# US 10,370,159 B2 · Apparatus, system and method for fastening a container and a closure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,370,159 B2 - Document ID: US10370159B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/351,408 - Filed: 2016-11-14 - Published: 2017-05-25 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-23 - Assignees: Peri-Dent Limited - Applicants: Peri-Dent Ltd - Inventors: Michael Lannie; Jason Lucas; Tony Wye - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10370159B2 ## CPC - B65D 43/22: Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips - B65B 7/28: by applying separate preformed closures, e.g. lids, covers - B65D 25/22: for facilitating lifting or suspending of containers - B65D 55/02: Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure - B65D 55/06: Deformable or tearable wires, strings or strips (caps or cap-like closures with tear-strips B65D41/32); Use of seals - B65D 75/56: Handles or other suspension means - E05B 39/02: with destructible seal closures or paper closures - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract An apparatus and method for fastening a container and a closure in a closed configuration is disclosed. The apparatus includes an insertion portion configured for insertion through an aperture of the container and an aperture of the closure when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration; and a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through the apertures. The insertion portion includes a hanging slot, and a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from the apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through the aperture such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus configured to fasten a container and a closure in a closed configuration, wherein the container and the closure each comprise an aperture, the apparatus comprising: (a) an insertion portion configured for insertion through the apertures when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration; (b) a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through the apertures; and (c) a tamper indicating mechanism configured to indicate tampering upon unfastening of the apparatus from the container and closure; (d) wherein the insertion portion comprises: (i) a hanging slot, and (ii) a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from the apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through the apertures such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion, wherein the mechanism is located between the restraining portion and the hanging slot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is foldable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the apparatus is configurable into a folded position, wherein the folded position is configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from the apertures following insertion of the insertion portion into the apertures. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is configured to enable insertion through the apertures in a direction of insertion, and is configured to prevent removal of the inserted insertion portion in an opposite direction. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hanging slot is integrally formed with the apparatus. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hanging slot comprises one or more of an aperture for enabling the apparatus to be hung on a rack, and a euro hook. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a fastening device for fastening the container and the closure in the closed configuration. ### Claim 8 Packaging, comprising: (I) a container having an aperture; (II) a closure having an aperture; and (III) an apparatus configured to fasten the container and the closure in a closed configuration, the apparatus comprising: (a) an insertion portion configured for insertion through the apertures when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration; (b) a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through the apertures; and (c) a tamper indicating mechanism configured to indicate tampering upon unfastening of the apparatus from the container and closure; (d) wherein the insertion portion comprises: (i) a hanging slot, and (ii) a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from the apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through the apertures such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion, wherein the mechanism is located between the restraining portion and the hanging slot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the apertures are configured such that, when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration, the apertures are aligned. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the container comprises a flange portion and wherein the aperture of the container is located in the flange portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the closure and the container are joined together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the container and the closure are separate components. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the container and the closure are configured to inter-engage with one another so as to releasably retain the container and the closure in the closed configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the closure comprises a lid. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the container and the closure are joined together via a hinge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the closure slides relative to the container in transitioning into the closed configuration. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the closure screws onto the container in transitioning into the closed configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the container and the closure are retained in a closed configuration via a snap fit mechanism. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The packaging of claim 8, wherein the mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion comprises flexible barbs that flexibly protrude outwardly so as to provide for one-way insertion of the insertion portion through the apertures. ### Claim 20 A method comprising: (I) placing a container and a closure in a closed configuration; and (II) fastening the container and closure in the closed configuration by partially inserting an apparatus through an aperture of the container and an aperture of the closure; (III) wherein the apparatus comprises, (a) an insertion portion configured for insertion through the apertures when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration, (b) a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through the apertures, and (c) a tamper indicating mechanism configured to indicate tampering upon unfastening of the apparatus from the container and closure, (d) wherein the insertion portion comprises, (i) a hanging slot, and (ii) a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from the apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through the apertures such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion, wherein the mechanism is located between the restraining portion and the hanging slot.