US3744661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamperproof container for vials or the like
Assignee: Novartis AG
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Filing: 1971-06-11
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A tamperproof container for vials and the like formed from a receptacle base member and a lid which are adapted to be connected to each other by means of an interfitting structure of pins and columns extending from the lid and the base. The interfitting structure can be mechanically joined, chemically bonded, or ultrasonically welded, as is adapted to permanently join the lid to the base and to separate the assembled container into several sections. The lid is formed with frangible zones which are positioned to align with each of the sections of the assembled container so that access to each of the sections of the assembled container can be obtained only by removing the frangible zone directly above that section.
Inventors
- 👤 R Fischer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:23
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/22; B65D1/24; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/024; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807; Y10S229/00; Y10S229/927
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A tamperproof container comprising a container base, a lid adapted to cover the container base, a plurality of columns extending from at least one of the container base and the lid, a corresponding plurality of connecting pins extending from the other of the container base and the lid, the connecting pins being adapted to engage with the columns to separate the container into a plurality of sections, frangible zones formed on the lid of the container in alignment with the outline of each section to allow access to each section by removal of said frangible zones; and cooperable interfitting means on the columns and connecting pins for the permanent connection of the lid to the base so that access to each of the sections formed in the container can be obtained only by removing the frangible zone aligned with that section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A tamperproof container comprising a container base, a lid adapted to cover the container base, a plurality of columns extending from at least one of the container base and the lid, a corresponding plurality of connecting pins extending from the other of the container base and the lid, the connecting pins being adapted to engage with the columns to separate the container into a plurality of sections, frangible zones formed on the lid of the container in alignment with the outline of each section to allow access to each section by removal of said frangible zones; and cooperable interfitting means on the columns and connecting pins for the permanent connection of the lid to the base so that access to each of the sections formed in the container can be obtained only by removing the frangible zone aligned with that section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 1 wherein said interfitting means include a flange on at least one of the columns, and an engagement protrusion formed on the corresponding connecting pin, the engagement protrusion being constructed to engage the flange upon elastic deformation of the connecting pin to permanently fix the connecting pin to the column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 2 wherein the connecting pins comprise a plurality of spaced fingers, a tapered nib engagement protrusion on each finger to engage the flange on the column upon elastic deformation of the finger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 3 wherein the flange on the column has an aperture and the tapered nibs are adapted to pass through the aperture upon elastic deformation of the fingers, and to engage the flange upon at least a partial return of the fingers to their undeformed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 1 wherein each frangible zone includes a breakaway tab, and a plurality of ligaments connecting the breakaway tab to the remainder of the lid, the strength of the ligaments being substantially less than the strength of the breakaway tab and the remainder of the lid so that forces exerted on the breakaway tab will rupture the ligaments before fracturing the remainder of the lid and the breakaway tabs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 5 wherein the lid includes a lateral rib and ribs intersecting the lateral rib, and the ligaments from the breakaway tabs are connected to the lateral rib and the adjacent ribs intersecting the lateral rib.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 6 wherein the lateral rib and ribs intersecting the lateral rib extend vertically above the base of the container so that the breakaway tabs are disposed above the base of the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 6 further comprising webs in the base of the container interconnecting the columns extending from the bottom of the base and connecting the columns to the walls of the container to partition the base of tHe container into separate receptacles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 8 wherein the columns extending from the bottom of the base are hollow.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 9 wherein the lateral and intersecting ribs of the lid are in alignment with the webs interconnecting the columns of the base and connecting the columns to the walls of the base so that each breakaway tab is aligned with a separate partitioned receptacle formed in the base.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 1 wherein the interfitting means includes a tapered section on at least one of the columns, and a tapered section on the corresponding connecting pin adapted to mate with the tapered section on the column for permanent fixing of the connecting pin to the column.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 11 wherein the interfitting means further includes a shoulder on the tapered section of one of the column and the connecting pin, and a flat end surface on the other of the column and the connecting pin adapted to abut the shoulder on the other of the column and the connecting pin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 12 wherein each frangible zone includes a breakaway tab, and a plurality of ligaments connecting the breakaway tab to the remainder of the lid, the strength of the ligaments being substantially less than the strength of the breakaway tab and the remainder of the lid so that forces exerted on the breakaway tab will rupture the ligaments before fracturing the remainder of the lid and the breakaway tabs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 13 wherein the lid includes a lateral rib and ribs intersecting the lateral rib, and at least a portion of one of the ribs is adapted to abut a surface on the container base and be fastened to the abutting surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 13 wherein the column includes a tapered section adapted to receive the tapered section on the corresponding connecting pin, the shoulder is disposed on the tapered section of the connecting pin, and the lid includes a lateral rib and ribs intersecting the lateral rib, and at least a portion of each rib is adapted to abut a surface of the container base and be fastened to the abutting surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 15 wherein the matingly tapered interfitting means and the abutting surfaces of the ribs and the container base are adhered to each other.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tamperproof container according to claim 16 wherein the matingly tapered interfitting means and the abutting surfaces of the ribs and the container base are ultrasonically welded.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |