US4604853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for sealing a container with a tamper-evident closure
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1984-12-03
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2004-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A container capping method and system for applying mechanical lock type tamper-evident closures to containers wherein the closures are heated prior to closure application to temporarily increase the flexibility thereof in a manner that tamper-indicating portions of the closures more readily withstand the closure application process without incurring visible damage or otherwise degrading the tamper-indicating function.
Inventors
- 👤 Leman P. Albrecht
- 👤 Darwin L. Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:17
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29B; B29B13/00; B29B13/02; B29B13/023; B29B13/024; B29B13/025; B65; B65B; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/28; B65B7/2835; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/3442; B65D41/3447; B67; B67B; B67B5/00; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/04; B29C35/045; B29C2035/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
The method of sealing a container with a mechanical lock type tamper-evident closure comprising the steps of: providing such a closure with a preformed thermoplastic tamper-indicating portion which is configured to cooperate with a container to provide visible indication of tampering upon first removal of the closure from the container; applying heat to said tamper indicating portion to induce an increase in the flexibility thereof sufficient to permit application of the closure to a container without damage to said tamper-indicating portion; maintaining said increased flexibility for a limited period; applying said closure to a container during said limited period; and permitting said closure to return to said normal flexibility whereby, upon subsequent removal of said closure from said container, said tamper-indicating portion will provide said visible indication of tampering.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
The method of sealing a container with a mechanical lock type tamper-evident closure comprising the steps of: providing such a closure with a preformed thermoplastic tamper-indicating portion which is configured to cooperate with a container to provide visible indication of tampering upon first removal of the closure from the container; applying heat to said tamper indicating portion to induce an increase in the flexibility thereof sufficient to permit application of the closure to a container without damage to said tamper-indicating portion; maintaining said increased flexibility for a limited period; applying said closure to a container during said limited period; and permitting said closure to return to said normal flexibility whereby, upon subsequent removal of said closure from said container, said tamper-indicating portion will provide said visible indication of tampering.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tamper-indicating portion is a frangible portion which fractures upon first removal of said closure from said container to provide said visible indication of tampering.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a container sealing process wherein a container has applied thereto a mechanical lock type tamper-indicating closure which includes a tamper indicating portion having temperature-sensitive flexibility properties, the method of reducing the incidence of damage to said tamper-indicating portion of the closure during closure application comprising the steps of: providing a flow of heated air; directing said flow of heated air at said closure to heat said tamper-indicating portion and thereby temporarily increase the mechanical flexibility thereof; installing said closure on a container while maintaining said increased flexibility; and subsequently permitting said tamper-indicating portion of the installed closure to cool to ambient temperature to thereby terminate the temporary increase in the mechanical flexibility thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
In a container sealing process wherein a container has applied thereto a mechanical lock type tamper-indicating closure which includes a tamper indicating portion having temperature-sensitive flexibility properties, the method of reducing the incidence of damage to said tamper-indicating portion of the closure during closure application comprising the steps of: providing a flow of heated air; directing said flow of heated air at said closure to heat said tamper-indicating portion and thereby temporarily increase the mechanical flexibility thereof; installing said closure on a container while maintaining said increased flexibility; and subsequently permitting said tamper-indicating portion of the installed closure to cool to ambient temperature to thereby terminate the temporary increase in the mechanical flexibility thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said tamper-indicating portion is a frangible portion which fractures upon first removal of said closure from said container to provide said visible indication of tampering.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |