US3841512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-proof closure arrangement
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-09
•
Granted: 1974-10-15
•
Expires: 1993-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-proof seal is located between a container and a cap received on a threaded open end of the container. The seal comprises a plurality of flexible ears integral with and distributed about the perimeter of the neck of the container and extending outwardly therefrom, then upwardly and then inwardly to provide a locking arrangement with a bead on the rim of the cap. The seal has a frangible portion to permit removal of the ears from the neck of the bottle.
Inventors
- 👤 A Botkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/02; B65D1/0223; B65D1/023; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
In a container having an open upper end and a neck therebelow and having a cap to cover said open end while extending over the outer perimeter thereof, tamper-proof means comprising a plurality of flexible ears integral with and distributed about the perimeter of the neck of said container, extending outwardly therefrom and defining with said neck and upwardly opening recess about said neck, said tamper-proof means having a frangible portion whereby said ears may be removed from said neck, said ears and said cap having interlocking elements that engage each other when said cap is placed in sealing engagement with said open upper end to prevent removal of said cap without separating said frangible portion from said container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
In a container having an open upper end and a neck therebelow and having a cap to cover said open end while extending over the outer perimeter thereof, tamper-proof means comprising a plurality of flexible ears integral with and distributed about the perimeter of the neck of said container, extending outwardly therefrom and defining with said neck and upwardly opening recess about said neck, said tamper-proof means having a frangible portion whereby said ears may be removed from said neck, said ears and said cap having interlocking elements that engage each other when said cap is placed in sealing engagement with said open upper end to prevent removal of said cap without separating said frangible portion from said container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, in which said frangible portion has an upwardly and outwardly directed camming surface along the upper portion to guide the interlocking element on said cap into said recess.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, in which said interlocking elements include an inwardly directed wall adjacent the upper end of said frangible portion defining a reduced area opening for said recess and an enlarged portion on the lower end of said cap having a dimension greater than the dimension of said opening, said frangible portion being temporarily deflected during threading of said cap onto said container to allow said enlarged portion to be received into said recess below said wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as defined in claim 3, further including cooperating camming surfaces on said wall and said enlarged portion to cause outward deflection of said frangible portion when said cap is threaded on said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein tamper-proof means comprises four flexible ears of equal width separated by spaces at least as wide as said ears.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein a bead extends from the neck of said container in each of said spaces between said ears, said bead being connected to the ears on either side of each of said spaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said tamper-proof means comprises two flexible ears of equal width separated by spaces wider than said ears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3474930A
Cited
US3716162A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |