Patent US5020668A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4736857A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4736857A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper indicating closure
Assignee: Wyeth LLC
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Filing: 1986-11-14
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Granted: 1988-04-12
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Expires: 2006-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A device for indicating whether a container having a cap has been opened. The device includes a switch or pressure transducer for detecting the engagement of the cap to the container and disengagement therefrom. A display, which is visible through the top of the cap, provides a plurality of messages which are in an irreversible and nonrepeatable sequence for indicating whether or not the cap has ever been removed from the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael A. Monico, Jr.
- 👤 Mark L. Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:00
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/06; B65D55/066; B65D55/026; B65D55/028
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A tamper indicating closure for a container, said closure including an upper wall, a peripheral wall and means for securing said closure to said container, the improvement comprising a display window in one of said walls, electronically controlled display means within said closure and adjacent said display window for displaying a signal visible through said display window indicating whether the closure has been opened, a source of electric power, electric circuit means for controlling said display means, said source and electric circuit means being physically retained within said closure and in an electric circuit with said display means, and detecting means within said closure for detecting engagement of said closure and container and for producing an electrical signal depending on such engagement, said electric circuit means being responsive to said detecting means for determining the signal to be displayed by said display means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A tamper indicating closure for a container, said closure including an upper wall, a peripheral wall and means for securing said closure to said container, the improvement comprising a display window in one of said walls, electronically controlled display means within said closure and adjacent said display window for displaying a signal visible through said display window indicating whether the closure has been opened, a source of electric power, electric circuit means for controlling said display means, said source and electric circuit means being physically retained within said closure and in an electric circuit with said display means, and detecting means within said closure for detecting engagement of said closure and container and for producing an electrical signal depending on such engagement, said electric circuit means being responsive to said detecting means for determining the signal to be displayed by said display means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises means for arming said electric circuit means upon initial engagement of said closure and container, said electric circuit means being responsive to said initial engagement for causing an untampered state to be indicated by said display means until said closure and container are disengaged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 2, wherein said electric circuit means causes said display means to produce a permanent tampered display signal in response to the first disengagement of said closure and container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 3, wherein said detecting means comprises switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 4, wherein portions of said switch means are disposed on said closure and on said container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 3, wherein said detecting means comprises pressure transducer means within said closure responsive to the air pressure within said container.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 3, wherein said electric circuit means includes means for producing a flashing untampered display signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claims 1 or 3, wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal display, and said source of electric power and electric circuit means are concealed beneath the upper wall of said closure by a potting material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tamper indicating closure according to claim 8 wherein said power source comprises a battery.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
143 words
In combination, a tamper indicating closure and container, said closure including an upper wall, a peripheral wall and means for securing said closure to said container, the improvement comprising a display window in one of said walls, electronically controlled display means within said closure and adjacent said display window for displaying a signal visible through said display window indicating whether the closure has been opened, a source of electric power, electric circuit means for controlling said display means, said source and electric circuit means being physically retained within said closure and in an electric circuit with said display means, and detecting means within said closure for detecting engagement of said closure and container for producing an electrical signal depending on such engagement, said electric circuit means being responsive to said detecting means for determining the signal to be displayed by said display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
143 words
In combination, a tamper indicating closure and container, said closure including an upper wall, a peripheral wall and means for securing said closure to said container, the improvement comprising a display window in one of said walls, electronically controlled display means within said closure and adjacent said display window for displaying a signal visible through said display window indicating whether the closure has been opened, a source of electric power, electric circuit means for controlling said display means, said source and electric circuit means being physically retained within said closure and in an electric circuit with said display means, and detecting means within said closure for detecting engagement of said closure and container for producing an electrical signal depending on such engagement, said electric circuit means being responsive to said detecting means for determining the signal to be displayed by said display means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 10, wherein said detecting means comprises means for arming said electric circuit means upon initial engagement of said closure and container, said electric circuit means being responsive to said initial engagement for causing an untampered state to be indicated by said display means until said closure and container are disengaged.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 11, wherein said electric container means causes said display means to produce a permanent tampered display signal in response to the first disengagement of said closure and container.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means comprises switch means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 13, wherein portions of said switch means are disposed on said closure and on said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 12, wherein said detecting means comprises pressure transducer means within said closure responsive to the air pressure within said container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 12, wherein said electric circuit means includes means for producing a flashing untampered display signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 10 or 12, wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal display, and said source or electric power and electric power means are concealed beneath the upper wall of said closure by a potting material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of a closure and container according to claim 17, wherein said power source comprises a battery.
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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) | 1991-04-12 | 1991-10-12 | 1992-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-12 | 1995-10-12 | 1996-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-12 | 1999-10-12 | 2000-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |