US3756444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamperproof closure
Assignee: Mack Wayne Plastics Co
•
Filing: 1972-04-24
•
Granted: 1973-09-04
•
Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A tamperproof closure adapted to be fitted on a container by a rotary motion of the closure, for example by means of threads, includes an inner cap having internal means for engaging the container, and an outer cap surrounding the inner cap. The outer cap has an aperture aligned with a projection extending from the end wall of the inner cap, so that the end walls of the caps are normally separated, but may be pushed together by forcing the projection through the aperture. When the caps are forced together suitable engaging means on the caps permit the caps to be rotated together. The projection is shaped to inhibit its withdrawal from the aperture once the caps have been forced together.
Inventors
- 👤 Intosh J Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:29
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D50/00; B65D50/02; B65D50/04; B65D50/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
277 words
In a safety closure for a container of the type having a cylindrical neck over which a closure is adapted to fit and be held, the closure being of the type having an inner cap which is securable over the neck of the container by a rotary motion, and an outer cap surrounding the inner cap for selectively inhibiting rotation of the inner cap, and wherein engaging means are provided on the inner cap and outer cap for mutual engagement in a first relative axial position of the inner and outer caps, and be separated at a second relative axial position of the inner and outer caps; the improvement wherein said inner cap comprises a top wall and a cylindrical skirt extending downwardly therefrom for engagement with a container, and said outer cap has a top wall aligned with the top wall of said inner cap and having a cylindrical skirt extending therefrom and surrounding the cylindrical skiRt of the inner cap, said inner cap further having a central projection extending from the top wall thereof toward the top wall of said outer cap, said outer cap further having an axially extending aperture aligned with said projection, said projection having a base adjacent the top wall of said inner cap that is no greater than the diameter of said aperture, said projection further having a diameter at its end away from said top wall of said inner cap that is greater than the diameter of said aperture, whereby said projection holds said outer cap spaced from said inner cap in said second position and said projection may be forced through said aperture to attain said first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
277 words
In a safety closure for a container of the type having a cylindrical neck over which a closure is adapted to fit and be held, the closure being of the type having an inner cap which is securable over the neck of the container by a rotary motion, and an outer cap surrounding the inner cap for selectively inhibiting rotation of the inner cap, and wherein engaging means are provided on the inner cap and outer cap for mutual engagement in a first relative axial position of the inner and outer caps, and be separated at a second relative axial position of the inner and outer caps; the improvement wherein said inner cap comprises a top wall and a cylindrical skirt extending downwardly therefrom for engagement with a container, and said outer cap has a top wall aligned with the top wall of said inner cap and having a cylindrical skirt extending therefrom and surrounding the cylindrical skiRt of the inner cap, said inner cap further having a central projection extending from the top wall thereof toward the top wall of said outer cap, said outer cap further having an axially extending aperture aligned with said projection, said projection having a base adjacent the top wall of said inner cap that is no greater than the diameter of said aperture, said projection further having a diameter at its end away from said top wall of said inner cap that is greater than the diameter of said aperture, whereby said projection holds said outer cap spaced from said inner cap in said second position and said projection may be forced through said aperture to attain said first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
211 words
A tamperproof closure for a container of the type having a threaded neck, said closure comprising an inner cap having a first top wall and an internally threaded first cylindrical skirt extending therefrom for engaging the threaded neck of the container, said closure further comprising an outer cap having a second top wall and a second cylindrical skirt extending therefrom, said second skirt being positioned to surround said first skirt, a central projection extending from said first top wall toward said second top wall, a central aperture in said second top wall aligned with said projection, said projection having a base portion adjacent said first top wall of smaller cross sectional dimension than said aperture and an end portion of greater cross sectional dimension than said aperture, whereby said projection holds said second top wall in a first position spaced from said second top wall and said second top wall may be forced toward said first top wall with said projection extending through said aperture to a second position, and engaging means on said inner and outer caps positioned to permit free relative rotation of said inner and outer caps in said first position and to transmit rotary movement from said outer cap to said inner cap in said second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
211 words
A tamperproof closure for a container of the type having a threaded neck, said closure comprising an inner cap having a first top wall and an internally threaded first cylindrical skirt extending therefrom for engaging the threaded neck of the container, said closure further comprising an outer cap having a second top wall and a second cylindrical skirt extending therefrom, said second skirt being positioned to surround said first skirt, a central projection extending from said first top wall toward said second top wall, a central aperture in said second top wall aligned with said projection, said projection having a base portion adjacent said first top wall of smaller cross sectional dimension than said aperture and an end portion of greater cross sectional dimension than said aperture, whereby said projection holds said second top wall in a first position spaced from said second top wall and said second top wall may be forced toward said first top wall with said projection extending through said aperture to a second position, and engaging means on said inner and outer caps positioned to permit free relative rotation of said inner and outer caps in said first position and to transmit rotary movement from said outer cap to said inner cap in said second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 2 wherein said projection has a circular cross section and said aperture is round.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 2 further comprising mutually engaging means on said inner and outer caps inhibiting separation of said inner and outer caps beyond said first position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 4 wherein said mutually engaging means comprises an annular inwardly extending bead at the bottom of said second cylindrical skirt for engaging the bottom of said first cylindrical skirt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 2 wherein said engaging means comprises axially extending ribs on the outer circumference of said first cylindrical skirt, and axially extending ribs on the inner surface of said second cylindrical skirt.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 6 wherein the ribs on said first cylindrical skirt extend outwardly from the bottom edge of said first cylindrical skirt, and the ribs on said second cylindrical skirt extend downwardly from said second top wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 2 wherein said engaging means comprises radially extending ribs on the top of said first top wall and radially extending ribs on the bottom of said second top wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 2 wherein said engaging means comprises projection means extending from said second top wall toward said first top wall, and recess means in said first top wall alignable with said projections in said second top wall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tamperproof closure of claim 2 wherein said second top wall further includes a recess surrounding said aperture on the side thereof toward said first wall, whereby said projection engages said recess in said first position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3520435A
Cited
US3685676A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-03 | 1977-03-05 | 1977-09-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-03 | 1981-03-05 | 1981-09-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-03 | 1985-03-05 | 1985-09-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |