US6325225B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper evident closure
Assignee: Berry Global Inc
•
Filing: 1999-03-16
•
Granted: 2001-12-04
•
Expires: 2019-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A container closer ( 10 ) particularly for use on screw top containers such as carbonated beverage containers, the container closure ( 10 ) having a generally cylindrical continuous tamper evident band ( 11 ) joined by a plurality of frangible bridges ( 13 ) to the free edge of a skirt ( 16 ) of the closure ( 10 ). The band ( 11 ) has a segmented internal rib ( 18 ) which engages an external retaining flange of the container when the closure ( 10 ) is applied to the container so that on removal of the closure ( 10 ) the tamper evident band ( 11 ) remains on the container or is visually clearly damaged by removal of the closure ( 10 ) from the container. The band ( 11 ) is provided with longitudinal reinforcement by projections ( 25 and 28 ) or other areas of thickening ( 26 ) to provide the band ( 11 ) with longitudinal stiffness while still permitting it to expand over the retaining flange on the container. The rib ( 18 ) has a first annular side ( 21 ), the first annular side ( 21 ) having a compound surface comprising a radially outer frusto-conical portion ( 23 ) which assists in the molding of the rib ( 18 ) and a radially inner substantially planar portion ( 24 ) which increases the difficulty of removing the closure ( 10 ) intact from the container without rupturing the bridges joining the tamper evident band ( 11 ) from the remainder of the closure ( 10 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney Malcolm Druitt
- 👤 Charles Martin Tansey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/3442; B65D41/3447
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of forming a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion and a rib extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the rib having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, the upper side of the rib comprising a first surface contiguous with the body portion of the band, which surface slopes inwardly and downwardly away from the top portion, and a second surface which extends radially inward from the inner terminus of the first surface and has a slope angle substantially normal to the skirt portion of the closure, said method comprising the step of injection molding a synthetic plastics material into a mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of forming a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion and a rib extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the rib having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, the upper side of the rib comprising a first surface contiguous with the body portion of the band, which surface slopes inwardly and downwardly away from the top portion, and a second surface which extends radially inward from the inner terminus of the first surface and has a slope angle substantially normal to the skirt portion of the closure, said method comprising the step of injection molding a synthetic plastics material into a mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the synthetic plastics material is polyethylene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the synthetic plastics material is polypropylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
186 words
A container having a screw threaded neck and a retaining flange below the threaded portion of the neck, to which is connected a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, which skirt portion has a screw thread complementary to the threaded portion of the neck of the container, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion and a rib extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip to engage under the retaining flange of the container, the rib having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, the upper side of the rib comprising a first surface contiguous with the body portion of the band, which surface slopes inwardly and downwardly away from the top portion, and a second surface which extends radially inward from the inner terminus of the first surface and has a slope angle substantially normal to the skirt portion of the closure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
186 words
A container having a screw threaded neck and a retaining flange below the threaded portion of the neck, to which is connected a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, which skirt portion has a screw thread complementary to the threaded portion of the neck of the container, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion and a rib extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip to engage under the retaining flange of the container, the rib having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, the upper side of the rib comprising a first surface contiguous with the body portion of the band, which surface slopes inwardly and downwardly away from the top portion, and a second surface which extends radially inward from the inner terminus of the first surface and has a slope angle substantially normal to the skirt portion of the closure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container of claim 4 wherein the container is a carbonated beverage container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The container of claim 4 wherein the container is formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The container of claim 4 wherein the container is formed from glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
228 words
A mold for use in the injection molding of a closure from a synthetic plastics material, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion and a rib extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the rib having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, the upper side of the rib comprising a first surface contiguous with the body portion of the band, which surface slopes inwardly and downwardly away from the top portion, and a second surface which extends radially inward from the inner terminus of the first surface and has a slope angle substantially normal to the skirt portion of the closure, the mold defining a recess corresponding in cross-sectional shape to the rib of the closure, the recess defining a first outer surface contiguous with a cylindrical surface of the mold, the first outer surface being inclined to a plane normal to the axis of the mold by an angle, and a second inner surface that extends radially from the terminus of the first outer surface and lies in a plane normal to the axis of the mold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
228 words
A mold for use in the injection molding of a closure from a synthetic plastics material, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion and a rib extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the rib having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, the upper side of the rib comprising a first surface contiguous with the body portion of the band, which surface slopes inwardly and downwardly away from the top portion, and a second surface which extends radially inward from the inner terminus of the first surface and has a slope angle substantially normal to the skirt portion of the closure, the mold defining a recess corresponding in cross-sectional shape to the rib of the closure, the recess defining a first outer surface contiguous with a cylindrical surface of the mold, the first outer surface being inclined to a plane normal to the axis of the mold by an angle, and a second inner surface that extends radially from the terminus of the first outer surface and lies in a plane normal to the axis of the mold.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of forming a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having a terminal free edge and segmented ribs extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the segmented ribs being disposed annularly on the internal circumference of the band, the combined circumferential length of the segmented ribs being equal to at least 50% of the internal circumference of the band and the segmented ribs being separated from each other by a gap, each rib segment having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, and the inner surface of the band having a plurality of radially inward projections extending from above the free edge of the band to below the inner free edge of the lip, said method comprising the step of injection molding a synthetic plastics material into a mold.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of forming a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having a terminal free edge and segmented ribs extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the segmented ribs being disposed annularly on the internal circumference of the band, the combined circumferential length of the segmented ribs being equal to at least 50% of the internal circumference of the band and the segmented ribs being separated from each other by a gap, each rib segment having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, and the inner surface of the band having a plurality of radially inward projections extending from above the free edge of the band to below the inner free edge of the lip, said method comprising the step of injection molding a synthetic plastics material into a mold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the outer surface of the band portion has means for imparting longitudinal rigidity to the band portion while still permitting the band to extend radially outward as the band portion is moved over the neck of the container.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of claims 9 or 10 wherein the synthetic plastics material is polyethylene.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
14 words
The method of claims 9 or 10 wherein the synthetic plastics material is polypropylene.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
211 words
A container having a screw threaded neck and a retaining flange below the threaded portion of the neck, to which is connected a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, which skirt portion has a screw thread complementary to the threaded portion of the neck of the container, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having a terminal free edge and segmented ribs extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip to engage under the retaining flange of the container, the segmented ribs being disposed annularly on the internal circumference of the band, the combined circumferential length of the segmented ribs being equal to at least 50% of the internal circumference of the band and the segmented ribs being separated from each other by a gap, each rib segment having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, and the inner surface of the band having a plurality of radially inward projections extending from above the free edge of the band to below the inner free edge of the lip.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
211 words
A container having a screw threaded neck and a retaining flange below the threaded portion of the neck, to which is connected a closure, the closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, which skirt portion has a screw thread complementary to the threaded portion of the neck of the container, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having a terminal free edge and segmented ribs extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip to engage under the retaining flange of the container, the segmented ribs being disposed annularly on the internal circumference of the band, the combined circumferential length of the segmented ribs being equal to at least 50% of the internal circumference of the band and the segmented ribs being separated from each other by a gap, each rib segment having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, and the inner surface of the band having a plurality of radially inward projections extending from above the free edge of the band to below the inner free edge of the lip.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The container of claim 13 wherein the outer surface of the band portion of the closure has means for imparting longitudinal rigidity to the band portion while still permitting the band to extend radially outward as the band portion is moved over the neck of the container.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container of claims 13 or 14 wherein the container is a carbonated beverage container.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claims 13 or 14 wherein the container is formed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The container of claims 13 or 14 wherein the container is formed from glass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
204 words
A mold for use in the injection molding of a closure from a synthetic plastics material, the mold comprising a plurality of surfaces configured to produce in combination a closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having a terminal free edge and segmented ribs extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the segmented ribs being disposed annularly on the internal circumference of the band, the combined circumferential length of the segmented ribs being equal to at least 50% of the internal circumference of the band and the segmented ribs being separated from each other by a gap, each rib segment having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, and the inner surface of the band having a plurality of radially inward projections extending from above the free edge of the band to below the inner free edge of the lip being characterized in that alternate radially inward extending projections are disposed between and below the gaps.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
204 words
A mold for use in the injection molding of a closure from a synthetic plastics material, the mold comprising a plurality of surfaces configured to produce in combination a closure comprising a top portion, a skirt portion depending from the top portion, and a tamper-evident band portion extending from the skirt portion by connection through frangible bridges, the band portion comprising a generally cylindrical body portion having a terminal free edge and segmented ribs extending radially inwardly of the body to provide a lip, the segmented ribs being disposed annularly on the internal circumference of the band, the combined circumferential length of the segmented ribs being equal to at least 50% of the internal circumference of the band and the segmented ribs being separated from each other by a gap, each rib segment having an upper side facing generally towards the top portion of the closure and an underside facing generally away from the top portion, and the inner surface of the band having a plurality of radially inward projections extending from above the free edge of the band to below the inner free edge of the lip being characterized in that alternate radially inward extending projections are disposed between and below the gaps.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
63 words
The mold of claim 18 for use in the injection molding of the closure from a synthetic plastics material and further wherein the outer surface of the band portion of the closure has means for imparting longitudinal rigidity to the band portion while still permitting the band to extend radially outward as the band portion is moved over the neck of the container.
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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) | 2004-12-03 | 2005-06-04 | 2005-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-03 | 2009-06-04 | 2009-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-03 | 2013-06-04 | 2013-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |