Headstand closure with tamper-evident seal

Abstract

A head-upside-down closure is provided having a tamper-evident seal. The closure comprises a base (2) and a lid (3) having a top panel (35) against which the closure rests in use. The base is attachable to a container (10) and the lid is attached or attachable to the base. The closure comprises an internal tamper-evident member comprising a part (5) initially spaced from the lid top panel and which moves to or towards the top panel when the head is in a head-down orientation after the closure has been opened for the first time.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on August 24, 2016, with application number 201680059971.0 (international application number PCT / EP2016 / 070021) and entitled "Head-inverted sealing member with unauthorized opening indicator seal". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to closures, and more particularly to closures with tamper-evident indication. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect, the invention provides a closure for a head-upside-down container, the closure including a base and a lid having a top plate, the closure being rested by the top plate during use, the base being attachable to the container, and the lid being attached to or being attachable to the base, the closure including an internal tamper indicator member including a component initially spaced apart from the lid top plate, and moving to or toward the top plate after the closure is first opened, when the head is in a head-down orientation.

[0004] The tamper indicator may include a multi-component tamper indicator, wherein two or more components are initially connected together in a fracturing manner and are separated upon first opening.

[0005] The unauthorized opening indicator may include two rings.

[0006] In some embodiments, a two-part tamper-evident indicator is provided, wherein when the closure is opened, one part is held on the base while the other part is held by the cover.

[0007] At least a portion of the closure is transparent.

[0008] The base can be attached to the container in a non-removable manner. In other embodiments, the closure can be attached in a removable manner.

[0009] The opening indicator component, which moves to or toward the top plate, falls to its position on the top plate by gravity.

[0010] On the other hand, a head-inverted container closure with an unauthorized opening indicator is provided.

[0011] Another aspect provides a flip-top dispensing closure that can be tilted upside down, the closure including an tamper indicator that is activated upon first opening and provides a visible opening indication when the closure is in a head-down orientation.

[0012] Another aspect provides a head-upside-down package that includes a container and a dispensing closure, the closure including an tamper indicator that effectively indicates whether the closure has been opened when the package head is down.

[0013] The present invention also provides a closure as described herein that is combined with a container.

[0014] The present invention provides an tamper indication for a closure used on a head-inverted package, which is stored by being placed on the closure (i.e., upside down).

[0015] In one embodiment, the closure has a base and a cap, which are connected together by a tamper indicator strip. The tamper indicator strip is provided by a cylindrical ring comprising two parts connected together by a fracturing bridging member. A first part of the ring remains fixed in the base of the closure, adjacent to the container body, and without any possible vertical movement, while a second part of the ring is located in the cap of the closure and is arranged to allow the second part to slide between the base and the top plate of the cap. Upon initial opening, the fracturing bridging member breaks, allowing the base and cap parts of the closure to separate as the closure is opened, allowing dispensing. This creates a large space between the two parts of the tamper indicator strip. During initial opening and product dispensing, the second (movable) part of the tamper indicator strip becomes secured in the cap (adjacent to the top plate of the closure). When the cap is resealed onto the body of the closure, the large space between the two parts of the tamper indicator strip is maintained. Therefore, the pre-opening of the closure is readily apparent to the user of the package.

[0016] Once the closure cover is rotated at an angle of approximately 140°, the second part of the ring slides toward the top plate of the closure cover under the influence of gravity, and is then secured therein by a small interference between the diameters of the cover and the upper part of the ring.

[0017] Advantageously, a portion of the closure is transparent, and at least one component of the tamper indicator is clearly visible to the user of the package. In particular, the cap or a portion thereof may be transparent, since that portion of the closure contains the largest component of the tamper indicator and the component that has moved during the opening process.

[0018] Different aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be used individually or together.

[0019] Further particular and preferred aspects of the invention are set forth in the appended independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as needed, and may be combined with features other than those expressly set forth in the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 A side sectional view of a closure element fixed to a container according to the invention is provided, as it will be provided to the user of the package (before first use);

[0022] Figure 2 The first opening is indicated when the lid is rotated to approximately 140°. Figure 1 A side sectional view of the closure shows that the easily broken bridging component has broken, and the upper part of the unblocking indicator band ring has moved to its fastened position near the top plate of the closure.

[0023] Figure 3 It gives in Figure 1 and 2 The closure has been resealed onto the container. The side sectional view of the closure shows that the two loops of the tamper indicator are clearly spaced apart, and the package is in its inverted position for easy storage.

[0024] Figure 4 The first stage of assembly is given. Figure 1 The side sectional view of the closure shown is shown with the closure in its open position and the tamper indicator strip is engaged in the cover of the closure.

[0025] Figure 5 Showing the next stage of assembly Figure 4 The diagram shows a side sectional view of the closure, with the cover of the closure moving toward its closed position. When fully closed, the bottom loop of the tamper indicator strap becomes fixed within the body of the closure, thereby preventing any vertical movement; and

[0026] Figure 6 shows a closure formed according to an alternative embodiment in an initial unopened position; an opened position; and an opened and head-upside-down (inverted) position. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to embody and implement the systems and processes described herein. It is important to understand that embodiments can be provided in many alternative forms and should not be construed as limiting oneself to the examples presented herein.

[0028] Therefore, although embodiments can be modified in various ways and can take various alternative forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail below as examples. It is not intended to limit to the specific forms disclosed. Rather, all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms falling within the scope of the appended claims should be included. Throughout the drawings and detailed description, elements in the exemplary embodiments are consistently designated as needed by the same reference numerals.

[0029] In the following description, all orientation terms, such as upper, lower, radial, and axial, are used in relation to the drawings and should not be construed as limiting the invention or its connection to the closure.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the art. It should be further understood that terms in ordinary use should also be interpreted in accordance with the conventions of the relevant field, without idealized or overly formalized meanings, unless specifically defined herein.

[0031] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same elements throughout the views, several embodiments of the invention will be further described. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some cases may have been enlarged or simplified merely for illustrative purposes. Based on the examples of the following possible embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will understand many possible applications and variations of the invention.

[0032] Figures 1 to 3 The operation of the closure according to the invention is shown during the user's first opening of the package. In this example, the closure is in the form of a flip-top closure.

[0033] refer to Figure 1 This shows the flap-top dispensing closure 1, which is fixed to the container 10 and together forms the package.

[0034] When the packaging is first presented to the user, the closure 1 is irreversibly secured to the container 10, the closure 1 is in its closed position, and includes an intact tamper-evident indicator strip 5. The strip includes two loops 52 and 53.

[0035] The cover 3 includes a flat top plate 35, from which generally cylindrical sidewalls 36 hang. An arched skirt section 37 hangs from the top plate. This section 37 includes a terminal crimp 38 at its free end. A ring 53 includes a crimp 54 that engages the crimp 38, such that the ring 53 is held in place by the cover 3.

[0036] The base 2 includes a top deck 15 having a drooping sidewall 16. An annular skirt 17 hangs from the top deck 15 and includes a rolled edge 18 for clamping the closure onto a container neck 10 having a corresponding engaging rolled edge 11.

[0037] As in Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the optimal configuration, the top partition 15 includes a front overhang or a base flange 4. The ring 52 includes an internally inclined flap 6 that cannot extend beyond the base flange 4, thereby locking the ring 52 onto the base 2.

[0038] As in Figure 2 As shown, when the user lifts the cover 3 of the closure 1 to dispense the product from the container 10 through the dispensing orifice 6 formed in the top partition 15, the fragile bridging member between the two rings 52, 53 that constitute the tamper indicator strip 5 breaks because the ring 53 (by means of the crimp 38, 54) is held by the cover and the ring 52 (by means of the crimp 4 and the flap 6) is held by the base.

[0039] When the cover 3 is rotated more than approximately 140°, the second part of the tamper indicator ring 53 slides toward the top plate 35 of the cover 3 and is held in that position. The first part of the tamper indicator ring 52 remains fixed in the base 2 of the closure; in this embodiment, the base top partition 15 includes a raised crease 4, and the ring 52 is held below the crease 4.

[0040] In this embodiment, the closure cover 35 is generally flat and can form a stable "base" on which the container can stand, thus providing head-up packaging.

[0041] Next reference Figure 3 The lid 3 is returned to its closed position on the base 2 of the closure 1, and the package consisting of the closure 1 and the container 10 is stored in an inverted position resting on the top plate 35 of the lid 3. The ring 52 cannot fall off because it is held in place by the base. In this stored and re-closed position, the two parts 52, 53 of the tamper indicator strip 5 are clearly spaced apart, indicating to the user that the closure 1 has been previously opened and is subsequently re-closed.

[0042] at last Figure 4 and Figure 5 The closure 1 is shown during assembly. In the first stage of assembly (in... Figure 4 As shown in the diagram, the closure 1 is positioned in its fully open position, with the cover 3 separated from the base 2. The tamper indicator strip 5, as previously described, is engaged in the open cover 3. In the next stage of assembly (in... Figure 5As shown in the diagram, the cover 3 is closed onto the base 2, and the first part of the tamper indicator ring 52 is fixed to the base 2 of the closure 1. The ring 52 includes an inwardly inclined flap 6 that can pass over the base roll edge 4 but cannot return thereafter, thereby locking the ring 52 onto the base.

[0043] The closure 1 can be attached to a container filled with a product (such as food, sauce, condiments, cosmetics, personal care products, etc.). The tamper-evident package, including the product-filled container 10 and the closure 1 containing the tamper-evident indicator ring 5, is now ready for sale to users.

[0044] In this embodiment, the base 2 of the closure 1 is irreversibly attached to the container 10 to ensure that product can only be dispensed by opening the closure 1 (not shown) before dispensing through the dispensing orifice 6. Specifically, in... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As seen, the dispensing orifice 6 can be sealed in its closed position by a suitable plug 7.

[0045] Parts list

[0046]

[0047] Figures 6A to 6C The closure 101 formed according to yet another embodiment is shown.

[0048] A tamper-evident indicator component with a double-ring 152, 153 configuration is provided again.

[0049] Figure 6A The closure 101 is shown in its initial unopened position. Rings 152 and 153 are connected together in a fracturing manner.

[0050] Figure 6B The closure 101 is shown in its initial open position. Rings 152 and 153 split as the cover pivots away from the base. As the cover moves to its open position, ring 153 moves toward the top plate.

[0051] Figure 6C The closure 101 is shown open and in an inverted (upside-down) position. Ring 153 has moved toward the top cover 135. Ring 153 cannot return to its initial axial position adjacent to ring 152, so rings 152 and 153 remain spaced apart in either primary orientation of the container ("inverted" and "upright"). In this embodiment, a slight abutment between the diameters of the cover and the second ring 153 prevents the second ring 153 from falling back to its initial axial position adjacent to the second ring 152.

[0052] Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact embodiments shown, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A closure for a container having an inverted primary orientation and an upright primary orientation, the closure comprising a base and a lid, the closure being configured as a head-up closure, the lid having a substantially flat top plate, wherein the closure rests on the top plate when the container is in its inverted primary orientation during use, the base is attachable to the container, and the lid is attached to or can be attached to the base, the closure comprising an internal tamper indicator member comprising a first tamper indicator component and a second tamper indicator component, the first tamper indicator component and the second tamper indicator component being initially joined together in a fractured manner and being separated upon first opening of the lid, wherein the second tamper indicator component of the internal tamper indicator member is initially connected to the container when the container is in either of its primary orientations. The top plate of the lid is spaced apart, wherein the lid and the second tamper indicator are configured such that after the lid is first opened, the second tamper indicator falls from its original position to a position adjacent to the top plate under gravity, and such that the second tamper indicator is held in the lid adjacent to the top plate, and such that the second tamper indicator is prevented from falling back to its original position in the lid, wherein the first tamper indicator is held in the base of the closure, wherein after the lid is closed back onto the body, the spacing between the first tamper indicator and the second tamper indicator of the internal tamper indicator member is maintained, wherein when the container is in its inverted main orientation, the second tamper indicator moves to a position adjacent to the top plate to indicate to the user that the lid has been previously opened and subsequently closed again; in, At least a portion of the closure is transparent; There is an abutment between the diameter of the cover and the second tamper indicator to prevent the second tamper indicator from falling back to its original position; The first unauthorized opening indicator and the second unauthorized opening indicator are respectively a base ring held by the base and a cover ring held by the cover.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein, The base can be attached to the container in a non-removable manner.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the base ring is clamped to the base crimp, and the cover ring is held by the cover crimp.

4. The closure according to claim 3, wherein the base includes a top partition, the base being rolled up on the top partition, and wherein the cover includes a skirt hanging down from the top partition, the cover being rolled up on the skirt.

5. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes generally cylindrical sidewalls that droop from the top plate.

6. The closure of claim 1, wherein the cover is hinged to the base, the base including a top partition with a dispensing orifice, and the closure is movable to a head-down orientation, wherein in the head-down orientation, the top plate of the cover forms a stable base, the internal tamper indicator is activated when the cover is first opened, and provides a visible opening indication when the closure is in the head-down orientation.

7. A head-up inverted package comprising a closure according to claim 1 coupled to a container, wherein the lid of the closure is hinged to the base, the base comprising a top partition having a dispensing orifice, the container comprising a neck, and the base being irreversibly connected to the neck of the container, the top plate of the lid being adapted to form a stable base.

8. The packaging according to claim 7, wherein when the lid is first opened, the lid ring falls onto the inner surface of the top plate of the lid.

9. The packaging of claim 8, wherein the base ring includes flaps for locking the base ring to the base, and wherein the cover ring includes a rolled edge for retaining the cover ring in the cover.

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