US3837519A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Container closure with opening indicators
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-01-16
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Granted: 1974-09-24
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Expires: 1993-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A tamper indicating closure for containers having a threaded section below the mouth and an annular locking shoulder below the threads, in which two or more tamper indicator extensions project down from the closure main body, and have horizontal cross slots and vertical score lines and their lower edges hooked to the locking shoulder, and such that the score lines rupture when the closure is removed. Score lines may be notched at the ends to provide rounded corners and projecting bosses shield the sharp edges. Alternative design comprises complete circle of rectangular segments below a ring of horizontal slots, and with the segments defined by vertical score lines extending from the lower edge up to bisect the wall material between adjacent slots, thus providing firm anchorage of upper corners of all segments after rupture of score lines. The preformed cup for the closure, prior to threading, is made with spaced depressions around the cylindrical side wall to provide concentric alignment of closure top panel and gasket on mouth during sealing and threading. Alternatively depression in top panel provides improved centering. Advantages of closure include less material and lower cost, more positive tamper indication, impossible to restore after tampering, free of sharp corners and sharp edges that cut fingers. A torquing mechanism is provided in the bottling line to insure uniform removal torque. Improvements apply to both prethreaded and threaded-on-neck types of closures in ductile metal or plastic.
Inventors
- 👤 W Perry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/34; B65D41/348; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15; B65D2401/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A tamper indicating conTainer closure made of thin ductile metal, of the type which embodies fracturable indicator means to show whether the closure has been removed subsequent to the initial application of the closure to the container, for use on containers of the type which has a threaded mouth end and has a downwardly facing locking shoulder abutment extending around the periphery of the container neck and positioned below the threaded section and which comprises means to actuate said indicator means as the closure is unscrewed, said closure comprising a top panel with depending cylindrical body, a threaded section in said cylindrical body to match the threads of said container mouth end, the improvement comprising; a plurality of arc shaped segmental indicator members formed as integral individual downward extensions of said cylindrical body, the lower edges of said indicator members being turned under said container locking shoulder at initial application of the closure to secure a hold on said shoulder, each said indicator member having a substantially vertical weakening score line formed therein, said score line extending from the lower edge of said indicator member to the region just below said threaded section, and whereby unscrewing of said closure causes rupture along said score line to provide visual indicator means to show that such closure removal has taken place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A tamper indicating conTainer closure made of thin ductile metal, of the type which embodies fracturable indicator means to show whether the closure has been removed subsequent to the initial application of the closure to the container, for use on containers of the type which has a threaded mouth end and has a downwardly facing locking shoulder abutment extending around the periphery of the container neck and positioned below the threaded section and which comprises means to actuate said indicator means as the closure is unscrewed, said closure comprising a top panel with depending cylindrical body, a threaded section in said cylindrical body to match the threads of said container mouth end, the improvement comprising; a plurality of arc shaped segmental indicator members formed as integral individual downward extensions of said cylindrical body, the lower edges of said indicator members being turned under said container locking shoulder at initial application of the closure to secure a hold on said shoulder, each said indicator member having a substantially vertical weakening score line formed therein, said score line extending from the lower edge of said indicator member to the region just below said threaded section, and whereby unscrewing of said closure causes rupture along said score line to provide visual indicator means to show that such closure removal has taken place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 1, in which there is a substantially horizontal slot cut through the metal of said closure and located in a position just above each said score line, and such that said score line, or a line drawn as an upward extension of said score line, intersects said slot, and there being a separate slot for each score line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 1, in which there are two substantially horizontal slots cut through the metal of said closure for each of said score lines, and with said slots located at a level in the region of the upper end of said score line, and with an uncut space between the ends of said slots, and such that said score line, or a line drawn as an upward extension of said score line, meets said uncut space and does not intersect either of said slots.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 1, in which there is a plurality of substantially vertical weakening score lines formed in each of said indicator member extensions, and with each of said score lines being formed as defined in claim 17, and there being a substantial lateral space between adjacent score lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 4, in which a plurality of said indicator member extensions each has only two score lines, and in which there is a substantially horizontal individual slot cut through the metal of said closure and positioned at a level in the region of the upper ends of two adjacent score lines, and above the segmental space between said two score lines, and having a length that is shorter than the space between said score lines, and such that said slot is not intersected by either of said score lines, or by a line drawn as an upward extension of either said score line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 4, in which there are substantially horizontal slots cut through the metal of said closure in a plurality of said indicator member extensions, each said slot being positioned at a level in the region of the upper ends of two adjacent score lines, said slot having a length that is shorter than the distance between said adjacent score lines, and such that said slot is not intersected by either of said score lines, or by a line drawn as an upward extension of either said score line, and said slot lying above the space between said score lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
225 words
A tamper indicating container closure made of thin ductile metal, of the type which embodies fracturable indicator means to show whether the closure has been removed subsequent to the initial application of the closurE to the container, for use on containers of the type which has a threaded mouth end and has a downwardly facing locking shoulder abutment extending around the periphery of the container neck and positioned below the threaded section and which comprises means to actuate said indicator means as the closure is unscrewed, said closure comprising a top panel with depending cylindrical body, a threaded section in said cylindrical body to match the threads of said container mouth end, the improvement comprising; a continuous cylindrical integral member extending below said threaded section, formed circumferentially around the body of said closure, and divided into a plurality of rectangular segments, each segment being defined by a substantially vertical score line at each end, said score line extending from the lower edge of each said segment up to the region just below said threaded section, and each segment having its lower edge turned under said locking shoulder at initial application of said closure to secure a hold on said shoulder, and whereby unscrewing of said closure causes rupture along said score lines, providing visual indicator means to show that such closure removal has taken place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
225 words
A tamper indicating container closure made of thin ductile metal, of the type which embodies fracturable indicator means to show whether the closure has been removed subsequent to the initial application of the closurE to the container, for use on containers of the type which has a threaded mouth end and has a downwardly facing locking shoulder abutment extending around the periphery of the container neck and positioned below the threaded section and which comprises means to actuate said indicator means as the closure is unscrewed, said closure comprising a top panel with depending cylindrical body, a threaded section in said cylindrical body to match the threads of said container mouth end, the improvement comprising; a continuous cylindrical integral member extending below said threaded section, formed circumferentially around the body of said closure, and divided into a plurality of rectangular segments, each segment being defined by a substantially vertical score line at each end, said score line extending from the lower edge of each said segment up to the region just below said threaded section, and each segment having its lower edge turned under said locking shoulder at initial application of said closure to secure a hold on said shoulder, and whereby unscrewing of said closure causes rupture along said score lines, providing visual indicator means to show that such closure removal has taken place.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 7, wherein there is a substantially horizontal slot cut through the metal of said closure and extending along the upper border of each of a plurality of said rectangular segments, each said slot having a length that is shorter than the distance between said score lines, such that said slot is not intersected by either of said score lines, or by a line drawn as an upward extension of either of said score lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 8, wherein the length and lateral position of each said slot in said closure is such that each end of said slot is no closer to the score line adjacent that end than a distance of 0.04 inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 7, wherein the threads in said cylindrical body of said closure are roll formed during the initial application of said closure to said container with the closure blank in position on said container mouth end, and providing means to match the threads formed in said closure with those in said mouth end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 7, wherein the said thin ductile metal is hard temper aluminum alloy having a thickness between 0.007 and 0.010 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 7 in which there are outwardly protruding bulges in the metal of the closure, said bulges positioned near the sides of a plurality of said score lines, and comprising protective means to prevent injury by cutting from the sharp ruptured edges along said score lines after said closure has been opened.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 7, in which there are notches in the lower edge of the material of said segments, said notches being located at the lower ends of said score lines.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A tamper indicating container closure as defined in claim 10, wherein there is a concentric circular depression in said top panel of said closure, and said depression having an outer diameter on the underside which is slightly smaller than the inner bore of said container mouth end, and providing guidance means for holding said top panel in concentric alignment on said container mouth end during the top sealing and thread rolling operations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3465907A
Cited
US3750821A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-23 | 1978-03-25 | 1978-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-23 | 1982-03-25 | 1982-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-23 | 1986-03-25 | 1986-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |