WO2016142951A1

WO2016142951A1 - A tamper proof cap

Info

Publication number: WO2016142951A1
Application number: PCT/IN2015/050032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mrinal DOVAL
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-03-10
Filing date: 2015-04-24
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-09-10
Also published as: IN2015DE00650A

Abstract

A tamper proof cap (1) for sealing bottle or bottle like container with threaded neck is disclosed. The cap comprises a safety ring (3) wherein the safety ring comprises an upper ring (5) attached to a detachable lower ring (4) by connection means (6) and having an inner wall (10) formed by four segments (8) attached together by four weak lines (7). When the cap (1) is unscrewed, initially the weak lines (7) tear and deform the lower safety ring (4) into four pieces, and on continued unscrewing the connection means (6) break and release the cap (1) from the neck.

Description

A TAMPER PROOF CAP

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a tamper proof cap. More particularly, the invention relates to a tamper proof cap for bottles and bottle like containers having a body and a neck, wherein the cap comprises a safety ring for sealing the cap on the bottle neck and indicating any unauthorized effort of opening the cap. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Usually bottles are the preferred means of container for liquid contents. More preferably liquors are packaged in bottle. Many a times these bottles are tampered so as to counterfeit or adulterate the content or refill the bottle. This particularly happens by tampering the bottle cap and after adulteration or refilling, recapping the bottle cap. Therefore a tamper proof cap is always the need of the market to check such unauthorized opening and adulteration.

Many efforts have been made in the prior art to solve the problem of adulteration by providing different types of tamper proof caps. Some of such prior arts are briefly discussed below.

US Patent 381991 describes a tamper-evident ring made up of metal which is the lower most portion of the metal cap. The metal cap engages into the threaded portion of the bottle neck and at the same time the tamper-evident ring engages with a counter holding ring provided in the bottle neck. The lower safety ring (metal) is connected to the upper metal cap by means of series of bridges and vertical wakening lines are provided in the lower ring. Segments of safety rings are connected through thin bridges. When the cap is unscrewed, the vertical weakening lines tears and the bridges are separated forming the segments of the safety ring free. Thus when attempts are made to open the bottle, the safety ring is deformed and the ring segments are exposed externally showing attempt has been made to open the bottle or the seal is tampered. The main drawback of this tamper-evident cap is that the cap and the safety ring attached to that are made of metal and during opening the separated ring segments exposed outward cause injury by sharp edges of the ring segments. Also, it is possible to dilate the safety ring by inserting some thin object like a safety pin and open the cap without breaking the safety ring and insert back the same cap after adulteration of the bottle content. Another Patent EP1950143 B l discloses a tamper evident ring for metal closures wherein the safety ring is formed by three segments which are attached by three bridges. When the cap is unscrewed, the bridges tear apart and the segments are released to become free and the ring becomes deformed which indicates tampering of the cap. This prior art also has the drawback that safety ring attached at three points is susceptible to being opened without being broken or leaving any evidence of unauthorized efforts of opening the cap. This is possible because three points attachment provides the safety ring sufficient strength to bear the force in dilation of the ring with a thin object like safety pin. Therefore, it is possible to open the cap without any evidence of tampering .

Therefore there is a need of a tamper proof cap which is capable of providing evidence of any type of effort of unauthorized opening of the cap.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide a tamper proof cap for bottle and bottle like containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tamper proof cap with a safety ring to provide evidence of any type of effort of unauthorized opening of the cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly there is provided a tamper proof cap for bottle and bottle like container having a neck wherein the cap comprises safety ring which on attempt to open or unscrew the cap, breaks into four pieces and demonstrates the evidence of tampering or opening of the cap. Thus in one embodiment the invention provides a tamper proof cap for sealing bottle or bottle like container containing a neck (2) comprising a cap (1) and safety ring (3), wherein

the cap (1) comprises:

- groove (11) which is counter holding to the threaded segment

(12) of the bottle neck (2),

cavity (16) formed by the section (15) of the cap (1), which holds the safety ring (3),

the safety ring (3) comprises:

- a lower safety ring (4) attached to the upper ring (5) by connection means (6), wherein the lower safety ring (4) have a inner wall (10) formed by four segments (8) attached by four weak lines (7); characterised in that when the cap (1) is screwed, the inner wall (10) slips over the outward projected portion (13) of bottle neck (2) and fits below the edge

(14) providing locking means; and when unscrewed the weak lines (7) tear and the lower safety ring (4) breaks into four pieces demonstrating evidence for tampering of the cap (1).

The cap (1) is made up of any material selected from metal such as aluminium or plastic.

Further, the invention provides a safety ring system to be attached with a cap for providing tamper proofing mechanism, wherein the safety ring comprises four segments attached by four thin bridges, on attempts to unscrew or open the cap, the bridges tear and the segments are detached separately making the safety ring completely deformed which demonstrates evidence of the tampering or opening of the cap.

Thus in another embodiment the invention provides a safety ring (3) for demonstrating evidence for tampering of the cap (1) which comprises a lower safety ring (4) formed by attachment of four segments (8) by four easily breakable weak lines (7), attached to an upper ring (5) by means of connecting means (6); characterised in that when the cap (1) is screwed, the inner wall (10) of the lower safety ring (4) slips over the projection (13) of bottle neck (2) providing a locking means, and when the cap (1) is unscrewed, the easily breakable weak lines (7) connecting the segments (8) to form the lower safety ring (4) tear and breaks the lower ring (4) into four pieces.

The thickness of weak lines (7) is less than the thickness of outer wall (9) of lower safety ring (4). The upper ring (5) and the lower safety ring (4) are made up of plastic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Figure-1: Perspective view of the Cap in closed position.

Figure-2: Side view of cap, safety ring and bottle neck.

Figure-3: Expanded view of cap, ring and bottle neck.

Figure-4: Top perspective view of the safety ring.

Figure-5: Side close up view of the safety ring.

Figure-6: Top view of the safety ring.

Figure-7: Bottom view of the safety ring.

Figure-8: View of sealed bottle neck

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tamper proof cap for bottle or bottle like container or storage article having a neck like opening portion. The tamper proof cap may be made up of metal or plastic materials. The bottle may also be made up of any material such as glass, metal or plastic materials.

Referring to Figure-1, the tamper proof cap (1) mounted on the bottle neck (2) holds safety ring (3) which comprises two rings, one upper ring (5) and another lower ring (4), which provide tamper proofing mechanism of the cap (1). The groove (11) of cap (1) engages with the threaded segment (12) of the bottle neck (2). The lower edge (14) of outward projected portion (13) of bottle neck (2) provides provision for locking the cap (1) mounted on bottle neck (2) through the lower safety ring (4), wherein the inward projected inner wall (10) of lower safety ring (4) acts as stopper means and fits below the edge (14). The hollow cavity (16) formed by outward projected section (15) of cap (1) holds the upper ring (5) in its proper position. Referring to Figure-2 and Figure-3, the cap (1) comprises outward projected section (15) which forms a hallow cavity (16) on which the upper ring (5) engages and provides proper assembly of upper ring (5) with the cap (1). The upper ring (5) comprises a lower ring (4). The bottle neck (2) comprises a threaded portion (12) at the top of the neck (2). Below the end of threaded portion (12), there is an outward extended portion (13) forming edge (14) at the lower end of portion (13) which facilitates locking of lower safety ring (4) through the inner wall (10) formed by segments (8).

Figure-4, Firgure-6 and Figure-7 show the closer view of safety ring (3), which comprises two rings, one the upper ring (5) and another lower ring (4). The upper ring (5) attaches to lower ring (4) by means of connecting means (6) and thus safety ring (3) forms. The lower ring (4) is formed by attachment of four equal segments (8) wherein all four segments (8) join by easily breakable weak lines (7). Usually the lower ring (4) consists of two walls, one inner wall (10) and another outer wall (9), wherein the two walls forms a "V" shape periphery. The weak lines (7) which join the segments (8) forming the lower ring (4) are usually present on the outer wall (9) of lower ring (4).

Figure-5 shows an enlarged side view of section of safety ring (3). As shown in the figure, the safety ring (3) comprises two rings, upper ring (5) and lower ring (4). The lower ring (4) formed by attachment of four segments (8) comprises two walls, one inner wall (10) and another outer wall (9). The weak lines (7) which join the four segments (8) are present in the outer wall (9). The thickness of weak lines (7) is less than the thickness of the outer wall (9) and the weak lines (7) are easily breakable. The inner wall (10) and outer wall (9) joins in such a way that the inner wall (10) projects towards the centre of the lower ring (4) and giving "V" shape. The safety ring (3) is made up of plastic.

Accordingly the present invention provides a safety ring (3) to be attached or engaged with a cap for tamper proof which is made up of plastic and demonstrates evidence of tampering of cap or first time opening of cap of a bottle, wherein the safety ring (3) easily breaks when little efforts are made to open the cap of the bottle. At the same time the safety ring (3) is strong and secure enough to retain in its proper position with the cap (1) at the bottle neck (2) locking the cap (1) with the neck (2), so that the safety ring (3) cannot be opened from its locked position from the neck (2) without deforming or breaking the ring (3). That means the cap (1) comprising safety ring (3) cannot be opened by any techniques or any supporting means without breaking the safety ring (3). The four point attachments by weak lines (7) of four segments (8) provide a better security to the safety ring (3).

As illustrated in the above figures 1-8, the cap (1) comprises groove (11) which is counter holding to the threaded segment (12) of the bottle neck (2). The cap may be of any materials selected from plastic or metals such as aluminium. Preferably the cap (1) is aluminium cap. The bottle (17) may be any type of container having a neck (2) made up of any material selected from plastic, metal or glass. Preferably the bottle (17) is glass bottle. The neck (2) of bottle (17) comprises an outward projected portion (13) which forms a rib like structure having edge (14) at the lower end of the portion (13). The edge (14) provides means for locking of the safety ring (3) when cap (1) is screwed. The safety ring (3) is made up of plastic material comprising two rings, lower ring (4) and upper ring (5), both are attached by several connecting means (6), usually eight. The lower ring (4) is formed by joining of four segments (8) by means of connecting means such as weak lines (7) wherein the thickness of weak lines (7) is less than the thickness of the walls of the segments (8). The lower ring (4) is of "V" shape wherein the inner wall (10) projects inward towards the centre of the ring.

Thus the cap (1) can be closed to the neck (2) by screwing and can be opened by unscrewing the cap (1). When the cap (1) is screwed at the time of closing the bottle neck (2), the inner wall (10) projecting inward to the centre of the ring (3) forced to slip over the outward projected portion (13), wherein the edge of inner wall (10) get locked below the edge (14) of projected portion (13) of neck (2). Once get locked, the cap (1) cannot be opened without tampering or breaking the lower safety ring (4).

When the sealed bottle is opened for the first time and whenever for the first time attempt is made to unscrew the cap (1), the edge (14) of bottle neck (2) prohibits the upward movement of inward projected wall (10). Thus when unscrewed, the cap (1) pulls the safety ring (3) also and due to the locking of lower ring (4) by the inner wall (10) at the edge (14) of neck (2), the four weak lines (7) connecting the four segments (8) which forms the outer wall (9) of the lower ring (4) becomes first ruptured and the ring formed by the segments (8) deforms making it into four pieces. With continued unscrewing of the cap (1), the connection means (6) which join the lower ring (4) with upper ring (5) breaks and release the cap (1) from the neck (2).

Once the lower safety ring (4) breaks and the segments (8) are separated into four pieces, it indicates tampering of the cap (1). Further the cap (1) cannot be recapped intact as previously, which prohibits refilling of bottle. Thus it is impossible to adulterate the liquid or other contents of the bottle.

When the cap is unscrewed, initially before breaking of connection means (6), the thin weak lines (7) which connects the segments (8) breaks and deform the lower safety ring (4) forming it into four pieces and on further continued unscrewing the connection means (6) breaks and release the cap (1) from the neck.

Thus the tamper proof cap (1) of the present invention provides effective security of tampering wherein the cap cannot be opened without deforming the safety ring (3). The four points attachment of segments (8) by weak lines (7) forming a lower safety ring (4) works better and ensure security.

Figure-8 shows the assembly of cap (1) along with safety ring (3) over bottle neck (2) when the bottle is sealed by the tamper-evident cap (1). The cap (1) is made up of any material selected from metal such as aluminium or plastic.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A tamper proof cap (1) for sealing bottle or bottle like container with threaded neck comprising a safety ring (3) wherein the safety ring comprises an upper ring (5) attached to a detachable lower ring (4) by connection means (6) and having an inner wall (10) formed by four segments (8) attached together by four weak lines (7).

2. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap (1) is made of aluminium or plastic.

3. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the safety ring (3) is made of plastic.

4. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the cap (1) is unscrewed initially the weak lines (7) tear and deform the lower safety ring (4) into four pieces, and on continued unscrewing the connection means (6) break and release the cap (1) from the neck.

5. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower safety ring (4) is attached to upper safety ring (5) by connection means (6).

6. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower safety ring (4) is formed by attachment of four segments (8) by four easily breakable weak lines (7).

7. The cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the cap (1) is unscrewed, the lower ring (4) deforms and breaks into four pieces demonstrating evidence of tampering of the cap (1).

8. A safety ring (3) for demonstrating evidence of tampering of the cap (1) which comprises a lower safety ring (4) formed by attachment of four segments (8) by four easily breakable weak lines (7), attached to an upper ring (5) by means of connecting means (6); characterised in that when the cap (1) is unscrewed, the easily breakable weak lines (7) connecting the segments (8) to form the lower safety ring (4) tear and breaks the lower ring (4) into four pieces.

9. The safety ring as claimed in claim 9, wherein the upper ring (5) and the lower safety ring (4) are made up of plastic.