Snap Cap with Tamper Evidence

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/661,188, filed on Jun. 18, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to closures, and in particular to closures with a tamper band to evidence when the closure has been removed. This disclosure describes closures with a cap pivotally coupled to a base, the closure also including a plurality of frangible connections between the cap and base.

One embodiment of the invention relates to a closure includes a cap, a hinge, and a base. The cap includes a generally circular top panel centered about a vertical axis and including an outer periphery, and the cap further includes a first skirt extending downward and away from the outer periphery of the top panel, the first skirt including a first inner surface. The hinge is coupled to a rear of the first skirt. The base is pivotally coupled to the first skirt via the hinge, and the cap pivotally actuates with respect to the base between a closed position and an open position. The closure further includes a line of weakness extending circumferentially around the vertical axis between the first skirt and the base. The line of weakness includes a front portion that extends linearly and circumferentially laterally with respect to the vertical axis, and rear portions extending between the front portion and the hinge. The rear portions extend upward and circumferentially away from the front portion to the hinge. The closure further includes a plurality of frangible connections extending across the line of weakness, the plurality of frangible connections providing evidence, when broken, that the closure has been opened.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including a cap, a hinge, and a base. The cap includes a generally circular top panel centered about a vertical axis and including an outer periphery, and the cap further includes a first skirt extending downward and away from the outer periphery of the top panel, the first skirt including a first inner surface. The hinge is coupled to a rear of the first skirt. The base is pivotally coupled to the first skirt via the hinge, the cap pivotally actuating with respect to the base about a rotation axis between a closed position and an open position, and the rotation axis is located a first distance below the top panel. The cap further includes a line of weakness extending circumferentially around the vertical axis between the first skirt and the base. The line of weakness includes a front portion opposite the hinge with respect to the vertical axis. The line of weakness opposite the hinge with respect to the vertical axis defines a second distance from the top panel, and first distance is no more than 90% of second distance. The cap further includes a plurality of frangible connections extending across the line of weakness, the plurality of frangible connections providing evidence, when broken, that the closure has been opened.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a closure including a cap, a base, and a hinge pivotally coupling the cap and the base. The cap includes a generally circular top panel centered about a vertical axis and including an outer periphery, and a first skirt extending downward and away from the outer periphery of the top panel, the first skirt including a first inner surface. The hinge is coupled to a rear of the first skirt. The base is pivotally coupled to the first skirt via the hinge, and the cap pivotally actuates with respect to the base between a closed position and an open position. The closure includes a line of weakness extending circumferentially around the vertical axis between the first skirt and the base. The closure further includes a plurality of frangible connections extending across the line of weakness, the plurality of frangible connections providing evidence, when broken, that the closure has been opened. The closure further includes a first plurality of projections extending inwardly towards the vertical axis from one of the first skirt and the hinge, the first plurality of projections interfacing with a container neck the closure is coupled to when the cap is in the closed position, to bias the cap to remain in the closed position.

In a specific embodiment, the first plurality of projections includes a first projection extending inwardly from the hinge.

In a specific embodiment, the closure includes a second plurality of projections extending inwardly towards the vertical axis from the base, the second plurality of projections interfacing with the container neck to bias the base to remain coupled to the container neck, and the second plurality of projections are further from the top panel than the first plurality of projections.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and/or shown in the accompany drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments. In addition, alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

This disclosure provides a description for various embodiments of a closure with a tamper evident band. The closure includes a cap pivotally coupled to a base via a hinge. The cap and base are initially also coupled via frangible connections until the closure is opened for the first time. The closure includes a plurality of projections extending inwardly to couple various components of the closure to the container neck the closure is coupled to. In various embodiments, the closure includes a rear projection extending inwardly from the hinge, the rear projection interfacing with the container neck to bias the base of the closure downward.

Turning to, a closureis provided. The closureincludes a cappivotally coupled to basevia a hinge. The capincludes a generally circular top panelcentered about vertical axis, an outer peripheryof top panel, and a first skirtextending downwardly and away from outer peripheryof top panel. First skirtincludes an inner surface.

Hingeextends from rearof cap, opposite tab, and towards base. Hingepivotally couples capto base. Hingeis coupled to a rearof the first skirtof the closure. Hingeextends from upper edgeat skirtof capto lower edgeat skirtof base. Outer surfaceof hingefaces away from axis. In various embodiments, closure, cap, baseare centered on axis.

In various embodiments, upper edgeextends circumferentially around closureat a consistent distance below top panel. In various embodiments, lower edgeextends circumferentially around closuresuch that the middle portion of lower edgeis closer to top panelthan both of the outer portions of lower edge. In particular, in various embodiments, lower edgedefines an arc centered on a point below base.

A plurality of frangible connectionsextend across line of weaknessbetween capand base. The plurality of frangible connections, when broken, provide visual evidence that closurehas been opened a first time.

Closureincludes line of weakness extending around vertical axis, such as circumferentially, between first skirtand base.

Line of weaknessextends from front portionto rear portion. In various embodiments, front portionextends linearly and horizontally from front of captowards rearof cap. In various embodiments, rear portionextends diagonally and linearly upward and circumferentially away from front portiontowards hinge. Applicant has observed that angling rear portionof line of weaknessupward facilitates the user being able to close closurebecause it raises the rotation axisbetween baseand cap, thereby allowing the user to more easily slide the capover the far edge of the container neck.

In various embodiments, front portionof line of weaknessextends circumferential distancewith respect to vertical axisalong each side of frontof line of weakness. In various embodiments, front portionextends a total of at least 180 degrees (e.g., two halves of distance front portioneach extending distancethat is 90 degrees around vertical axis, one half for each side of closure), and more specifically at least 200 degrees, and even more specifically at least 220 degrees. In various embodiments, front portionextends between 180 and 270 degrees around vertical axis, and more specifically between 200 and 250 degrees, and even more specifically between 210 and 240 degrees. In various embodiments, front portionextends no more than 270 degrees around vertical axis, and more specifically no more than 250 degrees, and even more specifically no more than 240 degrees.

In various embodiments, rear portionsof line of weaknessextend circumferential distancewith respect to vertical axis. In various embodiments, rear portionsextends a total of at least 50 degrees with respect to vertical axis(e.g., two instances that are each of distancebeing 25 degrees around vertical axis, one instance for each side of closure), and more specifically at least 60 degrees, and even more specifically at least 70 degrees, and even more specifically at least 80 degrees, and even more specifically at least 90 degrees, and even more specifically at least 100 degrees. In various embodiments, rear portionscollectively extend between 50 and 180 degrees around vertical axis, and more specifically between 60 and 150 degrees, and even more specifically between 70 and 130 degrees. In various embodiments, rear portionscollectively extend no more than 180 degrees around vertical axis, and more specifically no more than 150 degrees, and even more specifically no more than 130 degrees.

In various embodiments, rear portionsextend linearly from front portion, and more specifically rear portionsextend linearly from front portionto hingeand/or rotation axis. In various embodiments, rear portionsextend both vertically and circumferentially between front portionand hinge.

In various embodiments, at least one frangible connectionis in at least one of rear portions, and more specifically at least one frangible connectionis in each of rear portions.

In various embodiments, distanceof rotation axisfrom top panelis between 40% and 90% of distanceof front portionfrom top panelat frontof line of weakness, and more specifically between 50% and 80%, and more specifically between 60% and 75%. In various embodiments, distanceof rotation axisfrom top panelis at least 40% of distanceof front portionfrom top panelat frontof line of weakness, and more specifically at least 50%, and more specifically at least 60%. In various embodiments, distanceof rotation axisfrom top panelis no more than 90% of distanceof front portionfrom top panelat frontof line of weakness, and more specifically no more than 80%, and more specifically no more than 75%.

Closurefurther includes basepivotally coupled to first skirtvia hinge. The cappivotally actuates with respect to the basebetween a closed position and an open position.

Referring to, depicted therein are one or more beneficial aspects of rotation axisbeing arranged to be closer to top panel, compared to if the entirety of line of weaknessextended along the plan of front portion. In particular, as top panelis pivoted towards the closed position with respect to base, skirtof top panelextends past container neck. This is in contrast to if rotation axiswas further from top panel, in which case skirtof top panelwould interface against container neckof container, thereby interfering with top panelbeing closed unless skirtand/or container neckare deformed (e.g., because the diameter of skirtis not sufficiently large to extend from rotation axispast container neckwhen skirtis being closed and is in the position shown in).

Referring to, various aspects of closureare shown. In various embodiments, closureincludes a first plurality of projectionsextending inwardly, such as towards axisfrom one of first skirtand hinge. In various embodiments, first plurality of projectionsincludes rear projection, which is positioned on and extends inwardly from hinge. First plurality of projectionsinterface with the container neck when closureis closed to bias one or more components of closureto remain coupled to the container neck, such as to bias the capto remain in the closed position.

In various embodiments, first plurality of projectionsinclude a first projection, such as rear projection. For example, rear projectioninterfaces with container neck to bias basedownward, and thus biases closureto remain coupled to the container neck even when closureis opened. In various embodiments, rear projectionextends inwardly from baseunder hinge, i.e., further from top panelthan hinge. Applicant has observed that positioning rear projectionabove line of weakness and that interfaces with container neckfacilitates securing the closurefrom being maliciously opened, e.g., without one or more of frangible connectionsbreaking.

In various embodiments, the remaining projections, i.e., the projectionsother than rear projection, interface with the container neck when the closureis in the closed position to bias capto remain coupled to the container neck.

Referring to, various aspects of closureare shown. Pluginterfaces with container neckof containerto seal the contents of the container.

In various embodiments, there are three sealing points between container neckand closure. Inner surfaceof skirtinterfaces with container neckto provide a first sealing location, and container neckinterfaces with an upper portion and a lower portion of outer surfaceof plugto provide second and third sealing locations between container neckand closure.

In various embodiments, closureincludes a second plurality of projectionsextending inwardly towards the vertical axisfrom base. In various embodiments, second plurality of projectionsextend inwardly from basetowards axis, thereby biasing baseto remain coupled to container neck. In various embodiments, second plurality of projectionsare further from top panelthan first plurality of projections. In various embodiments, closureincludes three projectionsthat circumferentially extend around axis.

Projectionsare heightbelow top panel, and projectionsare heightbelow top panel. In various embodiments, heightis more than heightand thus projectionsare further from top panelthan projections.

Referring to, in various embodiments projectionsinterface with container neckto prevent closurefrom being actuated upward, thereby making it more difficult for user to insert an object under skirtto disengage closurefrom container neck.

Rotation axisis distancebelow top surfaceof top panel. In various embodiments, distanceis less than 75% of distance, and more specifically less than 65%, and even more specifically less than 60%, and even more specifically less than 50%.

It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is in no way intended that any particular order be inferred. In addition, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more component or element, and is not intended to be construed as meaning only one.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. As used herein, “rigidly coupled” refers to two components being coupled in a manner such that the components move together in a fixed positional relationship when acted upon by a force.

While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be used alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above.

In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.