US4592480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper evidencing container caps
Assignee: DURKEE-FRENCH FOODS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1983-12-27
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Granted: 1986-06-03
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Expires: 2003-12-27
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Hart
- 👤 R. Keith Jacks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:40
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/04; B65D47/06; B65D47/08; B65D47/0804; B65D47/0833; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/06; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/10; B65D2251/1016; B65D2251/1025; B65D2251/1091; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members connected to each other; mounting means for securely mounting said second cover member to said first cover member to substantially prevent relative movement therebetween; first and second lids hinged to said second cover member; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to said first and second lids to prevent said lids from opening until said tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members connected to each other; mounting means for securely mounting said second cover member to said first cover member to substantially prevent relative movement therebetween; first and second lids hinged to said second cover member; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to said first and second lids to prevent said lids from opening until said tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lids are hinged for pivoting movement about substantially parallel pivot axes; and said tamper evidencing means is integral with colinear edges of said lids along an axis substantially perpendicular to said parallel pivot axes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein said tamper evidencing means comprises an elongated bar member having at least one weakened zone along its length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 3, wherein said bar member is L-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 4, wherein the combined widths of said second cover member and said tamper evidencing means do not exceed the width of said first cover member, such that when said first and second cover members are closed, said bar member does not extend beyond the corresponding edge of said first cover member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 1, comprising further tamper evidencing means incorporated in said first cover member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 6, wherein said further tamper evidencing means comprises a skirt extending from the periphery of said first cover member for engaging a side surface of the container, said skirt having a plurality of spaced apart weakened zones around its periphery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 7, wherein said skirt comprises a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the periphery of said first cover member and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal portion; said weakened zones being incorporated in said horizontal portion of said skirt, in said vertical portion of said skirt, or in both said horizontal and vertical portions of said skirt.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 8, wherein said weakened zones comprise elongated notches, said notches being substantially V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 9, wherein said weakened zones are disposed horizontally in said horizontal portion of said skirt and vertically in said vertical portion of said skirt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members, said second cover member incorporating at least one lid selectively movable between open and closed positions to selectively permit access to the contents of the container; mounting means for securely mounting said first and second cover members to each other; and tamper evidencing means comprising a skirt extending from the periphery of said first cover member for engaging a side surface of the container, said skirt having a plurality of spaced apart weakened zones around its periphery.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members, said second cover member incorporating at least one lid selectively movable between open and closed positions to selectively permit access to the contents of the container; mounting means for securely mounting said first and second cover members to each other; and tamper evidencing means comprising a skirt extending from the periphery of said first cover member for engaging a side surface of the container, said skirt having a plurality of spaced apart weakened zones around its periphery.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 11 wherein said skirt comprises a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the periphery of said first cover member and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal portion; said weakened zones being incorporated in said horizontal portion of said skirt, in said vertical portion of said skirt, or in both said horizontal and vertical portions of said skirt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 12, wherein said weakened zones comprise elongated notches, said notches being substantially V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 13, wherein said weakened zones are disposed horizontally in said horizontal portion of said skirt and vertically in said vertical portion of said skirt.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
106 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members connected to each other for covering a container and selectively providing access to the contents thereof; first and second lids mounted to said second cover member for movement relative to said second cover member between open and closed positions, wherein in said open position the contents of the container are accessible from the outside and in said closed position the contents of the container are inaccessible from the outside; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to said first and second lids, to prevent said lids from opening until said respective tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
106 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members connected to each other for covering a container and selectively providing access to the contents thereof; first and second lids mounted to said second cover member for movement relative to said second cover member between open and closed positions, wherein in said open position the contents of the container are accessible from the outside and in said closed position the contents of the container are inaccessible from the outside; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to said first and second lids, to prevent said lids from opening until said respective tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 15, wherein said tamper evidencing means comprises first and second tab members, each having at least one weakened zone along its length; said first tab member being integral with said first lid and said first cover member, and said second tab member being integral with said second lid and said first cover member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members connected to each other; mounting means for securely mounting said second cover member to said first cover member to substantially prevent relative movement therebetween; lid means hinged to said second cover member; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to and between said lid means and one of said cover members to prevent said lid means from opening until said tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover members connected to each other; mounting means for securely mounting said second cover member to said first cover member to substantially prevent relative movement therebetween; lid means hinged to said second cover member; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to and between said lid means and one of said cover members to prevent said lid means from opening until said tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 17 wherein one edge of said lid means is substantially co-linear with one edge of said second cover member; and wherein said tamper evidencing means is integral with said one edge of said lid means and at least part of said one edge of said second cover member; said tamper evidencing means comprising an elongated bar member having at least one weakened zone along its length.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover means of substantially the same length and width, said first cover member including a central, rectangular, ribbed flange extending from the upper surface thereof, said flange being shorter in length and width than said first cover member, and said second cover member including means for slidably engaging said ribbed flange; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to said first and second cover members to prevent said second cover member from opening until said tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
88 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising: first and second cover means of substantially the same length and width, said first cover member including a central, rectangular, ribbed flange extending from the upper surface thereof, said flange being shorter in length and width than said first cover member, and said second cover member including means for slidably engaging said ribbed flange; and tamper evidencing means removably connected to said first and second cover members to prevent said second cover member from opening until said tamper evidencing means is removed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 19, said engaging means comprising a lower skirt extending from the periphery of said upper cover member, said lower skirt comprising a pair of opposed walls, a wall intermediate said opposed walls, and pairs of spaced apart ribs extending inwardly from said opposed walls.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 20, comprising further tamper evidencing means incorporated in said first cover member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 21, wherein said further tamper evidencing means comprises a skirt extending from the periphery of said first cover member for engaging a side surface of the container, said skirt having a plurality of spaced apart weakened zones around its periphery.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
87 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising cover means, at least one lid pivotally connected to said cover means selectively movable between open and closed positions to selectively permit access to the contents of the container; first tamper evidencing means connected between said cover means and lid to prevent said lid from opening; second tamper evidencing means comprising a skirt extending from the periphery of said cover means for engaging a side surface of the container, said skirt having a plurality of spaced-apart weakened zones around its periphery.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
87 words
A tamper evidencing container cap, comprising cover means, at least one lid pivotally connected to said cover means selectively movable between open and closed positions to selectively permit access to the contents of the container; first tamper evidencing means connected between said cover means and lid to prevent said lid from opening; second tamper evidencing means comprising a skirt extending from the periphery of said cover means for engaging a side surface of the container, said skirt having a plurality of spaced-apart weakened zones around its periphery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 23 wherein said skirt comprises a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the periphery of said cover means and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal portion; said weakened zones incorporated in said horizontal portion of said skirt.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 24 wherein said weakened zones comprise elongated horizontal notches, said notches being substantially V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
51 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 23 wherein said skirt comprises a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the periphery of said cover means and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal portion; said weakened zones being incorporated in said vertical portion of said skirt.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 26 wherein said weakened zones comprise elongated, vertically disposed notches, said notches being substantially V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 23 wherein said skirt comprises a horizontal portion extending outwardly from the periphery of said cover means and a vertical portion extending downwardly from the periphery of said horizontal portion; said weakened zones being incorporated in both said horizontal and said vertical portions of said skirt.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 28 wherein said weakened zones comprise elongated notches, said notches being substantially V-shaped in cross-section.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tamper evidencing container cap as claimed in claim 29 wherein said weakened zones are disposed horizontally in said horizontal portion of said skirt and vertically in said vertical portion of said skirt.
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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) | 1989-06-02 | 1989-12-02 | 1990-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-02 | 1993-12-02 | 1994-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-02 | 1997-12-02 | 1998-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |