Secure closure

Abstract

A cap for closing a container comprising an openable access port located at or towards one end of the cap through which contents of the container can be dispensed when the access port is in an opened condition, an internal wall surface for engaging with one or more parts of an external surface of the container, a first part of a securing means located on the internal wall surface of the cap, the first part of the securing means for cooperatively engaging with second part of the securing means located on the external surface of the container to prevent removal of the cap from the container when the cap is located in a sealing condition on the container thereby preventing removal of the cap from the container, in that the engaging elements form a ratchet arrangement or a ratchet and pawl like arrangement allowing rotational movement of the cap with respect to the container in one direction only.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to secure closures for containers and to container having such secure closures.In one form, the invention relates to tamper evident security closures and / or to tamper resistant security closures for containers.In one form, the invention relates to tamper proof secure closures for containers and to containers having the secure tamper proof closures.In one form, the present invention relates to a security screw cap for forming the secure closure for fitting to a container to secure the container against unauthorised access and to containers having such caps.In one form, the present invention relates to a one way security cap for a container in which the cap can be rotated in one direction to secure the cap to the container, but is difficult, if not virtually impossible, to rotate the cap in the opposite direction to remove the cap.In one form, the closure is a cap which includes a tamper evident dedicated access port having a cover w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

According to the present invention, there is provided a cap for closing a container, the cap comprising an openable access port through which contents of the container can be dispensed when in an opened condition, a body having an internal wall surface, a securing means located internally within the cap, said securing means being arranged to prevent movement of the cap with respect to the container to remove the cap from the container wherein when the cap is received on the container, the securing means engages with the container to substantially lock the cap in place on the container, wherein the cap is substantially prevented from being moved in a direction to remove the cap by the securing means thereby retaining the cap in place on the container.

Typically, the cap is provided with an access port. More typically, the access port is openable. In the normal storage position, the access port is sealed and remains sealed until the container is required for use. The access port can take the form of an opening, aperture, cut-out, dispensing hole, dispensing bore, void, cavity or similar, preferably located at or towards the top of the cap to provide access to the contents of the container to assist in withdrawing the contents from the container through the opening. More typically, the opening is provided with a cover, lid or other protective device. This protective device provides a visual indication of the container being previously opened or used and accordingly is one example of the visual indicator. The visual indicator can be of any suitable form or type. One preferred form is a protective cover. Typically, the cover is a temporary cover, a deformable cover, a removable cover, a displaceable cover or the like. Even more typically, the cover is a non replaceable cover, such as a one time use cover, that when removed from the cap to allow access to the contents through the access port, the cover or lid is discarded and is not replaced leaving the access port uncovered or unsealed. The absence of the cover or lid signifies that the container had been opened previously. More typically, the cover is a tamper evident cover, the absence of which indicates that attempts have been made to gain access to the contents of the container or that some of the contents have been withdrawn. Even more typically, the cover is removed when the initial dosage of contents is withdrawn and is not replaceable or replaced. Typically, the cover is provided with a frangible, severable, breakaway or deformable connection. More typically, there are three regularly spaced apart nibs, lands or severable connections located around the edge of the temporary cover. However, any suitable form of the cover is possible. One such frangible connection is a ring of weakness connecting the cover to the cap, which ring of weakness is easily severed or broken. In one form, the ring of weakness is a thin section or membrane.

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of expensive and precision machinery is required to insert and deform the metal bands around the rubber stopper onto the top of the container to produce such seals to retain the stopper in place.

For small companies having small production runs, the expense of having such expensive precision machinery is prohibitive making their use economically unviable for many small operators.

Resealing a container, particularly after the initial seal is broken, has the risk that the remaining contents can be contaminated or accidentally dispensed, such as by a child gaining access to the container.

Thus, there is a need for a sealing arrangement that reduces the risk of contamination after some of the contents have been dispensed, and further there is a need for a child resistant container which makes it more difficult for a child to accidentally or inadvertently dispense the contents of a container, particularly in a manner that allows the child to withdraw sufficient quantities to ingest the contents.

Another problem of currently available sealed containers with a rubber stopper is the dispensing system requires the use of a needle, typically the needle of a syringe having a sharp point needed to pierce the rubber stopper in order to withdraw the contents of the container.

The sharp point of the syringe needle can cause needle stick injuries or damage.

Additionally, there is the problem associated with discarding used needles which can cause inadvertent injuries if discarded thoughtlessly.

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