Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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THREAD CATCHING AND ENGAGING TAMPER EVIDENCE CLOSURE
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No.
16/547,503 filed on
August 21, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Patent Applications No. 62/721,473, filed
August 22, 2018,
titled "Thread Catching Tamper Evidence Closure," U.S. Provisional Patent
Applications No.
62/725,973, filed August 31, 2018, titled "Thread Catching Tamper Evidence
Closure," and U.S.
Provisional Patent Applications No. 62/721,481, filed August 22, 2018, titled
"Thread Engaging
Tamper Evidence Closure," the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference
in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field
of plastic bottles
and preforms. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to
tamper evidence
container caps that provide visible indications of removal of the container
caps after installation
by a manufacturer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Plastic containers have been used as a replacement for glass or
metal containers in the
packaging of beverages for several decades. The most common plastic used in
making beverage
containers today is polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Containers made of PET
are transparent,
thin walled, and have the ability to maintain their shape by withstanding the
force exerted on the
walls of the container by their contents. PET resins are also reasonably
priced and easy to process.
PET bottles are generally made by a process that includes the blow-molding of
plastic preforms
which have been made by injection molding of the PET resin.
[0004] Advantages of plastic packaging include lighter weight and decreased
breakage as
compared to glass, and lower costs overall when taking both production and
transportation into
account. Although plastic packaging is lighter in weight than glass, there is
still great interest in
creating the lightest possible plastic packaging so as to maximize the cost
savings in both
transportation and manufacturing by making and using containers that contain
less plastic.
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[0005] A plastic container for storing liquid contents typically includes a
base that extends up
to a grip portion suitable for affixing a label, as well as providing a
location for grasping the
container. The grip portion generally transitions into a shoulder, which
connects to a bell. The
bell has a diameter that generally decreases as the bell extends upward from
the shoulder to a neck
and a finish. The finish is adapted to receive a closure, such as a bottle
cap, to seal the contents
within the interior of the plastic container.
[0006] In many instances, the closure includes a tamper evidence band that
is disposed around
the perimeter of the finish. The tamper evidence band generally remains
positioned on the finish
when an end-user loosens the closure to access the contents within the
container. As such, the
tamper evidence band and the finish cooperate to indicate to the end-user
whether or not the closure
has been previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
[0007] A drawback to conventional tamper evidence bands, however, is that
in some instances
the tamper evidence bands fail to detach from the closure upon being loosened,
thereby making it
difficult for an end-user to directly observe whether or not the closure has
been previously
separated from the container. Consequently, the closure may be separated from
the tamper
evidence band, the container may be refilled, and another closure may be
installed onto the
container, giving little visual indication to the end-user that the container
has been reused.
[0008] What is needed, therefore, is a tamper evidence closure that
reliably provides a visible
indication about whether or not a manufacturer-installed closure has been
previously removed
from a plastic container.
SUMMARY
[0009] Systems and methods for finishes configured to engage with a closure
so as to seal
contents within the interior of a container in accordance with embodiments of
the invention are
disclosed. In one embodiment, the finish includes a cylindrical body that
begins at an opening to
an interior of the container and extends to and includes a support ledge,
threads configured to
provide a means to fasten the closure to the container, a terminal end of each
of the threads, and a
gap disposed between the support ledge and a bottom-most of the threads.
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[0010] In a further embodiment, the threads are configured to rotatably
engage with similar
threads disposed within the closure to provide a way to seal contents within
the container.
[0011] In another embodiment, each of the threads generally extends along a
section of the
circumference of the finish and approaches the support ledge.
[0012] In a still further embodiment, the threads of the closure are
configured to engage with
the threads, such that the closure advances toward the support ledge during
clockwise rotation.
[0013] In still another embodiment, the terminal end includes a blunt
surface that is
substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of the finish.
[0014] In a yet further embodiment, the blunt surface is configured to
contact a catching
surface of the closure so as to fixate a tamper evidence band of the closure.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, the teiminal end is configured to be
directed by at least one
guiding surface of the closure, the guiding surface terminating at the
catching surface.
[0016] In a further embodiment again, the threads comprise a single thread
that begins at a
thread start and spirals around the circumference of the finish before
terminating at the tenninal
end.
[0017] In another embodiment again, the thread start is configured to guide
a thread of the
closure into a valley between adjacent threads so as to threadably engage the
closure with the
finish.
[0018] In a further additional embodiment, the gap includes a roughly
uniform width around
the circumference of the finish that is configured to retain a tamper evidence
band of the closure.
[0019] In many embodiments, a tamper evidence closure configured to engage
with a finish
so as to seal contents within the interior of a container, the tamper evidence
closure includes
interior threads configured to engage with threads of the finish, a plug seal
configured to extend
into an opening of the finish whereby contents are sealed in the interior of
the container, a
multiplicity of thin connections attaching a thread-catching tamper evidence
band to a perimeter
of the tamper evidence closure, one or more recesses disposed in the thread-
catching tamper
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evidence band and configured to fixedly engage the finish, and a cam including
a segmented cross-
sectional shape of the thread-catching tamper evidence band extending around
the circumference
of the tamper evidence band.
[0020] In another additional embodiment, the one or more recesses are each
configured to
receive and fixate a thread end disposed on the finish.
[0021] In a still yet further embodiment, each the one or more recesses
includes at least one
guiding surface that extends gradually deeper into the thickness of the thread-
catching tamper
evidence band and terminates at a catching surface.
[0022] In still yet another embodiment, the catching surface is
substantially perpendicular to
the perimeter of the thread-catching tamper evidence band.
[0023] In a still further embodiment again, the guiding surface is
configured to smoothly guide
a thread end of the finish deeper into the recess during counterclockwise
rotation of the closure.
[0024] In still another embodiment again, the catching surface is
configured to receive the
thread end and thereby prevent also rotation of the thread-catching tamper
evidence band.
[0025] In a still further additional embodiment, the one or more recesses
includes a number of
recesses that is equal to the number of threads disposed on the finish.
[0026] In still another additional embodiment, the number of recesses
includes three recesses
that are uniformly spaced around the circumference of the closure so as to
engage three thread
ends including three threads that are uniformly spaced on the finish.
[0027] In a yet further embodiment again, the one or more recesses are
configured to engage
one or more thread ends of the finish so as to prevent also rotation of the
thread-catching tamper
evidence band with respect to the finish.
[0028] In yet another embodiment again, the one or more recesses are
configured to engage
one or more thread ends of the finish so as to cause the multiplicity of thin
connections to break,
separating the thread-catching tamper evidence band from the closure.
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[0029] In a yet further additional embodiment, the multiplicity of thin
connections are disposed
at a tilt angle with respect to the thread-catching tamper evidence band, the
tilt angle imparting a
tendency for the multiplicity of thin connections to break upon twisting of
the closure with respect
to the finish.
[0030] In yet another additional embodiment, the tilt angle of the
multiplicity of thin
connections is clockwise such that the thin connections are subjected to shear
forces upon an end-
user twisting the closure with respect to the finish.
[0031] In a further additional embodiment again, the tilt angle ranges
between substantially
perpendicular to the thread-catching tamper evidence band and substantially
parallel to the interior
threads.
[0032] In a variety of embodiments, a tamper evidence closure configured to
engage with a
finish so as to seal contents within the interior of a container, the tamper
evidence closure includes
interior threads configured to engage with threads of the finish, a plug seal
configured to extend
into an opening of the finish whereby contents are sealed in the interior of
the container, a tamper
evidence portion disposed around the perimeter of a lower portion of the
tamper evidence closure,
and one or more tamper evidence flaps disposed in the tamper evidence portion
and configured to
be outwardly flexed by the finish.
[0033] In another additional embodiment again, outward flaring of the one
or more tamper
evidence flaps indicates that the tamper evidence closure has been loosened
after installation by a
manufacturer.
[0034] In a still yet further embodiment again, the one or more tamper
evidence flaps are
configured to remain flared in absence of the finish so as to indicate that
the tamper evidence
closure has been previously loosened after being installed by the
manufacturer.
[0035] In still yet another embodiment again, each of the one or more
tamper evidence flaps
is disposed within an elongate opening and coupled with the tamper evidence
portion by way of a
bridge.
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[0036] In a still yet further additional embodiment, the bridge is
configured to allow the tamper
evidence flap to be flexed outwards with respect to the tamper evidence
portion.
[0037] In still yet another additional embodiment, the one or more tamper
evidence flaps are
configured to be pushed outwards due to contact with truncated thread ends
including the finish.
[0038] In a yet further additional embodiment again, the bridge includes a
narrow portion
between the tamper evidence flap and the tamper evidence portion of the
closure.
[0039] In yet another additional embodiment again, the bridge is configured
to flex when a
truncated thread end of the finish contacts a catching surface.
[0040] In a still yet further additional embodiment again, the catching
surface includes a
teiminal end of the tamper evidence flap and is substantially perpendicular to
the perimeter of the
tamper evidence portion.
[0041] In still yet another additional embodiment again, the bridge allows
the tamper evidence
flap to be outwardly extended without breaking away from the tamper evidence
portion.
[0042] In another further embodiment, the bridge is configured to remain
flexed in absence of
the truncated thread end to as to indicate that the tamper evidence closure
has been previously
loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
[0043] In still another further embodiment, each of one or more tamper
evidence flaps includes
a ramp that tenninates at a catching surface.
[0044] In yet another further embodiment, the catching surface is
substantially perpendicular
to the perimeter of the tamper evidence portion and is configured to be
contacted by a truncated
thread end of the finish during loosening of the closure by an end-user.
[0045] In another further embodiment again, the ramp is configured to be
engaged by a
truncated thread end of the finish so as to push the tramper evidence flap
outwards with respect to
the tamper evidence portion.
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[0046] In a further embodiment, a number of the one or more tamper evidence
flaps disposed
in the tamper evidence portion is equal to the number of threads disposed on
the finish.
[0047] In another embodiment, three tamper evidence flaps are unifoimly
spaced around the
circumference of the tamper evidence portion so as to engage three truncated
thread ends disposed
on the finish, the three tamper evidence flaps being configured to be flared
by the three truncated
thread ends.
[0048] In some embodiments, a finish configured to engage with a closure so
as to seal
contents within the interior of a container, the finish includes a cylindrical
body that begins at an
opening to an interior of the container and extends to and includes a support
ledge, threads
configured to provide a means to fasten the closure to the container, a blunt
surface including a
truncated terminal end of each of the threads, and a gap disposed between the
support ledge and a
bottom-most of the threads.
[0049] In a still further embodiment, the blunt surface is substantially
perpendicular to the
exterior surface of the finish.
[0050] In still another embodiment, the blunt surface is configured to
contact a catching
surface of the closure so as to flare a tamper evidence flap including the
closure.
[0051] In a yet further embodiment, the threads comprise multiple single
threads that each
begins at a thread start and spirals around a segment of the circumference of
the finish before
terminating at the truncated thread end.
[0052] In yet another embodiment, the threads generally are disposed
adjacently to one another
with the thread starts spaced uniformly around the circumference of the
finish.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] The drawings refer to embodiments of the present disclosure in
which:
[0054] FIG. I illustrates a side view of an exemplary container suitable
for storing a beverage;
[0055] FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
a finish including
truncated thread ends;
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[0056] FIG. 2B illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
a truncated thread
end;
[0057] FIG. 3A illustrates a ghost view of an exemplary embodiment of a
tamper evidence
closure coupled with the finish of FIG. 2A.
[0058] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a closure
configured to be threadably engaged with the finish shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B;
[0059] FIG. 3C illustrates an isometric cutaway view of an exemplary
embodiment of a tamper
evidence closure that includes a thread-catching tamper evidence band;
[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates a close up view of an exemplary embodiment of a
tamper evidence
flap comprising a tamper evidence portion of a closure configured to be
threadably engaged with
the finish shown in FIG. 2A;
[0061] FIG. 5A illustrates an isometric cutaway view of a tamper evidence
closure coupled
with a finish, showing a truncated thread end of the finish sliding along a
guiding surface of a
thread-catching tamper evidence band during loosening of the closure;
[0062] FIG. 5B illustrates a lower isometric view of a tamper evidence
closure coupled with a
finish, showing a blunt surface of a truncated thread end approaching a
catching surface of a
thread-catching tamper evidence band as the closure is rotated with respect to
the finish;
[0063] FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a tamper
evidence closure coupled with the finish of FIGS. 2A and 2B.
[0064] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up cutaway view of an interior of an
exemplary embodiment
of a thread-catching tamper evidence band that includes guiding surfaces, in
accordance with the
present disclosure; and
[0065] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of a tamper
evidence closure coupled with the finish of FIG. 2A.
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[0066] While the present disclosure is subject to various modifications and
alternative foims,
specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings
and will herein
be described in detail. The invention should be understood to not be limited
to the particular forms
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0067] In the following description, numerous specific details are set
forth in order to provide
a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent,
however, to one of ordinary
skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without
these specific details.
In other instances, specific numeric references such as "first bottle," may be
made. However, the
specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential
order but rather
interpreted that the "first bottle" is different than a "second bottle." Thus,
the specific details set
forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still
be contemplated to
be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The tem). "coupled"
is defined as meaning
connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component
through another
component. Further, as used herein, the teims "about," "approximately," or
"substantially" for
any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that
allows the part or
collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described
herein.
[0068] In some instances, conventional tamper evidence bands fail to detach
from the closure
upon being loosened, thereby making it difficult for an end-user to directly
observe whether or not
the closure has been previously separated from the container. Consequently,
the end-user has little
visual indication of whether the container has been reused. Embodiments
disclosed herein provide
a tamper evidence closure that reliably provides a visible indication about
whether or not a
manufacturer-installed closure has been previously removed from a plastic
container.
[0069] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an exemplary container 100
typically used for storing
liquid contents, such as water and juice. The container 100 comprises a base
104 that extends up
to a grip portion 108. In some embodiments, the base 104 may be of the
petaloid variety, although
other configurations of the base may be incorporated into the container 100,
without limitation.
The grip portion 108 comprises a plurality of grip portion ribs 112 (i.e.,
sidewall ribs). As
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illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of grip portion ribs 112 generally vary
in depth, and swirl or
angulate around the grip portion 108. A label portion 116 can be connected to
the grip portion 108
and comprises one or more label panel ribs (not shown). The label panel
portion 116 transitions
into a shoulder 124, which connects to a bell 128. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1, the bell
128 comprises a plurality of design features 132. In other embodiments,
however, the bell 128
may include various other design features, or may be smooth and generally
unomamented. The
bell 128 connects to a neck 136, which connects to a finish 140. As shown in
FIG. 1, the bell 128
comprises a diameter that generally decreases as the bell 128 extends upward
from the shoulder
124 to the neck 136 and the finish 140. The finish 140 can be adapted to
receive a closure, such
as by way of non-limiting example, a container cap or bottle cap, so as to
seal contents within the
container 100. The finish 140 generally defines an opening 144 that leads to
an interior of the
container 100 for containing a beverage, or other contents, such as any of a
variety of carbonated
soft drinks.
[0070] FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an exemplary finish 140
that may be configured
to rotatably engage with the closure 164 so as to seal contents within the
interior of the container
100. The finish 140 comprises a cylindrical body that begins at an opening 160
to an interior of
the container 100 and extends to and includes a support ledge 156. The finish
140 can be further
characterized by the presence of one or more threads 172 configured to provide
a means to fasten
the closure 164 to the container 100. As such, the threads 172 are configured
to rotatably engage
with similar threads disposed within the closure 164 to provide a way to seal
contents within the
container 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, each of the threads
172 generally extends
along a section of the circumference of the finish 140 and approaches the
support ledge 156. Thus,
when the threads of the closure 164 are engaged with the threads 172, and the
closure 164 can be
rotated in a clockwise direction, the closure advances toward the support
ledge 156.
[0071] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2A ¨ 2B, the threads 172 can
comprise a single
thread 172 that begins at a thread start 180 and spirals around the
circumference of the finish 140
before terminating at a thread end 184. As best shown in FIG. 2B, the thread
end 184 can be
truncated and thus terminates at a blunt surface 192 that can be substantially
perpendicular to the
exterior surface of the finish 140. In some embodiments, however, the thread
end 184 need not be
truncated, as desired. The thread start 180 can be configured to guide a
thread 176 of the closure
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164 into a space, or valley 188, between adjacent threads 172 so as to
threadably engage the closure
164 with the finish 140. Further, the threads 172 generally are disposed
adjacently to one another
and are spaced uniformly around the circumference of the finish 140. As best
shown in FIG. 2, a
gap 196 may be disposed between the support ledge 156 and the bottom-most
threads 172. The
gap 196 includes a roughly uniform width around the circumference of the
finish 140 that can be
configured to retain a tamper evidence band of the closure 164, as discussed
herein.
[0072] FIG. 3A illustrates a ghost view of an exemplary embodiment of a
tamper evidence
closure coupled with the finish of FIG. 2A. As further shown in FIGS. 3A and
4, the closure 164
includes a tamper evidence portion 166 that can be disposed around the
perimeter of lower portion
of the closure 164. The tamper evidence portion 166 includes a tamper evidence
flap 200 disposed
within an elongate opening 204. A bridge 208 couples the tamper evidence flap
200 with the
tamper evidence portion 166, as best shown in FIG. 4. The bridge 208 may be
configured to allow
the tamper evidence flap 200 to be flexed outward with respect to the tamper
evidence portion 166.
As such, the tamper evidence flap 200 may be configured to be pushed outward
when acted on by
an outwardly-directed force, such as by way of the contact with the truncated
thread end 184. It
is contemplated that an outwardly flared tamper evidence flap 200 indicates to
an end-user that the
closure 164 has been loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
[0073] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a closure 164 that may
be threadably
engaged with the finish 140 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown in FIG. 4A, the
closure 164
includes interior threads 176 that are configured to engage with the threads
172 of the finish 140,
as described above. As such, the threads 176 extend into the thread valleys
188 extending around
the finish 140. During tightening of the closure 164 onto the finish 140, a
plug seal 168 of the
closure 164 can be configured to extend into the opening 160 and enter into a
pressed relationship
with the finish 140 whereby contents are sealed in the interior of the
container 100.
[0074] As further shown in FIG. 3B, the closure 164 includes a thread-
catching tamper
evidence band 166 that includes a segmented cam 200. The thread-catching
tamper evidence band
166 may be disposed around the perimeter of the closure 164 and can be
attached to the closure
164 by a multiplicity of thin connections 204. The cam 200 generally comprises
an angled lower
surface 208 configured to facilitate passing the thread-catching tamper
evidence band 166 over the
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threads 172 during assembly of the closure 164 onto the container 100. A
relatively flat upper
surface 212 of the cam 200 can be configured to engage with the threads 172 of
the finish 140 and
thus contribute to retaining the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166
positioned within the
gap 196 during loosening of the closure 164.
[0075] Although the thin connections 204 illustrated in FIG. 3B are
substantially perpendicular
to the circumference of the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166, it is
contemplated that the
thin connections 204 may be disposed at a tilt angle with respect to the
thread-catching tamper
evidence band 166, without limitation. It is contemplated that orienting the
thin connections 204
at an advantageous tilt angle imparts a tendency for the thin connections 204
to break upon removal
of the closure 164 from the finish 140, but not during installation of the
closure 164 onto the finish
140 by a manufacturer. In some embodiments, the thin connections 204 are
tilted clockwise such
that the thin connections are subjected, at least in part, to shear forces
upon an end-user twisting
the closure 164 with respect to the finish 140. As such, the tilt angle of the
thin connections 204
may range between substantially perpendicular, as shown in FIG. 3B, and
substantially parallel to
the threads 176, without limitation.
[0076] As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the thread-catching tamper evidence
band 166 includes
one or more recesses 216 configured to receive and fixate one or more
truncated thread ends 184
disposed on the finish 140, as described herein. As best shown in FIG. 3C, the
recess 216 includes
a guiding surface 220 that extends gradually deeper into the thickness of the
thread-catching
tamper evidence band 166 and terminates at a catching surface 224. The
catching surface 224 can
be substantially perpendicular to the perimeter of the thread-catching tamper
evidence band 166.
The guiding surface 220 may be configured to smoothly guide the thread end 184
deeper into the
recess 216 during counterclockwise rotation of the closure 164, such as during
loosening of the
closure 164 on the finish 140. The catching surface 224 receives the thread
end 184 and thereby
prevents further rotation of the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166.
[0077] It is contemplated that the number of recesses 216 included in the
thread-catching
tamper evidence band 166 generally can be equal to the number of threads 172
disposed on the
finish 140. In some embodiments, for example, the threads 172 include three
single threads
unifolinly spaced around the circumference of the finish 140, and the tamper
evidence band 166
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includes three recesses 216 that are unifotinly spaced around the
circumference of the closure 164.
Thus, upon an end-user turning the closure 164 the three recesses 216 engage
the three truncated
thread ends 184, thereby preventing further rotation of the thread-catching
tamper evidence band
166 with respect to the finish 140. Fixation of the thread-catching tamper
evidence band 166
during turning of the closure 164 causes the thin connections 204 to break,
separating the thread-
catching tamper evidence band 166 from the closure 164. The thread-catching
tamper evidence
band 166 remains positioned within the gap 196 after the closure 164 is
removed from the container
100. As such, the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 remaining in the
gap 196 indicates
to the end-user that the closure 164 has been previously loosened after being
installed by the
manufacturer. It should be understood, however, that the finish 140 is not be
construed as being
limited to three single threads 172, but rather the finish 140 may include, in
some embodiments,
between one thread 172 and six individual threads 172 that are uniformly
spaced around the
circumference of the finish 140, without limitation. As such, the number of
recesses 216 disposed
in the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 generally ranges between one
recess 216 and six
recesses 216 that are uniformly spaced around the circumference of the thread-
catching tamper
evidence band 166, without limitation.
[0078] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a relationship between the thread end 184
of the finish 140
and the recesses 216 during loosening of the thread-catching tamper evidence
band 166. FIG. 5A
provides an isometric view of the thread end 184 sliding along the guiding
surface 220 and
approaching the catching surface 224 during loosening of the closure 164. FIG.
5B illustrates a
lower isometric view of the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 coupled
with the finish 140,
providing a clear view of the blunt surface 192 of the thread end 184
approaching the catching
surface 224 as the closure 164 can be rotated with respect to the finish 140.
Once the blunt surface
192 contacts the catching surface 224, the thread-catching tamper evidence
band 166 can be
prevented from rotating further with respect to the finish 140. As described
hereinabove, fixation
of the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 during turning of the closure
164 causes the thin
connections 204 to break, separating the thread-catching tamper evidence band
166 from the
closure 164 and leaving the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166
positioned within the gap
196 after the closure 164 may be removed from the container 100. As will be
appreciated, the
thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 remaining in the gap 196 indicates to
the end-user that
the closure 164 has been previously loosened after being installed by the
manufacturer.
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[0079] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up cutaway view of an interior of an
exemplary embodiment
of a thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 that includes an upper guiding
surface 240 and a
lower guiding surface 244 that are adjacent to a recess 216. As described
hereinabove, the recess
216 generally can be configured to receive and fixate a thread end 184
disposed on the finish 140.
In some embodiments, the recess 216 can be accompanied by the upper guiding
surface 240 and
the lower guiding surface 244, as well as the guiding surface 220 that extends
gradually deeper
into the thickness of the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166 and
terminates at a catching
surface 224. The guiding surfaces 220, 240, 244 generally are configured to
smoothly guide the
thread end 184 deeper into the recess 216 during counterclockwise rotation of
the closure 164,
such as during loosening of the closure 164 on the finish 140. The catching
surface 224 receives
the thread end 184 and thereby prevents further rotation of the thread-
catching tamper evidence
band 166.
[0080] In some embodiments, one or more spacers (not shown) may be disposed
on an interior
of the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166. It is contemplated that the
spacers may be
configured to maintain a desired degree of clearance between the thread-
catching tamper evidence
band 166 and the finish 140 so as to ensure that the thread-catching tamper
evidence band 166
does not flex, allowing the catching surface 224 to bypass the thread end 184.
To this end, it is
envisioned that one or more spacers can be disposed between circumferential
locations of the
catching surfaces 224 to keep the thread-catching tamper evidence band 166
secured in place
during catching the thread ends 184.
[0081] Turning now to FIG. 7, interior portions of the tamper evidence flap
200 are shown.
As best shown in FIG. 5C, the tamper evidence flap 200 includes a ramp 212 and
a catching surface
216. The ramp 212 comprises an increasing thickness of the flap 200 that
teiminates at the catching
surface 216. The catching surface 216 may be substantially perpendicular to
the perimeter of the
tamper evidence portion 166 and can be configured to be contacted by the
truncated thread end
184 during loosening of the closure by an end-user. The ramp 212 can be
configured to be engaged
by the truncated thread end 184 so as to push the tramper evidence flap 200
outwards with respect
to the tamper evidence portion 166. As best shown in FIG. 7, the bridge 208
comprises a narrow
portion between the tamper evidence flap 200 and the tamper evidence portion
166 of the closure
164. The bridge 208 can be configured to flex when the truncated thread end
184 contact the
14
CA 03110253 2021-02-19
WO 2020/041526 PCT/US2019/047588
catching surface 216, and thus advantageously allows the tamper evidence flap
200 to be outwardly
extended without breaking away from the tamper evidence portion 166.
[0082] It is contemplated that the number of tamper evidence flaps 200
included in the tamper
evidence portion 166 generally is equal to the number of threads 172 disposed
on the finish 140.
In some embodiments, for example, the threads 172 include three single threads
uniformly spaced
around the circumference of the finish 140, and the tamper evidence portion
166 includes three
tamper evidence flaps 200 that are uniformly spaced around the circumference
of the closure 164.
Thus, upon an end-user turning the closure 164 the tamper evidence flaps 200
engage the three
truncated thread ends 184, thereby flaring the tamper evidence flaps 200 with
respect to the closure
164. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, once the tamper evidence
flaps 200 are initially
flared, such as by the end-user loosening the closure 164, the bridges 208
remain flexed and the
tamper evidence flaps 200 remain outwardly flexed in absence of contacting the
threads 172. As
such, flared tamper evidence flaps 200 indicates to the end-user that the
closure 164 has been
previously loosened after being installed by the manufacturer.
[0083] While the invention has been described in terms of particular
variations and illustrative
figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention
is not limited to the
variations or figures described. In addition, where methods and steps
described above indicate
certain events occurring in certain order, those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that the
ordering of certain steps may be modified and that such modifications are in
accordance with the
variations of the invention. Additionally, certain of the steps may be
perfoimed concurrently in a
parallel process when possible, as well as performed sequentially as described
above. To the extent
there are variations of the invention, which are within the spirit of the
disclosure or equivalent to
the inventions found in the claims, it is the intent that this patent will
cover those variations as
well. Therefore, the present disclosure is to be understood as not limited by
the specific
embodiments described herein, but only by scope of the appended claims.
