US3927784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-proof bottle cap and container
Assignee: Cap Snap Co
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Filing: 1975-02-13
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Granted: 1975-12-23
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Expires: 1995-02-13
Abstract
Abstract An improved bottle cap and container are disclosed. The cap is composed of a top disk, a thin-walled outer skirt and a thinwalled inner skirt both attached to the disk. The outer skirt is weakened along two circumferential score lines to form a weakened cylindrical band around the outer skirt. A tab is attached to the cylindrical band and extends outwardly to provide a means whereby a person may grasp the tab between the fingers and tear the band from the cap. The outer skirt also has two circumferential beads attached to the inside of the skirt with one bead being disposed above the band and one below the band. These beads fit in grooves in the container neck. Prior to tearing the band from the skirt, the cap is tamper-proof. When the band is removed the portion above the band functions as a reclosure cap.
Inventors
- 👤 Ben A Cochrane
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 01:57
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/32; B65D41/46; B65D41/48; B65D41/485; B65D2401/00; B65D2401/15; B65D2401/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A deformable plastic cap comprising (1) a top disk, (2) a cylindrical thin-walled outer skirt integrally attached to and extending substantially perpendicularly from said disk and (3) a cylindrical inner skirt integrally attached to and substantially perpendicular to said disk positioned inward and enclosed within said outer skirt and substantially co-axial therewith and extending for a shorter distance than said outer skirt; said outer skirt scored and weakened along a circumferential first score line downwardly spaced from said disk, and score and weakened along a circumferential second score line spaced downwardly from said first score line to form a weakened cylindrical band within said outer skirt, a tab attached to said cylindrical band and extending from said band and outwardly from said outer skirt, a weakened area extending between said first score line and said second score line immediately adjacent said tab, a narrow radial first bead extending circumferentially around the inside and integrally attached to said outer skirt between said first score line and said disk, and a narrow radial second bead extending circumferentially around the inside and intergrally attached to said outer skirt below said second score line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A deformable plastic cap comprising (1) a top disk, (2) a cylindrical thin-walled outer skirt integrally attached to and extending substantially perpendicularly from said disk and (3) a cylindrical inner skirt integrally attached to and substantially perpendicular to said disk positioned inward and enclosed within said outer skirt and substantially co-axial therewith and extending for a shorter distance than said outer skirt; said outer skirt scored and weakened along a circumferential first score line downwardly spaced from said disk, and score and weakened along a circumferential second score line spaced downwardly from said first score line to form a weakened cylindrical band within said outer skirt, a tab attached to said cylindrical band and extending from said band and outwardly from said outer skirt, a weakened area extending between said first score line and said second score line immediately adjacent said tab, a narrow radial first bead extending circumferentially around the inside and integrally attached to said outer skirt between said first score line and said disk, and a narrow radial second bead extending circumferentially around the inside and intergrally attached to said outer skirt below said second score line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The deformable cap defined in claim 1 wherein said first bead and said second bead have a semi-circular cross-sectional area.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The deformable cap defined in claim 1 wherein said top disk has a flat circular lip extending outwardly beyond said outer skirt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The deformable cAp defined in claim 1 wherein said cap is made of polyethylene or polystyrene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The deformable cap defined in claim 1 wherein said weakened area is a score line connecting said first score line with said second score line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The deformable cap defined in claim 1 wherein said first score line and said second score line are made along the outside of said outer skirt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
259 words
In combination, (1) a container with a cylindrical neck having an opening through said neck to said container, said neck having an circumferential upper groove around the outside of said neck and a circumferential lower groove around said neck spaced downward from said upper groove, and (2) a deformable plastic cap comprising a top disk, a cylindrical thin-walled outer skirt integrally attached and substantially perpendicular to said disk and of a sufficient diameter so as to fit around the exterior of said neck, a cylindrical inner skirt integrally attached and substantially perpendicular to said disk inwardly spaced from said outer skirt and co-axial therewith so as to fit within said opening; said outer skirt scored and weakened along a circumferential first score line downwardly spaced from said disk, and scored and weakened along a circumferential second score line spaced downwardly from said first score line to form a weakened cylindrical band within said outer skirt, a tab attached to said cylindrical band and extending downwardly from said band and outwardly from said outer skirt, a weakened area extending between said first score line and said second score line immediately adjacent said tab, a narrow first bead extending circumferentially around the inside and integrally attached to said outer skirt between said first score line and said disk and spaced so as to fit into said upper groove, and a narrow radial second bead extending circumferentially around the inside and integrally attached to said outer skirt below said second score line and spaced so as to fit into said lower groove.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
259 words
In combination, (1) a container with a cylindrical neck having an opening through said neck to said container, said neck having an circumferential upper groove around the outside of said neck and a circumferential lower groove around said neck spaced downward from said upper groove, and (2) a deformable plastic cap comprising a top disk, a cylindrical thin-walled outer skirt integrally attached and substantially perpendicular to said disk and of a sufficient diameter so as to fit around the exterior of said neck, a cylindrical inner skirt integrally attached and substantially perpendicular to said disk inwardly spaced from said outer skirt and co-axial therewith so as to fit within said opening; said outer skirt scored and weakened along a circumferential first score line downwardly spaced from said disk, and scored and weakened along a circumferential second score line spaced downwardly from said first score line to form a weakened cylindrical band within said outer skirt, a tab attached to said cylindrical band and extending downwardly from said band and outwardly from said outer skirt, a weakened area extending between said first score line and said second score line immediately adjacent said tab, a narrow first bead extending circumferentially around the inside and integrally attached to said outer skirt between said first score line and said disk and spaced so as to fit into said upper groove, and a narrow radial second bead extending circumferentially around the inside and integrally attached to said outer skirt below said second score line and spaced so as to fit into said lower groove.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-22 | 1979-06-23 | 1979-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-22 | 1983-06-23 | 1983-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-22 | 1987-06-23 | 1987-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |