Tamper-proof cap and spout and methods related thereto

Abstract

A cap (10) configured to interact with a spout (12), said cap (10) comprising: a proximal section (14), a distal section (16), a sidewall section (18) in between said proximal (14) and distal section (16); at least two rotating means (20) attached to said sidewall (18) wherein said rotating means (20) configured to be attached to a first tamper proof indicator; at least one cutting element (22) configured in the proximal section (14) of said cap (10) arranged to remove a second tamper proof indicator (24) provided in said spout (12); wherein said cap (10) is arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is arranged to break or open before said second tamper proof indicator (24) of said spout (12) is removed when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12). A spout (12) configured to interact with a cap (10), said spout (12) comprising: a neck (26) provided with a second tamper proof indicator (24) extending radially outside said neck (26) such that a membrane projection is formed; wherein said second tamper proof indicator (24) arranged to be separated from the neck (26) when said cap (10) is unscrewed.

Claims

1. A cap (10) configured to interact with a spout (12), said cap (10) comprising: a proximal section (14), a distal section (16), a sidewall section (18) in between said proximal (14) and distal section (16); at least two rotating means (20) attached to said sidewall (18) wherein said rotating means (20) configured to be attached to a first tamper proof indicator; at least one cutting element (22) configured in the proximal section (14) of said cap (10) arranged to remove a second tamper proof indicator (24) provided in said spout (12); wherein said cap (10) is arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is arranged to break or open before said second tamper proof indicator (24) of said spout (12) is removed when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12).

2. The cap (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first tamper proof indicator includes a tearing interface provided with a weakening line in a package.

3. The cap (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said weakening line is arranged to break or open exposing said cap (10).

4. The cap (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interior wall of said cap has a molded thread (34) for mating with said spout (12).

5. The cap (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein upper portion of the cap is splined providing additional grip (32).

6. The spout (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spout (12) arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is separated from said cap (10) before said second tamper proof indicator (24) is separated from said neck (26) when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12).

7. The spout (12) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said spout (12) arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is separated from said cap (10) before said second tamper proof indicator (24) is separated from said neck (26) when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12).

8. The spout (12) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said spout (12) arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is separated from said cap (10) before said second tamper proof indicator (24) is separated from said neck (26) when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12).

9. The spout (12) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said spout (12) arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is separated from said cap (10) before said second tamper proof indicator (24) is separated from said neck (26) when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12).

10. The spout (12) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said spout (12) arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is separated from said cap (10) before said second tamper proof indicator (24) is separated from said neck (26) when said cap (10) is being unscrewed from said spout (12).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

(1) The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E illustrate a cap according one of the embodiments of the present invention.

(3) FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate a spout according to according one of the embodiments of the present invention.

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a cap and spout according one of the embodiments of the present invention.

(5) FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate a cap according to one of the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) As summarized above, the present invention encompasses a providing a cap with a tamper evidence and a spout arranged to interact with the cap provided with tamper proof indicators and methods related thereto.

(7) While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there will be described herein specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments detailed herein.

(8) As used herein, the term “proximal” refers to a region of the cap or a location on the cap which is closest to, for example, a purchaser using the cap. In contrast to this, the term “distal” refers to a region of the cap which is farthest from the purchaser, for example, the proximal region of the cap will be the region of the cap containing the displacement cog that is configured to contact and remove the second tamper proof indicator.

(9) Referring to FIGS. 1A-D, 2A-B, 3A-B, and 4A-D a cap 10 is provided which is arranged to interact with a spout 12. The cap 10 comprises a proximal section 14 and a distal section 16, a side wall section 18 in between, at least two rotating means 20 attached to said side wall section 18 which assist in the cap 10 removal, said rotating means 20 may be used for sealing to a film bag (not shown) which provide first tamper proof indicator (not shown) including a tearing interface provided with a weakening line in said film bag, said weakening line arranged to break or open exposing the cap 10 such that said first tamper proof indicator is removed or is separated from said side wall section 18, at least one resilient cutting element 22 arranged in the proximal section 14 of the cap 10, said at least one resilient cutting element 22 arranged to remove a second tamper proof indicator 24 of said spout 12 when said cap 10 is unscrewed, wherein said cap 10 is arranged such that said weakening line is arranged to break or open before said second tamper proof indicator 24 of said spout 12 is removed when said cap 10 is unscrewed from said spout 12.

(10) The spout 12 comprises a neck 26 provided with a second tamper proof indicator 24 such as a membrane arranged to be separated from the neck 26 when the cap 10 is unscrewed, the said neck 26 is attached to said second tamper proof indicator 24 in a cut off area, said second tamper proof indicator 24 extending radially outside said neck 26 such that a membrane projection is formed, said membrane projection arranged to direct at least one resilient cutting element 22 of said cap 10 radially inwards when said cap 10 is unscrewed such that said second tamper proof indicator 24 can be separated from said neck 26. The second tamper proof indictor 24 is connected to the neck 26 of the spout 12 by one or more break away tabs 28 that are separated by the resilient cutting element 22 of the cap 10 when the cap 10 is unscrewed.

(11) The broken second tamper proof indicator 24 i.e. membrane serves as visual evidence that the package (not shown) has been opened. Even though the spout is re-closed, the membrane 24 remains broken and the visual evidence remains. Since the cap cannot be removed without either breaking the membrane 24 or destroying the closure entirely, the foregoing tamper evident feature is defeat proof.

(12) One or more thin flange 30 is provided in a proximal section 14 of the spout 12 with a surface conducive for heat sealing to the interior walls of a package (not shown) for example a film bag.

(13) The upper portion of the cap 10 is splined for additional grip 32. The interior wall of the cap 10 has a molded thread 34 for mating with the spout 12. The interior of the cap 10 has a two wall sealing area 36 that forms around to a tubular top covering the spout 12.

(14) The spout 12 has an opening 38 that allows for filling and dispensing the consumer item packaged in the package. The neck 26 of the spout 12 is provided with a mating cap thread 40 which interacts with the molded thread 34 of the cap 10.

(15) The spout 12 is arranged such that said first tamper proof indicator is separated from said cap 10 before said second tamper proof indicator 24 is separated from said neck 26 when said cap 10 is being unscrewed from said spout 12.

(16) Although, the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many forms without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the invention. Thus, variations of preferred embodiments as disclosed may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

(17) Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The specification and drawings, therefore, are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(18) 10 cap 12 spout 14 proximal section 16 distal section 18 side wall section 20 rotating means/tabs/fins 22 resilient cutting element/displacement cogs 24 second tamper proof indicator/membrane/tamper ring 26 neck 28 break away tabs 30 thin flange 32 grip 34 molded thread 36 two wall sealing area 38 opening 40 mating cap thread 42 neck