Concentric tamper-indicating band

Abstract

A tamper-indicating cap and band assembly for use with a container with a neck having external screw threads. The assembly includes a container cap having internal screw threads that mesh with the container neck external screw threads. A coacting tamper-indicating ring band circumferentially encircles the cap and is connected to the cap with a plurality of flexible frangible bridges. The band has a plurality of internal band projections disposed in spaced relation on the inner periphery of the band. The cap has a plurality of spaced cap projections disposed in spaced relation on the outer periphery of the cap and positioned thereon for coacting locking gear tooth type engagement with certain respective band projections on the band when the assembly is threaded onto the container, and for locking gear tooth type engagement with other respective band porjections when the assembly is unscrewed from the container. The cap and band projections are positioned to avoid fracturing the bridges when the cap and band are threaded onto the container in tightening rotation, and when the cap and band assembly is unscrewed from the container the frangible bridges will fracture before the cap will unscrew from the container thus separating the band from the container to indicate prior opening.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.