Childproof tamper evident closure assembly
AssigneeBall Corporation
InventorJohn R. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for sealing bottles with a Roll-on Pilfer Proof (ROPP) closure and a childproof overcap are provided. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an overcap that can be placed onto or formed onto the ROPP closure. The overcap has a retainer that secures the overcap to the ROPP closure and allows the overcap to move relative to the ROPP closure in a longitudinal axis. The overcap moves between a first position or mode of operation where the overcap can rotate about the ROPP closure and a second position or mode of operation where the overcap engages the ROPP closure to transmit a twisting or torque force to the ROPP closure and open the bottle.
Claims20
A closure system for a container, comprising:
- a container having a longitudinal axis and a radial direction that is oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein a neck of said container has an opening positioned on an uppermost portion of said neck;
- a closure positioned on said neck of said container to seal said opening, said closure having a retainer band extending outwardly in said radial direction;
- an overcap positioned on said closure, said overcap having a lower end positioned proximate to said retainer band of said closure and extending inwardly in said radial direction to secure said overcap to said closure, wherein said overcap has a pliable portion positioned on an interior surface of said overcap;
- wherein, in a first mode of operation, said pliable portion of said overcap is in a non-engaging position with said closure such that rotation of said overcap is not translated to said closure;
- and
- wherein, in a second mode of operation, said overcap is lowered relative to said closure and said container, and said pliable portion of said overcap is in an engaging position with said closure to translate rotation of said overcap to said closure and separate said closure from said opening of said neck.
A method of filling and assembling a container, a roll-on pilfer proof (ROPP) closure, and a safety overcap, comprising:
- filling a container with contents, wherein said container has a sidewall and a neck extending upwardly therefrom, said sidewall and said neck oriented along a longitudinal axis, and a radial direction is oriented substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, wherein a skirt of said container extends outwardly from said neck in said radial direction;
- positioning a ROPP closure on said container, wherein a pilfer band of said ROPP closure extends inwardly in said radial direction and is positioned below said skirt of said container to secure said ROPP closure to said container and seal said contents in said container, wherein a retainer band of said ROPP closure extends outwardly in said radial direction;
- and
- positioning an overcap on said ROPP closure, wherein a lower end of said overcap extends inwardly in said radial direction and is positioned proximate to said retainer band of said ROPP closure to secure said overcap to said ROPP closure, wherein said overcap is movable between a non-engaging position relative to said ROPP closure where rotation of said overcap is not translated to said ROPP closure and an engaging position relative to said ROPP closure where rotation of said overcap is translated to said ROPP closure.
An overcap for a roll-on pilfer proof (ROPP) closure having a retainer band extending outwardly in a radial direction, comprising:
- a top portion that is deflectable from an initial shape in a first mode of operation to a substantially planar shape in a second mode of operation;
- a sidewall extending downwardly from said top portion, said sidewall and said top portion defining an interior volume;
- an engagement feature connected to said top portion and positioned in said interior volume;
- a lower end of said sidewall extending inwardly in said radial direction, and said lower end configured to secure said overcap on said retainer band of said ROPP closure;
- wherein, in said first mode of operation, said engagement feature of said overcap is configured to be in a non-engaging position with said ROPP closure such that rotation of said overcap does not transmit torque to said ROPP closure;
- and
- wherein, in said second mode of operation, said engagement feature of said overcap is configured to be in an engaging position with said ROPP closure such that said overcap is configured to transmit torque to said ROPP closure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.