US 4,458,821 AGranted

Tamper-indicating closure

AssigneeEthyl Molded Products Company

InventorEfrem M. Ostrowsky

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Abstract

This invention relates to a thermoplastic tamper-indicating closure. The closure features a top wall and an annular downwardly depending sidewall. Connected to the lower end of the annular sidewall by way of an annular area is an annular tamper-indicating band. The annular area has a frangible and a non-frangible portion. The tamper-indicating band has a vertical frangible area which extends across its width and which is preferably generally opposite the non-frangible area. The tamper-indicating band also features an annular upper portion which depends downwrdly from the annular area. The band additionally has an annular lower portion hingedly connected to the annular upper portion and which comprises a plurality of spaced apart tabs with each tab connected to its neighboring tab by way of a flexible web. Each of the tabs preferably has a scalloped recess at their lower extent to provide some circumferential flexibility when the annular lower portion of the band is hinged inwardly from its molded position to its utilitarian position.

Claims21

Dependent claims

An integrally-formed tamper-indicating thermoplastic closure for fitment to a container having a threaded neck portion and an outwardly extending annular flange adjacent to and beneath the threaded neck portion, said tamper-indicating closure comprising:

a. a top wall;
b. an annular sidewall downwardly depending from said top wall, said sidewall having about its inside surface a closure thread for cooperation with said container thread to achieve fitment of said closure to said container;
c. an annular tamper-indicating band connected to the lower portion of said annular sidewall by way of an annular area, which annular area comprises a frangible portion and a non-frangible portion, said annular tamper-indicating band having,
(i) an annular upper portion depending downwardly from said annular frangible area;
(ii) a circumferentially flexible annular lower portion comprising a plurality of spaced apart tabs with each tab connected to its neighboring tab by way of a flexible web,
(iii) an annular intermediate portion which provides an annular hinge to hingedly connect said annular upper portion and said annular lower portion one to the other whereby said annular lower portion can be folded inwardly and upwardly to position said tabs in a position of interference with said container annular flange when said closure is fitted to said container, and,
(iv) a vertical frangible area which forms a fracturable line across said annular upper and lower portions and said annular intermediate portion.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.