US3685677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Press-on, twist-off tamper indicating closure cap
Assignee: Continental Can Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-02
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1990-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-indicating closure is provided of a type wherein a closure cap having a side liner is pushed on-to a threaded finish so as to form complementary threads in the liner for twistably removing the cap. A resiliently expansible plastic ring is held in the cap skirt against rotation and endwise movement relative thereto. An inturned lip on the ring engages under a collar on the finish below the threads when the cap is pushed on. The edge of the lip also engages serrations around the finish. When the cap is twisted for removal, the engagement of the lip under the collar and with the serrations inhibits rise and rotation of the cap. The applied torque causes rupture of a series of frangible bridges forming a band around the skirt, whereafter the upper portion of the cap twists off.
Inventors
- 👤 James E Westfall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:42
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/348; B65D41/02; B65D41/04; B65D41/0435; B65D41/0457; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
239 words
A closure cap for a container finish having an external thread means and a first collar defining a downwardly facing shoulder around the top of the container below said thread; said cap comprising a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom; said skirt including a generally cylindrical upper portion adapted for conformation to the finish thread and a lower bell portion of larger diameter than said upper portion; a second collar connecting the lower part of the cylindrical portion to the upper part of the bell portion; a ring in said bell portion, said ring being axially and rotationally non-shiftable relative to said bell portion; said ring having a resiliently expansible inward flange normally of smaller inside diameter than said collar and being positioned in said bell portion for engagement with said lip under the downwardly facing shoulder under the thread when said cap is telescoped over the finish; a weakening band around said skirt below said second collar; an inturned lip formed integral with the lower edge of said bell portion; and an outwardly extending portion of said ring mounted on said ring at a location downwardly of said flange and abutting against the upper surface of said inturned lip whereby said closure cap bell portion is held against upward motion and when torque Is applied to said upper portion in a direction to twist said cap off the container then the skirt ruptures at said weakening band.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
239 words
A closure cap for a container finish having an external thread means and a first collar defining a downwardly facing shoulder around the top of the container below said thread; said cap comprising a top panel and a skirt depending therefrom; said skirt including a generally cylindrical upper portion adapted for conformation to the finish thread and a lower bell portion of larger diameter than said upper portion; a second collar connecting the lower part of the cylindrical portion to the upper part of the bell portion; a ring in said bell portion, said ring being axially and rotationally non-shiftable relative to said bell portion; said ring having a resiliently expansible inward flange normally of smaller inside diameter than said collar and being positioned in said bell portion for engagement with said lip under the downwardly facing shoulder under the thread when said cap is telescoped over the finish; a weakening band around said skirt below said second collar; an inturned lip formed integral with the lower edge of said bell portion; and an outwardly extending portion of said ring mounted on said ring at a location downwardly of said flange and abutting against the upper surface of said inturned lip whereby said closure cap bell portion is held against upward motion and when torque Is applied to said upper portion in a direction to twist said cap off the container then the skirt ruptures at said weakening band.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
A closure cap for a container finish having an external thread means and a first collar defining a downwardly facing shoulder around the neck of the container below said thread, as set forth in claim 1 said cap further comprising: lower corrugations in said vertical bell portion defining alternating axial ridges and flutes whereby the exterior of the outwardly extending portion of said ring presses against the ridges and flutes to avoid relative rotation between said portion and ring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A closure cap for a container finish having an external thread and a first collar defining a downwardly facing shoulder around the neck of the container below said thread as set forth in claim 2, said ring further comprises: a telltale material whereby when said weakening band fractures, said bell portion falls exposing the telltale material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
208 words
A tamper-resistant package comprising the combination of: a container having a finish with external thread formation thereon plus a collar thereon below said thread formations defining a downwardly facing first shoulder with ribs extending parallel to the side of said container under said downwardly facing first shoulder; and a closure cap having a shell including a top panel and a generally cylindrical skirt depending therefrom; the upper portion of said skirt telescoping over said thread formations and being conformed to said thread formations; said skirt including a lower bell portion having corrugations around its lower portion; a ring insert held fast in said lower portion against endwise movement relative thereto; said insert including an inward flange engaged under said shoulder and a series of corrugations on the exterior surface of said insert dovetailing with corrugations of said lower bell portion; and frangible weakening means in said lower portion, said upper portion being free of said insert upon fracture of said weakening means when rotational pressure applied to said upper portion unscrews said upper portion to cause rupture of said weakening means while said ring insert is prevented from rotating by said ribs on said container and said lower portion below said weakening means separates from said upper portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
208 words
A tamper-resistant package comprising the combination of: a container having a finish with external thread formation thereon plus a collar thereon below said thread formations defining a downwardly facing first shoulder with ribs extending parallel to the side of said container under said downwardly facing first shoulder; and a closure cap having a shell including a top panel and a generally cylindrical skirt depending therefrom; the upper portion of said skirt telescoping over said thread formations and being conformed to said thread formations; said skirt including a lower bell portion having corrugations around its lower portion; a ring insert held fast in said lower portion against endwise movement relative thereto; said insert including an inward flange engaged under said shoulder and a series of corrugations on the exterior surface of said insert dovetailing with corrugations of said lower bell portion; and frangible weakening means in said lower portion, said upper portion being free of said insert upon fracture of said weakening means when rotational pressure applied to said upper portion unscrews said upper portion to cause rupture of said weakening means while said ring insert is prevented from rotating by said ribs on said container and said lower portion below said weakening means separates from said upper portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A tamper proof package as set forth in claim 4 in which said cap further comprises: an inturned lip formed integral with the lower edge of said bell portion, and an outwardly extending portion of said ring insert for abutting against the upper surface of said inturned lip whereby said closure cap lower bell portion is held against upward motion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A tamper proof package as set forth in claim 4 in which said lower bell portion further comprises: a plurality of vertical corrugations in said lower bell portion below said frangible weakening means defining alternating axial ridges and flutes whereby the exterior of the outwardly extending portion of said insert presses against the ridges and flutes to avoid relative rotation between said bell portion and said insert.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A tamper proof package as set forth in claim 6 in which said insert further comprises: a brightly colored material whereby when said weakening band fractures said bell portion falls to expose said brightly colored material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |