Tamper indicating package

Claim 2

A tamper indicating package comprising: a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of said closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, and said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second portion such that a said portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion engaging beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions separated by narrow slots extending axially upwardly and inwardly at said predetermined angles from the continuous annular flange portion said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to tend to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 3

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 1 wherein the configuration of said segment portions is substantially rectangular.

Claim 4

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 2 wherein said bend in said flange is at or near the juncture of the segment portions to the continuous flange portion.

Claim 5

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 1 wherein said first continuous annular flange portion is substantially parallel to the axis of the closure.

Claim 6

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 1 wherein said hinge includes a downwardly and in tapered upper surface extending from the tamper indicating band and a generally transverse surface extending from the band to a thin cross section spaced from the inner surface of the tamper indicating band.

Claim 7

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 5 wherein the thickness of said flange increases progressively from the hinge to the free end of the second portion.

Claim 8

The tamper indicating closure comprising: a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a lien of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, and said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second portion such that said second portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded onto a container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions extending axially upwardly and inwardly at said predetermined angle from the continuous annular flange portion, said band having inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to tend to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 9

The tamper indicating closure comprising: a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a lien of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, and said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second portion such that said second portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded onto a container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions extending axially upwardly and inwardly at said predetermined angle from the continuous annular flange portion, said band having inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to tend to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 10

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 7 wherein the configuration of said segment portions is substantially rectangular.

Claim 11

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 8 wherein said bend in said flange is at or near the juncture of the segment portions to the continuous flange portion.

Claim 12

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 7 wherein said first continuous annular flange portion is substantially parallel to the axis of the closure.

Claim 13

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 7 wherein said hinge includes a downwardly and inwardly tapered upper surface extending from the tamper indicating band and a generally transverse surface extending from the band to a thin cross section spaced from the inner surface of the tamper indicating band.

Claim 14

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 11 wherein the thickness of said flange increases progressively from the hinge to the free ends of the segment portions.

Claim 15

A tamper indication package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a lien of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second continuous portion such that said second continuous portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater predetermined angle with respect to said band, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to send to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 16

A tamper indication package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a lien of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second continuous portion such that said second continuous portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater predetermined angle with respect to said band, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to send to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 17

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 13 wherein said first continuous annular flange portion is substantially parallel to the axis of the closure.

Claim 18

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 13 wherein said hinge includes a downwardly and inwardly tapered upper surface extending from the tamper indicating band and a generally transverse surface extending from the band to a thin cross section spaced from the inner surface of the tamper indicating band.

Claim 19

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 13 wherein the thickness of said flange increases progressively from the hinge to the free end of the second portion.

Claim 20

A tamper indicating closure comprising: a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second continuous portion such that said second continuous portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded onto a container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater predetermined angle with respect to said first flange portion, such band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to tend to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 21

A tamper indicating closure comprising: a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends to form a second continuous portion such that said second continuous portion extends inwardly at a greater predetermined angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded onto a container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater predetermined angle with respect to said first flange portion, such band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein such that when the closure is applied to the container, the second portion initially engages the bead on the container and flexes at the bend to tend to straighten the bend and thereafter the first portion flexes relative to the band and the free end of the second portion engages beneath the bead.

Claim 22

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 17 wherein said bend in said flange is at or near the juncture of the segment portions to the continuous flange portion.

Claim 23

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 17 wherein said first continuous annular flange portion is substantially parallel to the axis of the closure.

Claim 24

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 17 wherein said hinge includes a downwardly and inwardly tapered upper surface extending from the tamper indicating band and a generally transverse surface extending from the band to a thin cross section spaced from the inner surface of the tamper indicating band.

Claim 25

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 17 wherein the thickness of said flange increases progressively from the hinge to the free ends of the segment portions.

Claim 26

A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of said closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, and said flange being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion engaging beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions separated by narrow slots extending axially upwardly and inwardly from the continuous annular flange portion, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 27

A tamper indicating package comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of said closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, and said flange being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion engaging beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions separated by narrow slots extending axially upwardly and inwardly from the continuous annular flange portion, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 28

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 22 wherein said inner surface comprises an inclined surface on the inner surface of said band extending axially away from said base wall of the closure and radially inwardly.

Claim 29

A tamper indicating closure comprising a plastic closure which includes a base all and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, and said flanged being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded onto a container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions extending axially upwardly and inwardly from the continuous annular flange portion, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 30

A tamper indicating closure comprising a plastic closure which includes a base all and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to an inner of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, and said flanged being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded onto a container, said second portion comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced segment portions extending axially upwardly and inwardly from the continuous annular flange portion, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 31

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 24 wherein said inner surface comprises inclined surface on the inner surface of said band extending axially away from said base wall of the closure and radially inwardly.

Claim 32

A tamper indicating closure comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of said closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater angle with respect to said band, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 33

A tamper indicating closure comprising a container having a neck with a threaded finish, an annular bead on said neck, a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads interengaging the threads of said container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, and an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of said closure, said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of the band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of the closure than said first continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath said bead on said container when said closure is threaded onto said container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater angle with respect to said band, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 34

The tamper indicating package set forth in claim 26 wherein said inner surface comprises an inclined surface on the inner surface of said band extending axially away from said base wall of the closure and radially inwardly.

Claim 35

A tamper indicating closure comprising a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded into a container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater angle with respect to said band, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 36

A tamper indicating closure comprising a plastic closure which includes a base wall and a depending peripheral skirt having threads adapted to interengage threads of a container, and a tamper indicating band attached to said skirt by one or more weakened portions defining a line of severing, an annular flange extending axially upwardly and inwardly from said tamper indicating band toward said base wall of the closure, and said flange comprising a first continuous annular flange portion connected to the inner surface of said tamper indicating band by a hinge spaced radially inwardly from said inner surface of said band, said flange being bent intermediate its ends such that a second portion extends inwardly at a greater angle to the axis of said closure than said continuous flange portion, the free end of said second portion being adapted to engage beneath a bead on a container when said closure is threaded into a container, said second continuous annular flange portion extending upwardly and inwardly toward the base wall and having all portions thereof extending at said greater angle with respect to said band, said band having an inner surface adapted to be engaged by said first continuous flange portion when the closure is being removed to cause the flange to bend along the bend therein.

Claim 37

The tamper indicating closure set forth in claim 28 wherein said inner surface comprises an inclined surface on the inner surface of said band extending axially away from said base wall of the closure and radially inwardly.