Container and cap combination to indicate tampering

Abstract

Abstract A container and cap combination which indicates tampering if the cap is removed from the container, and then restored to its initial position on the container. The container has a tip which is adapted to be used to discharge its contents and which may be externally threaded. The tip connects with the shoulder on the forward end of the container and the shoulder connects with the side wall of the container, which, at least in the case of a collapsible tube, is initially open at the lower end but is subsequently filled with contents and closed. From the shoulder there extends a flange in the same direction as the tip and around the tip. The cap, which may be made of pliable plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like or of other materials such as metals, has an end wall adapted to close the opening of the tip, side walls connected to the end wall which may have internal threads to engage threads on the tip, and an outwardly extending flange which is smaller in diameter than and within the flange on the container, the flange on the container being inwardly flared over the outer edge of the flange on the cap. In removing the cap, the cap may outwardly deform the flange on the container and thus when the cap is restored indicate that the tube has been subjected to tampering. Instead, the cap may be so pliable that it will spring from under the flange on the container and be impossible to restore beneath the flange on the container, thus indicating that the container has been subject to tampering. In another variation the cap or the container flange may be frangible and may separate into two parts if an effort is made to remove the cap, thus indicating tampering. The flange on the container is preferably continuous, but it may consist of a plurality of lugs, projections, scallops or the like. While in smaller containers the flange on the container will preferably be of the same diameter as the side wall, in larger containers the flange on the container will preferably be of a smaller diameter than the side wall of the container. In the preferred embodiment the flange on the cap is provided with a sloping diagonal edge at its outer corner adjacent the shoulder of the container, to aid it in deforming any bent portion of the flange on the container outwardly in inserting the cap.

Inventors

• 👤 F Burrows

Bibliographic Details