Tamper evident closure cap, container and combination thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a tamper evident closure cap (101). A tamper evident band is provided with an extension (107) having an upper edge (113) extending above an engagement surface (110) of a projection (109). The extension (107) and the projections (109) are arranged on an annular, circumferentially running band (105). When the closure is applied to a container, the extension (107) is clamped between the inner surface (114) of the tamper evident band or the closure and a retaining structure on a container finish.

Claims

1. A closure cap comprising a top panel, a cylindrical skirt extending from the periphery of the top panel, and a tamper indicating band, frangibly connected to an open end of the skirt at a line of weakness, wherein the tamper indicating band at a lower edge thereof comprises a hingedly connected annular retaining band, which extends radially inwardly and axially towards the top panel when the cap is in a screwed on position, the annular retaining band having at least one projection arranged on the retaining band with a closure engagement surface, the at least one projection having a groove to facilitate radial compression of the projection, the at least one projection extending radially towards an inside of the cap so as to engage under an engagement surface of a retaining structure arranged on a container neck when the cap is in the screwed on position, wherein the annular retaining band has at least one axial extension, having an axial length selected such that a free edge of the at least one axial extension extends above an axial level of the engagement surface of the retaining structure, the at least one axial extension being clamped between the retaining structure and an inner wall of the closure cap such that the at least one axial extension contacts the inner wall of the closure cap above the line of weakness to shield and protect the line of weakness from radial forces when the cap is in the screwed on position, wherein an axial distance from the lower edge of the tamper indicating band to the closure engagement surface of the at least one projection is smaller than an axial distance from the lower edge of the tamper indicating band to the free edge of the axial extension, and wherein the annular retaining band comprises at least one anti-rotational element adapted to engage a corresponding element on the container neck in a circumferential direction to reduce an opening angle necessary for breaking the tamper indicating band at the line of weakness such that the line of weakness breaks before a sealing of the closure is released, the at least one anti-rotational element being arranged on the annular retaining band at an axial level that is at least partially above the at least one projection.

2. The closure cap according to claim 1, wherein the at least one anti-rotational element has a ratchet surface adapted to engage with a corresponding surface on the container neck at an axial level above the engagement surface of the retaining structure when the cap is in the screwed on position.

3. A closure cap, comprising a top panel, a cylindrical skirt extending from the periphery of the top panel, and a tamper indicating band, having an upper edge frangibly connected to an open end of the skirt at a line of weakness, wherein the tamper indicating band has at a lower edge at least one hingedly connected retaining element, which extends radially inwardly and towards the top panel when the closure cap is in a screwed on position, wherein at least one projection with a closure engagement surface is arranged on at least one of the at least one retaining elements, the at least one projection having a groove to facilitate radial compression of the projection, the at least one projection extending radially towards an inside of the closure cap so as to engage under an engagement surface of a retaining structure arranged on a container neck when the closure cap is in the screwed on position, wherein at least one of the retaining elements has at least one axial extension having an axial length selected such that a free edge extends axially above the retaining structure, the at least one axial extension being clamped between the retaining structure and an inner wall of the skirt such that the at least one axial extension contacts the inner wall of the skirt and partially transfers radial forces to the inner wall of the skirt above the line of weakness, the radial forces being applied by the at least one retaining element when the at least one projection axially passes along the retaining structure, the partial transfer of radial forces to the inner wall of the skirt above the line of weakness facilitates shielding and protecting the line of weakness from the radial forces directed to the inner wall of the tamper indicating band when the closure cap is in the screwed on position, an axial distance from the lower edge of the tamper indicating band to the closure engagement surface of the at least one projection being smaller than an axial distance from the lower edge of the tamper indicating band to the free edge of the axial extension, and wherein at least one anti-rotational element is arranged on at least one of the at least one axial extensions at an axial level tat is at least partially above the at least one projection when the closure cap is in the screwed on position, the at least one anti-rotational element having an engagement surface which engages, in a circumferential direction, a corresponding element of the retaining structure at an axial level above the engagement surface of the retaining structure to reduce an opening angle necessary for breaking the tamper indicating band at the line of weakness such that the line of weakness breaks before a sealing of the closure cap is released.

4. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein said at least one retaining element comprises a plurality of retaining elements, and wherein each of the retaining elements comprises at least one axial extension.

5. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein said at least one retaining element comprises a plurality of retaining elements, and wherein each of the retaining elements comprises at least one projection.

6. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein said at least one retaining element comprises a plurality of retaining elements, and wherein each of the retaining elements comprises at least one anti-rotational element.

7. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein the axial length of the tamper indicating band is smaller than the axial distance between the lower edge of the tamper indicating band and the free edge of the axial extension, such that the free edge of the axial extension extends to the level of the inner wall of the cylindrical skirt when the cap is in the screwed on position.

8. The closure cap according to claim 3, wherein at least one anti-rotational element has a ratchet surface adapted to engage with a corresponding surface on the container neck which is located on the retaining structure axially above the engagement surface of the retaining structure and above the at least one projection of the at least one retaining element when the cap is in the screwed on position.

9. A closure cap, comprising a top panel, a cylindrical skirt defining a longitudinal axis of the cap and extending from the periphery of the top panel, a tamper indicating band, having an upper edge frangibly connected to an open end of the skirt at a line of weakness, at least one retaining element being hingedly connected to a lower edge of the tamper indicating band, the at least one retaining element extending radially inwardly and axially towards the top panel when the closure cap is in a screwed on position, the at least one retaining element having at least one projection with a closure engagement surface, the at least one projection having a groove to facilitate radial compression of the projection, the projection extending radially inwardly towards an inside of the closure cap so as to engage under an engagement surface of a retaining structure arranged on a container neck when the closure cap is in the screwed on position, the at least one of the retaining element has at least one axial extension that extends axially towards the top panel, the at least one extension having an axial length selected such that a free edge of the at least one extension is located axially above the engagement surface of the retaining structure and the line of weakness, the at least one axial extension being clamped between the retaining structure and the inner wall of the closure cap such that, at an axial level above the engagement surface of the retaining structure, the at least one axial extension mates with the retaining structure and the inner wall of the skirt to shield and protect the line of weakness from radial forces when the closure cap is in the screwed on position, an axial distance from the lower edge of the tamper indicating band to the closure engagement surface of the at least one projection being smaller than an axial distance from the lower edge of the tamper indicating band to the free edge of the axial extension, and at least one anti-rotational element being arranged on the axial extension axially closer to the free edge thereof than the at least one projection such that the at east one anti-rotational element engages, in a circumferential direction, a corresponding element of the retaining structure which is located at an axial level above the engagement surface of the retaining structure when the cap is in the screwed on position to reduce an opening angle necessary for breaking the tamper indicating band at the line of weakness such that the line of weakness breaks before a sealing of the closure cap is released.

Description

(1) The present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 is a cross section through of a first embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross section through of a second embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3: is a cross section through of a third embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4: is a cross section through of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 5: is a cross section through of a fifth embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a cross section through a closure cap with a hingedly connected retaining element and a projection having a pocket applied to a container;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first example of a container finish;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second example of a container finish;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third example of a container finish;

(11) FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a container finish according FIG. 9.

(12) FIG. 1 shows a first example of a closure cap 101. The closure cap 101 comprises a top panel 102 and a cylindrical skirt 103. At the lower end of the skirt 103 a tamper indicating band 104 is frangibly connected. An annular retaining band 105 extending over the complete circumference is hingedly connected to the lower edge 106 of tamper indicating band 104. The annular retaining band 105 has an axial extension 107, which is formed as an annular band. The annular retaining band 105 and the axial extension 107 have the same radial thickness 108 all around the whole circumference.

(13) On the annular retaining ring 105 there are projections 109 with engagement surfaces 110 which are adapted to engage under a retaining structure of a container not explicitly shown in the figure. The axial distance 111 from the lower edge 105 of the tamper indicating band 104 to the closure engagement surface 110 of the projections 109 is smaller than the axial distance 112 from the lower edge 106 of the tamper indicating band 104 to the free edge 113 of the axial extension 107. Thus when the closure cap 101 is screwed on the container (see also FIG. 6) the axial extension 107 is on or above the axial level of the retaining structure and located between the retaining structure and the inner wall 114 of the closure cap 101.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a second example of a closure cap 201. The tamper indicating band 204 is provided with a hingedly connected retaining element 205, in this example formed as an annular band. The retaining element 205 is extended by an axial extension 207, in this example also shaped an annular band. On the retaining element 205 there are projections 209, from which only one is shown in this figure. On the axial extension 207 there are anti-rotational elements 214, two of which are shown in this figure.

(15) The anti-rotational elements 214 are arranged neighbouring to the projection 209 in a circumferential distance 215.

(16) In a further example shown in FIG. 3 anti-rotational elements 314 are directly connected to projections 309.

(17) FIG. 4 shows a fourth example of a closure cap 401. A surrounding annular retaining band 405 is hingedly attached to the tamper evident band 404. On the retaining band 405 there is only one projection 409 formed as a surrounding annular band, with a circumferential engagement surface 410. The retaining band is extended by an axial extension 407, on which a plurality of anti-rotational elements 414 is arranged.

(18) FIG. 5 shows a fifth example of a closure cap 501. Several individual retaining elements 505 are hingedly connected to the lower edge 506 of the tamper indicating band 504, each of them having an axial extension 507, a projection 509 and an anti-rotational element 514.

(19) The anti-rotational elements 514 comprise a ratchet surface 516 which upon opening provide for a one directional retaining force if they interact with corresponding elements on the container, not shown in this figure.

(20) FIG. 6 is a view of a closure cap 1 through a cross section of a projection 9, when the closure is applied to a container.

(21) The projection 9 is arranged on the retaining band 5, which is hingedly connected to the lower edge 6 of a tamper indicating band 4.

(22) The projection 9 is provided with a groove 17, opened towards the top panel of the closure cap, not shown in this figure. This groove facilitates radial compression of the projection 9.

(23) The retaining band 5 has an axial extension 7 having an axial length 18 selected such that its free edge 13 extends at least axially above the engagement surface 20 of the retaining structure 21 when the cap 1 is screwed on the container 22.

(24) The axial distance 11 from the lower edge 6 of the tamper indicating band 4 to the closure engagement surface 10 of the at least one projection 9 is smaller than the axial distance 12 from the lower edge 6 of the tamper indicating band 4 to the free edge 19 of the axial extension 7.

(25) When the closure cap 1 is fully screwed on the container 22, the axial extension 7 is on or above the axial level of the retaining structure 21 and clamped between the retaining structure 21 and the inner wall 14 of the closure cap 1, making downward flipping of the retaining band 5 more difficult.

(26) The axial length 23 of the tamper indicating band 4 is smaller than the axial distance 12 between the lower edge 6 of the tamper indicating band 4 and the free edge 19 of the axial extension 7, such that the free edge 19 of the axial extension 7 is on the level of the inner wall of the cylindrical skirt 3 when the cap 1 is in the screwed on position.

(27) The axial extension 7 thus can contact the inner surface of the tamper evident band and thus protects the line of weakness 24 from radial forces, especially during the first application of the cap 1 to the container 22.

(28) The closures can be provided with any kind of known sealing arrangements. Typically, sealing lips or sealing liners can be provided. Furthermore, the closure can be provided with any kind of threads, particularly known screw threads. Bayonet connections also might be conceivable. The frangible connection between the skirt of the closure and the tamper evident band may be formed also in any manner known to those skilled in the art, in particular by moulded or scored bridges. Also, a continuous frangible line in the form of a thinning of the material is conceivable. The closures are typically made by injection or compression moulding from a plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Typically, the closures are used for closing containers filled with carbonated or non-carbonated beverages.

(29) The retaining projections and circumference anti-rotational means shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 can be substantially evenly distributed along the complete circumference of the tamper evident band although only parts thereof are shown in these figures. However, other, non-symmetric arrangements also are conceivable. The projections shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 have a rectangular form when seen in a radial direction. However, other forms of the retaining projections might also be conceivable, in particular a trapezoid form with or without rounded edges when seen in the radial direction. While the projections with a groove have been shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 and 6, projections having a flat surface, i.e. a surface substantially lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the closure are conceivable.

(30) While several embodiments have been shown in FIG. 1 to 6, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. In particular, specific combinations of elements shown in these figures are still within the scope of the present invention. The number of projections or anti-rotational elements can be selected in accordance with practical needs. Typically, there can be around eight to sixteen projections associated with eight to sixteen anti-rotational elements. A larger number of anti-rotational elements having a smaller size is conceivable as well.

(31) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first example of a container finish 125. The container finish has a retaining structure 121 located below a threaded section 126.

(32) On the retaining structure 121 there are equally distributed stopper elements formed as recesses 127, which have a ratchet surfaces 128 adapted to engage a corresponding surface of an anti-rotational element on the closure cap. This container finish can be used in combination with the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to 6. For the closure shown in FIG. 1, a standard container finish can be used such as a PCO finish.

(33) FIG. 8 shows a second example of a container finish 225, having stopping elements 227, formed as projections on the retaining structure 221. This finish can be used for any of the closures shown in FIG. 2, 3, 5 or 6.

(34) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third example of a container finish 325.

(35) On the retaining structure 321 of the container finish 325 there is a sectional area 329, where a first group 330 of stopper elements 327 is located with ratchet surfaces. This first group is framed by second groups 331 of projections 332, having basically the same radial extension than the stopper elements 327, but presenting no ratchet surfaces.

(36) FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a container finish 325 according FIG. 9.

(37) Two first groups of stopper elements 327, each stopper element 327 having a ratchet surface 328 in circumferential direction, are arranged in a limited section 329 of the circumference of the container finish 325.

(38) Second groups 331 of projections 332 without ratchet surfaces are arranged in further limited sections of the circumference.

(39) The maximal radial extension 333 of the stopper elements 327 is basically equal to the maximal radial extension 334 of the projections 332.

(40) All surfaces, in particular radial surfaces 335 of the projections 332, radial surfaces 336 of the stopper elements 327 and ratchet surfaces 328 are formed in such a way that de-moulding (i.e. separation of the mould halves from a de-moulding plane 338) is easily possible without damaging any of the surfaces. In particular, any normal to any surface of the ratchets or projections should form an angle of less than 90 as compared to the direction of separation of the moulds (which is perpendicular to the de-moulding plane 338). Typically, surfaces also may be formed as concave surfaces.

(41) In the vicinity 337 of the demoulding plane 338 there are thus neither stopper elements nor projections.