Tamper evident closure with hinged band

A closure for a container having a tamper evident band which remains on the container after the closure is removed, comprising:

• a substantially cylindrical end cap closed at a first end thereof by a top surface, open at a second opposite end thereof and including an annular side wall having a predetermined length extending between said first and second ends;
• an annular band having a first end positioned proximate said second open end of said end cap
• a plurality of severable bridge means directly connecting said first end of said annular band to said second open end of said end cap at a plurality of predetermined positions about the periphery of said annular band and said end cap thereby forming, between said bridge means, a plurality of slits extending between said first end of said annular band and said second end of said end cap;
• means for axially affixing said annular band to the container at a predetermined initial axial installment position with respect to the container and restricting axial movement of said annular band during removal of said end cap;
• and
• tether means connected between said annular band and said second open end of said end cap for providing limited movement between said annular band and said end cap during removal of said end cap, for enabling removal of said end cap from the container without distorting said end cap or said annular band, and for enabling said annular band to remain affixed to the container by said means for affixing after removal of said end cap, said tether means remaining attached to both said end cap and said annular band, said tether means including an elongate flexible strap member having a first end connected to said second open end of said end cap and a second opposite end connected to said annular band.