US5152412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper evident closure using microcapsules
Assignee: Silgan Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1990-07-18
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Granted: 1992-10-06
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Expires: 2010-07-18
Abstract
Abstract This relates to the provision of a vacuum identifying button of a conventional closure for containers with encapsulated microcapsules containing a suitable dye. While the button is in its depressed, concave configuration, a coating surrounding the microcapsules is cured and caused to bond to the microcapsules. When the button everts to project upwardly and have a convex configuration, the coating is tensioned causing the microcapsules to rupture and release the color forming dye materials thereof. If desired, the evidence of button flipping or tampering may merely be in the form of a colored area, such as a stripe. In a modification, the effected colored areas may be in a design to present a warning or message. For example, a simple message such as "OPENED" may be effected.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard D. Iler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:55
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D41/00; B65D41/02; B65D41/10; B65D55/00; B65D55/02; B65D55/026; B65D79/00; B65D79/005; B65D79/0087
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
In a closure for use in vacuum packaging of a product, said closure having an end panel provided with a pressure activated button which button when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container is recessed and which button when the vacuum is relieved everts to project outwardly, the improvement of providing on said button a visual indicator which is actuated when said button everts from it reversed position to its projecting position, said visual indicator being in the form of a coating having therein a plurality of microcapsules having combinable contents for forming a colored area on said button, said microcapsules being rupturable in response to the stretching of said coating, and said coating containing said microcapsules having a second coating thereover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
In a closure for use in vacuum packaging of a product, said closure having an end panel provided with a pressure activated button which button when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container is recessed and which button when the vacuum is relieved everts to project outwardly, the improvement of providing on said button a visual indicator which is actuated when said button everts from it reversed position to its projecting position, said visual indicator being in the form of a coating having therein a plurality of microcapsules having combinable contents for forming a colored area on said button, said microcapsules being rupturable in response to the stretching of said coating, and said coating containing said microcapsules having a second coating thereover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said coating containing said microcapsules and said second coating are cross linked together by curing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said cross linking exists only when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container and at a time when said button is recessed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said coating containing said microcapsules and said second coating are in separate states on said closure, prior to application of said closure to a container and when said button is projecting from said end panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein said cross linking exists only when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container and at a time when said button is recessed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a closure for use in vacuum packaging of a product, said closure having an end panel provided with a pressure activated button which button when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container is recessed and which button when the vacuum is relieved everts to project outwardly, the improvement comprising providing on said button a visual indicator coating which is actuated by stretching thereof when said button everts from its reversed position to its projecting position, said visual indicator coating being in the form of a matrix binder having a plurality of microcapsules incorporated therein, said microcapsules being sufficiently tightly bonded to said matrix binder such that when said button everts from its reversed position to its projecting position said coating is tensioned causing said microcapsules to rupture, and said coating containing said microcapsules having a second coating thereover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a closure for use in vacuum packaging of a product, said closure having an end panel provided with a pressure activated button which button when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container is recessed and which button when the vacuum is relieved everts to project outwardly, the improvement comprising providing on said button a visual indicator coating which is actuated by stretching thereof when said button everts from its reversed position to its projecting position, said visual indicator coating being in the form of a matrix binder having a plurality of microcapsules incorporated therein, said microcapsules being sufficiently tightly bonded to said matrix binder such that when said button everts from its reversed position to its projecting position said coating is tensioned causing said microcapsules to rupture, and said coating containing said microcapsules having a second coating thereover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said visual indicator coating is colored when actuated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said visual indicator coating is in the form of a message when actuated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The improvement of claim 8 wherein said message is colored.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said microcapsules have combinable contents for forming a colored area on said button.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein said microcapsules are arranged in a pattern to present a message.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein said coating containing said microcapsules and said second coating are cross linked together by curing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 12, wherein said cross linking exists only when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container and at a time when said button is recessed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The improvement of claim 12 wherein said coating containing said microcapsules and said second coating are in separate states on said closure, prior to application of said closure to a container and when said button is projecting from said end panel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The improvement of claim 14 wherein said cross linking exists only when said closure is applied to a vacuum packed container and at a time when said button is recessed.
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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) | 1995-10-06 | 1996-04-06 | 1996-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-06 | 2000-04-06 | 2000-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-06 | 2004-04-06 | 2004-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |