US4405053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamperproof closure system for plastic containers
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
•
Filing: 1981-04-27
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Granted: 1983-09-20
•
Expires: 2001-04-27
Abstract
Abstract An improved tamperproof closure system for molded plastic containers has a threaded neck portion sealed at its distal end, and a screw-cap designed for attachment to the container neck. A flange extends radially from the container neck and a frangible annular groove is circumferentially disposed within the flange. A shoulder on the screw-cap is designed to press against the flange when the screw-cap is rotated downwardly on the neck. The force of the shoulder pressing against the flange ruptures the frangible annular groove, thereby severing the end portion of the container neck from the remainder of the neck, and retaining it within the screw-cap. A stop mechanism positioned in the threading of the container neck allows the screw-cap to be rotated downward to a point short of that necessary to rupture the frangible annular groove and yet far enough to securely attach the cap to the container. The stop mechanism also indicates when a container has been opened.
Inventors
- 👤 Harrison Cherot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:43
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D51/00; B65D51/18; B65D51/20; B65D51/22; B65D51/228; B65D1/00; B65D1/02; B65D1/0223; B65D1/023; B65D1/0238; B65D41/00; B65D41/02; B65D41/04; B65D41/0471; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/0003; B65D2251/0006; B65D2251/0031; B65D2251/0037; B65D2251/0056; B65D2251/0068; B65D2251/0071; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S215/00; Y10S215/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
An improved tamperproof closure system for molded plastic containers having a threaded container neck sealed at its distal end, said closure system comprising: a screw-type cap having internal threading constructed and arranged for threaded engagement with said container neck; flange means integrally formed in and extending substantially radially from said container neck with a frangible annular groove circumferentially disposed about said flange means constructed and arranged to rupture when force is applied to said distal end of said container neck; shoulder means disposed about said screw-type cap, constructed and arranged for abutment with said flange means whereby downward rotation of said screw cap is effective to rupture said frangible annular groove, and sever said distal portion of said container neck from the remainder thereof; and stop means positioned proximate said threads about said container neck, said stop means being constructed and arranged for selective limitation of the downward rotation of said screw cap onto said container neck to a point short of that required to rupture said frangible annular groove so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said container and to indicate when said container has been opened.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
An improved tamperproof closure system for molded plastic containers having a threaded container neck sealed at its distal end, said closure system comprising: a screw-type cap having internal threading constructed and arranged for threaded engagement with said container neck; flange means integrally formed in and extending substantially radially from said container neck with a frangible annular groove circumferentially disposed about said flange means constructed and arranged to rupture when force is applied to said distal end of said container neck; shoulder means disposed about said screw-type cap, constructed and arranged for abutment with said flange means whereby downward rotation of said screw cap is effective to rupture said frangible annular groove, and sever said distal portion of said container neck from the remainder thereof; and stop means positioned proximate said threads about said container neck, said stop means being constructed and arranged for selective limitation of the downward rotation of said screw cap onto said container neck to a point short of that required to rupture said frangible annular groove so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said container and to indicate when said container has been opened.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
174 words
An improved tamper proof closure system for sterile medical liquid blow molded containers comprising: a threaded container neck sealed at its distal end; a screw type cap having internal threading constructed and arranged for threaded engagement with said container neck; flange means extending radially from said container neck constructed and arranged for engagement with shoulder means disposed about said screw type cap; a frangible annular groove circumferentially disposed about said flange means; whereby downward rotation of said screw cap is effective to rupture said frangible annular groove, thereby severing said distal end portion of said container neck from the remainder thereof and retaining same within said screw cap; the improvement comprising: stop means positioned proximate said threads about said container neck, said stop means being constructed and arranged for selective limitation of the downward rotation of said screw cap onto said container neck to a point short of that required to rupture said frangible annular groove so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said container and to indicate when said container has been opened.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
174 words
An improved tamper proof closure system for sterile medical liquid blow molded containers comprising: a threaded container neck sealed at its distal end; a screw type cap having internal threading constructed and arranged for threaded engagement with said container neck; flange means extending radially from said container neck constructed and arranged for engagement with shoulder means disposed about said screw type cap; a frangible annular groove circumferentially disposed about said flange means; whereby downward rotation of said screw cap is effective to rupture said frangible annular groove, thereby severing said distal end portion of said container neck from the remainder thereof and retaining same within said screw cap; the improvement comprising: stop means positioned proximate said threads about said container neck, said stop means being constructed and arranged for selective limitation of the downward rotation of said screw cap onto said container neck to a point short of that required to rupture said frangible annular groove so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said container and to indicate when said container has been opened.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The closure system as disclosed by claim 1 or 2 wherein said container is blow molded, and said stop means is integrally formed thereon during molding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
104 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said stop means comprises a rib member positioned within the threading of said container neck, constructed and arranged for selectively preventing rotation of the leading edge of said internal threading within said screw cap, said rib member further being constructed and arranged for displacement by said leading edge of said internal threading of said screw cap when said leading edge is forcefully rotated against said rib whereby inadvertent opening of said container is prevented and visual indication of said container having been opened is provided by the displaced condition of said rib member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 4 wherein said rib member is integrally formed in said container neck of said molded container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 4 wherein said rib member comprises a substantially vertical rectangular appendage extending from between a first lower level of said container neck threading and a second upper level of said container neck threading so as to block passage of said leading edge of said internal threading of said screw cap, thereby preventing further downward rotation thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
68 words
The closure system as defined in claim 4 wherein said rib member is positioned within said threading of said container neck one or more full helical turns of said threading from the distal end of said container neck so as to permit one full turn of said screw cap on said threading before being blocked by said stop means, thereby retaining said screw cap on said container neck.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 4 wherein said displacement comprises the severing of at least a portion of said rib member from said container neck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 4 wherein said displacement comprises the disengagement of said rib member from said container neck.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said stop means comprises a lug member positioned within the threading of said container neck proximate the proximal portion of said threading, constructed and arranged for selectively preventing passage of the leading edge of the internal threading of said screw cap, said lug member further being constructed and arranged for displacement by said leading edge of said internal threading of said screw cap when said leading edge is forcefully rotated against said lug member, whereby inadvertent opening of said container is prevented and visual indication of said container having been opened is provided by the displaced condition of said lug member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 10 wherein said displacement comprises the severing of at least a portion of said lug member from said container neck.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 10 wherein said displacement comprises the disengagement of said lug member from said container neck.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
116 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said stop means comprises a circular nib member positioned within the threading of said container neck proximate the proximal portion of said threading, constructed and arranged for selectively preventing passage of the leading edge of the internal threading of said screw cap, said circular nib member further being constructed and arranged for displacement by said leading edge of said internal threading of said screw cap when said leading edge is forcefully rotated against said circular nib member, whereby inadvertent opening of said container is prevented and visual indication of said container having been opened is provided by the displaced condition of said circular nib member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 13 wherein said displacement comprises the severing of at least a portion of said circular nib member from said container neck.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 13 wherein said displacement comprises the disengagement of said nib member from said container neck.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 and further comprising one or more locating nibs positioned in said threads about said container neck constructed and arranged for abutting against said internal threads of said screw cap so as to prevent said screw cap from inadvertently vibrating off of said container neck during shipment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said flange means comprises a substantially annular rim integrally formed and extending from said container neck, said annular rim having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said internal threading within said screw cap, but greater than the inside diameter of said shoulder means disposed about said screw cap whereby said shoulder means abuts and presses against said annular rim when said screw cap is threaded onto said container neck, thereby causing said frangible annular groove to rupture and said container to thereby be opened.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said flange means comprises two or more flanges integrally formed and extending radially from said container neck, said flanges having a radial extension less than the inside diameter of said internal threading within said screw cap but greater than the inside diameter of said shoulder means whereby said shoulder means abuts and presses against said flanges when said screw cap is threaded onto said container neck, thereby causing said frangible annular groove to rupture and said container to thereby be opened.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said shoulder means comprises a circular collar extending inwardly from the sidewalls of said screw cap proximate the top surface of said screw cap so as to permit the threading of said screw cap onto said container neck until said circular collar abuts said flange means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
63 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 19 wherein said top surface of said screw cap is co-extensive with said circular collar, and has an opening therethrough constructed and arranged for passage of said closed distal end of said container neck when said screw cap is rotated downward to the point where said frangible annular groove is ruptured and said container is opened.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
74 words
The closure system as disclosed in claim 20 wherein said distal end of said container neck has a substantially rounded, enlarged tip constructed and arranged to deform and pass through said opening in said screw cap during opening of said container, and an indented portion between said rounded tip and said flange means constructed and arranged to be press-fit into and retained in said opening of said screw cap following opening of said container.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
72 words
The closure system as disclosed in claims 20 wherein said screw cap further includes a membrane sealed across said opening of said top surface of said screw cap, said membrane being alternatively rupturable or peelable from said top surface whereby passage of said closed distal end of said container neck through said opening in said screw cap is effective to displace said membrane thereby visibly indicating when said container has been opened.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
173 words
An improved tamper proof closure system for blow molded containers having a threaded container neck sealed at its distal end, said closure system comprising: a screw type cap having internal threading constructed and arranged for threaded engagement with said container neck; flange means extending radially from said container neck constructed and arranged for engagement with shoulder means disposed about said screw type cap; a frangible annular groove circumferentially disposed about said flange means, whereby downward rotation of said screw cap is effective to rupture said frangible annular groove, thereby severing said distal end portion of said container neck from the remainder thereof and retaining same within said screw cap; and stop means positioned proximate said threads about said container neck, said stop means being constructed and arranged for selective limitation of the downward rotation of said screw cap onto said container neck to a point short of that required to rupture said frangible annular groove so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said container and to indicate when said container has been opened.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
173 words
An improved tamper proof closure system for blow molded containers having a threaded container neck sealed at its distal end, said closure system comprising: a screw type cap having internal threading constructed and arranged for threaded engagement with said container neck; flange means extending radially from said container neck constructed and arranged for engagement with shoulder means disposed about said screw type cap; a frangible annular groove circumferentially disposed about said flange means, whereby downward rotation of said screw cap is effective to rupture said frangible annular groove, thereby severing said distal end portion of said container neck from the remainder thereof and retaining same within said screw cap; and stop means positioned proximate said threads about said container neck, said stop means being constructed and arranged for selective limitation of the downward rotation of said screw cap onto said container neck to a point short of that required to rupture said frangible annular groove so as to prevent inadvertent opening of said container and to indicate when said container has been opened.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-19 | 1987-03-21 | 1987-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-19 | 1991-03-21 | 1991-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-19 | 1995-03-21 | 1995-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |