US4685578A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper indication system
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1986-09-10
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Granted: 1987-08-11
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Expires: 2006-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A sheet or strip of material has compartments or cavities therein, at least some of which contain materials flowable under pressure such as liquids. Upon the application of pressure, liquid will move within the sheet to contact or penetrate other compartments. The contact between the displaced liquid and other materials within the sheet create a color change which is visually observable. A color change thus indicates that sufficient pressure has been applied to the sheet to cause internal transfer of the liquid. These sheets can be used on packages and containers such as boxes, cartons, jars, bottles and the like. The selection of a sheet which ruptures at a chosen threshold pressure can be used to indicate if an undesirable level of pressure, such as that necessary to twist open a cap, had been applied to the article underneath the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne K. Dunshee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:12
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An indicator for indicating that pressure has been applied thereto comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, said layers cooperating to form a series of compartments separated by rupturable areas, at least some of the compartments containing a flowable material and either the area between compartments or adjacent compartments containing a second material which when mixed with said flowable material causes a color change in either of said materials which is viewable through at least one layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An indicator for indicating that pressure has been applied thereto comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, said layers cooperating to form a series of compartments separated by rupturable areas, at least some of the compartments containing a flowable material and either the area between compartments or adjacent compartments containing a second material which when mixed with said flowable material causes a color change in either of said materials which is viewable through at least one layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The indicator of claim 1 wherein at least some adjacent compartments contain separate liquid compositions which when they are mixed cause said color change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The indicator of claim 2 wherein said separate liquid compositions are colorless and form a color when mixed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The indicator of claim 1 wherein at least some adjacent compartments alternately contain a liquid and a solid which when intermixed cause a color change.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The indicator of claim 1 wherein said upper layer and lower layer are organic polymeric film forming materials.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The indicator of claim 2 wherein said upper layer and lower layer are organic polymeric film forming materials.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The indicator of claim 3 wherein said upper layer and lower layer are organic polymeric film forming materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The indicator of claim 1 wherein said rupturable areas between compartments are thermally sealed areas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The indicator of claim 1 wherein said rupturable areas between compartments are secured by an adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 2.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 3.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 6.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 7.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 8.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article having an indicator secured thereon wherein said indicator comprises the indicator of claim 9.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 10 wherein said article comprises a container chosen from a box, carton, bottle or jar.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 11 wherein said article comprises a container chosen from a box, carton, bottle or jar.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 6 wherein said article comprises a container chosen from a box, carton, bottle or jar.
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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) | 1990-08-10 | 1991-02-09 | 1991-08-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-10 | 1995-02-09 | 1995-08-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-10 | 1999-02-09 | 1999-08-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |