Tamper-proof overcap for can

Claim 1

A ''''tamper-proof'''' cover for a container having an outwardly projecting circumferential bead, said cover comprising: an inverted cup shaped member molded from plastic and having an open lower end and a closed upper end and an inner wall defining an internal opening of a diameter approximately equal to the external diameter of the bead, two lines at which the plastic is substantially thinner than it is in the remainder of the cap and defining a tear strip extending along one side of the cup from the open end toward the closed end and a handle at the lower end of the tear strip, said handle projecting from the tear strip at the distal end thereof, notches where said two lines meet the open end, circumferentially positioned reinforcing rib means integral with the wall, above the level of the top of said lines, longer than the distance between the lines, and extending inwardly from the inner wall, second means integral with the wall defining locking lips aligned circumferentially about the inside of the cup above the open end thereof, said lips having an upper face substantially normal to said inner wall and a lower face tapering from the distal end of the upper face downwardly and toward said inner wall adjacent said open end, one of said lips being on said tear strip, the remainder of the lips being positioned opposite said one lip and at either side of said one lip and spaced therefrom, whereby said cover may be pushed down over said bead and the lower face will cam the cover outwardly over the bead and after the upper face passes the bead it will lock under the bead and prevent a reverse movement until after the tear strip is separated outwardly thereupon disengaging said one lip from the bead.