# US 9,038,841 B2 · Tamper-evident closure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,841 B2 - Document ID: US9038841B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/824,919 - Filed: 2012-11-28 - Published: 2014-02-27 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-11-28 - Assignees: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH - Applicants: Obrist Closures Switzerland GmbH - Inventors: Alexander Donald Meiklem McPherson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038841B2 ## CPC - B65D 43/0283: {only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth of the container (B65D43/0279 takes precedence)} - B65D 41/34: Threaded or like caps or cap-like covers {provided with tamper elements formed in, or attached to, the closure skirt} - B65D 49/02: One-way valves - B65D 55/026: {initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by a visual change using indicators other than tearable means, e.g. change of colour, pattern or opacity (B65D55/066 takes precedence)} - B65D 55/028: {initial opening or unauthorised access being indicated by the presence or absence of an audible or electrical signal} - B65D 2401/15: Tearable part of the closure (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 A tamper-evident closure for a container comprises two or more parts and is movable from a first position to a second position in an opening event, the movement to the second position generating two or more gaps between and/or within the parts, the closure further comprising means for preventing closing of the gaps whereby to confirm the opening event has occurred. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure comprising a first shell section, a second shell section arranged below the first shell section, and a third shell section arranged below the second shell section, wherein during an opening event, the closure is moved from a first position to an intermediate position and then to a second fully open position in which the first shell section can be removed to reveal a pouring aperture, the movement from the first position to the intermediate position generating a first gap between the second and third shell sections, and the movement from the intermediate position to the second position generating a second gap between the first and second shell sections, the closure comprising means for preventing closing of the gaps whereby to confirm the opening event has occurred. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the gaps are generated sequentially. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the gaps is unobstructed. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the gaps is obstructed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one gap is generated by rotation. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one gap is generated by axial separation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the means for preventing closing of the gaps include one or more ratchet arrangements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The closure as claimed in claim 1, in which the gaps are generated at least in part using differential torque between sections of the closure. ### Claim 9 A tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure including an outer shell and a pouring fitment and being movable from an unactivated, first position to an activated, second position in which fluid can be dispensed from the pouring fitment in an opening event, the pouring fitment comprising external screw thread formations co-operating with corresponding formations provided on an internal ratchet component within the shell, the shell being separable into three or more parts in the opening event so as to form two or more gaps, the closure comprising means for preventing closing of the gaps whereby to confirm the opening event has occurred. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which the shell parts are initially connected by lines of weakness. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which the means for preventing closing of the gaps include one or more ratchet arrangements. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which some or all of the gaps are generated sequentially. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which some or all of the gaps are generated substantially simultaneously. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which at least one of the gaps is unobstructed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which at least one of the gaps is obstructed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The closure as claimed in claim 9, in which at least one gap is generated by rotation or axial separation. ### Claim 17 A tamper-evident closure for a container, the closure including an outer shell comprising a first shell section friction fitted to a pouring fitment of the closure and a second shell section arranged below the first shell section, the first shell section comprising internal ratchet components, wherein in an opening event, the closure is moved from a first position to a second position in which the first shell section can be lifted away to reveal a pouring fitment of the closure, the movement to the second position generating a single gap between the first shell section and the second shell section, the closure comprising means for preventing closing of the single gap.