# US 11,897,663 B2 · Stopper having a tamper-evident feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,663 B2 - Document ID: US11897663B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/776,775 - Filed: 2020-11-12 - Published: 2022-12-15 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-16 - Assignees: Novembal USA Inc. - Applicants: Novembal USA Inc. - Inventors: Stéphane Graux - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897663B2 ## CPC - B65D 41/485: {with integral internal sealing means} - B65D 41/0485: {with means specially adapted for facilitating the operation of opening or closing} - B65D 55/16: Devices preventing loss of removable closure members - B65D 2401/10: Tearable part of the container (B65D2401/60 takes precedence) - 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 ## Abstract The invention includes a snap type plastic stopper having a closure shell with a roof wall and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck. The stopper includes a first weakness line with first bridges, where the first bridges separably link the bottom edge of the closure shell and the top edge of the tamper band; at least one hinge which extends through the first weakness line, where the hinge pivotably links the closure shell and the tamper band; and a tongue which is diametrically situated at the opposite of the hinge, where the tongue outwardly extends relative to a peripheral wall of the closure shell. The stopper also includes within the closure shell and/or tamper band at least one tamper evident feature such as a toggle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A snap type plastic stopper comprising: a closure shell with a roof wall and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck; a first weakness line with first bridges, wherein the first bridges separably link a bottom edge of the closure shell and a top edge of the tamper band; at least one hinge which extends through the first weakness line, wherein the hinge pivotably links the closure shell and the tamper band; and a tongue which is diametrically situated at the opposite of the hinge, wherein the tongue outwardly extends relative to a peripheral wall of the closure shell and wherein the tongue extends at least partially above a top surface of the closure shell; wherein: the closure shell or the tamper band comprises at least one toggle, the toggle being linked to the closure shell or the tamper band through a junction point wherein the toggle rotates about the junction point upon first opening; the stopper further comprising a second weakness line, the second weakness line extending from the junction point to the first weakness line, the second weakness line comprising at least one second bridge, the second bridge having a less thickness than one of the first bridges of the first weakness line located vertically aligned with the at least one second bridge; or the second bridge having a more thickness than one of the first bridges of the first weakness line located vertically aligned with the at least one second bridge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the closure shell comprises one toggle and the tamper band comprises another toggle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 2, wherein the toggle and the another toggle are located under the tongue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 2, wherein the toggle and the another toggle are symmetrically located from either side of a median vertical plane of the stopper. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 2, wherein the toggle and the another toggle are symmetrical relative to a center point of the first weakness line. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 4, wherein the first weakness line inclinedly extends above the toggle and under the another toggle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the tongue is upwardly protruding relative to the roof wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the closure shell further comprises at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue, and the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the closure shell comprises at least one rib; and each rib is linked to a bottom face of the tongue and the peripheral wall. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the tongue is upwardly protruding relative to the roof wall; at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue, and the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the tongue is upwardly protruding relative to the roof wall; at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue, the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall; the closure shell comprises a least one rib; and each rib is linked to a bottom face of the tongue and the peripheral wall. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 1, wherein the closure shell further comprises at least one portion of the peripheral wall situated under the tongue, the at least one portion is thinner than the peripheral wall; and at least one rib, each rib is linked to a bottom face of the tongue and the peripheral wall. ### Claim 13 A snap type plastic stopper comprising: a closure shell with a roof wall and a tamper band to be secured on a bottle neck; a first weakness line with first bridges, wherein the first bridges separably link a bottom edge of the closure shell and a top edge of the tamper band; at least one hinge which extends through the first weakness line, wherein the hinge pivotably links the closure shell and the tamper band; a tongue which is diametrically situated at the opposite of the hinge, wherein the tongue outwardly extends relative to a peripheral wall of the closure shell; and wherein the tongue is upwardly angled relative to a plane of the roof and wherein the tongue extends at least partially above a top surface of the roof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 13, wherein the tongue is shaped like a semicircle arc. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 14, wherein the tongue is oriented in an inclined way relative to a horizontal outer surface of the roof wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 15, wherein the tongue comprises two ends; and the two ends being linked to the outer surface of the roof wall. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 16, wherein the tongue comprises a band; and the band extending between the two ends. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The snap type plastic stopper according to claim 17, wherein the tongue comprises an inner wall; and the inner wall extending between the two ends and under the band.