the ring upon removal of the cap from a container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The closure according to claim 11 wherein the cap is internally threaded to be screwed in place upon a container, the removal inhibiting means within the ring comprising inwardly projecting means for inhibiting turning of the ring in the cap unscrewing direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The closure according to claim 13 wherein the means for inhibiting turning of the ring in the cap unscrewing direction comprises inwardly projecting ratchet teeth for permitting turning in the closure applying direction and prohibiting rotation of the ring in the cap unscrewing direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The closure according to claim 14 wherein the teeth also are dimensioned to protrude inward below an outward protruding container portion to define means inhibiting upward movement of the ring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The closure according to claim 10 wherein the cuts are defined with engaging upper and lower surfaces and absent space between those surfaces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The closure according to claim 10 wherein the cuts are defined on two axially displaced circumferences.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The closure according to claim 10 wherein each cut is closer to another cut at one of its ends than at the other of its ends.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The closure according to claim 10 wherein the ends of the cuts are misaligned where they are closest.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The closure according to claim 10 wherein the cuts are inclined from the horizontal to bring their ends out of alignment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-01-22 | 1988-07-23 | 1989-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-22 | 1992-07-23 | 1993-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-22 | 1996-07-23 | 1997-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |