US4503986A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-evident closure cap
Assignee: Anchor Hocking Packaging Co
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Filing: 1984-03-30
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Granted: 1985-03-12
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Expires: 2004-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-evident closure for sealing a package cooperates with a separately applied indicator ring, which is torn apart during the opening of the package, so that a portion of the indicator ring drops clear of the closure to indicate that the closure has been turned at least partially off of the package. The indicator ring has a lower mounting portion and an upper ratchet and indicating portion which is connected to the lower mounting portion of the ring by a series of frangible connectors which are ruptured as the cap is removed.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank S. Nixdorff
- 👤 Arthur H. Dornbusch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:30
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/3442; B65D41/3457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A tamper-evident closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of: a molded plastic sealing portion including a cover and a depending skirt; thread means on said skirt for engaging cooperating thread means on the container; a molded plastic tamper indicating member for encircling the container mouth below the closure cap; means for preventing the indicating member from moving on the container; said indicating member comprising spaced portions detachably connected by frangible members; ratchet means operatively coupling said sealing portion to one of said indicating member portions causing said one portion to turn with the sealing portion when the sealing portion is turned off of the container for separating the indicating member portions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A tamper-evident closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of: a molded plastic sealing portion including a cover and a depending skirt; thread means on said skirt for engaging cooperating thread means on the container; a molded plastic tamper indicating member for encircling the container mouth below the closure cap; means for preventing the indicating member from moving on the container; said indicating member comprising spaced portions detachably connected by frangible members; ratchet means operatively coupling said sealing portion to one of said indicating member portions causing said one portion to turn with the sealing portion when the sealing portion is turned off of the container for separating the indicating member portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 1, in which said thread means comprise continuous threads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 1, in which said indicating member portions comprise an upper ring and a smaller diameter lower ring and said frangible members comprise a plurality of generally vertical bridge members detachably connecting said rings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 3, in which said ratchet means comprises a plurality of pawl members on the upper ring and a plurality of ratchet teeth on the lower portion of said depending skirt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 4, in which said ratchet teeth are mounted within a downwardly facing channel on the lower edge of said cap skirt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A tamper-evident closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of: a molded plastic sealing portion including a cover and a depending skirt; thread means on said skirt for engaging cooperating thread means on the container; a molded tamper indicating plastic ring for encircling the container mouth below the closure cap; means for preventing the ring from rotating on the container; said ring comprising an upper ring portion and a smaller lower ring portion detachably connected by frangible bridges; ratchet means operatively coupling the sealing portion and the ring causing the upper ring portion to turn with the sealing portion when it is turned off of the container for separating the ring portions to provide the tamper indication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A tamper-evident closure cap for sealing a container comprising the combination of: a molded plastic sealing portion including a cover and a depending skirt; thread means on said skirt for engaging cooperating thread means on the container; a molded tamper indicating plastic ring for encircling the container mouth below the closure cap; means for preventing the ring from rotating on the container; said ring comprising an upper ring portion and a smaller lower ring portion detachably connected by frangible bridges; ratchet means operatively coupling the sealing portion and the ring causing the upper ring portion to turn with the sealing portion when it is turned off of the container for separating the ring portions to provide the tamper indication.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which said thread means comprise continuous threads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which said frangible bridges comprise a plurality of generally vertical frangible bridge members detachably connecting said rings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 6, in which said ratchet means comprises a plurality of pawl members on the upper ring and a plurality of ratchet teeth on the lower portion of said depending skirt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tamper-evident closure as claimed in claim 9, in which said ratchet teeth are mounted within a downwardly facing channel on the lower edge of said cap skirt.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-11 | 1988-09-10 | 1989-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-11 | 1992-09-10 | 1993-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-11 | 1996-09-10 | 1997-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |